I'm not having much fun reading the Bible

[Steffenfield]

I got through 14 chapters today, from the book of Matthew.

I would like to fully read the New Testament again, at least twice before the year's end.

All of the passages and parables though, about the enemy, the tare in the wheat, the unfruitful, the plank in the eye, the scattered seed or being the footstool, seemed to be more about myself than anyone else I could think of in my life.

It's just not assuring to read something that I feel is against me.

How can I change my thinking on this?

Please and thank you.

 

[Jayne]

If you read something in the Bible that you feel is "against" you and makes Bible reading "not fun", then maybe God does mean it to convict you of something.

Boy!!  I read stuff all the time that steps on my toes and yanks a kink my neck.  Consider it a privilege that God is speaking to you.  Jesus was speaking to his disciples, the masses, the religious elite, and more.  How many of them do you think considered his words as "against" them.

God is NOT against YOU!  He is against things in our lives that keep us from being a full servant to him.

[Adstar]

9 minutes ago, Addison said:

I got through 14 chapters today, from the book of Matthew.

I would like to fully read the New Testament again, at least twice before the year's end.

All of the passages and parables though, about the enemy, the tare in the wheat, the unfruitful, the plank in the eye, the scattered seed or being the footstool, seemed to be more about myself than anyone else I could think of in my life.

It's just not assuring to read something that I feel is against me.

How can I change my thinking on this?

Please and thank you.

 

When i read the NT for the first time in my early 20'a it was a mixture of uncomfortable conviction and joy at the awesome wisdom and love it contained..

If you are being convicted then that indicates to me that the Holy Spirit is working on your conscience.. And in the end that's a good thing.. If the NT was having no effect on you then that would be a cause of concern..

You will find out soon enough that the whole point of conviction is to reveal to you your need for the Good News of the Gospel that Jesus came to Redeem us from the penalty that was going to be imposed upon us in Eternity..  And that is extremely good news indeed...

[missmuffet]

2 hours ago, Addison said:

I got through 14 chapters today, from the book of Matthew.

I would like to fully read the New Testament again, at least twice before the year's end.

All of the passages and parables though, about the enemy, the tare in the wheat, the unfruitful, the plank in the eye, the scattered seed or being the footstool, seemed to be more about myself than anyone else I could think of in my life.

It's just not assuring to read something that I feel is against me.

How can I change my thinking on this?

Please and thank you.

 

Why do you not believe scripture? Perhaps you should have a nice long talk with God about what exactly is on your heart. Tell him how you feel when you read the Bible. 

[Marilyn C]

3 hours ago, Addison said:

I got through 14 chapters today, from the book of Matthew.

I would like to fully read the New Testament again, at least twice before the year's end.

All of the passages and parables though, about the enemy, the tare in the wheat, the unfruitful, the plank in the eye, the scattered seed or being the footstool, seemed to be more about myself than anyone else I could think of in my life.

It's just not assuring to read something that I feel is against me.

How can I change my thinking on this?

Please and thank you.

 

Hi Addison,

When you read the newspaper, do you read it as though it is all about YOU? Of course not, that`s silly. Well it seems to me you are reading God`s word as all about YOU. When actually it is all about the Lord. We read about His character and His plans for - the Body of Christ, for Israel & the nations.

The gospels are about Jesus when He was manifested on earth. He came to Israel and that is mainly what you read. You will have to read Acts, Paul`s writings, and the epistles and letters, for what the Lord says to the Body of Christ.

Now there is truth throughout God`s word that we need to take heed of, however we also need to realise who the Lord is speaking to. That will make reading the Bible more sense.

Marilyn.

BTW I have written a blog on Christ the centre of the Bible. It`s in Marilyn`s messages in the blog area. It may help you get a better overview.

[Tzephanyahu]

6 hours ago, Addison said:

All of the passages and parables though, about the enemy, the tare in the wheat, the unfruitful, the plank in the eye, the scattered seed or being the footstool, seemed to be more about myself than anyone else I could think of in my life.

It's just not assuring to read something that I feel is against me.

That's what makes it fun for me! In such moments you are at the school of the Holy Spirit, running you through what you need to know and address. 

Look at it this way - if you were learning martial arts from a master in the mountains, he might shout at you, strike you or work you to exhaustion. But is he doing it because he is unkind and wants to upset you? No, it's for honing, enhancing and refining your skills to make you a better fighter - a disciple of his school. 

In the same way, the Bible is not just a book containing the truth of the Universe, but it's also you personal training manual. What is highlighted to you today will not be tomorrow, and what is highlighted tomorrow is not right to be highlighted today.

The Word is alive! Cherish each moment with it. Studying it is a form of worship. 

Love & Shalom 

[AnOrangeCat]

6 hours ago, Addison said:

I got through 14 chapters today, from the book of Matthew.

I would like to fully read the New Testament again, at least twice before the year's end.

All of the passages and parables though, about the enemy, the tare in the wheat, the unfruitful, the plank in the eye, the scattered seed or being the footstool, seemed to be more about myself than anyone else I could think of in my life.

It's just not assuring to read something that I feel is against me.

How can I change my thinking on this?

Please and thank you.

Like others have said, the conviction is a good thing. As believers we're called on to do certain things. At the top of the list is "Love God with all of your being and love your neighbor as yourself."

As Jesus said, those two cover everything. We're bound to fail at that at times but God forgives us for it. It's still important to try. Romans 12:2 tells us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, which comes about from prayer, reading the Bible, obeying God, fellowship with other believers, and so on. The conviction you feel is part of that renewing process. Let it happen and don't harden your heart against it. Further on in the New Testament we're told that God is faithful to keep up His part of the process (Philippians 1:6).

Bear in mind that the promises and good things in the Bible apply to you as much as the warnings, convictions, and so on. And finally, while it is good to set goals, reading the Bible isn't a race. We do it to grow closer to God, gain better understanding, to arm ourselves to deal with our problems, and to help others deal with theirs. It can be easier to digest and less overwhelming if taken in small portions. In short, read the quantity you're comfortable with reading in one sitting. If you feel led to read more, do so.

[Billiards Ball]

12 hours ago, Addison said:

I got through 14 chapters today, from the book of Matthew.

I would like to fully read the New Testament again, at least twice before the year's end.

All of the passages and parables though, about the enemy, the tare in the wheat, the unfruitful, the plank in the eye, the scattered seed or being the footstool, seemed to be more about myself than anyone else I could think of in my life.

It's just not assuring to read something that I feel is against me.

How can I change my thinking on this?

Please and thank you.

 

Your worry may be a strong indicator that it's NOT you. A guy tells me he lost salvation masturbating to porn. I asked, "How did you feel?" He said, "Dirty, ashamed, guilty".

I asked, "How did you USED to feel about this, before you were born again?" He said, "I loved it! ... wait a minute, I'M SAVED!"

1) Check your salvation. Are you trusting YOU for Heaven or did you place your trust in Jesus Christ for salvation instead?

2) Check your boredom, go read Matthew on http://skepticsannotatedbible.com/mt/1.html and see what THOSE people say--and how stupid/uninformed/evil most of their commentary is. It will change your Bible reading from zero to 100!

[Amanda Frances]

 

Hebrews 4:12-13 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹² For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Addison,

God's word convicts and encourages and does lots of things.   Whatever you feel convicted of take it to the Lord and confess and ask for help.  

God wants that, the sooner the better.  

We are not perfect yet but we will be one day but for now if we stumble we have Jesus, our Savior and advocate.  Jesus is praying for you and us that is such a comfort.  We have the victory in Christ our Lord.  

 

 

1 John 1:9 New International Version (NIV)

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

[Still Alive]

 

13 hours ago, Addison said:

I got through 14 chapters today, from the book of Matthew.

I would like to fully read the New Testament again, at least twice before the year's end.

All of the passages and parables though, about the enemy, the tare in the wheat, the unfruitful, the plank in the eye, the scattered seed or being the footstool, seemed to be more about myself than anyone else I could think of in my life.

It's just not assuring to read something that I feel is against me.

How can I change my thinking on this?

Please and thank you.

 

Well played, sir!

Edited August 6, 2019 by Still Alive