12 Things to Look Out for When You Read the Bible

Does it seem like you are distant from your bible, even though you are a Christian? Do you find the bible boring any time you attempt to read it?

All that, may be because there is nothing you look forward to when you open its pages. Good news is you could get more inclined to the scriptures once you realize there are a number of things to look out for.

Luckily, the bible itself tells us what it has to offer.

Here are 12 of those.

#1. A Word of Comfort and Refreshing

That through endurance (patience) and through the encouragement (comfort) of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4b ESV/NKJV).

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul (Psalm 19:7 NIV)

For a soul that is hurting, downcast, worn out or in despair, the pages of the bible can be where to turn to, for comfort, encouragement and refreshing.

When I was entrusted with leadership at an early age, I was scared and anxious. But it was from the scriptures I found strength and encouragement. Then, I would read stories of young men like Joshua and Timothy and be renewed by the inspiring words that were communicated to them.     

#2. A Teaching to Imbibe

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching (doctrine) (2Timothy 3:16 ESV/NKJV). 

If you want to know what to believe about the Christian faith; if you desire to know what to hold on to about God and his relationship with us and the entire universe, then source it directly from the bible.

Most of the things the bible teaches are quite plain. Nonetheless, for best results, it is good one comes open-minded and willing to submit to guidance and enlightenment by the Spirit of God.   

#3. A Rebuke to Heed

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

Sometimes, you begin to read the bible and all it seems you are hearing is rebuke and reproof. Don’t get bitter or pissed off.

Rebuke is part of the process.

Most times, God’s rebuke comes to us because He expects more from us. If we falter when He expects us to know better, He could bring a reproof.

If He has equipped, exposed and trained us to a certain level, it is only natural that such standards come with expectations. And when, He rebukes us because we fall short, it is not to drive us away, but to bring us back to our senses.   

#4. A Correction to Note

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

Certain times, we err.

And sometimes we do so innocently.

It may be that we are naïve, inexperienced or not just knowledgeable enough. At other times, it may be that we are mere victims of our own arrogance.

In any case, He still comes to us with correction. You would just find yourself reading a portion of scripture and suddenly realize how what you are reading is challenging a philosophy, a mindset, an action or a habit. 

That is the time to take notice.

#5. A Booster for Your Faith

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17 NKJV)

All you need, to strengthen your faith in God along a particular course is to come across scripture passages that recount instances similar to what you are experiencing or even worse cases and how a turn-around eventually came.

Your faith can also be emboldened when you read about God’s staggering abilities – the unassailable heights of His power and the unfathomable depths of His wisdom.  

#6. An Example to Learn from

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning (Romans 15:4 NKJV)

Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come (1 Corinthians 10:11 NKJV).

The bible is replete with countless narratives of people across many generations.

Some would make you cringe, some would make your eyes pop out, some would make your jaw drop, and some will amuse you. But whether good or bad, the onus is on us to pick valuable lessons to apply to our daily lives. 

#7. An Instruction to Train You

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16 ESV)

One of the ways God trains us, is to give us clear (personal) instructions through the bible. It may originally be an instruction given to someone in the scripture, but it impresses so deeply on your spirit (sometimes, for a while), and you need no soothsayer to know He is asking you to do same.

Sometimes, all you read is just a bible character’s commitment to a particular lifestyle or habit. And you see God pointing it to you as something to imbibe for a season.

I remember how clearly I knew I was being instructed to withdraw to pray as I read how Jesus often withdrew to solitude to pray. After practising it for a while, I realized God was giving me some prayer training with that. 

#8. The Personality Called Jesus

We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” (John 1:45 NKJV)

You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. (John 5:39 NKJV)

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” (Luke 24:44 NKJV)

From Genesis to Revelation, the central personality of the scriptures is Jesus. Every dispensation of the bible says something about Him. And it is in looking out for what every of these portions reveal about Him that we find insight about his unique, unrivalled personality.  

And that helps us grow in our knowledge of Him and relationship with Him.

#9. Nuggets of Wisdom

And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:15 NKJV)

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (Psalm 19:7 NKJV)

If you are looking for wisdom for personal situations, the bible has got something to say. Even if it is for your family, work or relationship with others, the scriptures have a thing to tell you.

And that is not limited only to the well-known wisdom books; even the less-fancied passages of scripture contain applicable wisdom.      

#10. The Way to Prosperity

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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. (Joshua 1:8 NKJV)

And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn (1 Kings 2:3 NKJV)

From whatever standpoint you look at it, the bible is replete with stories of people who were prosperous. So, if it promises that we can also tow that path by gleaning from it, we shouldn’t have any reason to doubt.

#11. Prophecies and Predictions

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.  (2 Peter 1:20 NKJV)

The bible contains a lot of prophecies and predictions. Some have been fulfilled in time past. Some are waiting to come true. It can be interesting to probe into these foretellings to draw information and inspiration for our continual stay on earth.

#12. Information about the Afterlife

Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ (Luke 16:29 NKJV)

The statement, ‘Moses and the prophets’, as used here and in other parts of the bible refers to the scripture. That is, the scripture available to them at the time (before the New Testament volumes were added). That was the same scripture Jesus, Paul and the apostles read and quoted from.

If that could offer sufficient information about the afterlife, to the extent that Abraham could recommend it for the rich man’s brothers (in place of the tales a resurrected person); how much more now, that we have a complete bible?

So, just in case, you have been wondering why you should commit yourself to reading the bible, there you have it.

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See Also

7 Scriptures That Changed My Life

What You Really Need to Do to Grow As a Person

The Danger of Self-Deception: A Lesson Failure Taught Me

5 Interesting Facts You Never Knew About St. Barnabas

Tower of Babel: The Real Reason God Confused the People’s Language

30 Things a Christian Should Do Before Turning 30: A Bucket List from Jesus’ Life

Why a Good God Allowed Evil Befall His Beloved: The Curious Story of Job

Delayed But Not Denied: How God Ended a Couple’s Long Wait for a Child

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Ogaga Eruteya is a Nigerian Christian minister, writer and speaker. He writes on Faith, Personal Development, Youth Development, and Life Realities. With his words, he seeks to inspire, motivate, propagate life’s truths and represent a sincere Christian voice. Learn more about Ogaga here.

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