Fighting sin in Bible reading

Sometimes it becomes a struggle to read my Bible with any sort of good attitude. This usually happens when I take the Bible and/or God for granted, as I occasionally if not often do. When my eyes neglect to soak up the words on the page, when my heart neglects to respond, when my mind does not remember what I've read, I know I need to check myself, my heart attitude, and wage war against my sin. In my Bible, I wrote down six things to remember:

1) Read books or passages that do not appeal to you at the moment. 

Yesterday I did not feel inclined to read 1 Corinthians. I wouldn't be able to explain why I felt apathetic to this great Scripture. God knows my heart. However, I know that in my laziness, in my non-excitement, something was wrong. Perhaps I didn't want to hear the message. Perhaps there was something I needed to hear. Perhaps I needed reminding of God's truth and character. 

2) Study what you would rather avoid - what word, verse, chapter or book challenges your view?

Sometimes you can get to a difficult passage, and instead of dealing with it, just skip over it and move on. Even some study Bibles have had very little if not nothing to say concerning some of the more controversial verses. It's easier to avoid the issue, but it is not better. Prepare your mind for seeking. 

3) Be aware of your own reactions. Seek heart change.

4) Ask God to give you wisdom in understanding and applying what you read. 

Then ask again. And again...

5) Don't come to the Bible as a theologian, ready to teach, but as a student, ready and excited to learn something new from the Teacher.

6) Don't read the Bible because you feel duty-bound. 

Read it for what it is: God's Word graciously given to you, revealing God's character and promises, but mainly opening up to you the ultimate gospel of Jesus Christ.