Why Reading the Bible is So Important
Have you ever actually read the owner’s manual for your car? Most of us don’t until the little warning light flashes on the dashboard, and then looking online, flipping through manual pages, or running to the dealer/repair shop. The manufacturer wrote that manual because they know exactly how the car was designed to run. If you follow their instructions with oil changes, tire pressure, maintenance checks, (generally) the car performs the way it was intended. If you ignore it, you’re likely to end up stranded on the side of the road (or worse).
A couple of months ago my transmission started acting up, I popped the hood to add fluid only to discover I couldn’t add it the standard way. I took the car to a mechanic, but they didn’t even have the right equipment to do it. They told me I had to go to one of their other locations just to get it serviced. When I looked at the owner’s manual and saw it clearly stated the transmission fluid should be changed every 30,000 miles. I had never heard anything like that before (every 30k miles) Maybe if I had read the manual earlier, I could have avoided a costly repair.
Too often we wait until things break down before we open the “manual.” God has already given us everything we need in His Word to avoid unnecessary pain and walk wisely from the start.
Why is reading the Bible important?
1. It’s God’s Word to Us
The Bible is more than a book of nice sayings; it is the very breath of God. His Word equips us with everything we need for life and service.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16–17
2. Guidance and Direction
Life is full of crossroads, and we all need direction. The Bible is our compass. A lot of us are reactive instead of proactive, we wait until things go wrong before we seek God’s Word (like grabbing the manual only after the car breaks down) . God wants us to be proactive: to seek His guidance daily, before the warning lights flash.
His Word not only helps us fix problems but prevents many of them by showing us how to walk wisely from the start.
Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105
3. It’s Essential for Spiritual Success
God told Joshua that prosperity and success are tied to how deeply we engage with His Word. It's not just about reading. It’s about meditating and obeying. Success, in God’s eyes, comes from applying His Word daily.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may [a]be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success. Joshua 1:8
4. It’s Spiritual Nourishment
Just as food fuels our physical bodies, Scripture fuels our spirits.Without Scripture, we become spiritually malnourished. But with it, we find strength, clarity, and endurance for the challenges of life.
But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
Reading the Bible is more than a religious habit. It is:
God’s authoritative revelation,
Our guide for daily living,
The source of spiritual nourishment,
The key to lasting growth and God-defined success.
When we make Bible reading proactive not just reactive, we avoid unnecessary breakdowns in life and live aligned with the God who designed us.
Let’s Pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word as a guide, a source of strength, and a light in dark places. Forgive us for the times we’ve only come to You when things go wrong. Help us to be proactive in seeking You daily through Scripture so that we may walk wisely, avoid pitfalls, and live according to Your perfect design. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
