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The benefits of reading the Bible. While there are numerous ways that reading the Bible brings us closer to God and benefits us daily.
If we claim to follow Christ, then it’s important for us not only know the character of God but also how He has worked His plan through history. We should want this knowledge so that our lives can be more like Him and live according to his will.
It is important that we listen to God and His words. This way, not only can He help guide our lives but also teach us about Himself through the scriptures.
Jesus reminds us in John 17:17 that it is God’s word is truth.
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17 (ESV)
Here are a few benefits of reading the Bible that I keep close to my heart and serve as reminders for me to stay in the Word daily.
15 Benefits of Reading the Bible
God’s Word Leads us to Salvation.
It is written in His word that we are saved when we put our hope in Him. Even if you are already a believer, rereading the words reminds us that He gave His only son for us to live in Him.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (ESV)
God’s Instructions for Life Are Housed in His Word.
How we treat others. How we should act or react in situations. It’s all in there. When we should rest, how to pray and fast. How to deal with those who have hurt you. Nearly any situation that you face, you will find instructions on how to respond.
Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
Proverbs 16:20 (ESV)
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
We Gain Wisdom from It.
You can gain knowledge by reading a book on becoming a better homemaker or how to cook the best apple pie, but when you read the Bible, you gain wisdom that will strengthen you, give you peace, give you joy and equip you to face life’s difficulties. You can’t find that anywhere but by reading scripture.
“The unfolding of your words gives light;
Psalms 119:130 (ESV)
it imparts understanding to the simple.”
Scripture Releases our Chains and Lifts Our Burdens
One of the most practical, yet powerful benefits of reading the Bible is that it releases our chains and lifts our burdens.
If you are caught in the chains of addiction (from alcohol to shopping or absolutely anything), you can break those chains by leaning into The Father and giving them to Him. Reading his Word can embolden you to be set free from those chains.
Our burdens become lifted when we read of our God delivered others, throughout history, from defeat, hunger, death and more. How much more can God deliver you and lift your burdens knowing His incredible love for you.
“My soul melts away for sorrow;
Psalms 119:28 (ESV)
strengthen me according to your word!”
God’s Word Brings Us Joy
The Bible brings us peace and joy. We can rejoice in our salvation and in the fact that we have a God Who loves us unconditionally – more than we can fathom. The benefits of reading the Bible include this incredible joy that we receive only from Him.
Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
Psalms 119:111 (ESV)
for they are the joy of my heart.
The Bible Gives Us Hope
How can you not feel hope when you read the Bible and see how God has won battles, saved lives and see His love written out in the pages of scripture? We have hope in God and His son and one of the benefits of reading the Bible is to gain hope from Him and His Word. To me, this has become one of the most important benefits of reading the Bible.
“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4 (ESV)
It Reminds Us of His Promises
The Bible is filled with God’s promises. Promise to never leave or forsake us. Promises to save us. Promises that He will be our rock, our refuge and stronghold. Promises never to destroy the earth again by flood. Of all of the benefits of reading the Bible, this is one of the most personal.
When we read the Bible and see so many of the promises of God, we are comforted to know how very much He loves us and will see us through.
“in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began”
Titus 1:2 (ESV)
His Word Enables Us to Battle and Defeat the Devil
Reading the Word prepares us for battle against the evil one. When we put on the armor of God, through reading scripture, we become enabled to battle and are strengthened through God and His Word.
“and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”
Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)
To dive deeper into Ephesians on a level you haven’t before with Kneel Before the Throne, Exploring Ephesians.
“And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
Matthew 4:3-4 (ESV)
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Your Faith Will be Strengthened
As you read His Word, you will be strengthened and fortified through God the Father. This is one of the most impactful and important benefits of reading the Bible. Being strengthened by the Father to face whatever life has before you. Your faith will hold you and sustain you.
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17 (ESV)
You will Enjoy a Greater Fellowship with Him
Just as spending time with any friend or family member. Quality time together strengthens friendships and relationships.
“that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.”
1 John 1:3 (ESV)
Your Prayers will be Heard
Praying with and over scripture is incredibly effective and sometimes gives us the words when our own mind and heart fail us.
“Delight yourself in the Lord,
Psalm 37:4 (ESV)
and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
You will Develop Spiritually
One of the spiritual disciplines and a sign of spiritual maturity is daily time reading and studying God’s Word. As you learn more about His character, His promises and His plan for salvation of mankind, you will grow in your spiritual maturity.
“and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”
Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)
You may hear the voice of God. Hearing God, in his own voice while reading scripture helps us to discern when He is speaking with us at other times. He communicates with us many ways, especially in scripture.
“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror.”
James 1:23 (ESV)
You will Mature in the Things of God
Learning more about Him and his commands will help us mature as believers. While this is similar to the one above, it is distinctly different. One of the benefits of reading scripture is that we mature as we grow in fellowship with Him and learn His commands. We become better equipped at reacting and find peace in the midst of chaos and strife.
“for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
Hebrews 5:13-14 (ESV)
“As we begin to understand what is important to God, it also shapes our understanding of what is important for His kingdom and what He wants us to do. As we see God’s love for people and that He doesn’t want anyone to perish, we come to understand that winning hearts and minds for God is so important. God tells us plainly “He that wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). This is one example of how our perspective about life changes as we grow in the Lord.” – Lori Stith, from Stoic Matchmaker, a platform with a unique method to help other Christians apply the Bible to their lives.
You will be More Prosperous and Successful
As you learn what He has taught and how to conduct yourself and your business and daily affairs and as you see How to conduct your business in an ethical, God-ordained manner, you will become more successful. You will also learn the importance of tithing and how that directly impacts your prosperity.
“but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
Psalms 1:2-3 (ESV)
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.”
You will Learn to Fear the Lord
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of all understanding. Fearing the Lord is not a fear of fright but a reverence to God. It is a beautiful attribute for anyone.
“And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them,”Deuteronomy 17:19 (ESV)
Additional Scripture on the Benefits of Reading the Bible
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
Joshua 1:8 (ESV)
“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”
Psalm 119:97 (ESV)
Matthew 4:4 reminds us that physical food isn’t all we need, but we also need God’s words to survive. Here are some other verses that remind us of how we should be longing for God and His Word.
But he answered, “It is written,
“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
Matthew 4:4
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”
Psalm 42:1
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
Psalm 119:103
In Hosea, God harshly admonished and punished the Israelites for not paying any attention to Him and forgetting His law. It’s a good reminder that He wants us to know what’s written in scripture. We can’t do that if our minds and hearts aren’t full of knowledge and wisdom from reading His Word often enough.
I also find that writing scripture helps me to memorize more of the Bible and draws me to Him in a deeper way.
Here are some other sources and articles on the benefits of reading the Bible: Unlocking the Bible, and Bible Gateway
You may enjoy this brief video on the benefits of reading the Bible:
What else would you add to the list? What Bible verses remind you of the benefits of reading the Bible?
For more in-depth reading on the benefits of reading the Bible, consider these recommended books:
Living By the Book: The Art and Science of Reading the Bible Howard G. Hendricks
Have a great day! I’ll be reading the Bible, curled up with my pup, and a cup of coffee!
In Him,
Sue
To learn more about my story and my walk with God, check out “my story”
ESV – “Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
