Why Do People Not Read the Bible

If we were to survey Christians at evangelical churches in America most people would concord that they need to read their Bibles. They empathize that it is both required and good for them. But the sad truth is, many do non. This lands us in that strange place of knowing, simply yet nevertheless fugitive, what is proficient and benign for us.

Why do we do it?

Nigh people when asked well-nigh their Bible reading say: I accept been really decorated. This may be the truth; people are very busy. However, information technology is not the reason. I retrieve we can distinguish between realities and reasons. Those same people who are actually decorated do have the time to consume food and sleep. I know people who take their entire day (and evening) mapped out for them. They are extremely busy; yet they still read their Bibles. At that place is time for even the busiest of u.s.a.. However, others who merits busyness likewise are up to engagement on the news, watch movies, employ social media, exercise, and a host of other things. In pursuit of a true diagnosis hither, let'south exist honest: none of united states of america are truly too decorated to read the Bible. We may be busy but we choose to put the Bible aside for one reason or another.

Let me give you lot a few reasons why many Christians do not regularly read their Bibles.

Information technology Makes U.s. Uncomfortable

This is the reason that no one wants to talk about but anybody needs to grapple with. We beloved to be comfortable and yet the Bible aims to condolement us. So, why in the world would nosotros avoid the Bible? It is because the Bible makes us uncomfortable before it comforts us. We don't like this. Consider what Paul says almost the activity of the Bible:

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and assisting for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," (two Timothy 3:16)

Consider the First Commandment: ""You shall have no other gods earlier me." (Exodus 20:3).

• It teaches us truth: One who follows the Lord is non to have another other gods. He alone must be our only true God who rules us fifty-fifty every bit nosotros glorify him. It teaches us truth by saying: "This is right."
• It reproves usa: When we are non putting God first by giving him his due worship considering we are giving this to someone or something else. It rebukes our sin past saying: "That is wrong."
• It corrects us: Information technology points u.s.a. back to what is right. Because nosotros take been reproved by the Word we are pointed back to what we are supposed to be doing. Information technology corrects the states by saying: "Apologize and serve the i true God."
• Information technology trains us: The Scripture tells us both what is wrong and how to do what is correct. The moral constabulary reveals to us, even the next 9 commandments, how to alive with God as your God. It trains us by proverb: "This is how you must live instead."

If nosotros have engaged in honest Bible reading we know that we have been confronted past God and his Word. This punctures our pride and unsettles the states. If nosotros aim to preserve comfort and protect honor then we will avoid this like someone who is out of shape avoids the gym.

Simply here is the truth: our hearts are deceitful (Jer. 17:9), they play a joke on us. Nosotros believe the lie that it is better to alive in the fake comfort nosotros are in rather than the condolement that God tin provide. Nosotros lean upon the false savior of self and as a result guarantee that nosotros will not be comfy. It is only exist being made uncomfortable by God that nosotros tin truly be comforted.

Action item: search your heart and encounter if you are avoiding God to preserve the idol of comfort.

It'due south Besides Hard

I recollect this is a rarity merely in that location are some people who find the Bible very difficult. When they begin reading information technology they find they take crossed cultural, historical, and even religious lines. They are overwhelmed. In this situation they should seek some help. Ask a pastor or some other mature believer for assist. After some time with another Christian reading the Bible together, and through providing some basic tools and resources they should be well on their way. The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God in the child of God to conform us into the likeness of the Son of God. We need the Bible. We have to exercise whatsoever it takes. This may take some time rolling up the sleeves, but it is definitely worth.

Action item: admit it and ask for help.

We are Undisciplined

In order to do anything of value consistently it takes subject field. Nevertheless, if nosotros sit dorsum and do non live with intentionality we will not be regularly in the Discussion of God. Practice you think an Olympic athlete hits snooze on their alarm when preparation? Never! Practise they not go tired? Of course they exercise. But there is a disquisitional point when subject defeats the want of the moment. Information technology is when the mind speaks to the center and says, "Hey, I'm in accuse. It is fourth dimension to get up even if I don't experience like it." Discipline takes effort. We don't recline into bailiwick nosotros must work at it. Is there anything more of import than godliness to discipline ourselves for? Paul tells Timothy to subject field himself for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4.7-8).

Action particular: Field of study yourself for the purpose of godliness.

We Think it is Stale and Lifeless

Many people practise not detect themselves awed past the Bible. They avert the Bible considering information technology has been a long time (if ever) since they have establish themselves truly moved past its truth. This reveals more than of a trouble with the person than with the Bible. The Bible is not tiresome, we are dull. Many of us are as well infatuated with the trivial to even appreciate something of substance. We jump from one mindless triviality to some other 24-hour interval later day and wonder why nosotros have no appetite for the Give-and-take of God. The Bible declares that it is living and powerful (Heb. 4:12-13), and information technology has a long track record of being so. If we retrieve the Bible is dried or lifeless then perhaps the money of its central truth has not yet dropped. Maybe we take however to run into that God is truly good and that we are truly not. Until we are conquered by the truth of the gospel the Bible remains a volume about God instead of a book almost our God.

Action detail: Examine your middle to run across if you truly love God.

We Have a Dysfunctional Relationship with God

Years agone my wife was deployed in the military for months. She would send me letters (pre-net days). When I'd receive them I would read through chop-chop and and so sit dorsum and think. Then I'd read through and examine patterns. "Why did she write so neatly hither but more hurriedly here? What's going on? Why are there hearts on these exclamation points just non these?" Then I would read it through slowly. I'd walk around thinking most information technology. Why did I do this? Because I loved my wife. Suppose it was dissimilar though. Suppose I got the letter and just tossed it over on the pile of other mail. And there it sat with junk mail and bills for a few days. I'd walk beyond the room and see it only instead of opening it up I would just ignore information technology as I watched SportsCenter or read the paper. You would doubtless call me a bad married man and say that our relationship was in trouble. You lot would be right. But isn't this what people exercise with the Bible? God has spoken to us in the Word of God. It is his letter to us. How tin a person say that they truly love God but throw his "letter" aside in favor of other stuff? How can they give it less attention than things that don't matter?

Let's be honest: if you don't read your Bible information technology is because you don't want to read your Bible. And to bottom line this further, this is indicative or your relationship with God. We cannot split up a love for the Word of God and the God of the Give-and-take.

Action item: If we practice find ourselves not reading our Bibles we should examine ourselves to see the true substance of our relationship with God. Is information technology dysfunctional? If and so repent and speak to God in confession. And so you will find yourself finding joy in God and his Word.

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Source: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/lets-be-honest-reasons-why-we-dont-read-our-bibles/

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