If the Bible is inspired by God, what does that mean?

Let us suppose that a person understands that the Bible is indeed inspired by God, and is therefore His message to humanity. Practically, what should that do to their lives? Some admit that the Bible is from God, but that there is nothing within it that is relevant to us today. Some consider it a “self help” book that is just simple encouragement to make it through this life, but nothing else.
 
The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." What does it mean to “rightly divide” Truth? “Rightly divide” means to “hold aright”, or “proceed on straight paths”. This tells us that it is possible to “wrongly” divide the Truth that God has given us. In summary, it is very possible for us to misuse the Bible, and follow error rather than truth.
 
The Bible has two major sections, called the Old Testament, and the New Testament. Within these sections, we find a unified message, but distinct operations between God and Man. Many today hold to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), without realizing who they were intended for – the Israelites. God made that covenant with them, and no other people (Deuteronomy 5:2-3). The New Testament tells us that the Old Covenant has been taken out by the blood of Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:14).  This is just one of many ways that we can misunderstand and misuse Scripture.
 
The Bible, and especially the New Testament, contains Commands to obey, Examples to follow, and Implications to accept.
 
A command is when God gives a direct order. Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
 
An example is an approved method of doing something; when we read of the Church of the first century taking an action, it means that it must have been commanded by God, and it is my duty as a Christian to do the same thing. The early Christians took the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week (Acts 20:7) – I must do the same because of that example.
 
An implication is when a command to the 1st century Christians implies that the same should be done today. Hebrews 10:25 says, “do not forsake the assembly of the saints”. That implies that there must be a place to assemble. This gives the local church the authority to have a place to meet.
 
The silence of the Scriptures is important, as well. When God has not said something, it does not mean that we have to say it for him. We cannot bind on others what God has not bound; neither can we say that “God didn’t say not to” in order to provide an excuse to engage in something.
 
If the Bible is inspired by God, it means that I must regard it as true and important, and that God’s Authority and commands are recorded within it. In fact, God’s Word must guide my actions every day of my life. If I fail to do so, it means that I do not regard Jesus as my Lord, Savior, and King. -Steven McCrary