Why Read the Bible?

If you are a Christian or have been in church for even a short period of time, you probably have heard that you should read the bible. For many this can seem like an overwhelming, daunting, or boring chore. So why do we need to push past those feelings that might initially stop us? Why read the bible? I find that it’s often easier to do something when we know the “why” behind it. This post will discuss several reasons WHY we should read the bible, but by no means is this an exhaustive list.

I believe the first and most important reason we should read the bible is to have relationship with God. The greatest commandment is to love God.

“And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5 (NLT)

“Jesus replied, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38 (NLT)

“Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’” Mark 12:29-30 (NLT)

The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27 (NLT)

In order to love someone, you have to know them. In order to know them you have to spend time with them and learn about them. We learn about God by spending time with Him, and we do this by reading His Word in addition to spending time with Him in prayer and praise and worship.

Why I started to read the bible

Knowing God better wasn’t my primary reason when I first started a regular habit of reading my bible. To be completely honest with you, I initially started reading the bible out of desperation. Nevertheless, the end result was the same…my relationship with God grew.

I was raised in a wonderful Christian home and grew up in church. In spite of this though, I never really cracked my bible open outside of church. This was true for me up until the time I was in college. During that time my boyfriend of 3 years broke up with me, which was pretty devastating at the time. Nights were the worst, and I was unable to sleep. The only way I could find some peace and get some sleep was to read my bible before bed. I knew enough growing up in church that the bible was a place where one could go to find comfort and peace.

So I found a devotional book that someone had given me (My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers*), and I started reading that and my bible every night to calm my anxieties and help me sleep. Sometimes I would fall asleep in my bed with my bible still open laying on my lap. I tease sometimes and say that the bible was the only thing boring enough that would actually put me to sleep! In all seriousness though, God met me there in my place of need and desperation at that time. I used to feel guilty about falling asleep while reading the bible or praying, and then one day I felt like God said to me, “What better way to fall asleep than by spending time with me?” Subsequently, my bible reading habit was started…and thus my real relationship with God as well.

Other reasons why we read the bible…

We should read the bible because it came directly from God. It is God-breathed, God-spoken, God-inspired. Yes the bible is written by men, but they were inspired by God to write every word.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

God’s word is alive and active. This means that it’s always relevant and always applies to any situation. God can speak directly to whatever situation we are facing through the words of the bible. The bible is also timeless. It applies today just as much as it did 2000+ years ago.

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

The bible is also an essential tool for teaching, training, and correcting us. It teaches us right from wrong and shows us areas in our own lives where we need some adjusting. God’s word cleans us, sanctifies us, and purifies us. The bible points out the bad stuff that we need to get rid of and purges it.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 (KJV)

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 (NIV)

“Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you.” John 15:3 (NKJV)

“to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.” Ephesians 5:26 (NLT)

“How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV)

We should read the bible because it will help to prepare and equip us for our purpose here on earth, to do what God has called us to do.

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)

When we read the bible and meditate on scripture, we are promised blessings and prosperity.

“Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” Joshua 1:8 (NLT)

“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3 (NASB)

Our meditation on the bible pleases God. We should do it to please Him.

“May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD.” Psalm 104:34 (NIV)

When we read the bible, it builds our faith and helps us to believe. The scriptures point us to Jesus and help us to believe in him.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (AKJV)

“But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.” John 20:31 (NLT)

“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!” John 5:39 (NLT)

We should read the bible to check things against scripture, like a gauge or measuring device. We can make sure that what we are learning from pastors, teachers, devotions, etc. are in line and in accordance with scripture (that they actually agree with the bible). It’s important to be testing teaching for accuracy. We can learn to study it for ourselves and not leave all the studying up to someone else to learn and then teach us.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11 (NIV)

Meditation on scripture teaches us God’s instructions and commands, so that we might learn them in order to obey them (not just solely learn them or hear them). We also teach others to do the same once we have learned ourselves.

“You must love the LORD your God and obey all his requirements, decrees, regulations, and commands.” Deuteronomy 11:1 (NLT)

“He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”” Luke 11:28 (NIV)

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” James 1:22-25 (NLT)

“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10 (ESV)

“He must always keep that copy with him and read it daily as long as he lives. That way he will learn to fear the LORD his God by obeying all the terms of these instructions and decrees.” Deuteronomy 17:19 (NLT)

Reading the bible is like food and nourishment for our spirit. God’s word is our spiritual food. Just like our physical bodies require us to eat in order to live and grow, our spirits need to be fed as well.

“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” 1 Peter 2:2 (AKJV)

“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 (NIV)

As we read the bible God will give us direction and guidance. He will show us which way we should go and help us to make decisions. God’s word can also be like a road map or GPS for us to follow, showing us the right way to go and helping us to avoid wrong turns.

“He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” Psalm 23:3 (NLT)

“Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.” Psalm 25:4 (NLT)

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

“The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105 (NLT)

Reading the bible renews and refreshes us and gives us wisdom.

“The law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it.” Psalm 19:7 (GNT)

“Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.” Psalm 119:98 (NLT)

“The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130 (NLT)

When we read the bible it teaches us about history. We can learn from those who came before us, both from their mistakes and their victories.

“Let this be recorded for future generations, so that a people not yet born will praise the LORD.” Psalm 102:18 (NLT)

“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (NIV)

“These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.” 1 Corinthians 10:11 (NLT)

“O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders.” Psalm 78:1-4 (NLT)

These are but a few reasons why we read the bible…

• To get wisdom and even make us wiser than our enemies
• So that we can hide it in our heart to keep us from sinning against God
• To keep us pure
• So that we can have direction and guidance
• For equipping us for our purpose
• To get help
• To bring light to dark areas
• It helps us with problem-solving
• To know and hear God’s voice
• To learn what to do in order to have prosperity and success
• So that we can rightly discern how we should be treating others
• For refreshment and renewed strength
• To gain hope, comfort, peace, and encouragement
• To gain understanding, knowledge and good judgement
• In order to become closer to God and build our relationship with Him
• To get freedom and redeem us from oppression
• To increase our faith
• For correction
• To keep sin from having dominion over us
• To learn truth
• So that we can believe in God and His Son, Jesus
• To grow spiritually
• To learn about biblical history and stories of old which could help us with similar situations we face today
• So that we can overcome temptation

Take Some Practical Steps to Learn Why You Should Read the Bible:

• First, come up with a few reasons of your own.

They could be listed here or you might have some different ideas. What reasons would be compelling enough to prompt you to start a regular, consistent bible-reading habit?

• Next, read Deuteronomy 11.

Deuteronomy 11 is chapter in scripture that spends a lot of time on the topic of obeying the Lord and His laws and commandments (i.e. His Word). There are promises of blessings to those who love God and obey His commands. This was spoken to the Israelites traveling to the Promised Land, but many of the promises and blessings are ours as well and relevant to us today because we, too, are children of God and have the same choice the follow God and his laws. What are some of the things that could be relevant to you today?

• Then, take some time to thoughtfully read Psalm 119, and think about some of the principles that you can pick up from the passages.

Psalm 119 has much to say about the topic of God’s Word. Other terms used to describe God’s Word/scripture include: the law of the Lord, His precepts, His testimonies, His judgments, His commandments and His statutes. This psalm has several recurring themes within it regarding God’s Word being true and wonderful and about obedience to it. It also contains several references to the benefits we receive by reading, meditating on and doing the Word of God.

I find it noteworthy that this chapter is the longest chapter in the Bible, and the majority of its content and almost every verse refer to God’s Word. The significant amount of scripture dedicated to this topic should tell us something about the importance of God’s Word in our lives.

Another interesting fact is that this psalm is an acrostic poem. The verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. In Hebrew culture repetition was frequently used (i.e. nearly every verse mentioning God’s Word in this psalm). This was done to assist people in memorizing scripture since not everyone had a personal copy of scripture readily available to read. People had to memorize scripture in order to pass it along orally. Structuring scripture in such a way as Psalm 119 made it easier to memorize.

After reading these passages, what were some of the things that stood out most to you and why?

• Finally, take some time to go read, or re-read, some of the following posts that are relevant to this post and helpful when starting your bible-reading habit/routine.

Tips to Start Reading the Bible on a Regular Basis

How to Meditate on Scripture

A Different Approach to Bible Reading

Tips for Understanding the Bible

Prayer to Help Understand the Bible

Tips for Spending Time with God

What are some other reasons that you can think of to read the bible? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below!

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