How the Bible Can Change Your Life: 4 Benefits of Reading God’s Word

Are you wondering, how the Bible can change your life? How the word of God completely transforms you?

When I was in grade school, I was part of a team that would memorize Bible verses for competition. The training involved sitting on my porch, eating Lemonhead candy while practicing Bible flash cards.

I hate to admit it, but I mostly read the Bible to win the competition not realizing how the Bible can change your life.

As a teenager, I continued reading and memorizing the Bible but did not fully grasp the depth, relevance, and love the Bible offered.

If you are reflecting on how the Bible can change your life remember, it is the living Word of God.

Reading the Bible to know Christ better strengthens your love, faith, and relationship with Jesus. The Bible is life-giving and changes you.

“In the beginning was  the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:1 NASB

The Power of the Bible

It is a difficult concept to embrace that God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and the words of God (the Bible) are all connected.

When you read the Bible, a Holy connection with God feels like someone is talking directly to you through the anointed words.

Have you ever felt God speaking to you through the Bible?

The Bible has changed my life through the stories and hope in its words.

If feeling lost and unable to find comfort, opening the Bible and reading about Jesus, the characters’ stories, and other scriptures brings guidance and peace.

The Holy Spirit speaks to us through the inspired words of the Bible. When we deny ourselves the power of the Bible we are also missing out on an important way to hear God’s voice. The Bible is like a loud speaker for God’s voice in your life.

I can’t begin to count the number of times the power found in the Bible has been made evident by an answered question, answered prayer, new revelation, or clarity on a decision; that is how the Bible can change your life.

open book-how the Bible can change your life

What Happens When You Read the Bible Every Day?

Many things in life are hard to understand until you experience them; such as marriage, parenthood, grief, and loss.

What happens when you read the Bible every day? Similar to other habits, we won’t understand or realize the impact it has until we start reading the Bible every day and make it part of our daily routine.

If you think about what you do every day (what you see, hear, taste, and smell), there are positive and negative consequences.

Our diet, exercise routine and the people surrounding us are good examples of daily investments that produce positive or negative consequences.

“People are creatures of habit, and routines offer a way to promote health and wellness through structure and organization. Having a routine can greatly improve your health. Everyone is unique.

Not everyone requires a fully scheduled day to reap the health benefits of a routine, so make the choices that work for you, knowing they’ll only make you healthier and more efficient with your time.”

Northwestern Medicine

Reading the Bible every day has amazing consequences on our hearts, minds, and souls!

We experience spiritual growth even if reading the Bible comes from a heart of obligation; that is how powerful God’s word is.

But when we read the Bible and pray from a heart of love and desire to know Jesus, we grow, change, and become more like Christ. This is how we see a change in our lives.

“Read your Bible daily.  Do not be content to skim through a chapter merely to satisfy your conscience. Hide the Word of God in your heart. It comforts, guides, corrects, and encourages; all we need is there.”

Billy Graham

“These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

Acts 17:11 NKJV

lady smiling-how the Bible can change your life

How the Bible Can Change Your Life

I have witnessed many examples of how the Bible can change your life.

The more we invest in reading and studying the Bible the closer we grow to God, understand His story, and experience Godly contentment.

How the Bible can change your life is best explained through the stories and wisdom found in scripture.

Four Powerful Benefits of Reading the Bible

How the Bible can change your life? The Bible will comfort you, and provide wisdom, joy, and strength; it creates an unbreakable connection with God.

Here are four powerful benefits of reading the Bible accompanied by scripture to meditate on.

  1. Bible Verses for Comfort

Reading the Bible, praying, and singing worship songs fill your soul.

When feeling a sense of disappointment, discouragement, or despair, turn to Bible verses to find comfort.

How the Bible can change your life? It affirms God cares for you and brings supernatural peace.

Psalm 34:18 “The  Lord  is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”

John 14:1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

  1. Bible Verses for Wisdom

When we sit down to read the Bible to learn and gain wisdom, God shows up, and we gain a deeper understanding of who He is.

Here are a few scriptures to show you the wisdom available through Jesus in the Bible.

How the Bible can change your life? It provides wisdom and guidance.

Proverbs 2:6 “For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

Colossians 3:16 “Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.”

James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.”

  1. Bible Verses for Strength

After fasting, Jesus is tempted in the wilderness, and each time He is tempted He uses scripture to find strength and resist the enemy.

Christ’s strength is available through reading the Bible and the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

When you feel like giving up, God’s words can help you persevere.

How the Bible can change your life? It provides strength and courage to keep going and be encouraged.

Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ,[a]  who gives me strength.”

Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Exodus 15:2 “The  Lord  is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him””my father’s God, and I will exalt him!”

1 Corinthians 10:13  “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

  1. Bible Verses for Connecting with God

The greatest benefit of studying the Bible is a stronger connection and relationship with Jesus. The more time we spend reading the Bible the stronger our identity in Christ becomes.

When we walk confidently in our identity, we can love and forgive others, and our gifts and mission become clear.

The closer we grow to Christ the more we desire to read His word.

How the Bible can change your life? The greatest benefit is a stronger connection with God.

Hebrews 11:6 “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”

John 1:1 “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

John 1:14 “So the Word became human  and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”

Turning to the Bible during times of struggle, to gain wisdom, or to connect with God, helps you understand and experience how the Bible can change your life.

The Bible and a love for its words are a natural extension of your desire to honor the great sacrifice of Christ and know Him better.

bible and coffee-how the Bible can change your life

Why is the Bible Important?

The Bible has been the most influential book in my life. It has guided me as I have surrendered and released control to God.

Why is the Bible important? It solidifies our relationship with Christ, builds trust, and is the “manual” we use to develop our transformed identity and find our Godly purpose.

I would say that is pretty important. But why is it easy to read other things more often than the Bible?

One of the biggest competitors in the race for our attention is social media.

In an excerpt from an article on Social Media’s effect on our mental health by Mclean Hospital, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, the reason we spend so much time on social media is explained:

“Social media has a reinforcing nature. Using it activates the brain’s reward center by releasing dopamine, a “feel-good chemical”:The platforms are designed to be addictive and are associated with  anxiety, depression, and even physical ailments. According to the Pew Research Center,  69% of adults and 81% of teens  in the U.S. use social media.

This puts a large amount of the population at an increased risk of feeling anxious, depressed, or ill over their social media use. But what makes users come back for more even when it can literally make them feel sick?

“When the outcome is unpredictable, the behavior is more likely to repeat,” Sperling says. “Think of a slot machine: if game players knew they never were going to get money by playing the game, then they never would play. The idea of a potential future reward keeps the machines in use. The same goes for social media sites.

One does not know how many likes a picture will get, who will ‘like’ the picture, and when the picture will receive likes. The unknown outcome and the possibility of a desired outcome can keep users engaged with the sites.”

I am not anti-social media, but I try to be a good steward of my time (not always successfully!) I know the positive influence the Bible has on my life, but I cannot say the same for the time I spend on social media.

This type of research reminds us to be intentional with our time and what we are exposed to.

Social media is powerful and can lead to negative results. But the power found in the words of God is stronger and leads to positive results answering the question, why is the Bible important?

“Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Ephesians 6:17 NLT

Scripture-how the Bible can change your life

How the Bible Can Change Your Life

Studying the Bible takes place alone, in small groups, and in church. All three methods are valuable.

How and where you read the Bible doesn’t affect how reading the Bible can change your life as long as you start somewhere.

As a child, I did not win the Bible competition, but what I did win was of greater value. Seeds of truth were planted and grew inside my heart.

Reading and studying the Bible continues to change my life by drawing me closer to God, helping me hear His voice, gain wisdom and trust Him more.

Only through God’s grace and truth have I learned that the Bible can transform your life to shine the light of Christ on others.

I would love to hear how reading the Bible changed your life!

Author

Mary Rooney Armand

Mary is the creator and writer for the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Her writing has been featured on multiple Christian websites and she is the author of, “Identity, Understanding, and Accepting Who I am in Christ”  and Life Changing Stories, a compilation with 34 authors available on Amazon

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Mary Rooney Armand

Mary Rooney Armand is an Author, Speaker, and Creator of the faith-based blog ButterflyLiving.org. Her stories help others grow in their intimacy with Christ and thrive in their relationships. Her work is featured on multiple websites including CrossMap, Woman of Noble Character, Pray with Confidence, and The Brave Women Series. Mary is the author of, “Identity, Understanding, and Accepting Who I Am in Christ” and, “Life Changing Stories” a collaboration with 34 authors sharing stories of God’s faithfulness. Besides writing, Mary leads small groups and speaks at retreats. She directed Kids Hope USA, a mentoring program for children, worked in marketing and sales, and has led mission trips to Honduras. Mary is a life coach with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and an MBA. She and her wonderful husband Cory live in Louisiana and are the parents of four children, a new daughter-in-law, and two dogs! Connect with Mary on Instagram or Facebook.

77 Comments

  1. Collene on October 14, 2020 at 8:37 am

    Love this post! Reading the bible every day has really helped me to find peace and comfort even when life gets crazy. It is worth it to spend the time in God’s Word.

  2. Melanie on October 14, 2020 at 1:00 pm

    It is absolutely true that reading the Bible daily changes your life. It has helped to give me perspective and focus for my days and also encourages and comforts me. I’ve been reading a lot about Jesus lately and have been learning how compassionate He was during His earthly ministry. It’s serving as a guide to show me how to minister to others, as well. Great post!

    • Mary Rooney Armand on October 22, 2020 at 1:55 pm

      Melanie, thank you!

      • Charity on December 11, 2021 at 4:41 pm

        God bless you and gives u more Grace

        • Mary Rooney Armand on December 15, 2021 at 1:49 pm

          Charity, thank you for reading!

  3. Donna Reidland on October 17, 2020 at 6:54 am

    It’s hard to explain to others why regular Bible reading is so important but you’ve done an excellent job. I’ll be sharing your post with several others.

  4. jerralea on October 18, 2020 at 7:12 pm

    It’s very convicting; do I read the bible as much or more than social media? Often, I can’t say I do; but I know I need to discipline myselft to do more. In His words are life!

  5. yourprotagonist on October 19, 2020 at 12:54 pm

    When I was a child, my mother paid us to memorize full chapters in silver dollars. Wow! If I had only kept those silver coins now! But, your story and mine echo the beginnings of discipline and the fruits they bear. Scripture has been my anchor and my telescope to the Lord, when I read or hear teachings these days, actually throughout my adult life, it evokes a reverberating response immediately. I am deeply touched and connected with God through His word. Thank you!

  6. M. J. on October 20, 2020 at 4:19 pm

    Great post! I grew up having to memorize Bible verses every week for school. At the time it seemed like a chore, because it was just another thing I had to study during the week, but now I am so thankful for it, because I still remember so many of the verses I learned, and I was able to apply them to my life as I grew up and grew in my faith. It is so important for us, as Christians to be in God’s word, and memorize it!

  7. Ava James on October 21, 2020 at 3:33 am

    The word of God definitely changes our life. I know l feel lost if l am not reading and finding truths for every situation l face. This post is so informative, thank you!

  8. Yvonne on October 21, 2020 at 2:08 pm

    Wonderful and very detailed words of wisdom. Reading and studying the Bible can and will change your life. It is amazing how the Bible is a living document that speaks to those who seek God in His word. Thanks

  9. Teresa Hodge on October 22, 2020 at 12:28 pm

    I loved this post about how reading the Bible can change your life! It is so true! God’s Word has guided me, given me peace and comfort, and gave me understanding of my need of salvation! So it not only changes my life here and now, but has changed my eternal life! Blessings! 💗

  10. Pam Morrison on October 22, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    Such an important post. The Bible is God speaking to us. It is the inerrant Word that takes us to the Word, Jesus. It is hard to convey to those who haven’t experienced it at yet, but we must try. These are the words of life!! Thank you for a most important post.

  11. Barbara Laman on October 22, 2020 at 5:02 pm

    Amen!!! Yes, the Bible can change your life! It changed mine! I love seeing people fall in love with His Word by reading it daily and learning the power it bestows in our lives. Thank you for this powerful post!

  12. The Barefoot Warrior on October 22, 2020 at 5:21 pm

    God’s Word is absolutely chock full of wisdom, truth, goodness, power, etc………The more time we spend in it, the less we look like the world and the more we look like Him. It literally is LIFE CHANGING if we allow to sink into our souls. As Pam mentioned above, These literally ARE Words of life!

  13. kariminter on October 24, 2020 at 3:41 pm

    So good! Reading the Bible every day definitely has been a life-giving thing for me and one I wouldn’t trade! And I love how you said “Our diet, exercise and the people who surround us are good examples of daily investments that produce either positive or negative consequences.” Such a great point and needed truth!! Thank you for writing this!

  14. Sheryl Mendoza on October 24, 2020 at 9:56 pm

    Hi, Mary! Thank you for this post! Reading and contemplating God’s words on a daily basis is really life-changing! Not only that it brings comfort, it provides the ultimate wisdom and guidance and strength that we truly need.

  15. Karen on October 25, 2020 at 12:48 pm

    Thank you for this post! I love scripture and like you said it has the power to change your body, mind and soul!

  16. Summer on October 25, 2020 at 11:07 pm

    I grew up participating in AWANA clubs, where we memorized verses to win badges, etcetera. I loved it! But, my focus was more on the reward and not the meanings behind the verses. It wasn’t until I was much older that I realized I needed to internalize the Word of God. This is such a full and complete post on the importance of habitual reading of the Bible and hiding God’s word in our hearts.

  17. Evangeline Samuel on October 26, 2020 at 6:43 am

    What a blessed article! Anything that glorifies the Word of God has my full attention. Where would we be without that food to sustain our soul. Praise God for His constant provision through His word.

  18. Donna Miller on October 26, 2020 at 7:03 am

    I LOVE this post Mary! Reading and walking in His Word transforms our lives. My hubby and I are witnesses to this. And I also love how when you were younger, you were enjoying the competition but God used your digging into His Word to absolutely capture your heart! LOVE IT! â¤

    • Mary Rooney Armand on November 5, 2020 at 2:40 pm

      Donna, thanks for reading and your sweet words of encouragement!

  19. Mamie L. Pack on October 26, 2020 at 9:06 pm

    Knowing God’s word for myself was a game changer. I realized I was relying on others to tell me the word instead of studying on my own.

  20. Rachel Mayew on October 28, 2020 at 8:12 am

    Love thinking of reading the Bible as an investment. The comfort, wisdom, strength, and getting closer to God are more than sufficient return on that investment to keep us coming back for more. I love how there’s always something new God wants to show us.

    • Mary Rooney Armand on November 5, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      Rachel, thanks for reading and I love that about God too!

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  43. Zachary Tomlinson on September 23, 2021 at 3:12 am

    I never knew that the bible has the power to change your mindset and improve your life. I have a colleague who feels like the pandemic has robbed him of everything in life. Maybe he should try visiting a nearby church to get started.

    • Mary Rooney Armand on September 23, 2021 at 4:51 pm

      The Bible has helped me tremendously! I hope you are able to encourage your friend to look for answers with God. Thanks for reading!

  44. Zachary Tomlinson on June 14, 2022 at 7:53 am

    Wow, I never knew that bible could help you learn life lessons that’ll help you handle grief and other problems! My friend wants to try changing his lifestyle into something free from alcohol. I’ll probably suggest that we find a devotional that he could try out as a start.

    • Mary Rooney Armand on June 20, 2022 at 12:14 pm

      The Bible is a beautiful resource! I pray you and your friend find a way to study together and grow closer to God. Thanks for reading!

  45. William cretus on September 4, 2022 at 10:27 am

    Bible change my life 100% ,there are life lesson in bible. Thank you.

    • Mary Rooney Armand on September 6, 2022 at 12:01 pm

      The Bible is full of wisdom and I am thankful your life has been changed! Many blessings!

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  48. […] had to repent then and there of lacking humility while reading God’s word. So many times, I searched for something for myself or sought to find myself in the words of the […]

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  51. Eli Richardson on June 5, 2023 at 9:17 am

    Recently, I became interested in religion, and since I’ve never read the Bible before, I’m overwhelmed about trying to do it. That’s why I’m glad you explained the benefits of reading the Bible and how it’d change our lives. I appreciate your intake on how the Bible provides wisdom and guidance, I’ll definitely get started soon.

    • Mary Rooney Armand on June 5, 2023 at 12:41 pm

      I hope you find wisdom, peace and encounter Jesus in the Bible. YouVersion is a wonderful app for reading the Bible on your phone. Blessings!

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  56. Victoria Addington on October 30, 2023 at 1:09 pm

    I like that you talked about how reading the Bible may help you understand and feel how it can impact your life, whether it’s for guidance, comfort, or to establish a connection with God. I’ll absolutely share this with my mother because she occasionally reads the Bible. To make reading easier for her wherever would be a fantastic idea, I’ll check out online for her a Christian faith e-book.

    • Mary Rooney Armand on October 30, 2023 at 2:06 pm

      I am happy to hear the article was helpful! You could try the You Version app which will read the Bible to your mom. Many blessings!

  57. Tom Thomas on March 10, 2024 at 4:06 pm

    Thank-you for your article. The Bible offers hope, peace, and assurance through God’s love and grace.

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