Applying God’s Word

Posted by jerrywhite on May 17, 2012

“We have seen that bringing ourselves under the transforming influence of the Word of God means much more than just acquiring knowledge about the contents of Scripture. In fact, the mere acquisition of Bible facts or doctrinal truth without application to one’s life can lead to spiritual pride. As Paul said, ‘Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up’ (1 Corinthians 8:1). By contrast Paul also spoke of ‘the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness’ (Titus 1:1).

What is the difference between these two concepts of Bible knowledge? In the first instance the Corinthians were using their knowledge in a selfish and prideful way. They were ‘looking down their noses’ at people with different convictions from theirs. On the other hand, the knowledge that leads to godliness is knowledge of the Scriptures that is being applied to one’s life and results in godly behavior.

One of the banes of present-day evangelical Christianity is the way we sit every week under the teaching of God’s Word, or even have private devotions and perhaps participate in a Bible study group, without a serious intent to obey the truth we learn. The indictment of the Jewish people God made to Ezekiel could well be said of us today:

‘My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice….Indeed to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.’ (Ezekiel 33:31-32)

Our tendency seems to be to equate knowledge of the truth, even agreement with it, with obedience to it. James said when we do this we deceive ourselves (James 1:22). This is especially true when we focus on the more scandalous sins ‘out there’ in society to the neglect of the more ‘refined’ sins we commit.

We can not develop Bible-based convictions merely by storing up Bible knowledge in our heads. We do not even develop them by personal Bible study and Scripture memorization, though those practices certainly help us get started. As we begin to meditate on Scripture consistently we come closer. But convictions are really developed when we begin to apply the teachings of Scripture to real-life situations.”

Jerry Bridges

The Discipline of Grace, 181-182