Bible Reading Linked to Greater Self-Confidence

“Who am I?”
It’s one of life’s most pressing questions fueling everything from self-help movements to therapy sessions. But new research suggests that people who regularly read the Bible may already have a solid answer.

According to the American Bible Society’s 2025 State of the Bible report, regular Bible readers those who engage with Scripture at least once a week are significantly more likely to have a strong sense of identity than those who rarely or never open a Bible.

Out of 2,656 U.S. adults surveyed:

• 63% of weekly Bible readers reported a strong sense of self

• 69% of daily Bible readers said the same

• Only 38% of non-readers claimed similar confidence in their identity

To measure identity strength, researchers asked participants to respond to three statements:

1. I know who I am

2. I always have a good sense of what is important to me

3. I know what I believe or value

For frequent Bible readers, the answers came easily. But what surprised researchers was this twist: people who only occasionally read the Bible say once a month reported weaker self-identity (33%) than those who never read it (38%).

“We wonder if these people want to read more often but don’t get around to it, which makes them feel less confident in their faith,” the report noted.

Why Scripture Makes a Difference

So why does Bible reading boost confidence in identity?

According to the report, Scripture is rich with declarations of who we are:

• Created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27)

• Crowned with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5)

• Deeply loved by God (John 3:16)

• Sinners saved by grace (Romans 3:23–24)

• A new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

• God’s workmanship (Ephesians 2:10)

• Children of God (Romans 8:16)

The researchers conclude, “Scripture says all this, and so we would expect those who engage with Scripture to demonstrate a strong sense of identity.”

But it’s not just about individual study. The report also noted that people who participate meaningfully in a church where these truths are regularly taught, reinforced, and lived out show similar confidence in their self-identity.

Identity in a World of Uncertainty

In a culture that often says “you are whoever you decide to be,” the Bible offers a radically different, rooted vision of identity. Instead of being based on performance, popularity, or shifting emotions, it’s anchored in something eternal: God’s unchanging word and love.

And that, it seems, makes a real difference.

Want to explore your identity through Scripture? Start a Bible reading plan today or join a local group where God's Word is studied and shared regularly. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.