There is a huge power in God’s Word. Do you make use of this power in your life? Do you read the Bible – God’s Word?
Here are 6 reasons why you should read your Bible today.
1. Read the Bible: It explains God’s will for our lives
“What is God’s will for my life?” There is no Bible verse that tells us exactly what work we should do, where to live or whom to marry. However, the Bible’s guidelines, commandments and encouragement give us a very clear insight into God’s will for us in every part of our life.
Paul writes that “all Scripture is inspired by God”. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT). This means that it comes directly from God!
Have you ever thought about this? The Bible is inspired by God Himself! It is His Word, and it contains His wisdom, His goodness, His intentions, His judgements, His heart. Do you really want to understand God’s will? Then take time to read His own Word!
2. Read the Bible: It is our spiritual food
Imagine that you go one day without eating anything. Then a week. Then a month. As time goes on, you become weaker and weaker. Our bodies need food to live. And it’s the same in our spiritual lives.
We have contact with God through our spirit. It is our spirit that will enter eternity and it needs food to be alive and awake to the will of God. Jesus said, “The Scriptures say: ‘No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken’.” Matthew 4:4 (CEV). He also says, “The Spirit is the one who gives life! Human strength can do nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are from that life-giving Spirit.” John 6:63 (CEV).
If we want to get life and food for our spirit, we have to read the Word of God and think about it. God’s Word is a source of life! It contains all help and wisdom. And when we read and believe and obey it, we’ll experience an amazing spiritual growth.
3. Read the Bible: It judges our thoughts
It’s written in Hebrews 4:12 (NCV) that “the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart.”
As human beings, it is natural to seek our own benefit (Philippians 2:21), so it isn’t easy for us to always really see the difference between good and bad - How we see things is often influenced by our opinions, emotions and experiences that go against God’s good and perfect will.
But God’s Word cuts through all of this; it shows us exactly where we are seeking our own benefit, for example, and it also shows us what is true and right. “‘Is not My word like a fire?’ says the Lord, ‘And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?’” Jeremiah 23:29. God’s Word is powerful; it is full of authority. It is a “holy two-edged sword” that divides between our own will and the will of God. It is like a fire that burns away impurity, and like a hammer that has power to destroy all sin in our nature! Don’t you want to make use of this Word in your own life?
4. Read the Bible: It teaches us to do what is right
“How can a young person stay pure?” David asked in Psalm 119:9 (NLT). “By obeying your 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).
The Bible contains all the instruction and help that we need to come to a life that is pure, true and righteous. It teaches us how we can follow Christ. It has words and examples from the heroes of faith, the prophets, apostles, from Jesus Christ and God Himself! What better teaching, what better instruction is there for those who want to live a life that is well-pleasing to God?
5. Read the Bible: It gives us power to overcome
After we have made the firm decision to serve God wholeheartedly and never sin against Him, we will still experience that we are tempted to sin. James says that we are tempted by our own lusts and desires (James 1:14).
It’s clear from the Bible that Satan uses these natural lusts and desires in our human nature. He tries to get us to disobey God’s will by offering us things that he knows we like by nature: honour, riches or comfort. He even tempted Jesus, and tried to get Him to give in to selfishness and pride.
But every time Jesus was tempted, He had an answer. And every answer was from God’s Word. “Jesus said to him, ‘It is written again, “You shall not tempt the Lord your God”” And further, He says, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" Matthew 4:1-11.
Do you also have a Word of God to answer back with for every temptation that you face in life? Do you fill yourself with God’s Word? Paul writes, “And take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17. The Bible, God’s Word, is a weapon. It is a sword that gives us power to overcome in temptation. Why not pick up this sword today?
6. Read the Bible: It is full of God’s promises
And finally, the Bible is full of wonderful promises. It speaks of all the things that we will receive when we fear God!
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7.
There are lots of promises in the Bible for those who live according to God’s will. Are you really interested in these wonderful promises? Do you want to see what God does, and will do, for those who live according to His will? Then read your Bible! It will tell you about all the promises that you can get, both in this life and in eternity, if you just do the will of God.
Why not read your Bible today?