Why should we study God’s word? Let us understand the reasons through the Bible.
1. For our soul to live
God’s word is spiritual food. Jesus said that man lives by the word of God.
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” Mt 4:4
Can anyone live without eating? No. If we do not eat, we gradually become weak and eventually lose our life. Our souls are not different. If we do not eat spiritual food—God’s word, we weaken spiritually, losing our spiritual power, and eventually our spiritual life. Therefore, we must always eat spiritual food by studying God’s word, spiritual food.
2. To grow in faith and receive salvation
We cannot be saved without faith (Ro 1:17). If we want to receive salvation, we need full confidence that we have received eternal life through the New Covenant and also have firm faith in the Savior of this age. How do we obtain such faith, then? It is by studying the word of God. Only when we study God’s word and gain realizations from it, can we have firm faith in God.
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Ro 10:17
Therefore, we must study God’s word to grow in faith and receive salvation.
3. To keep our faith and remain in the truth
God’s word helps us resemble God’s character and divine nature. On the other hand, because we are sinners, if we stay away from God’s word, we come to have evil suspicions and a corrupt mind, and eventually the truth is taken away from us.
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 1 Ti 6:3–5
Therefore, we must study God’s word in order to keep our faith and remain in the truth to the end. By studying God’s word diligently, let us resemble God’s character and return to the Kingdom of Heaven.
4. To win the spiritual war against Satan
Satan hinders us in various ways to prevent us from entering Heaven. So the Bible tells us that we, God’s people, are at spiritual war with Satan. How can we defeat Satan and win the spiritual war? It is by sharpening our spiritual sword of God’s word.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes . . . Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Eph 6:10–17
The Bible teaches us that God’s word is the sword of the Holy Spirit, which is needed to fight against Satan. Jesus Himself showed us an example of overcoming Satan’s temptations with the sword of the Word (Mt 4:3–11). Therefore, let us study God’s word to sharpen our sword of the Holy Spirit, defeat Satan, and win the spiritual war.
- Food for Thought
- What is the spiritual food that we need for our souls?
- According to the Bible, what is the sword of the Holy Spirit that we need in order to fight against Satan?