You’ve Heard It SaidSample

Reading the Bible isn’t just informative—it’s transformative. 

It’s easy to sometimes feel like reading the Bible is just another thing to check off on your morning routine. But reading the Bible is so much more than that. The Bible is often referred to as a sword, and we know God’s Word is a weapon that helps us fight lies with truth. 

The Bible reminds us who God is, which helps remind us who we are, since we were created in God’s image. When we read it, we experience God’s presence, and we see examples of His faithfulness time and time again. It encourages us, strengthens us, and renews us. 

Memorizing Scripture and repeating it often can actually rewire our brains to replace toxic lies with transformative truth. It can help us cultivate the mind of Christ, and it helps us discern what to do when decisions come up. It gives us wisdom, which is something we desperately need in a world filled with too much information. 

But we don’t just read the Bible. We need to live out the words of the Bible in our ordinary, everyday lives. We don’t just read it to gain knowledge for ourselves. We read it to radically shape how we live out God’s love in the world. Check out what James, the brother of Jesus, wrote about that: 

So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. James 1:21-22 NLT 

God’s Word is powerful! But we can’t just read it without living it. Reading Scripture makes it significantly harder to ignore injustices we see. Reading the Bible inspires us to love others, to serve others, to speak up for and on behalf of others, and so much more. God’s Word is meant to be planted in our hearts so that we can put it into action in real life. 

Don’t go another day just reading about the love of Jesus. Use Scripture as a prompt to go show others the love of Jesus. 

Reflect: 

• When is the last time reading something in God’s Word inspired you to take action in your life? 
• What are some ways you can act on what you read today? 

Pray: God, thank You for giving us Your Word, which is truth. Help me not just read Your Word but also live it out. Today, reveal to me a way I can live out Your Word in the world. Give me fresh perspective as I read Your Word, and reveal Yourself to me in a new way. In Jesus’ name, amen.