Applying Biblical Truths to Thoughts Words and Actions
Scripture describes itself as "living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart" [1]. This penetrating quality establishes the biblical text not merely as information but as an active agent that examines and shapes the interior life before manifesting in external conduct.
The Scope of Biblical Application
The biblical call to transformation encompasses three concentric spheres. David's prayer, "Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts" [6], places thoughts at the foundation. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown observes that "sins of thought [are] included in those of speech," noting that avoiding evil and doing good in human relations "are based on a right relation to God" [8]. This progression from internal to external reflects the biblical understanding that "issues of life are out of" the heart [5], making the governance of thought the prerequisite for righteous speech and action.
Paul's description of ministry "by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left" [3] illustrates this integration. John Gill explains this as "preaching the Gospel, truly, sincerely, without any adulteration," accompanied by divine power and comprehensive righteousness [10]. The phrase "on the right hand and on the left" suggests defensive and offensive dimensions—righteousness protecting against error while advancing truth.
The Mechanism of Application
Biblical truth operates through what Easton's Dictionary identifies as faith's essential components: "the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true," combined with trust and assent [2]. Faith results from teaching [2], requiring knowledge as "an essential element" while extending beyond mere intellectual agreement. Proverbs commends those who "wisely consider 'the word,' that is, of God" [7], linking careful attention to Scripture with trust in its authority.
The application process demands what Torrey's Topical Textbook calls "decision"—exhibited in "seeking God with the heart," "keeping the commandments of God," and "serving God" [4]. This decisiveness opposes "double-mindedness" and "halting between two opinions" [4], requiring instead that the heart be "prepared to God" and "given to God" [5]. James later connects this to the necessity that "real faith must be accompanied by good deeds" [9], demonstrating that genuine biblical application produces observable transformation across thoughts, words, and actions.
Sources
- Hebrews “For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. -- Hebrews 4:12”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Faith — Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests. Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act ”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Corinthians 6:7 — By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,”
- 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”
- 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:”
- Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 16:20: handleth a matter--wisely considers "the word," that is, of God (compare Pro 13:13). trusteth--(Compare Psa 2:12; Psa 118:8-9).”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 34:13: Sins of thought included in those of speech (Luk 6:45), avoiding evil and doing good in our relations to men are based on a right relation to God.”
- James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 2:14: 2:14-26 James explains why Christians need to be concerned about the judgment of their actions (2:12-13): Real faith must be accompanied by good deeds (see 1:22-25). 2:14 if you say you have faith: James writes to Christians who need to be stimulated to produce actions that should arise from genuine faith. Paul makes the same point (see, e.g., Gal 5:6) but often criticizes people for trying to base their relationship with God on what they do (Rom 3:20, 28; 4:3-5; Gal 2:16; 3:1-14).”
- 2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 6:6: By the word of truth,.... By preaching the Gospel, truly, sincerely, without any adulteration of it, which comes from the God of truth, has for its subject matter Christ, who is the truth, and into which ministers are guided by the Spirit of truth, and every doctrine of which is truth: by the power of God; accompanying the word to the conversion and salvation of multitudes of souls; or by the signs, wonders, and miracles which were wrought for the confirmation of it: by the armour of righteousness, on the right hand, and on the left: meaning, either the whol”