Scripture in Our Lives

As pastors and Christian leaders, we often emphasize the importance of knowing Scripture. We teach, preach, and challenge others to engage with God’s Word. However, there is a crucial aspect that requires our attention: not just knowing Scripture but truly listening to it and letting Jesus transform our hearts and minds.

One of the biggest temptations we face is to hear the Word and immediately think about how someone else needs to apply it. James 1:22 warns us, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” It’s easy to listen to a sermon about love and think, "I hope my community is paying attention!" Yet, we must first ask ourselves: How are we embodying that love?

Reflect on the promises of God found in Scripture. They are abundant and life-changing, yet we often approach them with a sense of entitlement, trying to claim these promises for ourselves while neglecting our duty to love our neighbors. In doing so, we risk becoming like the people described in 1 John 4:20: “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”

Many years ago, when I was a youth pastor, I took our students to a conference that promised to be transformative. The camp separated students from adult leaders, and during one of the adult sessions, the speaker asked a question that caught me off guard: “Are you smoking what you’re selling?”

That question hit me hard.  I was leading and teaching young people about living out their faith, but I had to confront whether I was truly embodying the principles I was promoting. The challenge was not lost on me; it made me reflect on my authenticity and commitment to the very messages I preached.

Humility is essential when engaging with Scripture. It requires self-awareness and honesty about our blind spots. Are we seeking the Spirit’s power to control our circumstances but neglecting to invite Him to control our hearts? Galatians 5:22-23 reminds us of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. If these qualities are missing in our lives, we need to examine our hearts.

Publicly, we may appear kind and gracious, but we can hide unkindness in our private relationships. Maybe we are nice to our congregation but speak rudely to our spouses or family members. This disconnect not only damages our relationships but also weakens our witness as followers of Christ. As Ephesians 4:29 encourages, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

To truly hear and apply Scripture, we must approach it with a heart open to change. This means asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas in our lives that need transformation. The psalmist says in Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” This prayerful attitude helps us stay receptive to God’s voice.

When we read about loving others, we should consider how we can actively put that into practice. Are we prioritizing the needs of those around us? Are we showing grace and kindness, even when it’s difficult? The love we get from God should flow out into our actions, showing Christ’s love to the world.

As we lead our ministries, let’s remember the importance of hearing and applying Scripture to our own lives first. We are called to be doers of the Word, allowing it to reach our hearts and transform our actions. Through humility and self-reflection, we can deepen our relationship with God and serve as genuine witnesses to those around us. May we strive to live out the truths we preach, becoming channels of His love and grace in a world that desperately needs it.

Keep Lookin’ Up!

Johnny Mac