How to Accurately Apply the ScriptureSample

Looking with Intent

What is the outcome of listening and applying God’s Word rightly? What happens to the person who responds with faith, obedience, action, and practice? James 1:25 says, “But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does.” 

The way we look into the word of God is fundamental. 

Careful looking. James uses the word parakuptó, which means to ‘stoop over,’ to say that a doer of the Word looks intently into the perfect Law. The same word was used to refer to Peter when he stooped over to see into the tomb after he had rushed to it because the women said Jesus’ body wasn’t there. (Luke 24:12) The same word was used to describe the desire of angels to understand the things that pertain to salvation. (1 Peter 1:12) We listen in this way because we want to obey carefully. 

Confident looking. This verse says the one who looks beholds the perfect Law. We listen to the Word carefully because it meets the highest standards; It is complete—perfect. It lacks nothing. It is trustworthy and unchanging. We listen with great carefulness and ready obedience because it is God’s very Law. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 2:13, “And we continually thank God because, when you received the word of God that you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as the true word of God—the word which is now at work in you who believe.”

Cheerful looking. It is a joyful thing when we look into the Scriptures, the perfect Law of freedom. Its substance and effects are liberating. We find true freedom in knowing Him and embracing the purpose of our existence. The way of the world is bondage, destruction, heartache, and sorrow. God’s way is the way of freedom. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the paths of life, there are pleasures at your right hand forevermore.” 1 John 5:3 says, “His commandments are not burdensome.” 

When you think the Bible holds you back from what you’d like to be, there is bondage in your soul. When you are free, you can see how wonderful His Word is. The only thing that keeps people from seeing that is sin. When we are free from sin, the Word of God becomes sweeter and sweeter.