Does This Apply To Me?

Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:12

Some people enjoy Bible study more than others, but one thing everyone wants out of a Bible class or a sermon is application. For a lot of folks, that is what makes a Bible study really worthwhile. Factual information is fine, but how does it apply to ME?

A classic example of the need for application would be the command for Noah to build the ark. That command does not apply to us, and yet a wise teacher will point out the important lessons about obedience to be gleaned from the story. Similarly, unmarried people might think a lesson on marriage does not apply to them, and yet, such a lesson would likely cover principles about how to get along with people in general. Such ideas could be useful to anyone.

One tool that has helped me at times to find the application, sometimes when I wasn’t even looking for it, is to pray the scriptures. In particular, praying passages from the epistles, which were written as instructions for daily Christian living and worship, can be very helpful for shining the light of truth on our own lives.

Of course this is when application might become less appealing. We love to see how God’s promises apply to us, how God’s blessings apply to us, how God’s forgiveness applies to us. But God’s instructions? That’s fine if it’s something I’m already doing. But when I really start looking for the application, sometimes I find that I don’t measure up.

For example, how well do I handle anger? Anger is a natural part of life. Is it really that big a deal? Here’s a portion of a prayer based on New Testament instructions regarding anger:

Father, forgive me for sinning when I’m angry; for giving the devil an opportunity; for grieving Your Holy Spirit.

Let no harmful words come out of my mouth, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what I say will do good to those who hear me.  Let all evil speaking be put away from me. Help me to stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Help me not to yell at others or ever be rude.  Help me instead to be kind and merciful, and to forgive others, just as You forgave me because of Christ.

I pray for Your Holy Spirit to change my way of thinking and make me into a new person, created after Your likeness in true righteousness and holiness. Help me as Your child to follow You and to walk in love, as Christ also has loved me and given Himself for me, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to You.

These words of prayer are adapted from Ephesians 4:22 – 5:2, blending the words of the NKJV, CEV, and ESV versions.

Praying the scriptures in this way does at least two things. First of all, it brings home the seriousness of the matter. In this example I’m faced with the fact that if I don’t manage my anger well, I am sinning, I am opening a door to Satan, and I am grieving the Lord!

So maybe anger IS a big deal.

Secondly, praying the scriptures helps me to ask for very specific help.

I know that God’s instructions about anger apply to me, yet when I pray God’s word back to Him, I have to do more than just acknowledge that simple fact. Such a prayer forces me to consider more deeply and more sincerely how I need to apply God’s word to my life.

Real application isn’t just saying, yes, this Bible verse applies to me, nor is it an explanation in a Bible class. Those things are important and can be helpful, but if we don’t apply the teaching to our lives, it’s still just an intellectual exercise. Application doesn’t really happen until you and I do something differently in our lives because of what we have read. Actually applying God’s word to my life then, ultimately, is up to me.

Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.
Proverbs 23:12

Dear God, I pray that Your word will never appear trite to me, but that You will help me to see even familiar scriptures with fresh eyes. Help me not to be complacent about my life or about Your instructions for living it. Open my eyes and show me the path You want me to walk. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

by Christie Cole Atkins

P.S. For the complete scripture-based prayer on anger, as well as many others, check out my book: Praying the Scriptures Back to God, available here. (Pro tip: CALL for a weight-specific shipping quote to save $$!)