When it comes to the Word of God our biggest problem is not reading it, memorizing it, learning it, or even knowing it; our problem is with implementation.  Your knowledge of God’s Word only brings Him honor when it is applied.  You can train a parrot to repeat Bible verses, but it will never change the parrot.  Some people live their entire lives without really building upon the right foundation.  When the floods come, their spiritual structures crumble because they only hear and never heed.

The true test of our spiritual character is not how we receive the Bible; it is how we appropriate it in our lives. But how do we do it?  How do we take what we have read from Scripture and carefully give application?  Consider a few suggestions:

1. Read and meditate daily.

Reading and meditating alone will not bring application, but you have to start somewhere.  If you are not reading His Word, how can you apply it?  If you don’t know the commandments, how can you abide by them?  If you don’t know the various pieces of the armor of God, how can you wear them?  Scripture application begins inwardly – get the Word in your heart first, and then watch it unfold throughout everyday living.

2. Pray for wisdom.

As you meditate on the Word, ask the Lord to give you understanding and discernment. Pray over the text and ask God for spiritual enlightenment.  Reflect on the text throughout the day. Seek for clarity, insight, and instruction, and believe by faith that God will impart such knowledge (James 1:5).

3. Ask Questions.

As you read through a passage, ask yourself plenty of questions.  Who is the writer? To whom is he speaking? What is he saying? What is God saying to me? How do I make application? Ask specifically how a certain principle can pertain to your life.  Begin measuring your habits, decisions, and attitudes with Scripture, and then adjust accordingly.

4. Look for situations.

Filter each situation through the Word of God, and make decisions in accordance to Scripture.  Allow me to give you one example – let’s look at Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”  This verse teaches us to monitor our conversations.  Not only should we refrain from gossip, we should also use our conversations for the edification of others.  So…the next time you engage in conversation keep this verse in your mind, and your mouth.  In every situation there is an opportunity to implement Bible truth.

5. Make changes.

The Bible is the only Book ever written that actually reads the reader.  It is a sword that pierces to the deepest asunder of the soul.  When we get ready to make biblical application, we need to prepare our hearts for change.  We do not change God’s Word, His Word changes us…and always for our benefit and advantage.  Allow God’s Word to speak to you, and then through you.