Why is it so hard to get excited
about reading our Bibles? No Christian wants to admit it, but I hear very few
people talk of being so thrilled about reading their bible that they just can’t
put it down, or they can’t wait until their next opportunity. I struggle with
this. My struggles usually stem from a lack of understanding the content.
Take,
for example, the book of Leviticus. I use to never be ecstatic to read about
the laws of the Levitical priests until I did an in-depth study that explained
the significance of the regulations. I learned about each article of clothing
the priests wore as well as what each item represented and why it was essential
to their faith. It was a study on the Tabernacle, which also paralleled
references from the New Testament. This gave me an understanding of the latter
books of the Pentateuch and I now can relate books such as Leviticus, Exodus,
and Deuteronomy to my present day life.
Another reason why people don’t
read their Bibles is time; or rather the lack thereof. We desire to change but
it’s hard to find the time, especially since our lives are already so routine.
Where can we fit in another thing? No matter what your desires are for your life, if you want to make sustainable changes, it starts with knowing God and we
know God through His Word. We can’t make time for God. We make time for life.
Francis Chan, former pastor of Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley,
California, has a wonderful sermon entitled
“Lukewarm and Loving It,” that
talks about this very issue. You can view the sermon on YouTube. I would highly
recommend it. It has greatly impacted the lives of me, my husband, and numerous
others.
Other than the lack of time or
understanding, why else would Christians not want to read their bible? I researched
this question by visiting a forum online and pulling some of what I thought
were the best, meaning most humorous or most factual, answers people gave.
Below is the list.
1) Because
they are waiting for it to come out in a movie, like Harry Potter and with the special
effects.
2) The
Bible is a big book which intimidates people.
3) Basically,
we’re procrastinating.
4) We
could choose to get closer to God, but that would mean we have to let go of things
that we know are wrong but we don’t want to get rid of.
5) Most
of us would have to cut our vocabulary in half. The rest of us would have to
take responsibility for things that we don’t want to take responsibility for. And all of us would have to stop doing things that are
socially acceptable and start doing things that many would consider a little
extreme and definitely not politically correct.
6) In simplest terms, we make excuses.
Let’s
discuss some of these answers. I found number one to be the funniest, but it
also presents a terrifying truth of just how television and Hollywood play a
major role in most of our lives. A lot people would choose to watch a movie
rather than to read a book – even if that book contains the most important
information on how to live exceptional lives. TV has become an idol is
most of our homes and we wonder why our kids are so obsessed with the big
screen and can’t sit still during church.
Number
two. Yes, the bible is a big book and I too was intimidated by the thought of
reading the whole thing. My husband helped me overcome this when we did a Bible
reading schedule together as a couple. He was there to motivate me and also
keep me accountable. I am the type of person who likes to plan and have a
schedule. I usually keep my Bible reading schedule on the wall above my bed.
That way, I know exactly what I need to read every day to accomplish reading my
Bible all the way through whether it’s in one year, five years, or five months.
I set a goal, I make a plan, and I stick it with it the best that life allows.
I use to
be terrified of turning the Bible into another item to check off my list during
the day and even though some days that is how I feel, by doing it, I am walking
in obedience. God is so gracious and patient with me and on the days when I’m
not particularly excited to read what’s on my daily ‘Bible reading plan,’ and I
find that those are the days God shows me more revelations and truly meets me
while I’m in the Word.
So yes,
while the Bible can be intimidating, find a plan that works for you. The best
one is the one you can follow on a time frame that works best for you. It helps
to have an established routine. Make it a habit. Whatever you choose, choose to
be in the Word daily.
Number
three I also thought was humorous. It is a stereotype that the older people
become; the more they read their Bibles. This is because of the notion that the
closer we see ourselves getting to ‘the end,’ the more assurance we want of
what is going to happen to us. I, however, would offer the theory that the more
we are in the Word, the greater that desire becomes. If we read our Bibles
consistently, it becomes something we crave. I can only hope that my knowledge
and love for the scripture will increase with every passing year.
Number
four. God will impact your life. He will require some things to change and it
may be hard to give up some of those things. But God also changes people in
different ways. Sometimes God will impact your life so much that you want to
change everything all at once to walk according to his word in every aspect of
life. But it’s not the only way. God knows your personality and knows if you
need the cold hard truth that will strip you clean and leave you totally
exposed - this being for your own good because that is what you need. (Compare
this to the story of Saul becoming Paul).
Or, He
knows if you need a gentle nudge to allow you to ‘clean house’ slowly as you
turn your life around and start living for Him. When you start doing things
right, God will change your heart. This means that all those things you are
holding onto that you just can’t bear to let go, God will make those the things
seem insignificant to the point where you realize not only that you do not need
them, but that you do not want them.
Number
five really does not need any attention. I think it sums it up dead on and
though it might be a harsh truth to accept, if we want to impact His kingdom,
for His glory, then we have to do things His way. Working out, eating right,
and taking care of our bodies is only useful if we are doing it to further his
Kingdom. That is why we bother to take care of ourselves – spiritually and
physically. We are His living temple and if we are engaging in activities that
make us lazy, gluttonous, or feel inferior, then we can’t be useful branches
and God will prune us.
Number
six. Yes, we make excuses. Sometimes, we even make really good ones. We might
not read our Bibles so we can spend more time in prayer or with our families.
However, without being obedient to God by being in His Word, our lives will not
be fully effective because Jesus himself stated in Mathew 4:4 (referring to
Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 8:3), “Man
shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of
the Lord.” We cannot have life to the fullest if we are not heeding God’s
words which are written down for us in the Bible.
As adults, we can catch ourselves doing the same thing. We believe people are 'well off,' 'have it all together,' and assume they just don't need us. Therefore, we sacrifice a relationship with them; not because we don't like them, but because we don't feel as if they 'need' us.
