Reading the Bible has been a source of inspiration, guidance, and comfort for millions of people throughout history. However, there are often limiting beliefs that hold individuals back from experiencing the benefits of engaging with the written word of God.
In this blog post, we will delve into some major limiting beliefs associated with reading the Bible and try to debunk them one by one.
By examining these misconceptions and offering counterarguments, we hope to empower readers to overcome these obstacles and experience the transformative power of the Bible in their lives.
Common myths about reading the Bible.
Myth: The physical print Bible is more powerful than digital e-bibles.
Truth: It is still the word of God even when in electronic format. Therefore the characteristics of the word of God should be consistent across formats.
The words and teachings of the Bible hold the same power and significance regardless of the medium through which they are accessed.
Both physical print Bibles and digital copies are equally valuable tools for spiritual growth and connection with God. And they have their use cases.
Myth: Using physical print Bibles makes me more spiritual than those who use a digital copy.
Truth: Whether you are reading from a physical copy or a digital version, the content and message of the Bible remain the same.
The spiritual growth and connection with God depend more on the heart and intention of the reader rather than the format of the Bible. It is the receptiveness, humility, and open-mindedness of the reader that foster spiritual growth, not the specific way the Bible is accessed.
Myth: The language of the King James Version(KJV) is more sacred or holy.
There are some individuals who believe the ancient archaic language of the KJV adds a sense of holiness to the text. Some people presume its wordings are the very words of God
In truth, the sacredness of the Bible lies in its content and message regardless of the language used.
Limiting beliefs to overcome if you want to read the Bible.
Limiting belief #1: I am not a reader. Reading is not my thing.
Why it is not true: Everything you succeed at that requires reading is a testament to your capacity to read the Bible.
Going forward: The mindset to have or motivation you need.
A person with this belief should place a greater premium on the Word of God if they truly understand its value. Or adopt other means of consuming the content of the Bible such as audio Bibles.
Here is a beginner-friendly guide on how to read the bible to help you get started.
See also: Start reading books with this 5- stepped guide on how to get into reading
Limiting Belief #2: “I don’t have enough time to read the Bible.”
I get it. I also struggled with this problem for a while. Today’s world is growing increasingly busy. How does one fit all the numerous important activities into an immutable 24-hour day schedule?
Why it is not true: The truth is, if you are able to find time to engage in other activities, you have time to spend on God’s word. As humans, we make time for the things or people we care about. Maybe, you simply don’t prioritize reading the Bible high enough.
Going forward: The mindset to have or motivation you need.
Reflect on how the message of the Bible concerns you and how it could affect your life on a daily basis. Don’t look for the time, create the time to commune with God’s word. A few minutes each day can make a world of difference.
Limiting Belief #3: “I need to be a religious expert to read the Bible.”
Why it is not true: The Bible was written for everyone, regardless of religious knowledge or intelligence quotient. It wasn’t written solely for Bible scholars or experts. The background of some of the New Testament authors suggests just about anyone can succeed in the matters of theology and Christian knowledge.
Going forward: The mindset to have or motivation you need.
Do not underestimate your ability to learn. Selling yourself short doesn’t pass as a viable excuse for not knowing God, His word, and the things of God.
Use recent translations like the NLT, NKJV, and NIV. They are based on a wider range of ancient manuscripts and aim to make the word of God more accurate and understandable to readers.
Limiting Belief #4: “I’m not good enough to read the Bible.”
Why it is not true: The Bible is replete with stories of imperfect individuals who through their faith in God’s word found redemption and purpose. The stories of Cain, Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah, and the Samaritan woman (John 4:5-30), for instance, inform us that God doesn’t choose those He relates with on the basis of their self-righteousness or self-competence.
Relevant resource: Leading Seeks You by Emmanuel Iren
Going forward: The mindset to have or motivation you need.
Understand that no human is good enough to earn the things God freely gave to us. There are many characters in the Bible who fell short of God’s glorious standards, yet His grace covered them all. Your own case is not any different.
Limiting belief #5: The Bible is mysterious and impossible to understand.
While there are certain passages of the bible that are mind-boggling and may require deeper study, it is important to note that the books of the bible were not authored with the intention of being mysterious.
Why it is not true: Paul and Luke, authors of some of the New Testament books, explicitly state that their message is straightforward, understandable, and not cryptic. See Ephesians 3:1-4, 2 Corinthians 1:13, and Luke 1:1-4.
So if something appears mysterious, it could be that we haven’t fully understood the author’s perspective of the message. It doesn’t mean there is no explanation for it.
Going forward: The mindset to have or motivation you need.
Although reading the bible requires hard work to rightfully “divide the word”, it is possible to know its contents and come to a complete knowledge of God, and his will for you.
There are a handful of Bible translations and study resources(online and print) that aid comprehension. Consult them or a bible teacher when in doubt.
Limiting Belief #6: “One must read the entire Bible to benefit from it.”
I understand that reading the entire Bible can provide a comprehensive understanding of the written word of God. However, I have seen extreme cases, where Christians are advised to read the bible from cover to cover on a yearly basis if they want to see any significant spiritual growth or personal progress.
I don’t subscribe to this idea because it could be doing more harm than good. This limiting belief could;
- Discourage many from reading the Bible as they consider its large volume.
- make people neglect the nourishment individual bible verses and chapters offer
- cause people to disregard the progress they’ve made.
Why it is not true: If you engage with a text and apply its teaching to your life, you will benefit from it (Matthew 7:24-27).
Going forward: The mindset to have or motivation you need.
Maybe you could find solace in knowing that at the point of writing this article, I have not read the entire Bible from cover to cover. Yet, I know how much profit the word of God has produced in me.
After 3 years of consistent spiritual growth, I only just began to follow a plan that allows me to read the Bible from cover to cover.
Limiting Belief #7: “Reading the Bible is irrelevant in today’s modern world.”
Between now and the time the New Testament books were completed (around 70-90AD), the world has rapidly changed. While there have been cultural shifts, technological advancements, and the creation of new systems, the message of the bible has remained relevant if not more than ever before.
Why it is not true: The Bible addresses timeless topics such as love, forgiveness, and moral values that remain relevant in any era. It speaks about The Solution to the problem of sin and death faced by all of mankind.
Going forward: The mindset to have or motivation you need.
Start to see the Bible for what it is; a source of guidance and wisdom for navigating agelong problems still faced in today’s world.
Conclusion on the Barriers to Reading the Bible.
Myths and limiting beliefs about bible reading can range from a feeling of inadequacy to a lack of time and deeming the Bible irrelevant in today’s modern world.
Let us dispel these limiting beliefs and myths that prevent us from discovering the immense value reading the Bible offers. God doesn’t discriminate. Neither does His word.
Don’t sell yourself short. You are eligible to enjoy the gift of God’s word regardless of your religious knowledge or personal circumstances. Desiring this gift and deciding to experience the word of God is a practice of biblical self-leadership
