Daily bible-reading should be a habit that every believer cultivates.
It ought to be a non-negotiable really.
Still, a lot of us struggle in this area.
(See our last post – Keeping Each Other Prayed Up)
For many too, reading the bible gets reserved for spiritual gatherings.
Otherwise, people view it as a chore and we can almost always find something else to do to fill our bible-reading space.
We prioritize to-do list tasks and busy ourselves doing everything else in our days other than what we were created to do – worship our Creator.
But we need to not make bible-reading not a Sunday service ritual.
The bible is so chockful of gems to show us who God is, reveal His promises and to guide us through life.
Here are 17 reasons we could find to encourage daily bible-reading.
To spend time with the Lord
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
Proverbs 2:6-7
3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3
150 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness!
Psalm 150:1-2
Daily bible-reading helps us to grow our Faith
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
1 Peter 2:2-3
To get personal revelation about the person of God
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people.
John 5:38-41
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 1:1-4
15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
To develop spiritual discipline
11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11
7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.
1 Timothy 4:7-8
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua 1:8
It gives us direction
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 119:105
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27
It Fosters Spiritual Growth
1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.4 The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Psalm 1:1-4
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Colossians 1:9-10
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17
Daily Bible-Reading Helps Us Live A Better Life
4 But he answered, “It is written,” ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Matthew 4:4
23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
Proverbs 6:23
It Keeps Us Accountable & Guards Us Against Sin
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.12 Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes!
Psalm 119:9-12
31 The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.
Psalm 37:31
7 Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”
Psalm 40:7-8
God’s Word is eternal and dependable
35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Matthew 24:35
89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
Psalm 119:89
151 But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true.152 Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever.
Psalm 119:151-152
For protection against evil
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:16-17
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
For Better Fellowship With Other Believers
11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:16
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7
Daily discipline leads to delight in the Word
20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
Psalm 103:20-21
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise,11 in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?
Psalm 56:10-11
106 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?
Psalm 106:1-2
To Defend The Faith
5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
2 Corinthians 10:5
14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
1 Peter 3:14-16
To help us discern false teaching
4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 John 4:1
24 For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.
Matthew 24:24-26
Daily bible-reading gives us Encouragement
4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Romans 15:4-5
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.
Psalm 119:50
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
Mark 10:27
To Keep Us Anchored To Christ
19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,
Hebrews 6:19
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
Romans 12:11
32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:32
It convicts us of our sin
12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12
Daily Bible-Reading Pro – Tips
- Read Out Loud! – Reading the Word out loud allows it to hit differently. It keeps you alert and makes it less likely for the devil to assault you with instant sleepiness.
- If reading the bible has not yet been an essential part of your daily walk, may we suggest starting with the book of John.
- Also, Pastor Dr. Dharius Daniels encourages us to “read to feed, don’t read to finish”.
This simply means that you need not rush through chapters.It is perfectly acceptable, sometimes even optimal to linger at one verse for days.Ruminate on it.
- Pray and ponder it – Ask Holy Spirit to reveal all He wants to say to you about that one verse or passage.
- Download the YouVersion Bible App – Trust us, if you haven’t yet, you won’t regret it. It is an awesome way to develop and track your bible reading habit.
So Tell Us…
Has this post encouraged you to start or renew your daily bible-reading habit?
Remember the truth that we regurgitate what we consume.
With that in mind, let us truly feed on scripture and watch our whole lives transform.
If this post has blessed you, check out 21 Draw Near Scriptures to Deepen Our Faith Walk.
Til our next post…
Stay Blessed