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Spiritual Application of Secular Examples in Preaching

Preaching often involves drawing connections between biblical truths and contemporary experiences, and one method for achieving this is through the spiritual application of secular examples. This approach seeks to illuminate spiritual principles by referencing common, non-religious aspects of life, making abstract concepts more relatable and understandable to an audience. The use of such examples can serve to illustrate virtues, vices, and the practical outworking of faith in everyday contexts.

The Bible itself provides numerous examples of figures whose lives exemplify certain virtues or actions, which preachers can then apply to their congregations. For instance, Christ is presented as an example of meekness (Psalm 45:4; Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 11:29; 2 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Peter 2:21-23), sincerity (1 Peter 2:22), intercessory prayer (Luke 22:32; 23:34; John 17:9-24), zeal (Psalm 69:9; John 2:17), and early rising for devotion (Mark 1:35; Luke 21:38; John 8:2) [1, 2, 3, 4, 6]. These biblical examples, while not "secular" in origin, demonstrate the principle of drawing lessons from observed behavior. Similarly, the Old Testament figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, and David are noted for their practice of early rising for various duties, from executing God's commands to discharging daily responsibilities [6]. These historical accounts provide a framework for understanding how specific actions can be spiritually applied.

Ministers themselves are called to be examples in various aspects of their lives. They should follow after meekness (1 Timothy 6:11), instruct opposers with meekness (2 Timothy 2:24-25), and urge meekness upon their people (Titus 3:1-2) [1]. They are also to be examples of sincerity (Titus 2:7) [2]. The apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians, discusses the proper use of spiritual gifts, emphasizing that they should be used for the greatest good [9]. He appeals to the Corinthians' own powers of judgment to understand his arguments, suggesting that people are capable of discerning truth when presented with clear reasoning [11]. This implies that effective communication, whether through spiritual or secular examples, relies on the audience's ability to connect with the presented ideas.

The use of secular examples in preaching can be understood as a way to "draw the curtain" on spiritual truths, making them visible and impactful [8]. Just as parables in the Gospels used everyday scenarios to convey profound spiritual lessons, contemporary preaching can leverage familiar, non-religious contexts. For example, the parable of the prodigal son uses a family dynamic to illustrate God's grace, while the parable of the rich man and Lazarus serves as a warning against worldliness [8]. These parables, though biblical, function by taking common human experiences—family relationships, wealth, poverty—and imbuing them with spiritual significance.

John Gill, in his commentary on Ezekiel, draws a parallel between the movement of the living creatures and wheels in Ezekiel's vision and the relationship between ministers and their congregations. He suggests that when ministers "move in acts of devotion," churches join them, and ministers' lives and conversations serve as examples for their flock [10]. This illustrates how observed actions, even within a religious context, function as a form of "secular" example for those who follow. Gill also notes that God speaks through prophets, apostles, and teachers, dispensing doctrines of grace that are "no other than the voice of Christ speaking in them" [12]. This highlights the communicative nature of spiritual instruction, where divine truth is mediated through human expression, which can include relatable examples.

The concept of "spiritual gifts" in the early church, as discussed by Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, refers to the signs of the Spirit's "continued efficacious presence" in the Church [7]. These gifts, both ordinary and extraordinary, were meant to build up the body of Christ. While the focus here is on divine enablement, the underlying principle is that various means are employed to achieve a spiritual end. Applying this to preaching, secular examples can be seen as a tool, a "gift" of communication, to make spiritual truths more accessible and effective in building up the congregation.

The practice of showing mercy, for instance, is enjoined in scripture and exemplified by God himself (Luke 6:36; Hosea 12:6; Romans 12:20-21; Colossians 3:12) [5]. It is to be shown with cheerfulness (Romans 12:8) to brethren (Zechariah 7:9), to those in distress (Luke 10:37), to the poor (Proverbs 14:31; Daniel 4:27), and even to animals (Proverbs 12:10) [5]. A preacher might use a secular example of a person showing kindness to a stranger or an animal to illustrate the biblical command for mercy, thereby making the abstract concept concrete and actionable. The "blessedness of showing mercy" (Proverbs 14:21; Matthew 5:7) can be underscored by observing the positive societal outcomes of compassionate actions, even outside a strictly religious framework [5].

Matthew Henry, in his commentary on Hebrews, exhorts Christians to consider Jesus Christ, their high priest, "much in their thoughts" [13]. He emphasizes that "no one in earth or heaven deserves our consideration more than he" [13]. This call to deep consideration implies a need for various methods to engage the mind and heart. Secular examples, when carefully chosen and applied, can serve as a bridge to such consideration, helping individuals to see reflections of Christ's character or the implications of his teachings in the world around them. For example, a story of self-sacrifice in a secular context could be used to highlight the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, drawing the audience's attention to the profound spiritual truth through a relatable human experience.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Meekness — Christ set an example of -- Ps 45:4; Isa 53:7; Mt 11:29; 21:5; 2Co 10:1; 1Pe 2:21-23. His teaching -- Mt 5:38-45. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22,23. Saints should Seek. -- Zep 2:3. Put on. -- Col 3:12-13. Receive the word of God with. -- Jas 1:21. Exhibit, in conduct, &c. -- Jas 3:13. Answer for their hope with. -- 1Pe 3:15. Show to all men. -- Tit 3:2. Restore the erring with. -- Ga 6:1. Precious in the sight of God -- 1Pe 3:4. Ministers should Follow after. -- 1Ti 6:11. Instruct opposers with. -- 2Ti 2:24,25. Urge, on their people. -- Tit 3:1,2. A char”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sincerity — Christ was an example of -- 1Pe 2:22. Ministers should be examples of -- Tit 2:7. Opposed to fleshly wisdom -- 2Co 1:12. Should characterise Our love to God. -- 2Co 8:8,24. Our love to Christ. -- Eph 6:24. Our service to God. -- Jos 24:14; Joh 4:23,24. Our faith. -- 1Ti 1:5. Our love to one another. -- Ro 12:9; 1Pe 1:22; 1Jo 3:18. Our whole conduct. -- 2Co 1:12. The preaching of the gospel. -- 2Co 2:17; 1Th 2:3-5. A characteristic of the doctrines of the gospel -- 1Pe 2:2. The gospel sometimes preached without -- Php 1:16. The wicked devoid of -- Ps 5:9; ”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Zeal — Christ an example of -- Ps 69:9; Joh 2:17. Godly sorrow leads to -- 2Co 7:10,11. Of saints, ardent -- Ps 119:139. Provokes others to do good -- 2Co 9:2. Should be exhibited In spirit. -- Ro 12:11. In well-doing. -- Ga 4:18; Tit 2:14. In desiring the salvation of others. -- Ac 26:29; Ro 10:1. In contending for the faith. -- Jude 1:3. In missionary labours. -- Ro 15:19,23. For the glory of God. -- Nu 25:11,13. For the welfare of saints. -- Col 4:13. Against idolatry. -- 2Ki 23:4-14. Sometimes wrongly directed -- 2Sa 21:2; Ac 22:3,4; Php 3:6. Sometimes not accord”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Mercy — After the example of God -- Lu 6:36. Enjoined -- 2Ki 6:21-23; Ho 12:6; Ro 12:20,21; Col 3:12. To be engraved on the heart -- Pr 3:3. Characteristic of saints -- Ps 37:26; Isa 57:1. Should be shown With cheerfulness. -- Ro 12:8. To our brethren. -- Zec 7:9. to those that are in distress. -- Lu 10:37. To the poor. -- Pr 14:31; Da 4:27. To backsliders. -- Lu 15:18-20; 2Co 2:6-8. To animals. -- Pr 12:10. Upholds the throne of kings -- Pr 20:28. Beneficial to those who exercise -- Pr 11:17. Blessedness of showing -- Pr 14:21; Mt 5:7. Hypocrites devoid of -- Mt 23:”
  6. 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 ”
  7. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12 (introduction): THE USE AND THE ABUSE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, ESPECIALLY PROPHESYING AND TONGUES. (1Co. 12:1-31) spiritual gifts--the signs of the Spirit's continued efficacious presence in the Church, which is Christ's body, the complement of His incarnation, as the body is the complement of the head. By the love which pervades the whole, the gifts of the several members, forming reciprocal complements to each other, tend to the one object of perfecting the body of Christ. The ordinary and permanent gifts are comprehended together with the extraordin”
  8. Luke (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Luke 16:19: As the parable of the prodigal son set before us the grace of the gospel, which is encouraging to us all, so this sets before us the wrath to come, and is designed for our awakening; and very fast asleep those are in sin that will not be awakened by it. The Pharisees made a jest of Christ's sermon against worldliness; now this parable was intended to make those mockers serious. The tendency of the gospel of Christ is both to reconcile us to poverty and affliction and to arm us against temptations to worldliness and sensuality. Now this parable, by drawing the curta”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 14 (introduction): In this chapter the apostle directs them about the use of their spiritual gifts, preferring those that are best and fitted to do the greatest good. I. He begins with advising them of all spiritual gifts to prefer prophesying, and shows that this is much better than speaking with tongues (Co1 14:1-5). II. He goes on to show them how unprofitable the speaking of foreign languages is, and useless to the church; it is like piping in one tone, like sounding a trumpet without any certain note, like talking gibberish; whereas gifts should be used for ”
  10. Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 1:19: And when the living creatures went, the wheels went by them,.... When the ministers of the Gospel begin the worship of God, and move in acts of devotion, the churches join with them; see Rev 4:9; and in their lives and conversations they are examples to them; and churches and members ought to walk as they have them, for an example in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity; and when the living creatures were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up; when the ministers of the word have their affections raised, and are in lively f”
  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”
  12. Hosea (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hosea 12:10: I have also spoken to the prophets,.... Or, "I will speak" (b); for this respects not the Lord's speaking by the prophets of the Old Testament who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost; though all they said were for the use of, and profitable unto, Christian churches; but his speaking by the apostles, prophets, and teachers, under the Gospel dispensation; by whom the doctrines of grace have been more clearly dispensed, and which are no other than the voice of Christ speaking in them; and which it is both a privilege to hear, and a duty to attend unto; see Eph 4:1”
  13. Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 3:1: In these verses we have the application of the doctrine laid down in the close of the last chapter concerning the priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ. And observe, I. In how fervent and affectionate a manner the apostle exhorts Christians to have this high priest much in their thoughts, and to make him the object of their close and serious consideration; and surely no one in earth or heaven deserves our consideration more than he. That this exhortation might be made the more effectual, observe, 1. The honourable compellation used towards those to whom he wrote: Ho”
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