Applying Scripture

In simple terms, applying Scripture to our lives means connecting Scripture’s original meaning to today. Of course, even when we get a superficial understanding of a biblical passage, we still apply it, to some degree, to our thinking. But all too often, scientific, scholarly interpretation of the Bible has little room for practical application. Much of modern application is just establishing that the Bible’s factual claims are true and calling followers of Christ to believe them. To be sure, this type of application is valuable. But it neglects some crucial ways that Scripture should be applied to our lives today. If we want to apply God’s Word as he intended, we can’t treat the Bible as some lifeless object that someone wrote thousands of years ago. We have to treat it as God’s living Word.

This means that we should also focus our application on how God is impacting our concepts of him, humanity, and the rest of creation through the Scriptures. As we seek the illumination of God’s Spirit through intense prayer and contemplation of his Word, we’ll find that the Spirit of God confirms, enhances and corrects our concepts. And when we embrace these corrections with our whole hearts, we’ll find ourselves drawn ever further into the blessing of God’s presence.

In addition, we should focus our application on how our behaviors are affected by God’s presence in the Scriptures. When we come to his Word, we must humbly lay bare everything we’ve done. And as we prayerfully draw near to him, his Spirit confirms and enhances our actions for future service; correcting and empowering us to turn to actions that please him.

Finally, we should also focus our application on how our emotions are affected by reading the Scriptures in God’s special presence. In his wisdom, God’s Spirit brings regret, grief, and sorrow when they’re appropriate. At other times, he fills our hearts with joy, peace, and love. When we approach the Scriptures as God’s living Word, our emotions toward him, other people, and the rest of creation may come upon us quietly, or they may fill our hearts and overwhelm us by his presence.

Whatever the case, as we learn how to interpret the Scriptures in the light of God’s nearness, we’ll find that the Scriptures come alive and transform us, not only in our concepts and behaviors, but also in the depths of our emotions.