Letter Worship

We really are worshipers of the letter, with a lust for what is purely literal. We have forgotten that the letter kills; it is only the Spirit who gives life. Thus we study and labor over the letter for hours on end with all our commentaries, systematic theologies, concordances, etc. until we have mastered and harnessed the letter into submission. What we should have learned by the leading of the Holy Spirit we were determined to learn by our own strength and intelligence. But not without consequence, for now our new found biblical truth is only information to be stored in the brain, whereas had we learned to wait upon the Holy Spirit and follow His leading, it would have come as revelation bringing transformation to our lives. 

Of course commentaries and systematic theologies are not bad—in many ways they are a much needed resource and blessing to the Church. But we must stop with all our studies done in the flesh and learn to fellowship with the Spirit of God. We do not lead the Holy Spirit He leads us.