Why Study the Bible?

If you want grow spiritually, you must be in the Word of God. One of the reasons that many Christians are not growing in their spiritual walk is because they neglect time in God’s Word. Peter tells us that the one who is progressing in his/her walk with the Lord is the one who spends time in the Bible. He writes, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).

This is why it is so imperative that you study the Word. If you deny food for your body, your physical health will decline. It is the same in the spiritual realm. If you neglect the spiritual food from God’s Word, your spiritual health will decline. It is no wonder why many are discouraged, depressed, anxious, and wavering in their spiritual walk. People are not in the Word of God!

Peter says that the mark of a growing infant is the desire for milk. When Lily was born, you can believe that every 3-4 hours she would let the whole house know that she was hungry. Likewise, if you are a Christian who is maturing in your faith, then there should be an insatiable appetite for spiritual truth. There should be a craving for God’s Word.

As you crave this pure truth from God’s Word, you will begin to grow. Notice that Peter did not say “know” but “grow.” Many Christians know but do not grow! “The Bible was written not to satisfy your curiosity but to help you conform to Christ’s image. Not to make you a smarter sinner but to make you like the Savior. Not to fill your head with a collection of biblical facts but to transform your life” (Howard Hendricks, Living by the Book, 19).