Why Open the Bible?
—A list of reasons.

Reasons to Open God’s Book

• To be wise unto salvation. "...from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus" (2Timothy 3:15 ESV).
• To walk in the light as God is in the light "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." "...walk in the light as God is in the light..." (Psalm 119:105; 1John 1:7).
• To find comfort and hope in troubled times. "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4 NKJV).
• To examine our thoughts and intentions by the living word, "For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12 NASB).
• To be fully equipped for every good work. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2Timothy 3:16-17 KJV).
• To have authority in public debate about Christianity " [Apollos] vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ" (Acts 18:28 NKJV).
• To see Messianic prophecies testify of Jesus. "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me" (John 5:39 ESV).
• To be corrected, but built up, not torn down. "This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority —the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down" (2Corinthians 13:10 NIV).
• To be told the truth and not lies "Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying!" (Galatians 1:20 LSB).
• To know how to conduct onesel in the church of God "Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these things in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.…" (1Timothy 3:14-15 BSB).
• To stir up our minds by way of reminder "This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder" (2Peter 3:1 ESV).
• To use as our source in public preaching "Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (1Timothy 4:13 NKJV).
• To be warned by examples of past judgments. "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" (1Corinthians 10:11 NKJV).

Bad Reasons

• To twist the Scriptures. "There are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ..." (Galatians 1:7 NASB , cf 2Peter 3:16 NKJV).
• To mock God’s words. "But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy." (2Chronicles 36:16 NKJV).
• To misapply the scriptures. "[The devil said to Jesus,] "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will command his angels concerning you,' and 'On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone'"" (Matthew 4:6 ESV).
• To undermine the Bible’s origin and divine inspiration "For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2Peter 1:21 NKJV).