Why We Should Study God's Word?
The Bible is an incredible book of history and facts that proves that there is a God that created all things. Most important of all, the Bible is the Word of God. It contains the mind of God and His will for each one of our lives. That is why the Bible was given to us. Paul the Apostle says in 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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." Why should we study the Word of God? The following are a few scriptural reasons that we should consider when answering this question.
- First, the Word of God is infallible
There is no error in God's Word. The law of the Lord is perfect concerning our soul. The testimony of the Lord is not only infallible it is inerrant. Proverbs 30:5-6, "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar." The purity of His words does not need anything added to it. God warns us not to misrepresent His scripture.
- Second, the Word of God is complete
The Bible does not need any new chapters or verses. It is all given to us already. Many cults add their own books or commentaries to the Bible. All you need is God's Word because it is the holy Word of God. It is complete. In Revelation 22:18-19, God gives us a warning, "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
- Third, the Word of God is totally authoritative
The book of Psalms 119:89 says "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." The Word of God is the only source for absolute divine authority. This divine authority is for you and me as servants of Jesus Christ. When some say, "I have a word from the Lord for you," write it down and as you study God's word see if the Lord speaks to you through His Scriptures. Only then will you know if the Lord is truly speaking to you.
- Fourth, God's Word is totally sufficient for all of our needs
We don't need anything else. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 it reads "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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." We Christians can be totally secure in the Lord by studying the Bible because it is God's plan for our life.
- And fifth, the Word of God will accomplish what it promises
If God told you something will happen, and you wait, it will happen. In Isaiah 55:11 it says, "So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." God sent His word to accomplish His perfect will in our lives. If God makes a promise to you He will fulfill it in His own time. There are so many promises given to us in the Bible. These promises reassure us and bring comfort to our lives in our times of trial. I challenge you to take time to study the Word of God. The Lord will show you wonderful things that will change your life.
Benefits of Bible Study
- Regular Bible study is a sure-fire way to keep us from sinning
Check out this verse from the longest book of the Bible, Psalm 119: Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. (Ps. 119:11). How does this work, exactly? Regular Bible study helps keep us from sinning by reminding us of the great favor and power that he has lavished upon us in Christ. We are encouraged with the hope and the promises of the Bible for those who hide the word of God in their heart. To hide the word of God in my heart means that through regular Bible study, I memorize certain verses and passages of scripture. I spend time memorizing those passages from my Bible study which speak to my heart, the ones that consistently help me in my personal situation.
- Helps me become wise in my salvation
If the Scriptures helped Timothy from his youth, then regular Bible study can help us all of us as well. Look at what Paul reminds Timothy of in this passage from 2 Timothy: …and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Tim. 3:15). It’s clear from other Bible verses that Timothy’s Mom and Grandma taught him the Scriptures from his youngest age. They engaged in regular Bible study with him as a very young man. And because of his strength in the Scriptures, he stood out to Paul as someone he could take with him on missionary journeys. Wouldn’t you like to be invited to go on Ministry trips with your pastor or pastoral team? Then become strong in the Scriptures through regular Bible study and memorization, and your stature and favor will increase in the eyes of both God and man.
- Regular Bible study helps us to remain humble among our Brothers and Sisters in Christ
In this curious and not often taught passage from Deuteronomy we read what is called “The Law of Kings”: “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes, that his heart may not be lifted above his brethren, that he may not turn aside from the commandment to the right hand or to the left, and that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children in the midst of Israel.” (Deut. 17:18-20). So the King was to make a copy of the word of God for himself, and engaged in regular Bible study. This helped him to remain humble, to walk right with God, and to a live a long life of successful leadership among his people. Doesn’t that sound like a wonderful benefit?
- Edifies our soul and builds us up in Christ
God has moved through the pens and the hearts of his Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Evangelists, and Pastors to give us the book we call the Bible, and it is meant for us to do regular reading and Bible study with. But we’re warned: to use the Scriptures and do Bible study the wrong way is a danger for people. Look at this verse here in Peter: Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; and consider that the long-suffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (2 Pet. 3:14-16)
So it’s important that we be taught by good teachers in how to do Bible study, and make sure that we are learning the scriptures according to the faith passed down to us from the apostles.