04/18/2007
Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
In Pentecostal circles, we have a tendency to emphasize the Swordsman (Holy Spirit) but we often downplay the Sword (the Bible and sound doctrine). What good is one without the other? We would much rather follow our feelings and call it “being led of the Spirit” than to check our feelings against the unchangeable Word of God. Perceived obedience to God is always so much easier when it is something we “feel” like doing.
Why does it seem that we have to choose either sound doctrine or the power of the Holy Spirit?! Can’t we be both passionate in our belief in the operation of the Holy Spirit AND our insistence on sound doctrine? Can’t we worship God with our whole heart and not limit His ability to work in real ways AND love the Word and use it to measure what we feel the Holy Spirit is saying to us? Isn’t it essential that we learn this balance?
I read a couple of articles on this topic recently but from the other side of the aisle. Those in the Reformed camp have the opposite problem of focusing too much on the Word of God (Sword) while dismissing much of the work of the Holy Spirit (Swordsman). I find it highly ironic that I passionately agree with most of their theology with the exception of my passionate disagreement with its most fundamental tenets known as Calvinism and the limited operation of the Holy Spirit! However, the following articles by these proponents of Reformed theology acknowledge their tendency while also rebuking us for not appreciating and valuing God speaking to us through His Word. I commend them to you. If I may quote from one of them:
"If we have only truth, we dry up; if we have only spirit, we flare up; but if we have spirit and truth, we grow up."
http://www.adrian.warnock.info/2007/03/steve-camp-challenges-us-to-embrace.htm
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2007/2021_The_Morning_I_Heard_the_Voice_of_God/
