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Overcoming Obstacles in Applying Biblical Examples Spiritually

Applying biblical examples spiritually often involves navigating the distance between ancient contexts and contemporary life, requiring careful interpretation and a focus on underlying principles. The Bible presents numerous examples for spiritual growth, such as self-denial, self-examination, early rising, patience, and prayer under affliction [1, 2, 3, 5, 6]. However, understanding how these examples translate into modern spiritual practice can present obstacles.

One common challenge is discerning the core spiritual truth behind a specific biblical action. For instance, Christ's example of self-denial is shown in passages like Matthew 4:8-10 and Philippians 2:6-8, indicating a willingness to forgo personal comfort and ambition for a higher purpose [1]. This principle is further applied to believers, who are called to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts (Romans 6:12; Titus 2:12) and to control their appetites (Proverbs 23:2) [1]. While the specific manifestations of self-denial might differ across cultures and eras, the spiritual call to prioritize God's will over personal desires remains constant. Similarly, Christ's early rising (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38) serves as an example for devotion and the discharge of daily duties, illustrating spiritual diligence (Romans 13:11-12) [3]. The obstacle here is not necessarily to rise at the exact hour Christ did, but to cultivate a disciplined approach to spiritual practices and responsibilities.

Another obstacle can be the temptation to focus solely on outward actions without addressing the inward disposition. The Bible emphasizes the importance of the heart, stating that "issues of life are out of" it (Proverbs 4:23) and that God tries, knows, and searches the heart (1 Chronicles 29:17; Jeremiah 12:3; Psalm 44:21) [4]. Therefore, when considering examples like self-examination, which is enjoined in 2 Corinthians 13:5 and necessary before communion (1 Corinthians 11:28), the spiritual application must extend beyond a superficial review of actions [2]. It requires diligent search, prayer for divine searching (Psalm 139:23-24), and a purpose of amendment (Psalm 119:59) [2]. The difficulty in this process is acknowledged, as Jeremiah 17:9 notes the deceitfulness of the heart [2]. The spiritual application, therefore, involves seeking God's influence to prepare, give, and perfect the heart (1 Chronicles 29:18; Proverbs 23:26; 1 Kings 8:61) [4].

The New Testament frequently encourages believers to imitate Christ and other faithful figures, not merely in their external circumstances but in their spiritual virtues. Hebrews 12:1-3 challenges believers to endure by following Jesus, who is presented as the supreme example of faithfulness, particularly in his suffering [7]. This involves imitating him and enduring under God's discipline [7]. The "cloud of witnesses" from Hebrews 11 are presented as examples of faith and endurance, serving as an antidote to spiritual dullness [9, 10]. The spiritual obstacle is to avoid reducing these examples to mere historical anecdotes and instead to recognize them as calls to cultivate similar faith and endurance in one's own life. For instance, Christ's patience (Isaiah 53:7; Acts 8:32) is an example for believers, who are enjoined to be patient (Titus 2:2) and to let patience have its perfect work (James 1:4) [5]. This patience is to be exercised in running the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1) and in waiting for God (Psalm 37:7) [5].

Furthermore, understanding the context of biblical commands and examples is crucial. For instance, the call to "seek the Lord while He may be found" (Isaiah 55:6) is not a timeless, unconditioned statement, but rather a call to respond to God's propitiousness in a timely manner [8]. The spiritual application involves recognizing and seizing opportunities for repentance and drawing near to God [8]. Similarly, when Paul appeals to the Corinthians' judgment regarding participation in idol feasts (1 Corinthians 10:15), he expects them to weigh the spiritual implications of their actions, recognizing that partaking in such feasts implies fellowship with devils [11]. The obstacle here is failing to apply sound judgment to contemporary situations, assuming that ancient examples are either irrelevant or directly transferable without thoughtful consideration.

Sources

  1. 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 ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Examination — Enjoined -- 2Co 13:5. Necessary before the communion -- 1Co 11:28. Cause of difficulty in -- Jer 17:9. Should be engaged in With holy awe. -- Ps 4:4. With diligent search. -- Ps 77:6; La 3:40. With prayer for divine searching. -- Ps 26:2; 139:23,24. With purpose of amendment. -- Ps 119:59; La 3:40. Advantages of -- 1Co 11:31; Ga 6:4; 1Jo 3:20-22.”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Early Rising — Christ set an example of -- Mr 1:35; Lu 21:38; Joh 8:2. Requisite for Devotion. -- Ps 5:3; 59:16; 63:1; 88:13; Isa 26:9. Executing God's commands. -- Ge 22:3. Discharge of daily duties. -- Pr 31:15. Neglect of, leads to poverty -- Pr 6:9-11. Practised by the wicked, for Deceit. -- Pr 27:14. Executing plans of evil. -- Mic 2:1. Illustrates spiritual diligence -- Ro 13:11,12. Exemplified Abraham. -- Ge 19:27. Isaac, &c. -- Ge 26:31. Jacob. -- Ge 28:18. Joshua &c. -- Jos 3:1. Gideon. -- Jdj 6:38. Samuel. -- 1Sa 15:12. David. -- 1Sa 17:20. Mary, &c. -- Mr ”
  4. 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:”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Patience — God, is the God of -- Ro 15:5. Christ, an example of -- Isa 53:7; Ac 8:32; Mt 27:14. Enjoined -- Tit 2:2; 2Pe 1:6. Should have its perfect work -- Jas 1:4. Trials of saints lead to -- Ro 5:3; Jas 1:3. Produces Experience. -- Ro 5:4. Hope. -- Ro 15:4. Suffering with, for well-doing, is acceptable with God -- 1Pe 2:20. To be exercised Running the race set before us. -- Heb 12:1. Bringing forth fruits. -- Lu 8:15. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; Ga 6:9. Waiting for God. -- Ps 37:7; 40:1. Waiting for Christ. -- 1Co 1:7; 2Th 3:5. Waiting for the hope of the gospel. -- R”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
  7. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:1: 12:1-17 The author challenges his hearers to endure in following Jesus, the supreme example of faithfulness, by imitating him in his suffering (12:1-4), by enduring under God’s discipline (12:5-13), and by living in peace with others (12:14-17). 12:1 huge crowd of witnesses: The host of faithful followers of God (ch 11) bear witness to the truth that God blesses the life of faith. • let us strip off every weight: In Greco-Roman literature, a race is a metaphor for the need for endurance in life. Just as extra weight hinders a runner, sin . . . trips us up. It ent”
  8. Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 55:6: The condition and limit in the obtaining of the spiritual benefits (Isa 55:1-3): (1) Seek the Lord. (2) Seek Him while He is to be found (Isa 65:1; Psa 32:6; Mat 25:1-13; Joh 7:34; Joh 8:21; Co2 6:2; Heb 2:3; Heb 3:13, Heb 3:15). call--casting yourselves wholly on His mercy (Rom 10:13). Stronger than "seek"; so "near" is more positive than "while He may be found" (Rom 10:8-9). near--propitious (Psa 34:18; Psa 145:18).”
  9. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 12 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO HEBREWS 12 In this chapter the apostle presses to a constant exercise of faith and patience, amidst the various afflictions the saints are exercised with; delivers out several exhortations useful in the Christian life; and shows the difference between the legal and Gospel dispensations. Having in the preceding chapter given many illustrious instances and examples of faith, he makes use of this cloud of witnesses, as he calls them, to engage the Hebrews to drop their unbelief, and run with faith and patience the race set before them, Heb”
  10. Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 6:12: 6:12 A focused commitment (6:10-11) is the antidote to being spiritually dull (5:11-12). By loving God and others, we follow the example of great people of the faith. The author puts a great deal of emphasis on both faith and endurance as normal requirements for God’s people (see 11:4-38).”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
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