Search the letters of Paul and find that his primary boasts in the Lord for those early churches centered on their faith and love. Over and over some form of these words: “I’ve heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints…” If our attentiveness to Bible study, systematic theology and doctrine do not result in the strengthening of our faith and love, we’ve somehow managed to leave the Holy Spirit out of the Holy Spirit’s own words. This is one reason why prayer is essential to Bible study. Frequently talking to God in our studies about our studies helps protect us from the rebuke Jesus gave in John 5. Those individuals diligently studied the scriptures but did not have the love of God in them. If Bible study makes us meaner and much of our joy comes from how well we insulted our brothers and sisters who aren’t in our camp, there’s a disconnect somewhere. This isn’t throwing stones. It can happen to any of us. One reason i’ve had to take some social media breaks along the way was that I didn’t like what it was doing to my heart. I didn’t like that it was increasing the number of people I didn’t like. That’s bad fruit, folks. An honest appraisal of our own hearts is a crucial practice. We can be right about a thing with a wrong heart and God’s going to look straight through that right thing to that wrong heart.