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Quick Tips When It’s Hard to Read the Bible: Best Practice vs Red flags!

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There is no doubt that Bible reading is a hard thing! Do you struggle to get into the word?

Finding the reason for why it’s so hard is really not a mystery. There is a fight and we must conquer, fight and trust God to help us in the battle.

Time to Cut Old Habits when Reading the Bible

Let’s start with somethings that maybe you have never thought about.

There are practices that we do, perhaps that someone taught us, and have never tried something different.

I’ll give you an example of something I was taught, but that really did nothing to help me read and understand, or even enjoy scripture.

At one point, I used to insert my name into a text and then read it. If the passage was talking about King David for example, then I would just put my name instead of David’s name.
 

When your Devotionals Feel Empty (Story time)

Inserting one’s name into scripture feels good because it seems like God is talking to you in the ear. It’s so special to think that God has direct communication with you. God is like personal FEEL GOOD friend motivating us to keep on going.

This is an example friend and now it’s time for you to think of anything that you do. Perhaps, it’s not fruitful or it’s not a good practice.

Examples that could be affecting your Bible time: RED FLAGS!

  • Reading in public
  • Reading commentaries first
  • Closing your eyes and asking for special revelation
  • Reading with music (worship) in the background
  • Inserting your name into text (my example)

Back to the story of my experience.

After many years of reading the Bible and feeling empty. I started to just read. My complicated routine of practicing some of the red flags above, came to an end.

I have to tell you that my Bible reading became more insightful and rewarding.

It’s important to remember that Bible reading shouldn’t be this spiritual high experience. Searching for more than speding time in the truth of God’s word can be damaging.

David’s Promises aren’t always for me or You

After many years, I realized part of my problem was this idea I believed_ that everything God promised David or other people in the Bible _was also for me.

Reading the Bible was not working anymore because I was not reading for the right reasons.
I was reading as if only good things were coming. I didn’t think to insert my name when bad things were happening to David, ha-ha.
Don’t we all just like to read verses that motivate us?   
Women reading a bible at church

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Old Testament Delusion When Reading the Bible


Hear me out, I know that many promises and scripture from the Old Testament can be encouraging and relatable.
At times, it can bring light to our personal situations. Afterall, the Bible was inspired by God, and it’s bound to give us life and truth. But that doesn’t mean that everything it says is applicable to me.
__And it certainly doesn’t mean that I’m a modern Deborah or Samson (in their good times!).
If that was the case, we wouldn’t be so surprised when we fall like Samson did.

All I’m saying is that we are not the people in scripture and assuming their place is not a good practice. It will on bring you frustration and false hope.

These people on the Bible had real problems and their highlights are what we often feels drawn toward. We forget their sins, deep and wide like our own.

 

Other posts you might like:

2 Ways Christians Can Wait on God

7 Reasons Why I Started a Christian Blog: Things to Consider

Motivation isn’t Always the Goal in Bible Study

 
We have to be willing to read the parts of the Bible that aren’t so motivating.
This will help you to see that problems and failure are part of being a human.
A child of God is not excluded from pain and suffering.
When we read scripture for mere encouragement or to check it off the list, then we will begin to see emptiness and boredom.
The goal is to be nourished by the living bread that Jesus is.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Are you Ready to go Deeper and Grow more?

I would encourage anyone who is desiring to go deeper into understanding scripture to look further into studying this topic.


There are many reasons why reading the Bible might not be effective or even feel useless (like what’s the point).
The example from above was just one reason why things could be going wrong. But we have to start somewhere when we are stuck. We have to act and move.

Bible Reading Tips you can do Right Now


Reading books and listening to biblically sound teachers is a great start, but there is one thing we can do_ right now____at this very moment!

1. Read the Whole Passage


First, start reading the whole passage (chapter) of scripture and sometimes even the whole book if you’re not a mom (ha-ha).
Reading verse by verse can often lead us to make false assumptions and interpretations, and then we end up discouraged.
You can start with the book of Matthew and keep going at your pace. There is no rush!

2. Look up the Meaning of Words


Second, we must be willing to look up the meaning of words and even go back to the original language.
I recommend this site below.
 

3. Context in the Bible is Really Important, don’t ignore it


Third, we must look at the context, time period and who this particular piece of scripture was written to.
If the passage is talking about wives and we are reading it as if it was for children, then we have a problem. You get it_ this was just an example_ it’s important my friend.

4.Let the Bible Inform Itself


Fourth, we must let scripture inform scripture.

Now, what on earth do I mean?
When you come to a difficult text, let the text (passage footnotes) tell you where to read more.
It will direct you to other passages (at least if you have a Study Bible).
For the most part all Bibles have footnotes at the bottom or side. The New Testament and Old Testament at some point have repeated scripture and they should not contradict.
That’s what I mean by it informs itself or proves itself.
Scripture needs nothing else to prove it’s legit, it’s the TRUTH after all. But again, you must not forget the last three points because you can’t apply, let’s say animal sacrifice, to the New Testament and find scripture that would support it today. It just WON’T!
 

5. Pray for the Holy Spirit’s Help


Lastly, we must pray and let the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth.
 John 14:26

God gave us his Spirit for a reason. We can make mistakes and He can’t.
If a verse doesn’t add up to us, well, that doesn’t mean it’s not true.
The Holy Spirit will direct us and convict us of all truth.
Struggling to read my bible

Being Humble and Teachable is Important


The point is that all scripture is beneficial.
As Christians we need to be able to enjoy it and digest it. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:48) and we can trust his words. We must be ready to eat all the word of God, not just what feels right.

My prayer is that if you’ve been struggling to read scripture and found yourself wondering why it’s just not working.
Perhaps, that’s where things are not adding up. We must enjoy the pure spiritual milk that it is (1 Peter 2:2), because nothing else will help us.
A false boost of encouragement from faulty Bible reading is just like a sugar high, eventually we will fall, and end up wondering_ “Why do I feel so empty and dry?” _
 

Other Bible Reading Resources to Help You

These books I personally own, and they were very helpful during my baby Christian stage and in my hard times with Christ.

This walk is not easy, but God is with us! He promised.

Devotionals I Recommend for YOU, Invest your Growth

Other Blog posts you might enjoy

“She Will Not Fall” but I have Fallen Many Times: 3 Motivational Verses to Rethink

What is the proper way to study the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Blessings friend,

Rosa Rosa

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