Why Read the Bible?
Jesus: “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” Matthew 4:4 (NIV).
I’ve recently finished a novel about a Chinese boy who fell in love with a Japanese girl during World War II. The story was set in Seattle, Washington, and came highly recommended. I can see why. Its themes keep floating through my mind, leaving me with those warm fuzzies that come from reading a good book.
BUT, however enjoyable a good story can be, it isn’t life enriching or sustaining. And God’s Word is! We can reread a novel for the pleasure of it, but most of the time we say, “Oh well, that was interesting but now I’ve read it, I’ll put it away.” We can’t do that with God’s Word because the Bible is not like a novel. It is a constant source of input and insight that we need on a regular basis. Without it, we become spiritually anorexic, confused, and lose our way. I’ve found many reasons why we need to keep eating and filling our souls with Scripture. Here are four major ones:
We need to grow in our knowledge of God. Unless we read, we won’t know what He is like: Compassionate, Merciful, Forgiving, our Strength, Guide, Power, and Provider. We are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18. Without regular intake we get weaker in faith, not stronger.
We need to see ourselves on a regular basis. Scripture reveals our sin—anger, blaming, greed, lust, pride and on and on. But it also reminds us that God is at work in our hearts, showing us our inner needs, changing our attitudes, and giving us a longing to please Him. Unless we spend time in the Word we forget what God calls us to be and how He alone can change us. Phil.2:13.
We need to be fed at every stage of life. We need constant exposure to God’s Word so He can speak to us about our current situations, feelings and struggles. It’s our source for guidance, comfort, warning, encouragement and instruction. It contains principles for getting on with your kids, for improving your marriage, for being a valuable employee, and for helping a hurting friend. Scripture is a practical life-coaching book for today.
We need reminders of God’s value system. It’s so easy to lose sight of what God calls right and what He calls wrong. Our culture can twist our thinking unless we keep our minds renewed with the Truth. To live a life of integrity, one where our words and beliefs and actions mesh, requires transformed thinking that comes from taking in and mulling over the Word as modeled in Psalm 1.
What other needs do you have that could be met by feeding on God’s Word? Talk to Him about those needs, ask for help to know yourself more deeply, and for Him to direct you to His answers.
Blessings and growth,
Poppy