How do the Holy Spirit and Word work together?
In our physical bodies, the life that is in our digestive system is combined with the life sustenance contained in the food we eat. The food is broken down in the stomach and its nutrients are assimilated throughout the body.
The stomach's function is a good illustration of how the Spirit works with God's word. The word is the spiritual food that is combined with our spiritual 'digestive system' of the indwelling Holy Spirit. This divine word & Spirit combination causes strengthening of the new man so we might better see, stand and walk in the ways of God. This is what Jesus was referring in John 6:63.
In fact, all the systems of the physical body such as the digestive systems (to assimilate food), the nervous system (to see and hear) and the skeletal and muscular systems (to stand and walk) find their spiritual counterpart in the activity of the God's Spirit in us. And in each of these functions, the effectual working of the Spirit requires God's word to perform as designed.
So, are we built up by God's word or by His Spirit? The answer is... Yes and Yes!
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which
