Second Step of Getting Closer to God: Read the Bible.
Life is a battle. Every day we face temptations, challenges, and even the weakness of our own flesh. If we try to fight in our own strength, we will lose. But with God’s power, love, and sound mind, we can overcome (Philippians4:13). The best way to strengthen ourselves for the battles of life is by drawing closer to God.
This article will be the second in a four part series, each on a different aspect of getting closer to God; Prayer, God’s Word, Men and Women of God, and Church. This is reading God’s Word.
Get to Know Jesus
Having lived in Ghana, Africa, for a significant portion of my life, I learned the hard way that speaking the language wasn’t enough to develop deep relationships. Even though the national language of the country I lived in was English, I still found it hard to communicate. I learned that the actual meaning of the English words Ghanaians used were affected by their culture and history, communication style, nonverbal expressions, concept of time, respect for authority, and the way they listened and expressed empathy—and that’s a short list. It took almost two years before I could understand them clearly and to be able to develop deep relationships with the Ghanaians I lived and worked with.
Since then, I became a Christian and learned that developing a relationship with God is much the same. I’ve learned that simply reading the Bible isn’t enough to truly know Him. The words of Scripture can be studied and memorized, but their meaning is revealed only through understanding God’s nature and ways. His thoughts are not shaped by culture, but by holiness; His timing is eternal—never hurried or delayed; His communication often comes through silence, conviction, or circumstance rather than mere words. To grow close to Him requires learning His character—how He speaks, how He listens, and how He loves—because a relationship with God, like with any person, goes far deeper than language alone.
To truly understand what God is saying to you, you must first understand Him. To do that, you must not only read His Word, the Bible, but also study it. Today, too many people justify their actions, ideas or sins by citing a verse or two. By using that method, a person can prove almost any point they want. To truly understand the meaning of God’s words, you must study the whole book—discover the context, the intention, when, where, and to whom it was written. In other words, it must be “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15).
So, to get close to God, you must study His Word.
Remember, God will meet you where you are. You don’t have to be an expert or learn it all at once. “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)
You can start small. Study for ten minutes a day. Soon, you’ll find the Word so alive that you won’t want to stop. The Bible may feel intimidating, but it’s not about covering chapters quickly—it’s about consistency and understanding. Over time, the words of God become the very language of your heart.
As you read, you’ll recognize His voice more clearly. Prayer and Scripture together form a conversation—you speak to God, and His Word speaks back to you.
