Throughout much of human history, knowledge of God’s Word was extremely difficult to come by. Before the prophet Samuel’s ministry, “The word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation” (1 Samuel 3:1). Later, even after the completion of the canon of Scripture, believers still faced obstacles to immersing themselves in God’s Word. The printing press had not yet been invented, and the hand-copying process was laborious and expensive, so most individuals did not possess their own personal copies of the Bible. This condition continued for centuries: Believers could hear the Word and memorize it, but very few had the means or opportunity to read it regularly for themselves.
In our day, things are different. Copies of God’s Word are exceedingly plentiful. Most of us have several Bibles lying around our houses. We can access any Scripture verse from our phones in an instant. We have a privilege that so many believers throughout history could only dream of: holding God’s Word in our hands and reading it regularly. And yet, we frequently neglect this privilege.
Just why is regular, personal Bible reading important?
1. To Obey God
In child-rearing and formal education, the reason “because I said so” is regarded as a pedagogically weak motivation. But when God tells us to do something, we’d better do it!
God expects all believers to know His Word. Notice His instructions to the children of Israel in Deuteronomy 6:6–7: “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Israelites were expected to know and rehearse God’s Word regularly all throughout their lives. And the best way to know and rehearse a book is to read it.
Similarly, in the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructed the Colossians to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). The expression word of Christ conveys the idea “word about Christ”—i.e., that which we know about Jesus as it is communicated to us in and through the written Word of God. And the word dwell implies not just a cursory knowledge of this message, but rather an active preoccupation with it. Thus, we should read and dwell on the Word not only occasionally, but regularly.
2. To Experience Inner Transformation
When people believe in Jesus Christ for salvation, they undergo an immediate inner transformation and receive a brand-new worldview (2 Corinthians 5:17). However, the old sin nature still resides within us, and it exerts a kind of downward gravitational pull, encouraging us to think and act like the unbelieving world. Therefore, we must continue experiencing inner transformation, as we submit our worldview and thought patterns to the corrective authority of God’s Word.
Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The best way to renew one’s mind is to bathe it regularly in the propositional revelation that God has given to us—the Bible.
Similarly, in His High Priestly prayer, Jesus prayed to God the Father on behalf of His followers, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). Sanctify means “to set apart” or “to make holy.” Jesus’ request was that His followers would experience the inner transformation toward holiness that comes from a familiarity and relationship with God’s Word.
3. To Receive Insight for Living
The world is a strange place, difficult to understand and even more difficult to navigate. Decisions must be made every day—some seemingly mundane, others highly consequential. How can we know how to conduct ourselves wisely? God’s Word gives us the guidance and the principles that we need. Second Timothy 3:16 teaches the Bible’s inspiration (“all Scripture is given by inspiration of God”).
We often cite this verse when arguing for a high view of Scripture (i.e., that the Bible is inspired, inerrant, and authoritative). But we sometimes overlook the second half of the verse and the next verse, which are just as important as the first half of 16. There, Paul taught that Scripture is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete [spiritually mature], thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The first part of the passage emphasizes Scripture’s nature, and the second part emphasizes its function: Its teachings prepare us to successfully navigate all the gullies, hills, peaks, and valleys of life. These teachings move us progressively but inexorably toward a state of spiritual maturity.
Other Bible verses also emphasize the close connection between knowing God’s Word and living life successfully. These include Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1–3; 119:11; and Matthew 7:24–27.
4. To Spend Time With God
This reason may be the most important of the four. The best way for two people to build a relationship is simply to spend time together. So, the best way for Christians to cultivate their relationship with God is by spending time with Him. How can we do that? There are several different ways, and one impactful method is to spend time regularly in His Word.
First John 2:24 offers fascinating insight on this point. Speaking of the apostolic message about Jesus, this verse instructs believers to “let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning.” It then highlights the relational impact that results from such a practice: “If what you heard from the beginning [God’s Word, the message about Jesus] abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father.” Notice the close relationship between dwelling on what God has said and communing with God Himself.
We began by looking at Deuteronomy 6:6–7; let’s conclude by backing up one verse. Just before He instructed the Israelites to know and rehearse His written Word regularly, God had issued an even more fundamental command: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). The connection between loving the Lord (v. 5) and familiarizing ourselves with His Word (vv. 6–7) is most instructive. We are meant not merely to love the Lord and know His Word; we should love Him by knowing His Word.
For all these reasons, it is vitally important for Christians to spend time in God’s Word regularly.
