It’s one thing to study and read the Bible, but it’s another thing to apply it to your life. Many study the Bible for what it’s worth, but not many live a life worthy of its context. The apostle James tells us that we should not be only hearers but doers of the word.
The word of God is profitable for every area of life. People run into all kinds of problems and different kinds of situations in which they have to make decisions. How they handle the situation is determined by the way they confront it. The word of God gives us clear direction for every circumstance, all we have to do is pray and asked God to show us his method.
THE WORD OF GOD
The word of God is visual
Gen 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” (NKJ)
The word of God gives us clear direction for the future
Gen 15:4
And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “This one shall not be your heir, but one who will come from your own body shall be your heir.” (NKJ)
The word of God will be fulfilled in our mouths
Exod 8:13
So the LORD did according to the word of Moses. And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields. (NKJ)
The word of God purifies us
Ps 119:9
How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. (NKJ)
The word of God keeps us from sinning
Ps 119:11
Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You! (NKJ)
The word of God is delightful
Ps 119:16
I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. (NKJ)
The word of God revives
Ps 119:25
My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word. (NKJ)
The word of God strengthens
Ps 119:28
My soul melts from heaviness; strengthen me according to Your word. (NKJ)
The word of God establishes
Ps 119:38
Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You. (NKJ)
1. Why is the word not meaningful?
The Pharisees would not come to Jesus for interpretation (Jn.5:40)
2. Why is the word not exciting?
In order for the word of God to become exciting to us we must first abandon ourselves and study diligently (2 Tim 2:15)
3. Why is the word not working for me?
The word of God will not work for us if we are not working for the word (Heb11:6)
4. Why is the word not clear to me?
In order for us to see more clearly we must ask the Lord to remove the scales from our eyes
(Acts 9:18; 2 Cor 3:13-16; Heb.10:19-20)
Make the truth attractive
Paul urges us not to make the word of God dull. If we are to win others we must first be won over.
Titus 1:1 provides a clear statement of the purpose of Scripture: Paul describes it as “The truth that leads to godliness”.
Some ways we can make the word attractive
Titus 2:9
be subject to our overseers in everything
try to please them
not talk back to them
not to steal from them
show that you can be trust
Four substitutes for application
1. We substitute interpretation for application
-We can settle for knowledge rather than experience
-to know and not to do is not to know at all
-lack of involvement is not the perspective of Scripture
-you are responsible for the truth you know
Jesus said that to whom much has been given, much will be required. Matthews 13:12
Jesus also said why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say? Luke 6:46
2. We substitute superficial obedience for substantive life-change
-we apply truth to where truth is already applied
For example the businessman comes across Ephesians 4:25, which deals with the issue of honesty.
Therefore laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
The business man thinks only about the areas where he is already honest. We must ask the Lord to show us the areas where we cannot see.
3. We substitute rationalization for repentance
-we have a built-in early-morning system against spiritual change
-when truth gets to close, to convicting, an alarm goes off and we start to defend ourselves
-our strategy is to rationalize sin instead of repenting of it
4. We substitute an emotional experience for a willful decision
-we respond and depend on an emotional response rather than truth
-we respond but do not repent