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Applying Biblical Teachings to Everyday Life and Decision Making

Applying biblical teachings to daily life and decision-making involves a conscious and deliberate effort to align one's actions and thoughts with divine wisdom and instruction. This process is rooted in the understanding that the Bible provides guidance for all aspects of human existence, from personal conduct to moral choices [5].

A foundational aspect of this application is the recognition of the heart's central role. The Bible describes the heart as the wellspring from which the "issues of life" flow [3]. It is the seat of spiritual activity and the "home of the personal life" [10]. God is depicted as trying, knowing, searching, and pondering the heart, and even influencing it [3]. Therefore, preparing one's heart to God, giving it to God, and striving for a "perfect" heart with God are presented as essential [3]. This emphasis on the heart suggests that true application of biblical teachings begins with an internal transformation and commitment.

Decision-making, in particular, is highlighted as a critical area for biblical application. The scriptures exhort individuals to make decisions that prioritize God's service [1]. This includes seeking God wholeheartedly, keeping His commandments, aligning oneself with God's purposes, and following Him fully [1]. The book of Deuteronomy presents a stark choice: "choose life, that you may live" [4]. This choice is not to be made impulsively but with deliberate resolution [12]. The concept of "decision" in a biblical context stands in opposition to a divided service, double-mindedness, or wavering between opinions [1].

Wisdom is frequently presented as the guiding principle for applying biblical teachings. The Psalmist prays, "Teach us so to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" [2]. This implies a recognition of life's brevity and the importance of using time wisely to cultivate a heart attuned to divine instruction [14]. Similarly, Ecclesiastes speaks of applying one's mind "to know wisdom and to understand the business that is done on earth" [6]. This pursuit of wisdom is not merely intellectual but practical, aimed at discerning God's will and walking in a manner "worthy of the Lord" [13]. Such a walk is characterized by fruitfulness and an increasing knowledge of God [13].

The Bible also emphasizes the importance of good judgment and knowledge, which are seen as stemming from belief in God's commandments [7]. God promises to instruct and teach in the way one should go, offering counsel with His watchful eye [8]. This divine guidance is crucial for navigating life's complexities and making sound decisions.

Christian conduct, as outlined in scripture, involves several key elements:

These principles collectively form a framework for applying biblical teachings to everyday life, guiding individuals in their interactions, choices, and overall disposition.

Self-denial is another significant aspect of applying biblical teachings. Christ Himself set an example of self-denial, and it is presented as a test of devotion to Him [11]. It is deemed necessary for following Christ, for engaging in the spiritual "warfare" of individuals, and for achieving spiritual triumph [11]. This involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, abstaining from fleshly desires, and mortifying sinful lusts [11]. This discipline is not an end in itself but a means to align one's will more fully with God's.

Afflictions, though difficult, are also presented as opportunities for spiritual growth and the application of biblical principles. They can promote God's glory, exhibit His power and faithfulness, teach individuals His will, and turn them back to Him [9]. Afflictions can also prevent further departure from God, lead to prayer, and bring conviction of sin [9]. This perspective suggests that even challenging circumstances can be integrated into a life guided by biblical teachings, serving to deepen faith and reliance on God.

The availability of scripture is crucial for this process. The discovery of the Book of the Law in Josiah's time highlights the importance of having access to God's word [15]. The abundance of Bibles today is seen as a blessing, ensuring that the "fountain of the waters of life" is accessible to all [15]. This accessibility enables individuals to engage directly with the teachings they are called to apply.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Decision — Necessary to the service of God -- Lu 9:62. Exhortations to -- Jos 24:14,15. Exhibited in Seeking God with the heart. -- 2Ch 15:12. Keeping the commandments of God. -- Ne 10:29. Being on the Lord's side. -- Ex 32:26. Following God fully. -- Nu 14:24; 32:12; Jos 14:8. Serving God. -- Isa 56:6. Loving God perfectly. -- De 6:5. Blessedness of. -- Jos 1:7. Opposed to A divided service. -- Mt 6:24. Double-mindedness. -- Jas 1:8. Halting between two opinions. -- 1Ki 18:21. Turning to the right or left. -- De 5:32. Not setting the heart aright. -- Ps 78:8,37. Exe”
  2. Psalms “Psalms 90:12 (Geneva1599) — Teach vs so to nomber our dayes, that we may apply our heartes vnto wisdome.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Heart, The — Issues of life are out of -- Pr 4:23. God Tries. -- 1Ch 29:17; Jer 12:3. Knows. -- Ps 44:21; Jer 20:12. Searched. -- 1Ch 28:9; Jer 17:10. Understands the thoughts of. -- 1Ch 28:9; Ps 139:2. Ponders. -- Pr 21:2; 24:12. Influences. -- 1Sa 10:26; Ezr 6:22; 7:27; Pr 21:1; Jer 20:9. Creates a new. -- Ps 51:10; Eze 36:26. Prepares. -- 1Ch 29:18; Pr 16:1. Opens. -- Ac 16:14. Enlightens. -- 2Co 4:6; Eph 1:18. Strengthens. -- Ps 27:14. Establishes. -- Ps 112:8; 1Th 3:13. Should be Prepared to God. -- 1Sa 7:3. Given to God. -- Pr 23:26. Perfect with God. -- 1Ki 8:”
  4. Deuteronomy “I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants; -- Deuteronomy 30:19”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  6. Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 8:16 (LEB) — I applied my mind to know wisdom and to understand the business that is done on earth—how neither day nor night one’s eyes see sleep.”
  7. Psalms “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments. -- Psalms 119:66”
  8. Psalms “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you. -- Psalms 32:8”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
  10. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Heart — According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. "Heart" and "soul" are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case. The heart is the "home of the personal life," and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6; Ps. 11:2; 78:72), pious and good (Luke 8:15), etc. In these and such passages the word "soul" could not ”
  11. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
  12. Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:25: He balanced the best of the world with the worst of religion, and decidedly chose the latter. "Choosing" implies a deliberate resolution, not a hasty impulse. He was forty years old, a time when the judgment is matured. for a season--If the world has "pleasure" (Greek, "enjoyment") to offer, it is but "for a season." If religion bring with it "affliction," it too is but for a season; whereas its "pleasures are for evermore."”
  13. Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:10: Greek, "So as to walk"; so that ye may walk. True knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it. worthy of the Lord-- (Eph 4:1). unto--so as in every way to be well-pleasing to God. pleasing--literally, "desire of pleasing." being fruitful--Greek, "bearing fruit." This is the first manifestation of their "walking worthy of the Lord." The second is, "increasing (growing) in the knowledge of God (or as the oldest manuscripts read, 'growing BY the full knowledge of God')"; thus, as the Gospel word (Col 1:6) was said to ”
  14. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 90:12: So teach us to number our days,.... Not merely to count them, how many they are, in an arithmetical way; there is no need of divine teachings for that; some few instructions from an arithmetician, and a moderate skill in arithmetic, will enable persons not only to count the years of their lives, but even how many days they have lived: nor is this to be understood of calculating or reckoning of time to come; no man can count the number of days he has to live; the number of his days, months, and years, is with the Lord; but is hid from him: the living know they shall d”
  15. 2 Chronicles (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Chronicles 34:14: This whole paragraph we had, just as it is here related, Kg2 22:8-20, and have nothing to add here to what was there observed. But, 1. We may hence take occasion to bless God that we have plenty of Bibles, and that they are, or may be, in all hands, - that the book of the law and gospel is not lost, is not scarce, - that, in this sense, the word of the Lord is not precious. Bibles are jewels, but, thanks be to God, they are not rarities. The fountain of the waters of life is not a spring shut up or a fountain sealed, but the streams of it, in all places, ma”
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