New research by the American Bible Society shows that frequent Bible readers show the strongest sense of identity. The study suggests spiritual practices like Bible reading shape a person’s identity and strengthen their understanding of who they are.

The study, based on responses collected from 2,656 Americans, found that 64% of practicing Christians and 52% of adherents to other religions reported a strong sense of identity, compared to just 33–40% among nominal Christians, casual Christians, and the religiously unaffiliated. The report attributes this to the grounding effect of shared beliefs, worship, and cultural practices.

Respondents were evaluated on their agreement with statements like “I know who I am” and “I know what I believe or value.”

Scripture engagement also played a significant role: 63% of those highly engaged with the Bible reported a strong sense of identity, while only 38% of those less engaged did. Daily Bible users showed the highest identity strength (69%), with percentages declining as frequency of use decreased.

Generationally, Gen Z men had the lowest percentage in the “Strong Identity” group (30%), while Boomers showed the highest, suggesting that identity may solidify with age. Researchers concluded that building one’s life on scripture correlates with a clearer sense of self.

In the Bible, we see evidence of this as well.

In Psalm 119:2-6, the writer says, “Blessed are those who…seek him with their whole heart…my eyes fixed on all your commandments.”

When a person makes God’s Word the focus of their life, they experience an unexplainable blessing. Blessing can also be interpreted as happiness or confidence. Identity is born out of blessing, and blessing is born out of obedience to the Word of God. Something mystical occurs in a person’s life when they fix their eyes on the commands of God. The idea of eyes is not just their physical eyes, though very clearly that is in view, but also, it is metaphorical to their overall focus in life and what they make as their priority.

So many people lose their confidence because they make poor choices in life that compromise their capacity for accomplishment and mental and emotional health. The Word of God comes with a promise to each person that if one guards one’s life by the Word of God with one’s whole heart, it will keep one from the impure things of one’s life. This is noted in Psalm 119:9-10.

When a person chooses the Word of God, they are choosing a path of purity. The Word of God never leads someone to impurity. It is impurity that dulls one’s senses and kills one’s ability to feel God’s goodness and pleasure for them. Thus, the Word of God enables people to live in the likeness of God’s image and goodness to them.

People struggle with temptation and trials in their lives. The Psalmist says in Psalm 119:28, “My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.” No human being can escape temptation to impurity, nor can anyone escape the soul melting away for sorrow. These two challenges are true of every person throughout history, and yet the Word of God makes it clear that it can help in both situations.

Sadly, sorrow often leads to impurity. The pain of life that one can’t escape causes all of humanity to run to a quick, impure fix. This not only destroys one’s ability to maintain confidence and a strong sense of self-identity, but it also further destroys one’s ability to maintain confidence and a strong sense of self-identity.

In Psalm 119:50, 51, the Psalmist says, “Your promise (God) gives me life. I do not turn from your law (from your Word).”

The Word of God gives strength to overcome temptation, hope in sorrow, and a promise that carries one through the tough times and restores life to the wasteland of their soul and existence.

In times of injustice and confusion, the Word of God offers clarity and restoration. Psalm 119 highlights how Scripture anchors identity and truth, even when false accusations threaten to derail one’s purpose. The psalmist’s declaration that God’s Word is a lamp to the feet and a light to the path reflects how divine guidance brings peace and direction amid darkness and uncertainty. Just as a small light can illuminate the next step in a shadowy place, Scripture provides confidence and self-understanding to those who seek the Lord.

His Word establishes the light needed to take the next step in one’s life. One of the great heroes of the faith, Chuck Swindoll, said this about the importance of God’s Word: “It provides spiritual light, illuminating a path forward and giving direction when the world’s standards for living seem fuzzy or intimidating.”

When one clings to the calling God has placed on their life they find not just direction but truly life from the Word of God. It nourishes the soul and points the mind in the direction God intends it to go. This sort of assurity in the soul and mind produces a confidence of self identity that remains constant and free to see the world from God’s perspective despite the limited awareness of what may be ahead or around the bend.

Confidence comes when the Word of God is not just read but lived.

As the Psalmist says in Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”

The Word of God infuses the soul with confidence that radiates through the physical being of a person’s life and gives them great quiet confidence that they are who He has created them to be, and they are doing what He has asked them to do with their life.

And isn’t that all that matters?

Yes, Lord Jesus.