Of all the sacred religious texts that exist, there is only one that is the true inspired word of God. This means that the Bible is the only book where God Himself provided the words. God dictated what He wanted to be written, and through the power of the Holy Spirit the writers wrote it down. For this reason, along with many others, there are several benefits of reading the Bible every day.
God’s Own Words Are Scripture
The Apostle Paul outlines facts about the Bible in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which says: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
At the simplest level, the Bible is our instruction manual on how to live a life that is pleasing to God. At a deeper level, the Bible outlines world history, predicts future events, provides the basis for science, connects mankind to its Creator and tells us how we are required to live our lives based on God’s standards (To learn more about God’s Standards, click here). For these reasons and others, there are many benefits of reading the Bible every day.
Before we talk about the benefits, think about the following points:
- If the Bible contains the exact words from the mouth of Almighty God, then it is the absolute authority on everything – including morality, eternity, faith and the application of faith.
- If the Bible contains the very words of God, then we must read it, study it, trust it and obey it.
- If the Bible was written by God (through His chosen scribes) and we disregard it’s holiness or claim that it’s fiction or “just a book”, then we are dismissing God, the One who wrote it.
IF all of these point are valid, then the Bible is the ONLY book that contains God’s very own words. That means the Bible is God’s love letter to His people!!
Today we will investigate the verses in 2 Timothy 3 mentioned above and discuss the benefits of reading the Bible every day.
The Importance of 2 Timothy 3:16-17
In 2 Timothy chapter 3, the Apostle Paul gives a warning about perilous times that will arise at the end of the age (verse 1-9). He then turns his focus in verses 10-17 to those who follow the Lord and cherish His Word.
For Christians, the Bible is the final say. Paul’s message in these verses gives us a look at why the Bible is so important. 2 Timothy 3:16-17:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
A breakdown of these verses will make it very clear – the Bible is the most important book you can ever read. Let’s look at these verses in sections:
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God…”
First of all, we are told that ALL SCRIPTURE is inspired by God. The Greek word for scripture is “graphē” which refers to oracles, declarations or promises that are written down. We get our English word “autograph” from this word. This means that God didn’t just speak the messages He wanted the world to have, He “graphed” them. In other words, God saw to it that His message was written down.
Secondly, the Greek word used in verse 16 pertaining to “inspiration of God” is “theopneustos” which translates literally to mean “breathed by God.” In other words, God spoke the words He wanted recorded and the Holy Spirit inspired men to “graph” them.
Every single word in the Bible came from the mouth of God – from Genesis to Revelation. You will hear some people say that the Old Testament is outdated or antiquated, but that is not the case. God wrote those words through His scribes and they are as relevant today as they were when they were documented.
The Bible is “profitable”
I think it’s safe to say that everyone wants to invest in something that is profitable. In this verse Paul tells us that the Bible is profitable and then goes on to describe how it’s profitable.
In addition to being profitable, we can also say that the Bible is useful, effective and valuable. Reading and studying the Bible will never cost you anything – it will only add benefits to your life. Remember, these are God’s words written to each of us. Honestly, what could possibly be more valuable than that?
The fact that the Bible is profitable also alludes that it is understandable. Many people don’t read the Bible because they claim that they don’t understand it, or it doesn’t make sense. However, if the Bible was not understandable, how could it be considered profitable?
The way to understand the Bible is to READ and STUDY it. Before you sit down to do either of the two, ask the Lord to open your eyes to see and your heart to understand what He is saying and what picture He is painting. The more you read it, the more you understand it.
Paul goes on to list some things that the Bible is profitable for…
The Bible is profitable “for doctrine”
Doctrine simply refers to teaching. The Bible teaches us absolute truth. In the Bible we learn about God, His creation, mankind, and the world we live in. We are also provided facts about Jesus Christ, who was prophesied to come hundreds of years before He was born. The Bible also teaches us what to expect through prophecies of future events. (To learn more about the Prophesies of Jesus, click here).
The way God expects us to live and what He wants us to believe is laid out in His Word. The doctrine that is presented in the Bible leaves no room for interpretation. For example, the Bible tells us there is only one way to Heaven and that way is Jesus Christ. There is no room for debate, God said so and He makes the rules.
The Bible teaches us how to be a man or woman. It teaches us how to be a wife or a husband and how to raise our children. The Bible also tells us what is morally acceptable to God. In short, the Bible contains our “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.”
The Bible is profitable “for reproof”
The Greek word for reproof is “elegmos” which implies the exposure of or rebuke of something. What Paul is saying in this verse is that scripture encourages us to test what we’ve been told against what God says in His Word. Doing so will reveal the actual nature of the things we have done. If we are doing something against what God says is right, the blemishes and errors are exposed by God’s Word.
The explanation is this: when we attempt to hide our sins, the Bible exposes or rebukes them. Through revealing of sin, the hope is that a spark of conviction develops in our hearts that will lead to confession and repentance of the sins we are trying to hide.
The Bible is profitable “for correction”
Correction is the next obvious step that follows reproof. The Greek word used here for correction is “epanorthōsin” meaning reformation or improvement. Once we have been reproved, the next logical thing to do is to correct the behaviors that have been rebuked.
Like any good Father, God must correct the behavior that could potentially send us down a path that leads to destruction. He does not want us to go down the wrong path. God’s goal for us is to follow Him, but He also desires that we live in peace. However, when we are in rebellion to Him, it keeps us from all that He has for us. God is a good and loving Father who wants us to live in a way that is pleasing to Him and ultimately to spend eternity with Him. (To learn more about Where Will You Spend Eternity, click here)
The Bible is profitable “for instruction in righteousness”
In the original Greek, the word translated “righteousness” here is “dikaiosynē” and speaks of a moral standard or having an understanding of right and wrong. The Bible provides instruction in righteousness by exposing our sins. Once our sins are brought to light, the Bible shows us how to live the way GOD desires us to live. Understanding God’s Word helps us to take what we learn through reading and studying the Bible and apply it to our lives.
Through the Bible, God grows His people. The more we read it, the more we become spirituality mature. The Word of God puts us on the right course. It sets us on the best path for our lives. Those who strive for the instruction in righteousness that the Bible offers and then applies what they learn, will increase in holiness and experience “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Benefits of Reading the Bible Every Day
There are numerous benefits of reading the Bible every day. Because there are so many benefits, it would take several pages to list them all. So, today we will focus on five benefits and explain each one by using scripture.
The Bible Prepares Us for Good Work – 2 Timothy 3:17
We’ve already covered the benefits that Paul lists in 2 Timothy 3:16 but haven’t yet covered verse 17 which says: “the man of God [will] be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Reading and studying the Bible prepares us for the work that God has called us to do. In verse 17 Paul says that we are THOROUGHLY equipped. This means that nothing is left out. We have the COMPLETE training we need when we understand that the Bible is profitable for all the things listed above.
God doesn’t just send us out into the world without preparation. However, we cannot be prepared or successful if we don’t read the handbook. It is up to us to pick up the Bible and read it.
The Bible Grows Our Faith – Romans 10:17
Faith in Jesus Christ is what keeps us going. It is what gives us peace when everything around us is falling apart. It is faith that makes anything possible. In order to grow our faith, we have to read the Bible every single day. Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
The more you read the Bible, the more you begin to realize how amazing Almighty God really is. Your understanding of who God is and how He operates becomes clear. You begin to see things He wants you to see. Your mind becomes focused on His ways, and you want to please Him. All these things contribute to the growth of your faith.
The Bible Teaches Us How to Trust God – Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
For many people it’s hard to put their trust in someone that they cannot see with their own eyes. Therefore, trusting in the Lord does not happen overnight, it is a process. First you must submit to God. This includes placing every aspect of your life in His hands. Once you do that, watch and see what He does.
Reading the Bible every day is part of that process that leads to trusting Him. When you get to know WHO God is through His Word, it becomes much easier to trust in Him fully.
The Bible Teaches Us How to Pray – Matthew 6:9-13
Prayer is basically talking with God. You would think that it wouldn’t be so hard, but sometimes we don’t know what to pray or even how to pray. Thankfully the Bible covers the topic of prayer.
Jesus gives us instructions about prayer in Matthew 6:9-13:
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
This prayer is commonly referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer” and is frequently recited as written. However, did you know that this is actually a model of HOW to pray? (To learn more about How to Pray, click here)
Throughout the Gospels we read several accounts of Jesus praying. He prayed in every situation at all times of the day. Let this be the example we follow in our lives as it relates to prayer. Take everything to the throne of God.
The Bible is Our Source of Hope – Romans 15:4
The overall theme and message of the Bible is faith in Jesus Christ leads to eternal life. This is where true hope is found. (If you want to learn more about Finding Hope, click here).
So… if hope is found in Jesus Christ and the message within the Bible is about Him (and the Word of God IS Jesus – see John 1:1), then the Bible is our source of hope.
Romans 15:4 drives home this point by saying “whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
There are many benefits of reading the Bible every day. Above I’ve listed five that can change your life fairly quickly. If you have not read your Bible recently, I implore you to do start today! If you have never owned a Bible, there are many apps available as well as websites where you can access it for free.
When you read the Bible every day, I promise you, your life will change for the better. You will grow closer to the Lord and He will never leave your side.
Blessings
Amy
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