A notable difference between the Bible and the Quran is that Muslims believe the Quran was verbally dictated by God to the prophet Muhammad and therefore it consists of the actual words of God as they were recited and subsequently recorded. The Bible, on the other hand, is traditionally understood by Christians to be inspired, but not dictated. The Holy Spirit acted upon human authors to produce writings that can be considered the word of God in that they are what God intended to say and without error. A key implication of this is that the background, circumstances, and literary style of the biblical authors are taken into account when interpreting the biblical text. Whereas the Quran is understood to be God's words directly transcribed and given to the reader, the Bible contains God's word communicated through human beings whose unique personalities and situations shaped the final product.
Biblical inspiration corresponds with a general pattern by which God operates: throughout the Scriptures, divine activity is often mediated through human agency. Moreover, as in biblical inspiration, the activity of the Holy Spirit does not preclude human particularities. The implications of this are far-reaching and profound. God chooses to work with and through human beings, with all their weaknesses and limitations. He willingly puts “treasure in jars of clay” (2 Cor 4:7). And this human element cannot be ignored; one does not simply bypass the reality of their own humanity on the way to heights of glory and revelation. In fact, dealing with weakness and inadequacy is integral to one's authentication and formation. Again, we can look to the biblical writers as examples. Consider the many challenges as well as chastisements Moses went through, the humiliation and persecution endured by Israel's prophets, or the apostle Paul and his sufferings.
It follows, then, that there can be genuine expressions of the Holy Spirit that are truly of God even while human fallibility remains very present. In some settings, however, the work of the Spirit is understood in a way that resembles dictation in that the Spirit’s activity is applied without reference to human shortcomings. An emphatic focus on the gifts of the Spirit coupled with a minimization of human sin and brokenness make for a precarious environment in which a host of problems can arise. These include the elevation of certain individuals due to their giftedness and charisma, the equating of spiritual zeal with righteousness, overindulgence of the gift of prophecy, and the inability to properly handle sin issues and conflict. Yet the solution is not to “quench the Spirit” (1 Thes 5:19), nor is it to adopt a moralistic, legalistic approach. Rather, the ministry of the Spirit must be situated within a context of repentance, forgiveness, and sanctification, as well as mutual trust and loving relationships. Thus sin, weakness, and brokenness can be graciously addressed rather than dismissed or excused, all without disparaging the genuine work of God which not only allows for such issues but ministers to and through them.