Why You Should Study the Bible

2 Timothy 2:15   Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:14-17   But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 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 perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

The Bible contains God’s special message for His people. The entire Bible is centered on God’s plan to save the Word through His Son, Jesus Christ. Not only does the Bible give us the way of salvation, it also teaches us how to walk in the way, that is to say, how to live the Christian life. When we just got saved, we’re compared to a young child, like a baby. What a baby needs more than anything else is to grow to adulthood. A child who is not growing is a bad news for his parents. As Christians, what we need to grow is a good knowledge and application of the Word of God in our daily lives.

This article is intended to help you see how the Word of God helps you grow. You will notice some points that overlap my previous article, The Word of God (The Bible), it is intended to be that way. If you have not read the previous article, I suggest that you read it first before continuing with Why You Should Study the Bible. The article will give some background information that will help you better understand this current one. In this article, I have explained seven (7) reasons why you should study the Bible if you’re a Christian.

The entire Bible is centered on God’s plan to save the Word through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Dr. Wilbur M. Smith relates seven great things that the study of the Bible will do for us:

1. The Bible discovers sin and convicts us.
2. The Bible helps cleanse us from the pollution of sin.
3. The Bible imparts strength.
4. The Bible instructs us in what we are to do.
5. The Bible provides us with a sword for victory over sin.
6. The Bible makes our lives fruitful.
7. The Bible gives us power to pray.

The Word of God is the only source of truth, as you will learn in this article. Many Christians consider it important to own a Bible. But only a few of them takes Bible Study seriously. The following are some of the many reasons why the believers must study the Bible:

1. It is the Word of God

The Bible is the Word of God to us. And because God is perfect, His Word is also perfect. It is inerrant and infallible (meaning “not liable to mislead, deceive, or disappoint, meaning it is without errors or mistakes.” Webster).

“The original autograph [of the Word of God] has no mistakes” John MacArthur.

The Bible is written by a perfect author and it is therefore perfect.

Psalm 19:7-10  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

The Word of God is also complete and sufficient for all we need. The Bible contains everything that God wants us know for life and Godliness. Therefore it is to be taken as our trustworthy final authority in all matters of faith and practices. This is why we do not need to add anything to it or take anything from it as clearly commanded by the Bible itself:

Deuteronomy 4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Proverbs 30:6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Matthew 5:18  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Revelation 22:18-19  For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

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 perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

It is a serious offense to mess with the Word of God. The Word of God is sufficient.

2 Timothy 3:15-16 – “sufficient for salvation – the greatest thing in the word. It is good for doctrine – teaching, principle of wisdom, for reproof – you’re out line, for correction, don’t do that do this, for instruction in righteousness – showing them the right way to go the right thing to do. That man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto every good work.” Dr. John MacArthur.

2. The Bible is the Only Source of Truth

The Bible, the Word of God, is the source of truth. There could be among men those who are able to speak words of wisdom and deliver motivational speeches, but all truth come from God to us through His Words. If you want the truth, then read the Bible. A man can only give you a bit of the truth that he has discovered which in many occasions will be half-truth. There are many who will even lie to you while you are under the impression that you’re getting the truth. This is why every Christian needs to read the Bible. The believers need the truth to grow, and the truth can only come from the Word of God, the Bible.

The Psalmist has this to say about the Words of God:

Psalm 119:142,151  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. 151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

The Apostles of Jesus Christ refer to the Word of God and the gospel of salvation as the “word of truth”

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

James 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

But not only is the Word of God the source of truth, it is also itself the truth! In His prayers prior to going to the cross, Christ refers to the Word of God as “truth”.

John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

The Apostle John, at the beginning of his Gospel, refers to Christ as the “Word” (John 1:1). Christ in the Gospel of John, refers to Himself as the “truth” (John 14:6). It is therefore safe and biblical to say that God gave us His truth through Christ. No wonder the writer of Hebrews says that God spoke us in these last days by His son:

Hebrews 1:1-2  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.

The Word of God is  more sure and more reliable than any other information or revelation outside of the Bible. According to Apostle Peter, the Word of God is not “cunningly devised fables” but “a more sure word of prophecy“. Peter, after witnessing the real vision of the glory of Christ still confessed that there is still a  more sure word of prophesy, that is, the Scriptures.

2 Peter 1:15-21  Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19 ¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

See also:  2 Samuel 7:28; Psalms 12:6; 19:7; 119:144, 151-152; John 8:40; Ephesians 4:21; 2 Timothy 2:25-26.

3. God Speaks to Us Today Through His Words

The Word of God is required for Christian living and spiritual growth. But in order to hear from God, we have to read the Bible because this is the way God speaks to us today. The fact that the Word of God is infallible, inerrant, and sufficient does not permit any additional special or personal revelations.

There are many self-made prophets who will contest this truth because they believe that they hear audible voice of God at all times. I’m not going to argue the fact that they hear voices, but when you actually pay attention to what they claim to have heard from God, you will quickly know that it did not come from God. How did I know that? Because they are always contradicting or twisting the Scriptures. Contrary to the claims of these so-called ‘anointed men of God’, the Bible is clear about how God speak to us today. Listen to the Bible:

Hebrews 1:1-2  God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds.

If you have ever read the Book of Hebrews, you will agree with me that the theme of the Book is to show us that Jesus Christ is better. He is better than the Old Testament priests, better Angels or any other creature. According to the above passage, in this current Age, God is speaking to us through His Son. God has given us His message for this dispensation through His Son Jesus Christ, and we get that message from the Bible, beginning from the OT Prophets, to the Gospels, especially that of John, and the Epistles and Revelations to the Churches.

So if you care about hearing from God, you need to read your Bible. As Justin Peters right states:

“If you want God to speak to you, read your Bible. If you want Him to speak to you audibly, read it out loud” – Justin Peters

There are many believers today who do not have time to study the Word of God; yet they want to hear from God. A lot of people claim to be praying for the will of God for their lives. Many would even patronize various prophets in an effort to discover what God has for them. But all those times, their Bibles are closed. God does not open his secret to a Christian with a closed Bible. Do you want to know the will of God for your life? Begin by discovering those wills that are already revealed and written in the Bible. Practice them, and you will quickly find out how God will be leading through His truth.

But before you conclude that Williams said God is no longer speaking today, let me make something clear: When we get saved, God gave us His Spirit, that is, the Holy Spirit that indwells us from the moment we believed. The Spirit speaks to our heart and mind all the times. But He does not operate outside of the Scripture. Remember, it was Him who inspired the Word, it is still Him who now illuminates our hearts with the truth of the Word. This is part of the promises concerning the coming of the Spirit. Therefore the more of the Word of God you have in your heart, the more you will be led by the Spirit. But this is not about hearing audible voices of God like many claim today. If anybody makes such claims today, that’s a good reason to follow him or her with caution and discernment.

For more on this point, please refer to my previous article: The Word of God (The Bible), where I made a point that The Bible is Inspired by God Through the Holy Spirit in the section Things to Keep in Mind.

In addition to hearing the Word of God for yourself, you will also be able to help others with the truth. Such people fall into two categories:

• those who are sincerely looking for answer to issues in their lives, you will be the light to them
• those who are contrary to God and will like to question your faith – you will be able to give answers

4. The Holy Spirit Works through the Word

The Spirit teaches and speaks to us through the Word.

John 14:26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1 John 2:24,27  Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

2 Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

As pointed out in the previous article (The Word of God – The Bible), it the Holy Spirit who inspired the Scriptures, and it is Him Who illuminates it in our hearts today. But before He can illuminate your heart, you must have first taken in the Words of God

The Holy Spirit teaches us through the Scriptures by illuminating our hearts with the truth. But we have to read it first. Unfortunately, there are many so-called Christians today who are desperate to hear from God but make no time or effort to read the Bible. Many of them simply depend on their Pastors to prophesy and tell them what God has to say to them. Many will be going to Church day in day out praying: “Father Lord, let the man of God mention my case today” This is a very counterproductive way to live the Christian life.

The Spirit speaks to us today through the Word of God. This is the source of truth. The scripture is the Word is truth (John 17:17). Do you know that the entire Bible is all about Christ? Successful and victorious Christian life does not happen without a good knowledge of Christ.

1 John 2:12-14  I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.

But the knowledge of the true Christ can only come from the scripture, the Word. If your Christian life is without the Word of God, you will be void of the power and the move of the Holy Spirit. The manifestation of the Holy Spirit cannot happen in the life of the believers without the Word. The point is this: study the Scriptures; read your Bible! Obey what you read. Your total yielding to Christ will pave the way to the power and the move of the Holy Spirit in your life. This is how to attain the victorious Christian living.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. What is the Holy Spirit teaching you from the Scripture about Christ?

Hebrews 4:12-13  For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

5. It is the source of Joy and Victory

The Word of God is the source of joy for those who obey it. The things of this world can make you happy for a moment, but the joy which never ends can only come from the knowledge of God and who you are in Christ. But this knowledge can only come from reading and meditating on the Word of God. The Old Testament Prophet Jeremiah confessed thus:

Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. – Jeremiah 15:16.

Listen to what the Bible says about itself:

Psalm 19:8  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 119:111  Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

John 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

The joy that is full can only come from Christ, but you need to read the Bible in order to discover Him yourself. See also: Luke 11:28; 1 John 1:4.

The Word of God is also the source of victory. In Ephesians 6, we are given as part of our defensive weapons, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated the power of the Word when He was tempted in the wilderness by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). But make no mistake that you can use the sword of which you’re unaware. As Dr. John MacArthur puts in his message How to Study the Bible,

You will never be able to apply the truth you’ve never learned.  Christ defeated the devil by using the sword of the spirit. As a Christian, it is the capturing of biblical truth in your conscious mind that gives you the capacity to defeat Satan. You can’t do it on your own” – Dr. John MacArthur.

“The more I know of the Word of God the less I fear any situation. Because I know what is the resource for the situation” Dr. John MacArthur.

6. It Protects You from Errors and Deceits

Do You Know the Word of God?

Before you can refute errors, you have to know the truth. Let me explain: If you have not seen the moon before and you don’t know what it looks like, I can come to you in a broad day light and point your attention to the sun and tell you that’s the moon, and you will believe without a doubt. You know why? Because you have no idea what the moon looks like or when it comes out. Also, if you have never seen the rainbow before and don’t know what it looks like, I can show you a dark cloud in the sky and call it the rainbow, and you believe it.

So in order for you to discern the messages or information you receive from others, including Preachers, you have to know what the Word of God says, this is why it is extremely crucial for a Christian to read the Bible regularly. Your Pastors are there to encourage you but not to read or study your Bible for you!

There are all kinds of lies and false teachings spreading at an alarming rate among many teachers, preachers and Church leaders today. You will do yourself a tremendous favor by knowing for yourself what the Bible says, and what it means by what it says. If you won’t read the Bible for any other reason, read it for this reason.

Your Pastors are there to encourage you but not to read or study your Bible for you!

As a follower of Christ, who possesses the Holy Spirit, you’re not supposed to remain a child in the faith. You’re supposed to be growing in the knowledge of the will of God.

Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

7. It Is A Command

Here comes the one from which no one can get away, at least if you’re a believer. If you won’t study the Bible for any of the above six reasons, you will have to do it for this one. It is a clear command from the Word of God for believers to study.

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Failure to study the Bible according the above commandment is knowing to do good and not doing it – the Bible calls it sin!

James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

So, read your Bible regularly and you will glad you do. His commandments are not grievous.

It will be incomplete to end this series here. So watch out for the next article: How to Study the Bible.