Why Is Reading The Bible Boring To Me?

Hi everyone,

I've been trying for a long time to read the Bible and feel the holy spirit. When I do I often find myself bored or just trying to get to the end of the verse or chapter. I know the word of God is supposed to be inspiring, uplifting and encouraging, but I find myself more bored than inspired.

Side note: I've been turning to the Bible to fight my addictions and lusts of the flesh. I read the bible daily even if it's just my Bible's App verse of the day. I also spend time alone just reading and reflecting. When I'm not sinning i.e smoking, being lazy just sitting around watching TV or just "trying" to do ANYTHING to keep my mind busy, I get really bored.
It's almost like I can't just enjoy spending time with God reading the bible.
Am I missing something?

My biggest enemy is boredom. If I'm not satisfying the flesh I feel anxious, agitated and regardless of what hobby I try I end up quitting because ultimately I want to sin and satisfy my flesh with cigarettes, pot, alcohol or porn.
I'm trying hard to just let go and give God control, but I fear the process and transition. I know it doesn't have to be boring, but all of the things that you get from spending time with God, reading the Bible and so on, Im missing. In short, Im having a hard time letting the Holy Spirit fill my time with joy.

Help me please
 
It may be that you are going about your reading in the wrong way.
Or, it may be that you are reading thoroughly boring parts of the Bible (parts of the OT can be extremely dull).

When I read the Bible I use my imagination to try to be a "fly on the wall" and get a feeling of what it was like
to actaully be there at the time and know what exactly was going on. This is hardly boring.
Don't read just to be reading, read to become involved in the story, and to hopefully fully understand the text.

Being bored can also be caused by a certain lack of self control. Being bored, as it is an emotion, is completely up to you.
 
Don't beat yourself up if you're struggling with this -- I think most of us at some point have had a tough time in actually getting connected with reading the Bible.

Memorizing scripture is a great way to fight off temptations -- in fact, Jesus taught us this method when He was being tempted by Satan. Kudos to you.

One thing, and this should always be a given, is to pray before you even open the Bible. Always pray for guidance, focus, and help in understanding the written Word.

Another suggestion, and this is the best way to study the scriptures in my honest opinion, is to join a Bible study group.
 
I attend a church in a very high-needs area. We have free community bbq's that attract all sorts of people, and I have the opportunity to get involved in the lives of many people struggling with some of the things you describe, and much more. Many people say the best way to beat temptation is to get out of the house, and get involved where you are held accountable. It's pretty tough to get high, for example, if you're out in the community volunteering. Our church is also a community center, so lots of people come to spend the day there to volunteer, or to generally just get away from the temptations in their homes, in a safe place.

Reading the Bible gets more exciting when you see how what you learn from reading it is changing you. But for that to happen, you have to get out and do it. Take what you already know, get out of your home and be among people in a public way where there is no temptation to give in to the things you struggle with. If your main problem is boredom/free time, then why not volunteer or find some other way to keep busy in a public way?
 
Don't beat yourself up if you're struggling with this -- I think most of us at some point have had a tough time in actually getting connected with reading the Bible.

Memorizing scripture is a great way to fight off temptations -- in fact, Jesus taught us this method when He was being tempted by Satan. Kudos to you.

One thing, and this should always be a given, is to pray before you even open the Bible. Always pray for guidance, focus, and help in understanding the written Word.

Another suggestion, and this is the best way to study the scriptures in my honest opinion, is to join a Bible study group.
That's what I'm missing. A really good Bible study group. My church has a lot of "mature" Christians who'd rather focus on Faith in Action such as community service and healing problems of the week rather than taking a verse and discussing it with others.

I'm praying for a more formal Bible study group, but I need a mature Christian to help decipher and guide us. Otherwise it's the blind leading the blind if that makes sense.
 
I attend a church in a very high-needs area. We have free community bbq's that attract all sorts of people, and I have the opportunity to get involved in the lives of many people struggling with some of the things you describe, and much more. Many people say the best way to beat temptation is to get out of the house, and get involved where you are held accountable. It's pretty tough to get high, for example, if you're out in the community volunteering. Our church is also a community center, so lots of people come to spend the day there to volunteer, or to generally just get away from the temptations in their homes, in a safe place.

Reading the Bible gets more exciting when you see how what you learn from reading it is changing you. But for that to happen, you have to get out and do it. Take what you already know, get out of your home and be among people in a public way where there is no temptation to give in to the things you struggle with. If your main problem is boredom/free time, then why not volunteer or find some other way to keep busy in a public way?

My heart has told me to get out and volunteer, then the urge to stay at home and indulge kicks in. I need to stop wavering and just dive in head first with faith. I know these things. Why am I so hard pressed to do them? I feel like Paul when he describes his temptations and shortcomings.

Im going to pledge to do some type of community service every week. ANYTHING to keep my mind busy.
 
Don't beat yourself up if you're struggling with this -- I think most of us at some point have had a tough time in actually getting connected with reading the Bible.

Memorizing scripture is a great way to fight off temptations -- in fact, Jesus taught us this method when He was being tempted by Satan. Kudos to you.

One thing, and this should always be a given, is to pray before you even open the Bible. Always pray for guidance, focus, and help in understanding the written Word.

Another suggestion, and this is the best way to study the scriptures in my honest opinion, is to join a Bible study group.
It may be that you are going about your reading in the wrong way.
Or, it may be that you are reading thoroughly boring parts of the Bible (parts of the OT can be extremely dull).

When I read the Bible I use my imagination to try to be a "fly on the wall" and get a feeling of what it was like
to actaully be there at the time and know what exactly was going on. This is hardly boring.
Don't read just to be reading, read to become involved in the story, and to hopefully fully understand the text.

Being bored can also be caused by a certain lack of self control. Being bored, as it is an emotion, is completely up to you.

The story is where I get lost. I try to follow along and then get lost. I keep reminding myself its not a typical book, but a collection of stories each with its own merit. I like your idea of being submerged in the story and connecting with the story rather than just reading.
My fear is that reading the bible will become legalistic for me rather than my source of strength and light. I know that when I feel the Holy Spirit reading the Bible should be as natural as breathing and as desired as food when starving.

Thanks for all you shared.
 
I've been trying for a long time to read the Bible and feel the holy spirit. When I do I often find myself bored or just trying to get to the end of the verse or chapter.

My biggest enemy is boredom. If I'm not satisfying the flesh I feel anxious, agitated and regardless of what hobby I try I end up quitting because ultimately I want to sin and satisfy my flesh with cigarettes, pot, alcohol or porn.
I'm trying hard to just let go and give God control, but I fear the process and transition. I know it doesn't have to be boring,

Help me please

Hi .. I hope you don't mind I only retained your words that I wanted to address ..

your post is typical to life within our society .. we live in a enslaving society that teaches "you are number one, and you should put your will first" (good thing my mother and father didn't believe that) which on the surface seems to be pro, but is deceitfully con .. cigarettes, pot, alcohol or porn are nothing but fodder to sate a mono-existence that denies your duo-existence, that being the spiritual side of mankind .. without embracing a spiritual side, a person can NEVER obtain "contentment" .. for it is a fact that the worldly man "always wants more" (only God is sufficient) .. most people are not aware that to control people, the world needs to control the spiritual within man (if God is first, the world cannot manipulate you no matter what leverage they apply, fun or fear) .. so those who have embraced their spiritual side (and put their emphasis on it) therefore will always be the enemy of the world (because they resit it's will) ..

so the "fear" comes from a false worldly teaching that to embrace your spiritual, you will be bored/or become boring .. I present all the members of this forum as to proof that is a false teaching .. and you becoming bored, is you believing it ..

I leave the means to achieve becoming "alive in the spirit" to others to help you with ..

God Bless you as you find He who never disappoints ..
 
You may need to "just keep at it" until it becomes easy for you.
Practice makes perfect. And don't be too hard on yourself in the mean time.
It can be a difficult set of books to read. Personally, I find Matthew, John, and Acts
to be the most straightforward. Only read Revelations when you feel like torturing yourself .:LOL:
 
When I read the Bible I use my imagination to try to be a "fly on the wall" and get a feeling of what it was like to actaully be there at the time and know what exactly was going on. This is hardly boring.

we are the same ..
one of my professors was an extremely good educator, as many professors just lecture .. he also addressed the "visual learners" (who I fall within that category) .. I do exactly like you .. as I read, I visualize what I read and "bring it to life" ..

there also is the benefit, that when you visualize what you read, you are able to catch all the details instead of glossing over them ..

God Bless you ..
 
Serve2GRow .. I reread your post .. and admit I glossed over the obvious ..

I've been trying for a long time to read the Bible and feel the holy spirit.
In short, Im having a hard time letting the Holy Spirit fill my time with joy.


perhaps you may try reversing the order ..
find solitude .. then reach out earnestly with your heart ..
commune first, then read ..
ask the HS to lead you to what He wants you to read ..
He often will speak to a person in verses He specifically wants you to read ..
I also admit .. much of my joy comes from the HS reaching out back to me ..

God Bless you ..
 
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I have been raised in that Christian culture where I sure did a lot of Bible readin' and most of it was not my idea. A lot of it I did because I was "supposed to." It got pretty boring.

The Bible will always be boring unless the Spirit of Understanding makes it alive. "But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true--it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ." 1 John 2:27.

God will give you pieces of spiritual food as you are ready - first milk and then meat. Spiritual food is the Bible and the degree and type of spiritual food means the varying depths of what you understand in the Word - your understanding becomes more deeper and complete with time as you grow in Him.

And remember this....the point of reading/eating the Bible (the Word) is to know Christ (the Word!). We are the Bride of Christ - He is our Husband. A wife and husband do want to know each other - but it does not happen over night. The wife of course must be willing to submit herself in that intimate way with her husband - as time goes, they grow closer in love and in understanding of each other. The same happens as we read the Bible - over time our understanding expands by God's power and timing and thus we get to know Christ more. We just need to be willing to keep getting into that Word and led the Spirit takes the reins!

It is not so much about how much you read....is is about whether you are reading with the Spirit and having the Word fed to you by the Spirit!
 
Serve, you are in good company!

I too struggled for a long time with how boring parts of the Bible were (i.e. the description of the tabernacle; cubits and whatnot). The old testament can be really boring, like Glomung said. I tend to focus and read more of what is in the new testament, especially the gospels as the works of Jesus are truly amazing and help get me through life's struggles.

If you can't find a good Bible study, may I suggest Dr. J. Vernon McGee's through the Bible study. It's a 5 year (5 years would be at a snail's pace, you can get through it in 2), verse by verse study of the Bible. I would encourage you to listen to a few chapters. They are free for download here http://www.ttb.org/contentpages/21793/e63bfac6-600d-436f-8231-5fcadefa77d6/5-YearSeriesinMP3.aspx

I have found Dr. McGee's teachings to be great and he has an intoxicating southern accent.

May God give you more creative ways to read his word.
 
IMO; a simple answer would be that some interpretations are not guided by the HS, rather a selfish human agenda interpreted by the individual reading it. It could depend on what has happened in their life, what is happening or what they think is going to happen to fit their individual beliefs and not necessarily what the Bible teaches.

A more complex answer would be that people (like me) do not know a whole lot about Greek or Hebrew language and have a lot of trouble deciphering what some of the words actually mean, or if a certain word is actually what is trying to be portrayed. Take the many number of translations of the Bible, each has their own subtle interpretation of certain words or phrases, but that subtlety could actually lead to an outright awful interpretation of the Bible. For example, the New Contemporary English version of the Bible (IMO) is dumb down for any layperson to understand, but is an awful translation.

As for the HS gift to discern God's word. I believe this gift would be for all with enough prayer. Your second question is a little out of my league so hopefully someone else can give a good answer.
 
why do Christians disagree on interpretations they read ???
why does the HS gift the gift of teaching to some ???

"But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true--it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ." 1 John 2:27.

My friend, what you quote is directly out of Scripture - it is not my words. So you disagree with the Word of God, not my opinion.

1 Corinthians 1:10 "Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won't be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." When Christians disagree it is because they are not of one mind - they are not united in thought and purpose. There is one Word, one Spirit and one Body. How badly does God want all of His kids to be united in Truth - not several imperfect versions of it? If there are divisions, then there is trouble.
Ephesians 4:11-13 "He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ." Is not the point of teachers to build up the Body of Christ until it is mature and full grown? Are not real teachers of the Lord taught by the Spirit of the Lord? Do not all believers of Christ have the Spirit of the Lord? Teachers are God ordained - they serve a purpose as Ephesians clearly shows. However the source of all real teaching comes from the Spirit and is through the Spirit - and the Spirit teaches directly all believers who have their spiritual ears open. The Spirit can use teachers or directly speak to the believer through the Word.

And is not the issue here as to whether a young lady has heard or has not heard the voice of God?
 
Hi everyone,

I've been trying for a long time to read the Bible and feel the holy spirit. When I do I often find myself bored or just trying to get to the end of the verse or chapter. I know the word of God is supposed to be inspiring, uplifting and encouraging, but I find myself more bored than inspired.

Side note: I've been turning to the Bible to fight my addictions and lusts of the flesh. I read the bible daily even if it's just my Bible's App verse of the day. I also spend time alone just reading and reflecting. When I'm not sinning i.e smoking, being lazy just sitting around watching TV or just "trying" to do ANYTHING to keep my mind busy, I get really bored.
It's almost like I can't just enjoy spending time with God reading the bible.
Am I missing something?

My biggest enemy is boredom. If I'm not satisfying the flesh I feel anxious, agitated and regardless of what hobby I try I end up quitting because ultimately I want to sin and satisfy my flesh with cigarettes, pot, alcohol or porn.
I'm trying hard to just let go and give God control, but I fear the process and transition. I know it doesn't have to be boring, but all of the things that you get from spending time with God, reading the Bible and so on, Im missing. In short, Im having a hard time letting the Holy Spirit fill my time with joy.

Help me please

You are not going "feel" the Holy Spirit too much with sin still ruling your life .....Are you addicted
?Is so you can have deliverance but, you probably will not find it watching TV or just sitting around.
Find you a good book of Acts Spirit filled Apostolic Church, where Holy Ghost filled brothers and sisters can pray for you (in the Spirit)
1 Corinthians 10:21
King James Version (KJV)
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
 
"But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true--it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ." 1 John 2:27.

My friend, what you quote is directly out of Scripture - it is not my words. So you disagree with the Word of God, not my opinion.

1 Corinthians 1:10 "Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so there won't be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose." When Christians disagree it is because they are not of one mind - they are not united in thought and purpose. There is one Word, one Spirit and one Body. How badly does God want all of His kids to be united in Truth - not several imperfect versions of it? If there are divisions, then there is trouble.
Ephesians 4:11-13 "He is the one who gave these gifts to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ, until we come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ." Is not the point of teachers to build up the Body of Christ until it is mature and full grown? Are not real teachers of the Lord taught by the Spirit of the Lord? Do not all believers of Christ have the Spirit of the Lord? Teachers are God ordained - they serve a purpose as Ephesians clearly shows. However the source of all real teaching comes from the Spirit and is through the Spirit - and the Spirit teaches directly all believers who have their spiritual ears open. The Spirit can use teachers or directly speak to the believer through the Word.

And is not the issue here as to
whether a young lady has heard or has not heard the voice of God?

"And is not the issue here as to whether a young lady has heard or has not heard the voice of God?" Actually reading the Bible is the issue. My bad! :)
 
The Bible Boring?

When I started reading:
The State of IL charged me with 3 class x felony's. All bogus (guilty but not of those trumped up charges) and with a public defender (You know how that normally works out). I was not really saved yet but I ran into this passage.

And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
(Luk 18:6-7)

I kept reading it and as it become more real, I got excited.

The Poison:
Someone in Prison put bleach in my coffee for talking about Jesus all the time. (don't drink bleach folks!!!) I quoted this scripture.
Mar 16:18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Not real exciting while I could not hardly breath, but the results after....... praise God, exciting.

The shower:
They caught me alone in the shower with shanks. Told me what they were going to do to me (I won't repeat it here) I laughed and said Devil, You know darn good and well Jesus said nothing by any means shall hurt me.
Luk 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Laughing at the devil as I did I turned around naked no less and ready to at least take one of them out. All 3 stood there just bugged eyed and backing away slowly, then they turned and ran.
I have no idea what they saw, but curious the next day I walked to the younger of them and he started to scream at me to get away and started to call for the guards. ALL 3 put themselves in segregation to get out of my wing.
I have no idea what happened, but Luke 10:19 is exciting.

I could fill the page with exciting things, but what is there to say?


If God's Word was just a book, the ya, I understand........ However.
God's Word is true and alive, and health to our flesh. God sent his Word to heal us and deliver us out of our own destruction.

Steam burn:
Working in the kitchen and taking a big pan of green beans out of the steamer I got bumped and the lid slipped and the pan came down on my arm. I had like 3 guys trying to rush me to the sink saying that is going to take all the skin off. My arm was beat red but I said Stop!!! No you don't devil, I am not loosing any skin and I am the healed in the name of Jesus. Now let me pick up these green beans.

amazing how others kept wanting to see my arm all day to see if what I said was going to hold up. Not a blister.

Now if the Word bores anyone, we got to check for a pulse......

God's Word is Past exciting, just thinking back makes me want to praise God.

Blessings.
 
Hi everyone,

I've been trying for a long time to read the Bible and feel the holy spirit. When I do I often find myself bored or just trying to get to the end of the verse or chapter. I know the word of God is supposed to be inspiring, uplifting and encouraging, but I find myself more bored than inspired.

Side note: I've been turning to the Bible to fight my addictions and lusts of the flesh. I read the bible daily even if it's just my Bible's App verse of the day. I also spend time alone just reading and reflecting. When I'm not sinning i.e smoking, being lazy just sitting around watching TV or just "trying" to do ANYTHING to keep my mind busy, I get really bored.
It's almost like I can't just enjoy spending time with God reading the bible.
Am I missing something?

My biggest enemy is boredom. If I'm not satisfying the flesh I feel anxious, agitated and regardless of what hobby I try I end up quitting because ultimately I want to sin and satisfy my flesh with cigarettes, pot, alcohol or porn.
I'm trying hard to just let go and give God control, but I fear the process and transition. I know it doesn't have to be boring, but all of the things that you get from spending time with God, reading the Bible and so on, Im missing. In short, Im having a hard time letting the Holy Spirit fill my time with joy.

Help me please
This is a great question! I would love to have you write something from the bible that you feel is boring and together we can discover the life that God's words have.
 
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