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Bible Study XIII
Application

In the step of Observation, we said that becoming a good Bible detective involved asking questions of the text. We bombarded several passages of Scripture with questions. That is also true when it comes to Application. There are several applicational questions you can ask whenever you come to the Word. lf you can remember the word “SPACE” you can apply any Scripture to your life.

Is There a Sin to Confess? One of the values of the Word is that it raises moral issues. Before you were saved you had an altogether different standard of right and wrong. It was only when you came to Christ and began reading Scripture that you began to learn what sin really is. As you are reading Galatians 5:16-26 are there any sins that you are struggling with? As you are reading the Word of God the Holy Spirit of God will convict so that you might confess that sin and draw closer to God. In my quiet time with the Lord God has been speaking to me about my propensity to complain. I have confessed that sin and God is growing me in that area of my life. That is application.

Is There a Promise to Claim? God’s Word is filled with promises, promises that are made from a person who cannot lie and is totally capable of fulfilling the promises He has made. God always honors His Word. Not all of the promises in Scripture are made to us, some are made to individuals, people groups, and nations in general. We can’t claim the promises that are made to Israel, but we can claim the promises made to the Church. Are there any promises to claim in Galatians 5:16-26?

Is There an Attitude to Change? The child of God is to have the right kind of attitude. Specifically, Philippians 2:5 says that “We are to have the mind of Christ.” Having the mind or attitude of Christ involves changing some things. Prejudice, greed, jealousy, lust, among others are attitudes that do not befit a Christian. As we are reading and applying the Word of God, the Scriptures will speak to us about our attitudes. Is there an attitude that needs changing in Galatians 5:16-26?

Is There a Command to Obey? The Bible is full of clear-cut commands. For instance, there are 54 commands to obey in the book of James. There are commands to follow in Romans 12-15, Ephesians 4-6, Colossians 3-4, and many others to obey in the Scripture. A wise, old scholar was once asked how to determine the will of God. His response was “95% of the will of God is revealed in the commands of Scripture. If you spend your time attending to those you won’t have much trouble working out the other 5%!” Is there a command to obey in Galatians 5:16-26?

Is There an Example to Follow? Have you noticed that the Bible is full of humans and their stories? That is because nothing helps the truth come alive the way people do. Take Abraham for instance in Genesis 18. The Lord is about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah where Abraham’s nephew Lot is living. So, Abraham pleads with God not to destroy Sodom, if he can only find 10 righteous people living there. Does that mean that God is going to destroy Clarksville if there aren’t 10 righteous people here? The thing you want to apply from Genesis 18 is that Abraham is an outstanding example of compassionate prayer on behalf of wicked people. He is on his knees begging God to spare them from judgement. I must ask myself, “ls this the kind of prayer I’m praying for the people around me? Or am l just hoping that God will remove all of the pagans in my life?” Is there an example for me to follow in Galatians 5:16-26?

Is There a Verse to Memorize? As we said last week, meditation is a key to applying the Word. Obviously, you can memorize any verse of Scripture, but there are some that will carry more significance for you. The benefits of Scripture memory are immeasurable. Is there a verse to memorize in our passage?

Is There a Theological Truth or Doctrine Being Taught? The Incarnation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Ascension, the Virgin Birth, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the inerrancy of Scripture, and hundreds of other doctrines and truths are taught in the Scriptures. When they are being taught we need to ask ourselves, “Is this what I believe? Or, what changes to do I need to make in order be in line with the Word of God?” Are there any truths or doctrines in our passage?

Is There a Challenge to Face? When you read the Word of God, He will challenge you to respond in some area of your life or some situation that you are facing. It may be a relationship that needs to be healed, an apology that needs to be made, someone that is pulling you down spiritually, or a habit that needs to be dropped. The Scripture is given to us in order to make some changes in our lives.

Are you prepared to change? Are you prepared to be challenged? If you will approach the Word of God with a degree of honesty and teachability, the Spirit will not let you go away disappointed. Is there a challenge to face in our passage?

Homework – 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Remember your process of knowing Scripture, relating to it, meditating on it, and practicing it. As you read this passage of Scripture ask these eight questions of the text. You should be able to uncover a number of applications that make sense in your life today. Write them down.