THE WORD AND THE SPIRIT

As Christians, without the Word of God to direct us in our way, we would be walking in the dark. The Word is described as a lamp that burns with the oil of the Spirit. It is the light that directs our path, and the steps we take in that path.

Reference: Psalm 119:105 King James Version (KJV) 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.'

The above verse tells us that the Word is a lamp. Notice it didn't say, 'its 'like' a lamp', rather it is a lamp! However, a lamp needs oil to discharge its light. That means, it is the Word and the Spirit of God that transmit the light of revelation in our path. Without oil in a lamp, there won't be a sustained light. In other words, without the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God will not be effective in your life. No oil in a lamp, no light to brighten your path. No wonder God sent us His two most trusted entities: The Word and the Holy Spirit.

God can never send you a word without His Spirit to confirm and validate it. John 3:34 (NASB) says, 'For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure.' Access to God's Word without the Spirit is like a lamp without oil. The Word functions pari passu with the Spirit. Every answer from God is conceived by the Word of God and birthed by the Holy Spirit.

The translation of the Spirit in Greek is 'Pneuma', and Pnuema is an ancient Greek word for 'breath'. So the Spirit of God is the power and breath you encounter in the Word, in order to produce results. Remember that Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14 KJV), but it is the Holy Spirit that gave birth to Him. In other words, the Holy Spirit is the Father of the Word. As the Son of Man, Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit. In the physical realm, Mary was impregnated with His seed (Jesus).

Same way, without the Holy Spirit, you cannot understand the Word of God and it may not yield results for you. The Bible says, 'But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My Name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you' (John 14:26). The Holy Spirit is the One that reveals the Word to you and brings it to your understanding.

Having a lamp (the Word), without an oil (Holy Spirit) could be a waste of time. Its like practising legalism or piling up knowledge, which can be unproductive because head knowledge is not enough to light a path. That's the reason five foolish virgins, out of ten, were left behind. What made them foolish? Lack of oil. Even though the ten virgins had access to the lamp (which is the Word), only five had oil in their lamps (read Matthew 25:1-13).

The hidden wisdom of God in the Word can only be revealed by the Spirit, otherwise, the Word becomes a tradition (see 1 Corinthians 2:7-8 NASB). Isaiah 66:16 (KJV) also reads, 'For by fire (Spirit) and by His sword (Word) the Lord will plead with all flesh.' Therefore, if you function in the Word and walk by the Spirit, you have got the balance right and the Word results will definitely show in your life. That's the principle that works.

Scripture Reading - Zechariah 4:6; Acts 4:31; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Peter 1:19.

Exuberant Declaration: I'm born of the Word and the Spirit and I function in both. I don't miss my way because I have the Holy Spirit who enlightens my path through the Word and ensures my desired results, as I put the Word to work. Therefore, I'm a success, a victor, and a champion in life and I continually experience the glory of God. Hallelujah!