If you were to read the entire Bible you would not find a direct command from God saying “Thou shalt read the Bible everday.” Some Christians seem to believe they have no obligation to read or study Scripture. Some churches and denominations actively discourage their members from reading the Bible on their own. However, the Bible clearly teaches Christian to desire to read and study the Word. The book of First Peter says the Christian should hunger for Scripture the way a baby hungers for milk. (1 Peter 2:2)

Christians, should desire to know and study the Bible because God draws a definite link between the believer’s knowledge of the Bible and the ability to live in the way that pleases God. In the book 1 John the apostle writes, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:3-5). How is the Christian to know how Christ lived and be able to imitate His life without diligently studying the record of Jesus’ life? Obedience is only possible through careful attention to the rule He has given to His children.

Scripture also teaches that the Christian’s desire to know the Bible is a sign of spiritual health. 1 John 4:6 says, “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” Those who are truly saved will long to be taught the Bible by skilled teachers and the spiritual authorities God has placed in their lives. The healthy Christian will long to know the Word of God. Just as a loss of appetite is a symptom of physical illness, so a lack of hunger for the Word is a certain symptom of spiritual malaise.

A desire to know and to study the Bible does not necessarily mean the Christian will always be overflowing with enthusiasm to do so. A desire to study the Bible may be shown by the Christian springing out of bed in the morning eager to rush to a comfortable chair and spend time drinking in the Word. Though many Christians long to have this excitement for the Word, the fact is in real life very few do. However, a lack of an overflowing enthusiasm does not mean the desire for the Bible is less sincere. The average person is probably not excited about the next meal. They do not run to the table with glee, anxious for the food that will be set before them. Does this mean they lack sincerity in their eating? Does this mean the meal is of less importance to their life? The Christian knows the Word of Godfeeds his soul and desires to feast at the banquet of Scripture.