Page 8 - November 2025 - Truth & Tidings

Introduction Searching Digitally – Problems
Searching is a modern everyday activity, and Pitfalls
but it is also an ancient command from the Many believers from the Baby-Boomers
Lord Himself. Jesus Christ said, “Search and Generation X have faced a steep
the scriptures; for in them ye think ye learning curve with rapidly changing
have eternal life: and they are they which technology that has transformed how
testify of me” (Joh 5:39). Fast forward they search for and study the Scriptures
1
two millennia, and our Lord’s command digitally. Word studies and expositions
to “search” has taken on an entirely new that once took hours with just a lined note-
dimension in the digital era in which we book and a rather gargantuan hardback
live. Searching is a task that we all com- concordance can now be done in minutes
plete daily on a repetitive basis. Google through the far less arduous tasks of typ-
processes 13.7 billion searches every day. ing, tapping and clicking on almost any
Such statistics are staggering and some- digital device at our disposal in nearly
what shocking. In an era of AI, content any location with an internet connection
creation and social media influences, (with the concordance gathering dust in
the question arises, How can a believer the attic). However, one cannot overlook
safely, securely and spiritually navigate the dangers linked to digital Bible study.
the digital world in which we all live? From a bombardment of notifications to a
This article will aim to demonstrate that plethora of false doctrine at our disposal,
through a variety of scriptural scenarios these pose serious issues that will likely
the Bible offers clear, salient guidance on influence how seriously and effectively
how we should “search.” we “search” the Scriptures.
While many see searching as simply
Apps like Logos and OliveTree offer an
asking Google incredibly consequential incredible range of embedded tools, com-
questions such as what the weather fore- mentaries, outlines and sermon notes,
cast is, in the context and language of the but one can fall into the perilous pitfall
Scriptures, there is a greater seriousness of simply regurgitating digital content
and depth to the concept. To search can without discernment of its doctrinal
be defined as “to enquire, investigate or soundness or spiritual benefit. There is
examine.” Our Saviour’s command to
“search” involves the challenge to learn no substitute for searching the Scriptures
more about Him, explore the doctrines for ourselves. Doing so will lead to es-
related to His character, and scrutinise His tablishing conviction based on what the
teachings more deeply. Such a task is one Holy Spirit teaches us rather than what
that all of us, as believers, must undertake. we could blindly consume online. The
This is an obligation for everyone, not top search result on Google for articles
just a select group of Bible teachers. That on Bible doctrine is no guarantee that it
said, the way we “search the Scriptures” aligns with what the apostle Paul called
has changed significantly over the past “sound words.” That said, this should be
two decades. balanced with the positives. Young and
old believers alike today have access to a
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the wealth of sound scriptural teaching within
KJV. a matter of seconds and from a medley of

328 TRUTH kTidings November 2025