iT CAN BE SCRIPTURE-FED, sPIRIT-LED, AND WIDER-SPREAD.
“The Bible was written to change our lives; not increase our knowledge.”
When I first heard this exhortation from professor and author Howard Hendricks, it became foundational to my understanding of how to read the Bible.
I immediately understood that whenever I read or heard Holy Scripture, I could not merely stockpile new information. I was responsible to apply that truth, insight, or exhortation to my life as a follower of Jesus Christ. Later, I realized that the Bible was also written to transform my praying.
Whenever we are hearing, reading, meditating on, or memorizing the Bible, the Holy Spirit longs to transform our mind’s self-conversation into an ongoing conversation.
“When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” with Almighty God. That’s why it’s important that I listen, don’t tell.
No longer do I consider prayer as my simply telling God what I need. Now, by listening to the guiding-speaking-telling-revealing of the Spirit of truth, I participate in knowing God’s will.
As we pray, let’s expand our application of the Scripture to these life components by asking the question: How can this Scripture apply to:
Worship: helping me exalt God’s character and attributes?
Discipleship: teaching me to exhibit a life in Christ of obedience and joy?
Stewardship: reminding me to express gratitude and generosity?
Leadership: inspiring me to exceptional service and ministry?
Fellowship: producing an extraordinary “one another” community?
Citizenship: directing me to extend the love of Jesus to my neighbors and community?
Relationship: leading me into authentic relationships in my family and with friends?
Applying Scripture must never stop at a personal application-only level. This limits the length and breadth and depth of the living Word of God. The Holy Spirit’s work—through the written Word of God—is meant to change, empower, and equip us as individuals. But God also designed it to flow from us, his change agents. Each biblical encounter is a call to pray God’s Word into every segment and role of our lives.
This format can serve as a guide for praying even the simplest Scripture passages into our lives. As we read Scripture, we can offer a prayer like this:
• I seek the filling of the Holy Spirit so that I will be led into God’s truth.
• I am eager to know the mind of Christ so that I may do God’s will.
• I want to know the heart of the Father so that I exhibit and proclaim God’s love.
By Phil Miglioratti