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: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
The bible; the compendium of Gods thought, the corpus of rare revelations and a whole university of edifying knowledge. ~ Christ Okotie ~
The concise definition of the bible above suggest that, every answers, knowledge and revelations we could ever want lies therein in the word of God.
For this reason, Apostle Peter advices his followers to desire the sincere milk of the Word for therein can he grow into perfection 1 Peter 2;2. And in another place, Apostle Paul admonishes Timothy to study in other to show himself approved of God… rightly dividing the word of truth. 2Timothy 2:15
As Christians, the word of God is the final source of Authority that we have, for traditions, experience, and imaginations will at some point in time lead to error and contradicts the message of God. For this purpose it is required of us as Christians to stick to the word of God, study and knows the word.
15 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BE READING THE BIBLE
1. KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
One of the reasons why the many Christians today experience imperfect Christian experience is grandly in our shallow knowledge of the divine. We tend to conceive God in our mind, which is wrong.
However, herein is our joy full, because when we read the Bible (through the revelation of the Holy Spirit) can we come to know and continue to know God the more.
When we stick to the word of God, we experience the divine communion of the Father. For the Word is an expression of the person of God.
“Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God.”
2. WE HEAR GOD SPEAK TO US
When we study the Bible we hear God speaks to us. Our imperfect spiritual ears will be made perfect, perfectly as to hear God speaks to us from His word.
Many do say they cannot hear God speak to them, but ask them, when last have they study the word, that’s decades.
When we Read the Bible, we read the mind of God and we hear God speaks to us better.
3. RENEWAL OF MIND
Daily habit to studying the Bible of course will help to renew our minds. The word helps in battling strange thoughts and imaginations that erupts from the heart or mind. E.g. thoughts of fear, failure, anxiety, hopelessness etc.
Psalm 119:113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I loveRomans 12: 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
4. THE WORD GIVES WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
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.Psalm 119:99-100 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
The Word of God gives Godly wisdom, knowledge and understanding: The wisdom of the word should never be compared to the divine wisdom of God therein in the Word.
For the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of the world will at a point cease and faint.
5. IT IMPROVES OUR PRAYER LIFE.
Little do we know of the enormous advantage therein in praying the Bible (the word).
When we study the Word, we have utterances, we come to the understanding of the precious promises of God for our life and we tend to claim them in the place of prayer.
When we read the Bible, we don’t err in the place of prayer, this is because we tends to pray the very mind of the father. We don’t pray amiss.
We are not short of prayer points.
The sense of what the word says comes to us in the place of prayer. Thus sayeth the Word, Thus sayeth the Word.
6. READING THE BIBLE WOR HELPS US IN OVERCOMING TROUBLES AND TEMPTATIONS
The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness is a vivid imagery of the victorious power of the word in times of temptations and trials. Jesus reply, rebuke and resist the devil by the power of the Word.
He was able to do this because He knows the scriptures. So when we are at pal with the word, overcoming the temptations and troubles the devil brings our ways will be made easier.
7. SUCCESS AND PROSPERITY
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Maybe you don’t know, many of the inspirational books on becoming successful and prosperous in life out there has their root in the word of God. It is best we considers going to the first source itself.
Brilliant Ideas and thoughts from the Bible has been a source to which many people out there become successful and prosperous.
8. THE BIBLE CONDITIONS OR PREPARES US TO BE AN EFFECTIVE PREACHER AND TEACHER OF THE WORD.
One of the reasons why many people shy away when it comes to preaching the gospel is because they simply don’t know what to say or how to preach.
However, if we are close to our Bible, the Holy Spirit gives boldness and utterances when it comes to preaching the word or the gospel.
9. THE BIBLE EQUIPS US FOR BATTLE AND ALSO GIVES VICTORY
In the Armory of God as written in the Ephesian 6:17, the word of God is the Sword of the Spirit: and the Sword itself can be used to defend and attack.
The word conditions us for battle and gives us victory in the place of prayer.
“we battle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers…”“They overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and by the testimony of his witnesses…” Revelation 12:11
When we have the word in us we are not afraid of the dart of the devil, and we can easily gain victory over the devil.
10. BY THE WORD, WE JUDGE PROPHECIES AND DOCTRINES
The knowledge of the Bible, aids judging the prophecies of men. Any prophecy that is not in line with the scripture is not of God.
Judging prophecies therefore connotes; figuring out the Legitimacy, the Accuracy, and the Authority of a prophet and His prophecies.
2 Peter 1:21 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.
Knowing fully well that the scripture is God inspired by God; hence any prophesy that is not inline or at par with the scripture. A true prophesy will always find its base in the scripture, because the Holy Spirit cannot contradict Himself.
11. THE WORD STRENGTHENS OUR FAITH AND AIDS SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
“Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
When we give our life to Christ, we have faith… “For God has given everyone a measure of faith”… and it is expected of us to grow in faith and in our spiritual life.
Many of the stories of faith in the scripture, most especially the various signs and wonders performed by Jesus Christ and the apostles are sure enough for us to learn from in other to increase our faith. Testimonies of Faith strengthens faith.
1 Peter 2: 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
12. THE WORD GIVES COMFORT AND ALSO QUICKENS OUR MORTAL BODIES
Psalm 119:50 this is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
In times of sorrows or afflictions, the word comforts. And it also quickens and give strength to our body.
13. THE WORD GIVES HOPE AND LIFE AND LIGHT.
Whenever we find ourselves in hopeless situations, the best we can do is to get close to the word of God.
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
The word is a life giving spirit.
When we study the word, the light of the glory of God illuminates us.
Whenever we found ourselves in darkness (Spiritual) the light of the glorious word shines and light our paths.
Psalm 119: 130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path
14. BY THE WORD WE BECOME IMITATORS OF GOD
Acts1:1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, By the Word we become imitators of God
When we study the Bible, we are being transformed into the image of God and his dear son by the help of the Spirit he has given to us.
We tends to see God for whom He is and consequently follow in his steps or walk with Him.
Ephesians 5: 1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
We tends to become the follower of the father.
15. THE STUDYING THE BIBLE HELPS US TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE.
When we live in the word, we are being conditioned to live a holy and godly life. The Word forbids us from entering and living the life of sin.
Psalm 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
Conclusively
Show me a terror to the kingdom of darkness and I will show you a man of the Word and of Prayer. For us to live a victorious life, the best we can do is to live in the word of God.
You can consider downloading the following Bible reading plan.
Grace to you.
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