09/09/2026
Applying the Bible in Long Life Paws
“Application" is certainly an element to which every preacher and teacher must give attention. Sometimes it is easier to explain a biblical truth than to explain how it can be implemented in life. The devotion I read today from "The Best of A.W. Tozer” was titled "Exposition Must Have Application. The teacher/leader must present the information and then explain how that information can be implemented in life.
The information contained in the Scripture is the foundation of the Christian life. Christians cannot apply the principles of Scripture without the understanding those principles. However, knowing the meaning of Scripture does not benefit us unless we apply it in life. James clearly states that principle in James 1:22 reminding us that we are not to simply learn the contents of the Bible, but to be "doers of the word, and not hearers of the Word of God only. He continues that if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer of the Word, he deceives himself and is like a man viewing his face in the mirror but does not remove the dirt that he had seen. He is in a worse condition because he is fully aware of that dirt and knows that others see it. He would be better if he was not aware of the dirt. It is imperative that Christians remove the sin that God exposes in us. The Word of God also tells us how we can correct the errors in our lives. When preachers and teachers deal with the issue of sin, we must expose the nature of sin but also support and guide the repentant person as that person seeks to change their habits and attitudes. Ezra set an example of the principle. He prepared his heart “to seek the Law of the Lord and to do it, and to teach statutes teach statutes Israel (Ezra 7:10). Paul also told Timothy to be an example to other Christians. (1 Tim. 4:2). Every preacher and teacher is called to follow Ezra’s example of seeking to understand the Bible, apply it in life, and help others to do the same.
