Swindoll Study Bible and Searching the Scriptures - Flipbook - Page 8
SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES
Correlation
Correlation amplifies our understanding of what the Bible is teaching. When you
compare one Scripture with other Scriptures, precept upon precept and line upon
line, the whole truth begins to emerge.
The most reliable students of the Bible are those who take the time to compare one
Scripture with others. This discipline guards against error as you seek to gain a more
thorough understanding of the truth. If you read a verse or passage of Scripture in
isolation, without looking for other places where the Scriptures speak on the same
issue or topic from different angles, you don’t get the whole picture. At best, you
will miss the full counsel of God on a topic. At worst, you can seriously misconstrue
God’s truth.
You can compare Scriptures by seeking out particular words or key phrases
throughout the Bible. Searching for a key phrase is a great way to use Bible software
tools, since your paper concordance is limited to organizing verses only around single
words. No matter which method you use to find related verses, make sure that you are
taking care to read the context, too. Don’t simply rely on the snippet of the verse you
might see in your concordance or search results. Flip to the passage in your Bible and
do some basic observation and interpretation to make sure you understand what each
passage is saying about your topic.
There are at least four major benefits to correlating Scripture with Scripture:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Correlation gives us clear discernment instead of vague opinions.
Correlation deepens our understanding of God, His character, and His will.
Correlation helps us cultivate a reasonable and balanced faith.
Correlation enables us to separate truth from error quickly.
Application
Application is allowing the truths of God’s Word to grip us in areas that need
attention and to call us to action.
Application is taking God’s Word personally. It is seeing how it addresses specific areas
of our everyday lives. It isn’t just taking the time and effort to understand what the
Scriptures are calling us to do in our lives today—it is doing this and then actually taking steps to live it out. In the simplest terms, application is obedience in action.
There are at least three reasons why personal application is important:
1. We need to practice what we say we believe.
2. Both the Old and the New Testaments exhort us to do this. We need to apply the
commands of Scripture so we become obedient followers of Christ.
3. Application enables us to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit. When we
apply truth personally, it also serves as a reminder that no matter where we find
ourselves, including the most remote island in the sea, God is already there,
awaiting our arrival.
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