the cart before the horse

This is that step.  It's the step that most people do before step one and two.  We are very pragmatic in our culture and we want to make the point and get the result instantaneously.   What if we're mistaken about the meaning?  If we understand that the Bible is God's word, we want to know for sure what it says before we apply it to our lives.  The third step rightly follows #1 an #2.  The cart is BEHIND the horse in Application. 

We can apply with certainty once we know what the Bible says and means.  Praise God!