Sometimes, habits are not good.
They can ruin your health or life, but there is one habit that can help make your life better — studying your Bible. Where do you go to learn what God expects of you? Some will say, “Go to worship services,” and that is not a bad idea. But to know for yourself what God expects, you need to go to the Bible — God’s word. How often do you study your Bible? Do you study it every day, every other day, once a week or once a month? God in his great wisdom has told us to study. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that neededth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Reading and studying the Bible is the habit everyone needs to have.
Bible study is a personal thing, which is why it must become a habit every day. In the context of the passage in 2 Timothy, chapter 2, Paul was talking to Timothy; however, the application can be made to all who want to please God.
On one occasion Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him, the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48). Everyone must be aware of what the Bible teaches. It tells man the way to live lives that will be ready for Judgment Day. A person’s destiny will not depend on how much their ancestors knew about the Bible, or how much their spouse knows. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Now think about it. We are to study God’s word for ourselves, which will enable us to know what God desires of us. If we study and obey, we will be approved in the sight of God. What other habit can change your life so dramatically?
When a person makes the habit of Bible study, they begin to understand what the Bible is about and how it will help them in their life. One must understand the divisions of the Bible. While it is all inspired (2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17), not all of it is for man to follow today. The Bible is divided into the Old and New Testaments. The New Testament is what we are to follow today. The Hebrew writer told that the old was a shadow of things to come (Hebrews 10:1-22). With the death of Christ, the New Testament was given to man (Hebrews 9:11-28).
If we were to keep the old covenant today, we would not be able to have the forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 10:1-4; Galatians 3:16-4:11). Christ took the old law out of the way (Colossians 2:14).
The last will and testament of our Lord shows that we are to study the word. This study of the word develops faith (Romans 10:17), which leads to repentance (Acts 2:38) and a willingness to confess Christ before men (Matthew 10:32). Then, one realizes the need to be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). The word then gives one instruction on how to live the Christian life.
How often do you read your Bible? Make it a daily habit.