Do you struggle with reading God’s Word? I did too. Come with me as I explore many different excuses we use, and why God’s Word is so important; every day.

Reading the Bible every day isn’t something Christians just do automatically. It’s a discipline, and in a way, our safety measure. However, this important action is often forgotten or pushed aside in favor of extra sleep, one more chapter, or things we have to do during our generally over-busy days. Nevertheless, is it really worth 15 minutes of more sleep that sacrifices time you could be resting your mind and refreshing your spirit? Time you could be getting to know the Lord more?

The reason a lot of people who say they are Christians don’t end up reading their Bible every day is because humans are really good at coming up with excuses. Like, “I’ve only read God’s Word once this week because I am ‘meditating’ on it and thinking about it,” “I can stay right where I am in my faith,” and, “It will be fine.” Or, “I go to church and youth group every week; isn’t that the same?” “I’m not facing any tough times right now, I can put it off,” or, one of the most dangerous ones, “I can find and avoid the lies of Satan in the world by myself.”

It’s a good thing you want to understand what you read from the Bible, but saying that you’re not going to read it every day because you want to think about it and “meditate” on it for a while, is just an excuse and a lie of Satan. Joshua 1:8 says, “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.” The Bible is telling us that we need to study it every day. James 1:21 says to put away all “filthiness and rampant wickedness” and to “receive with meekness the implanted Word which is able to save your souls.” Psalm 1:2 and Acts 17:11 are more examples of reading the Scriptures daily.

I want to warn you, if you don’t read the Word, you will not stay where you are in your faith. You won’t grow; you’ll backtrack, and when you hit a trial, you may leave altogether because you won’t have firm roots. Psalm 119:10-11 says, “With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Knowing what it says in God’s Word helps us to not sin.

Also, church and youth group are nowhere near the same as reading the Bible. Even though most pastors try to make their sermons as Biblical as possible, there will always be some mistakes and things they get wrong, because they’re human. If you don’t read the Bible, you won’t be able to test what’s Biblical and what’s not like the Bible says to do in first Thessalonians. Don’t get me wrong; going to church is important – there are lots of verses about it, such as Hebrews 10:24-25, which says, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on to love and good deeds, and not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the day approaching,” but reading the Bible every day is important.

It will not always be smooth sailing. You’re going to hit a trial; it’s a guarantee. The Bible talks about it a lot, saying that the testing of our faith produces the righteousness that God desires. 1 Peter 4:12-13 says, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed.” God knows that we’re going to face trials, and He’s told us how to combat them.

Also, reading the Bible and talking to God refreshes your spirit and prepares you for the day ahead. Psalm 46:1 says: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Jeremiah 31:25 says: “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” If those two verses aren’t enough to convince you; read the book of Psalms. The whole thing talks about God taking care of us!

Furthermore, without God’s help, there is no way you will be able to find and root out the lies of Satan by yourself. He’s a master trickster, and his entire being is devoted to entrapping humanity. In Matthew, there is this story where Jesus is out in the wilderness for forty days and forty nights till the devil comes to deceive Him. Do you know how Satan tried to entangle Jesus? He twisted Bible verses. It’s true. Read the story in Matthew 4:1-11. The way Jesus combatted the devil was by reciting the Bible. He knew the Word well enough that when someone twisted its meaning, He instantly recognized it, could tell that it was being twisted, and could combat it with a verse of his own.

Or how about this other lie? Have you ever heard the phrase, “Follow your heart?” This bit of worldly wisdom sounds good. It even feels good. But it’s inherently wrong. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Matthew 15:19 is another really good reason to not “follow your heart,” as it were: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.”

The Bible also calls itself a weapon. It’s the “Sword of Truth,” Ephesians 6:17, and Hebrews 4:12 tell us that “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.”

Another thing that shows just how important this is: John 1:1 says “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.” Jump over to verse 14 and John shows us who the Word is: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Did you catch that? Besides being a clear description of what we Christians call the Trinity, it also says something incredible about what the Word is. Let me repeat it – “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” That’s Jesus! 🙂

Really guys – spending time in the Bible is spending time with Jesus.

Have you ever wondered why God hasn’t talked to you? Do you recall when we learned that the Bible is living and active? If you want to hear God speaking to you, READ THE BIBLE!!!!!!!!!!

Now, I’m not saying that in order to be a Christian you have to read your Bible every day. The Bible is very clear that the only way you are saved is by grace through faith. Romans 10:9-10 says “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” However, reading the Bible every day is one of the ways we learn, grow and become sanctified.

If we don’t get into the habit of reading the Bible every day, we will be led astray by false truths. No excuse that we could come up with will take away this simple fact: you get to know someone by spending time with them. You get to know God by spending time talking to Him and reading the Bible. The excuses that make reading the Bible seem so low down on the totem pole are actually lies of Satan. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says: “but test everything; hold fast what is good.” How will we know what to test if we don’t know the actual truth? How will we combat the lies of this world if we’re unsure of what is true?

Now, let’s go read our Bibles.