There are many Christians who say “all I need is Jesus”. Without reading and meditating on the word of God, how do you know the Jesus you claim is the same Jesus of the Bible? A good understanding of the word of God is necessary and unavoidable to ensure you understand who Christ is and to look at the book He has given us to study, meditate on, and to know the Jesus of the Bible.
It is time for Christians, to go beyond the shallowness of feelings and feel-good moments to venture deep into the word of God so that you will be rooted in Him and you produce the fruit bringing glory to God.
Let us look at three reasons why studying the Bible is beneficial and crucial if you are to continue to grow and mature in the Lord.
Firstly, God communicates to you through the Bible.
God primarily communicates with us through His word and by the Holy Spirit. Romans 10:17 says “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” John 14:26 says “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
From Genesis to Revelation, scriptures reveal God Himself to us so that we can know Him and enjoy Him. When we read the word, we are communing with God. Throughout Scripture, God revealed Himself through the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
John 1:1,14 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (v1),” And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (v14).
You see, according to John 14:26, the Holy Spirit teaches us by bringing to remembrance all that Jesus has said to us. Jesus is the word of God. When you read the Bible and meditate on it, the Holy Spirit teaches you and reveals the truth of the word to you. He will bring it to your remembrance and will speak to you in your daily walk with the Lord.
Every word in the Bible is God’s word to us. Scripture is God speaking to us, revealing himself to us, and leading us in His ways. Psalm 119:24 says “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.” The testimonies of God is the scriptures that we read. Amen!
John Piper says:
“[The experience] has increased my love for the Bible as God’s very word, because it was through the Bible that I heard these divine words and through the Bible, I have experiences like this almost every day. The very God of the universe speaks on every page into my mind — and your mind. We hear his very words.”
God uses what is in the Bible and use it to speak to you. Friends, we come to know all things of God by His Spirit. The Holy Spirit opens the eyes of our hearts to perceive His word in its fullness, and this word brings understanding to our minds. This is an essential way in which God communicates to you and me.
Secondly, the Bible guards you against false teaching.
The word of truth – the Bible, reveals the absolute truth of God’s word to us so that we can discern between what is true and what is a lie, what is right and what is wrong. It is through this we can protect ourselves from false teaching. The simple truth is that the best way to protect ourselves and others against false teaching is by consistently studying scripture.
J.C. Ryle says it well:
“What is the best safe-guard against false teaching? Beyond all doubt the regular study of the word of God, with prayer for the teaching of the Holy Spirit. The Bible was given to be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Psalm. 119:105) The man who reads it aright will never be allowed greatly to err. It is neglect of the Bible which makes so many a prey to the first false teacher whom they hear. They would have us believe that “they are not learned, and do not pretend to have decided opinions.” The plain truth is that they are lazy and idle about reading the Bible, and do not like the trouble of thinking for themselves. Nothing supplies false prophets with followers so much as spiritual sloth under a cloak of humility.” (J.C. Ryle, Expository Thoughts on the Gospels: Matthew)
Every time you are dealing with any teaching or reading a book, even if it is from a trustworthy source, the question you need to ask yourself is “What does the Bible say?” Even when you listen to your pastor, or sermons, something you read online, you must ask yourself this question, “What does the Bible say?”.
When you study scripture, then along with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you will be able to hold all teaching up to its light, and there will be no place for false teaching to hide.
This is a great responsibility of all Christians. For you to stand on your own faith and not be swayed by every teaching that suits your ears, you must know the word. 2 Timothy 4:3 says “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,”
Protect yourself from false teaching, and do not rely on your feelings. Rather know the word of God and allow the word to read you, sanctify you, and lead you.
Thirdly, the Bible equips you to serve God.
The Bible equips you to serve God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”. Also in Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
You see, the Bible helps you to see the sin in your life and shows you how to get rid of it. It provides you with guidance in your life. Humanity, at this point, is seeking love and satisfaction in the wrong places. Only God can truly bring real pleasure when you serve Him according to His word. Matthew 4:4 says “But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
If you want to live life to the fullest as God intended, then you must listen and heed God’s written word. You will know what his requirements are and what pleases Him. It will examine your life and will help you get rid of anything that does not bring glory and honour to His name.
In conclusion,
Do not make excuses such as, I don’t have time, it’s boring, I can’t understand it, it’s not relevant in my life, or I don’t get anything out of it. Instead know and understand that the reading and studying of scripture is a crucial part of your Christian life and, that it must not and cannot be neglected.
So I encourage you to take time to read the word and meditate on it so that you can hear God communicate with you and you can guard against false teaching, and so that you are well equipped to serve God and bring glory to His name.
God bless.
