One of the major faults of the Pharisees, which in the end lead to their rejection of the very God they claimed to worship, was that the spirit of truth had long since ceased to dwell with them. In Jesus day, they were for the most part, merely cultural Jews, living as perfectly as possible all the outward ordinances of their faith, but without any true conversion, or spiritual direction. Culture is a powerful thing. Many Muslim Jihadists fanatically fighting their holy war, are doing so not based on revealed truth or sweet communion or religious convictions received from their Holy Quran, but rather to protect their culture, from what they see as Western corruption. Many cultural Christians, profess Jesus's name, sing praises of his grace, and yet violate his teachings with impunity. Even so, there are many within the church who have been raised in the Mormon Culture, who understand all of its trappings, who outwardly perform all its requirements, like paying tithing, doing home and visiting teaching, holding family home evening, etc….. but who remain ignorant to what Jesus called the weightier matters of the law. In spite of their cultural perfectness, they remain estranged from the true God who revealed the standards that made the culture. Such cultural religionists often re-create God in their own image, and enthrone their reason, their knowledge, and their logic, making those things into their private God. That propensity is clearly seen within those who support "arm of the flesh" reliant periodicals like Sunstone or Dialogue magazines. It is no coincidence here that one of the major leaders within the Ordain Women movement was a former editor of Sunstone. The tragedy is that just as the Pharisees in Jesus day, these modern day cultural Mormons honestly do not understand what Paul meant when he taught, "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life" They are in almost perfect harmony with those mentioned by Jacob;"O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish. But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God." (Emphasis Added)
Those who are open to the spirit, and who have moved beyond culture, will know by the spirit as they read and observe the actions or the Ordain Women advocates, that those advocates are in fact fulfilling Jacob's lament. As with the Sunstone and Dialogue Mormons, they mock, or set aside spiritual feelings and manifestations, and rely upon the God of reason, specifically their own reason. They allow their pride, fed by culture, to deceive them into believing that they actually do know better than God and His chosen leaders. Like Saul of old, who contrary to God's command concerning the Amalekites saved out the best of the animals, these protestors think they have a better idea, a better way. Of course the core transgression underlying such thoughts and actions is the spirit of rebellion, which Paul rightfully taught is as the sin of witchcraft.