19 Apr '17 16:59>
Other things to watch out for
1.) Reading the Bible FOR someone else. I mean reading thinking "Now this is what so-and-so needs to read."
Too much of this is not too good.
2.) Picking up curiosities. "Oh this is neat. It says that they pissed against the wall".
Beware of too much picking up little curiosities as novelties.
3.) Only going to your favorite parts of the Bible.
If one book is really warned down but others seem not nearly touched, these may indicate you are too much under the control of your preferences. To get a steady diet of all the spiritual vitamins you really need, read through sequentially of books you might not normally read.
IE. I make myself to read through books not of my top favorite Bible books. At least some equal time should be given to them.
4.) Reading with no intention of letting God touch you - speak to you.
Some people study the Bible to find God.
But some people go to study the Bible to get away from God.
Don't read the Bible with a heart to look for reasons to distance yourself from God or prove to yourself God does not exist.
I have not said much about this yet, but the Bible can also "kill" you if you come to it with a wrong heart. Paul said "the letter kills but the Spirit gives life."
You should not be spiritually "killed" by the letter of either the Old or New Testament. It is best to come to the Holy Bible (either part) with an expectation that an invisible Person is behind the scenes ready to bless you with spiritual life and well-being.
I come to the Bible and simultaneously I come to this Person invisible behind the black and white letters of this book. God is near. God is ready to speak and to bless me. I am willing to hear from this Person. I do not come with contempt for the Divine. I come with openness to the Divine, even willingness to touch and "taste" the Person of God behind this book.
1.) Reading the Bible FOR someone else. I mean reading thinking "Now this is what so-and-so needs to read."
Too much of this is not too good.
2.) Picking up curiosities. "Oh this is neat. It says that they pissed against the wall".
Beware of too much picking up little curiosities as novelties.
3.) Only going to your favorite parts of the Bible.
If one book is really warned down but others seem not nearly touched, these may indicate you are too much under the control of your preferences. To get a steady diet of all the spiritual vitamins you really need, read through sequentially of books you might not normally read.
IE. I make myself to read through books not of my top favorite Bible books. At least some equal time should be given to them.
4.) Reading with no intention of letting God touch you - speak to you.
Some people study the Bible to find God.
But some people go to study the Bible to get away from God.
Don't read the Bible with a heart to look for reasons to distance yourself from God or prove to yourself God does not exist.
I have not said much about this yet, but the Bible can also "kill" you if you come to it with a wrong heart. Paul said "the letter kills but the Spirit gives life."
" [God] Who has made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant, ministers not of the letter but of the Spirit;
for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (2 Cor. 3:6)
You should not be spiritually "killed" by the letter of either the Old or New Testament. It is best to come to the Holy Bible (either part) with an expectation that an invisible Person is behind the scenes ready to bless you with spiritual life and well-being.
I come to the Bible and simultaneously I come to this Person invisible behind the black and white letters of this book. God is near. God is ready to speak and to bless me. I am willing to hear from this Person. I do not come with contempt for the Divine. I come with openness to the Divine, even willingness to touch and "taste" the Person of God behind this book.