Edwards' view allows us to maintain our need for supernatural enlightenment from God while at the same time emphasizing our need to practice humility and self-denial in order to receive God's light and be saved. Likewise, Edwards' teaching keeps us from viewing the Bible alone as a magical conduit of salvation. Rather, he forces us to focus on our need for the Spirit to illuminate biblical revelation in order that genuine spiritual life may begin and continue. Edwards also brings a healthy balance to the limits of reason. It is only reasonable to recognize that reason alone has inherent limitations.
Reality encompasses more than the intellect and rationality.
In Edwards' teaching, God does not overlook our reasoning abilities, but neither does God rely on them exclusively as means of communion with Him. Finally, if Edwards is correct, it should drive evangelists and pastors to a greater dependence on God to open the eyes of the blind while, at the same time, using all means at their disposal to persuade unbelievers of God's glory and goodness. The Word without the Spirit is powerless to change the heart. The sermon was delivered in 1734.