The Unseen Struggle: Overcoming Obstacles to Reading the Bible
As followers of Christ, we often face a daunting task: consistently reading the Bible. For many of us, this essential spiritual discipline can feel like a chore rather than an exciting opportunity to connect with God. But what’s holding us back?
Enemies of Bible Reading
One major hurdle is the array of enemies that constantly pull us away from God’s Word. Our sinful desires, the world around us, entertainment culture, and Satan himself all conspire to distract us from reading the Bible. These forces can be overwhelming, making it difficult to establish a consistent reading habit.
The Foreign World of Scripture
Another obstacle is the Bible’s unfamiliar context. Written in a different time and place, with customs and practices that seem strange to us, the Bible can feel like a foreign book. This can lead to confusion and frustration, causing us to give up on reading it altogether.
A Grand Invitation
But the Bible is more than just a dusty old book – it’s an invitation to encounter the living God. By reading Scripture, we can experience God’s beauty, glory, and love. We can gain a deeper understanding of who He is and how we should follow Him.
Unlocking the Power of Scripture
So, how can we overcome these obstacles and unlock the power of Scripture in our lives? One key is to ask the right questions when reading the Bible. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of the text and apply its teachings to our lives.
The Story of the Bible
The Bible is more than just a collection of sayings or experiences – it’s a story. It tells us the true story of the world, revealing the way things truly are and should be. By understanding this story, we can find our place in it and live out our faith with confidence.
Rewiring Our Self-Understanding
As we read the Bible, we’re not just learning about God – we’re also discovering more about ourselves. Scripture continually rewires our self-understanding, helping us see ourselves in relation to God. This process transforms our identity and equips us to live out our faith in practical ways.
By recognizing the obstacles that hold us back and adopting a new approach to reading the Bible, we can overcome the unseen struggle and experience the transformative power of Scripture in our lives.
Leave a Reply