Addicts become sober. Abusers learn to love. The lame walk. This is what happens when God shows up. Lives change. Revival happens. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
What is the key ingredient that causes people to change?
Most of us would say “prayer.” Of course, prayer is absolutely vital and effective, but surprisingly, there is something that is statistically more likely to cause a person’s life to change.
While dinking around on the internet, I happened upon an interesting study. 40,000 people listed their habits (like praying) and their behaviors (like looking at porn). As it turns out, prayer was not the biggest cause of changed behavior.
So what was it?
Praying every day did lower the negative behaviors. Going to church lowered them more than praying. But reading the Bible lowered the negative issues the most!
But there’s more. An unexpected discovery was made when they compiled the results.
Reading the Bible once a week had a small but good effect on people’s lives.
Reading the Bible twice a week had a small but good effect on people’s lives.
Reading the Bible thrice a week had a small but good effect on people’s lives.
However, the effect was amplified for people who read the Bible at least four times a week.
Look at these results:
Feeling lonely dropped by 30%
Anger issues dropped by 32%
Bitterness in relationships dropped by 40%
Alcoholism dropped by 57%
Sex outside of marriage dropped by 68%
Feeling spiritually stagnant dropped by 60%
Viewing pornography dropped by 61%
Sharing their faith jumped by 200%
Discipling others jumped by 230%
Memorizing scripture jumped by 407%
We all know that saying, “You don’t get good to get God; you get God to get good.” How do we change and “get good?” This study says that reading the Bible is one of the best ways.
Of course, two are better than one, and “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecc. 6:1) Couple Bible reading with prayer and church/preaching for the best results.
Maybe you have anger issues or can’t forgive that mean person who wronged you, and you keep dwelling on it. Instead of feeding your anger against them or getting down on yourself, stop thinking. Give it to God. Then, bury yourself in your Bible reading. Daily. That means every day. See what it does.
Isaiah 55:11 – “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” The next time you feel angry or resentful, pick up your Bible and read instead of dwelling on it.
If a new convert can’t stop smoking, suggest they quit trying so hard. Remind them that a key ingredient for change is to read their Bible every day. While they are reading, every few verses, they can remind themselves, “This is the Word of God. It is Truth. It is God talking to me.”
Get God to get good. Get. God. By reading His Word.
Bro. Kurt’s story: When he found God, he was in jail. Someone gave him a Bible, and he read it. When he came out, he was looking for God and found Him in our church. He had his ups and downs. His past includes alcoholism and prison. Since getting out of prison, he has become a new man. Now, because of God’s grace and work in his life, Kurt is happily married, healthy, and works as a competent counselor for people with addictions.
Kurt and his wife, Bonnie, lead a weekly service at the homeless mission in our town. They are making a difference, bringing God and hope to people who have faced great hardships. When I visited their service, I noticed an obvious sense of pleasure on many people’s faces as they sang, prayed, and listened to the teaching.
What is the most talked about subject in the Bible?
God. Obviously. Various forms of his name are mentioned many thousand times.
What is the second most talked about subject in the Bible?
The Bible. It is mentioned around 1000 times.
What does the Bible say about the Bible?
- 2 Timothy 3:16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
- Romans 15:4 – For whatsoever things were written afore time were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
- Psalms 119:11 – Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
- Matthew 4:4 – But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
- 2 Timothy 2:15 – Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
- Colossians 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
“If you are ignorant of God’s Word, you will always be ignorant of God’s will.” – Billy Graham
“I never saw a useful Christian who was not a student of the Bible.” – D. L. Moody
If you truly want your life to change, read your Bible. Not occasionally, but several days a week. This is the key ingredient.
Links to the study discussed above:
https://research.lifeway.com/2021/01/20/9-tangible-benefits-of-bible-reading-for-your-church/
https://bttbfiles.com/web/docs/cbe/Scientific_Evidence_for_the_Power_of_4.pdf
https://soundmindtalk.com/building-a-relationship-with-god/praying-some-psalms-2/If you really want some powerful changes to happen, combine the Bible with your prayers. Here is a link on how to do that: https://soundmindtalk.com/building-a-relationship-with-god/pray-the-psalms/ and a couple of links of examples of this: https://soundmindtalk.com/building-a-relationship-with-god/praying-some-psalms/ and https://soundmindtalk.com/building-a-relationship-with-god/praying-some-psalms-2/
