Why Read the Bible?

I read this verse in my devotions this morning and it’s a great example of how God’s Word, the Holy Bible, is alive and more than words, even though it was written a long time ago. This is from a Psalm inspired by the Holy Spirit and written by King David to be read and also sung.

Psalm 18:30 (NIV): “As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; He shields all who take refuge in Him.”

If this were “just” the words of a man, written at a particular time about a specific event, it would read like an ordinary sentence and stay there. But it doesn’t.

Something happens when we read the Word of God. Even the soul of a non-believer recognizes this is something else. That’s one of the reasons agnostics and athiests are repelled by the thought of reading it. It hits too close and it’s powerful. Also, the enemy, satan, will do whatever he can to keep us from the truth because he is the father of lies (read what Jesus says about him in John 8:43-47). If the Bible is truth and holy because Almighty God is the author, isn’t that what we’d expect – true opposition from the true enemy of God? 

Reading Scripture speaks to a deeper place within us – our soul. I picture it as opening a window that takes me beyond the words themselves to pure, timeless truth and deep understanding. As a believer, what’s happening is I’m actually experiencing the Holy Spirit teaching me – and I know it. It’s not just a feeling or my emotions, it’s more. It’s proof of what Jesus said before He returned to Heaven after His death and resurrection in John 14:15-17 (NIV):

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and within you.”

He goes on to say this in verses 18-20 that He makes His home within us when we invite Him into our heart and life:

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day, you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.”

That’s the relationship we have as believers between us, God the Son, God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit (the Trinity). The Son is in the Father, we are in the Son, and the Holy Spirit also lives with us and within us.

One more important message from Jesus about what the Holy Spirit actually does within us in verses 25-26:

“All this I have spoken to you while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you.“

That’s why reading the Bible with an open heart is an experience on two levels: reading the words themselves and listening to hear the deeper message that comes to you spiritually from the living Holy Spirit! The words are just the “carriers.” What surrounds them and is within them is God’s voice speaking. I haven’t written about this before because I haven’t quite been able to put it into words…but here they are today.

What happens when we act upon what we’ve been taught? Transformation. It’s both active internally combined with evidence externally. Again, God tells us, this time through the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:23-24 (NLT) exactly what the outcome will be:

“Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God – truly righteous and holy.“

So why read the Bible every day? I’ll wrap up today with an example that illustrates the point from a different perspective. For 18 years I was a competitive show chorus singer and also sang in a quartet for a while. When getting ready to go to competition, I rehearsed for hours for both groups, and that preparation made me ready to sing at any time. I was always warmed up and ready to go. That’s what it’s like when we’re in the flow of reading our Bible, praying, and including God all throughout the day. We can recognize His voice. We can see His provision. We’re connected to Him. It’s not just us reaching out to Him. Our spirit is in Him and He lives within us and that’s a miracle. A miracle He gives to us by faith when we believe – because He loves us!

RESET HIGHER: If you haven’t been reading your Bible for a week, a month, or for years, start today. Keep reading the Gospel of John to get back into it – or get started for maybe the first time. Listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to you between the words.