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I have 3 books that I’m munching on: Chess Openings for Dummies by James Eade, Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes, and of course the Bible by God. Being a chess Grandmaster sounds good, being a philosopher sounds better, but being a man of God sounds the best! We know there are many cognitive benefits to reading, so then shouldn’t there be ABOUNDING benefits that come from reading God’s word? We’re going to look at 7 benefits of reading God’s word.

1. Knowledge is power

One of my favorite cliché sayings is “knowledge is power.” Well, when it comes to the word of God, it could not be more true. The more you know, the more you can do, and it is oft quite apparent the multitude of challenges awaiting us in life so it’s imperative we fill our brains with the knowledge we need to navigate or fight our way through its quarrels and vicissitudes. Let’s get wiser and more powerful as we sojourn.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

2. Gaining approval

Okay, I know how this sounds but hear me out. I would never ask you to seek approval from anyone unless they were really special… infinitely special, actually. Our finite human psyche can be fragile, and sometimes we seek approval from others. Sometimes we get it and sometimes we don’t, therefore that form of approval is inconsistent, limited, and at times not even earnest. There is however, a source of approval that is complete, honest, and fulfilling: the LORD, y’all. Religion is the death of a relationship with God, and study of the word is the beginning of it.

II Timothy 2:15
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

3. Healing

Some of us… okay *most of us are just downright #damaged. God’s word is the ultimate source of emotional, psychological, physical – and not to mention spiritual (obviously) – healing. Just check out the following verses that sow peace and harmony into the heart, and might even bring a tear of joy to your eye as they do for me.

Psalm 37: 3,4
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the LORD: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalm 46:1-3
…GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Sé-lah.

4. Salvation

Whether you’re a Christian noob or a seasoned veteran, the gospel of salvation is a truth you must keep close to your heart. Learning more about God’s manifestation of grace through His gift of everlasting life gives you both assurance of your future and patience in the present. Here’s a good place to start:

Romans 10:9-11
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

If you’re not yet saved, all it takes according to these verses is you confessing that Jesus Christ is your personal Lord and simultaneously believing i.e. trusting from you heart, that God raised him from death. Isn’t the simplicity of the gospel of salvation heart-wrenching?

5. Finding your identity

Who are you? Is your identity defined by where you work? What school you attend? What you like to do? Well yes, partly; but it’s also (and most importantly) who God made you to be. It’s our purposeful searching and discovery of the knowledge of our identity in Christ that gives us what can most completely be described as a “sense of self.”

I John 4:4
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

6. To serve and give

This goes hand-in-hand with number 1 because with the wisdom we acquire we can enlighten and build up others by transferring through Biblical education God’s knowledge to them. In fact, it’s our responsibility once we are inducted into God’s hall of fame i.e. saved by grace, to give and to be of service to the household of faith, and to reconcile (restore into God’s favor) people to it.

I Peter 4:10
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

II Corinthians 5:17,18
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

7. Preparation for the spiritual competition

While a warrior of the Old Testament like David would don his armor and take up his weapons and shield to prepare for battle, we can suit up with the encouragement and hope God has woven into His holy word.

Ephesians 6:13-17
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

BONUS: Bible trivia

Does your church do Bible trivia? If you read the word diligently, you could be the smartest guy or gal in the room! While you may not know what year the sextant was invented, you will know the 613 Mosaic commandments by heart, be able to recite the complete lineage of Jesus, and map out each of the 3 known major missionary expeditions of Paul blindfolded: all useful things. One day there might even be a Christianity Jeopardy!, and I am looking forward to that day with much enthusiasm.

Conclusion

I hope that you enjoyed learning (or re-learning) these 7 benefits of reading God’s word, and that they are so alluring that you’re inspired to carve a little more time out of your schedule for God by digesting His word. Like they say in advertising: it’s a no-risk guarantee, except I actually mean it.

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