After working for a large publisher and meeting with numerous authors, my experiences taught me the importance of knowing whose words I’m inviting in to influence and shape my thoughts and actions.
With countless words available in printed publications and online, it’s critical to be aware of my authoring choices because it’s not just reading, it’s also spending time with the authors.
Overall, my publishing encounters deeply strengthened my belief as a Christian to keep the Bible first as my source of truth, knowing I can trust the author and His intentions for my life. As James 1:17 states, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Believing all Scripture is “God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16), below are 10 benefits you’ll gain in reading your Bible.
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1. Foundational Truth.
With so many books, articles, and literature available, often reading the Bible gets pushed to the back burner in priorities. It’s easy to feel if you’re reading faith-based content that you’re spending time in God’s Word.
Yet, reading Scripture sets the foundation for recognizing and identifying whether ideas and information you’re taking in on a daily basis about God and life, are true or false. It’s so vital to read the Bible firsthand as a godly filter for all other words you read, listen to, and watch because God’s word is truth (John 17:17).
1 Corinthians 15:33 urges you to not be misled by thinking with whom you spend your time with doesn’t influence your life, including the material you read.
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2. Well-Guarded Heart.
In an ever-changing culture and world, is so important to realize that the heart is deceitful above all else (Jeremiah 17:9).
So how does one know when following your heart is a good thing? Hebrews 4:12 describes how the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, able to divide soul and spirit, joints and marrow; judging the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Reading Scripture will keep your heart and attitudes in check and in line with God’s purposes and will for your life.
As Scripture urges, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
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3. Godly Results.
God assures you that His word will not return empty but will accomplish His desires and achieve His purposes.
Isaiah 55:10, 11 gives a vivid illustration of how God’s word brings results, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Spending time reading your Bible is not ever wasted. Even if you don’t notice at first, your life will begin to be transformed, effected in positive ways as Scripture shapes your words, thoughts, desires, and heart to become more aligned with God’s will for you.
Jesus explains more in Luke 8 when He shares the parable of the seed, telling listeners (vs. 11) that the seed is the word of God. He tells how when the seed is taken in and retained it will produce a crop (vs. 15).
God’s word is not stagnant but rather life filled, designed to grow and produce a harvest of godly results.
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4. Life On Track.
Psa 119:1 states that reading Scripture will keep you on track in life. By reading the Bible, you’ll be able to follow God’s path for you.
Over and over again the word of God (Proverbs 16:25) cautions about living life in a way that can seem right to you but leads to death. The only way to tell where your life is leading is to know God’s word.
Psa 119:105 reassures that God’s word will act as a light on your path and direct your steps.
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5. Revived Heart.
Psa 119 describes (verses 40, 50, 107, 159) how knowing God’s word will revive your heart and preserve your life through the darkest of difficult times.
Turning to the Bible for encouragement during distressful times will minister relief to your heart, along with a renewed strength to persevere. It will uplift you in the midst of trials and challenges, offering comfort and hope in the times of your greatest needs.
Romans 15:4 states how “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.”
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6. Nourishment.
Our current culture places much confidence in eating healthy as key to having a well fed life. Entire television networks are dedicated to showing people how to grow, prepare, eat, and make the most of food.
However Jesus made it clear that eating alone is not enough to nourish us in life stating, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4).
As Jesus pointed out, God’s word is what truly gives nourishment.
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7. Mysteries Revealed.
Your Bible, as Colossians 1:25, 26 describes, will reveal mysteries of things concealed for ages and generations to those who read and study it. If you love a good mystery, scripture will not disappoint your appetite for uncovering hidden things.
Deuteronomy 29:29, affirms that the secret things belong to the Lord but the things revealed belong to us.
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8. Cleansing.
Ephesians 5:26 states God’s word will act as a cleansing agent in your life, working to purify your heart.
Cleaning by the word is crucial as Psa 19:12 asks, “Who can discern their own errors?”
Washing by the word cleanses a guilty conscience, giving a sincere heart by which to approach God (Hebrews 10:22). And as you allow God’s word to wash your heart, James 4:8 says you will draw nearer to God and He will draw nearer to you.
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9. Freedom.
Jesus says in John 8:31,32 if you continue in His word, you’ll know the truth and the truth will set you free.
The words of the Bible will free you to love and submit to God, to love others, and enjoy freedom in every area of your life. Psa 119:40 describes how seeking God’s precepts in His word will help you walk in the freedom that has come to you through Christ Jesus (Galatians 5:1).
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10. Enduring Truth.
Nowadays people spend much time writing words, followed by retracting words, issuing apologies, and so on, creating a culture of words rising and falling each day depending on the current topic or outrage.
Unlike the ever-changing dialogue in the world, God’s word never fails. He is not sending out any retractions or revisions, because as Psa 119:89 states, “Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”
God is a trustworthy, unchangeable author and you can trust what He has written to be true today, next month, next year and forever, never to be shaken, changed, or outdated. As 1 Peter 1:23 states, His word is living and enduring forever, and not ever at risk of perishing.
Seek and You Will Find
Because the 10 benefits are just a taste of what you’ll receive in reading your Bible, my hope and prayer is that you’ll be encouraged to explore and discover on your own all that God has in store for you between its pages. Matthew 7:7 assures you that when you seek, you will find.
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Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
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Originally published Tuesday, 14 November 2017.
