God has given us two valuable tools, which if used in proper proportions, bring about character and spiritual fruit. Used independently, like all polar or dichotomous thinking (going to one ditch or the other), over-emphasis on one has the tendency to distort the process. The law and God's Spirit (not to be considered polar opposites), given on the same calendar date (at Sinai and Jerusalem), must be applied in tandem to get the best results. Richard Ritenbaugh uses analogies from governmental codes and regulations to illustrate what happens when one extreme dominates the other. Over-emphasis on law produces rigidity and loophole hunters, while over-emphasis on spirit produces emotional imbalance, permissiveness, disobedience and lack of structure. Law and Spirit are not opposites, but complementary, and must work together in order to get results.

Antony and Cleopatra Balance Bausch and Laumb Building code Burns and Allen Chicago Energy Enthusiasm Flora and fauna Grant and Lee Holy Spirit Law and Spirit Laurel and Hardy Hillel Law and Spirit Lawyers Liberal and conservative Lightning and thunder Mishna Nicholas and Palmer Peanut butter and jelly Pentecost Pentecostalism Salt and pepper Samson and Delilah Satan?s spirit Simon the Magus Spirit and truth