How Not to Read the Bible

 

    When you read the Bible you need to approach it with curiosity, interest (good or bad), or with expectation.  You will not be able to get anything from the Bible when you read it just to be "good", duty, or to be able to claim you read it everyday.  The reason why you read God's Word matters.

    When you think that the Bible does not apply to you, then why are you even reading it?  The narrative does apply to you directly.  The past has points and perspective that will directly relate to what you are going through right now.  The Bible will not be able to empower you if you are read it as a narrative instead of searching for application to your life.

    When we read the Bible we need to set time to be alone in a quiet place.  We need to be ready to focus, listen, learn, and comprehend.  It does you no good to read it, but your thoughts be somewhere else.  Find the place that will limit distractions.  If you need to take care of something, then do it so you can focus when you are in God's Word.  

    Do not read it as a story.  It is better if you search for the truth of the passage.  There is always something deeper than the surface story.  That is why parables have so much impact.  If you just read the story and do not study it or search for meaning, then how are you ever going to discover hidden truths that apply to your life?

    The Bible is full of facts, but it is so much more.  Do not read it as a church story.  Do not look for ways to make it work for your life as it is.  The point is for you to be able to change to become a better follower of Christ.

    The Jews lived in Egypt for 400 years.  It started as a blessing, but that was never where they were meant to stay.  They had to get very uncomfortable before they were willing to leave.  It took them hundreds of years to get there and even then it took very dramatic things to get them to move.  

    They may not have lived in slavery for decades upon decades loosing all hope if they had been able to connect with God, listen, and follow.  You do not have to live stuck in your life.  You can change and thrive.  It all starts with searching for the truth in the Bible without any manipulation.

    When you are reading the Bible search for depth.  God is so deep you will never find your way through, but you will find a place where you become okay with that.  Allow the Bible to surprise you even if you have been reading it for years.  

    Reading the Bible is meant to be personal.  God has a specific message for you today.  He may be trying to encourage you, give you commands to move, frighten you into change, provide a warning, or supply clarity.  The truth is inescapable, so why would you avoid it.  It will come to you one way or another.  It is better to be prepared.

    Do not take the promises of the Bible for granted.   He has given you assurance, requirements, instruction, and goals.  You can figure them out if you want to.  He lays out how to deal with your circumstances.  His word is unforgettable if you know how to apply it to your life.  You may not be good at memorizing scripture verbatim, but you can learn how to apply it to life.  If you do memorize scripture, then you can use it in prayers as a weapon.

    God is here today to reassure you through His Word.  He gives you holy moments where you can't deny it if you are open to them.  He teaches you how to trust and obey by proving Himself throughout God's Word.  The worst thing you can do in life is to ignore, deny, or pretend it is just a book.

Exodus 3:7-22, Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Psalm 119:33-40, Luke 4:16-19, & James 4:13-17