Difficulty reading Bible, sign of not being saved?

[Iamasinkingship]

I was saved and baptized, or at least, I thought I was saved, in 2014. Back then I found reading the Bible easy, and I remember at one point moving quickly through Genesis.

Since then I don't know what happened. I used to read the Bible everyday, then I just stopped. I wouldn't read it for days, or weeks, or months. Then I would read it again, rinse and repeat.

Is struggling with reading the Bible a sign that I wasn't really saved? I don't believe that, I don't think, but there are so many things a real Christian should be and do, and I don't do them.

I saw the replies on my other question, and reading the Bible sounds like a good idea. How do I keep up reading it every day? I don't even know what happened over the years, it just seems like a fire was extinguished. I'm worried that as this point I'm more like the seed planted in the shallow earth than the real seed. After I was saved, I immediately "sprang up" but in subsequent years my Christianity seems to be dwindling.

I know this is messed up, but sometimes I think I hope I wasn't saved yet, because sin is counted worse when it is done by someone who is saved.

 

[CrystalDragon]

I was saved and baptized, or at least, I thought I was saved, in 2014. Back then I found reading the Bible easy, and I remember at one point moving quickly through Genesis.

Since then I don't know what happened. I used to read the Bible everyday, then I just stopped. I wouldn't read it for days, or weeks, or months. Then I would read it again, rinse and repeat.

Is struggling with reading the Bible a sign that I wasn't really saved? I don't believe that, I don't think, but there are so many things a real Christian should be and do, and I don't do them.

I saw the replies on my other question, and reading the Bible sounds like a good idea. How do I keep up reading it every day? I don't even know what happened over the years, it just seems like a fire was extinguished. I'm worried that as this point I'm more like the seed planted in the shallow earth than the real seed. After I was saved, I immediately "sprang up" but in subsequent years my Christianity seems to be dwindling.

I know this is messed up, but sometimes I think I hope I wasn't saved yet, because sin is counted worse when it is done by someone who is saved.

Of course it's not a sign of that! If you slip out of a habit, good or bad, it can be difficult to pick up again. That's all.

And whoever told you "sin is counted worse when it is done by someone who is saved", that's what's truly messed up.

 

[Hidden In Him]

I was saved and baptized, or at least, I thought I was saved, in 2014. Back then I found reading the Bible easy, and I remember at one point moving quickly through Genesis.

Since then I don't know what happened. I used to read the Bible everyday, then I just stopped. I wouldn't read it for days, or weeks, or months. Then I would read it again, rinse and repeat.

Is struggling with reading the Bible a sign that I wasn't really saved? I don't believe that, I don't think, but there are so many things a real Christian should be and do, and I don't do them.

I saw the replies on my other question, and reading the Bible sounds like a good idea. How do I keep up reading it every day? I don't even know what happened over the years, it just seems like a fire was extinguished. I'm worried that as this point I'm more like the seed planted in the shallow earth than the real seed. After I was saved, I immediately "sprang up" but in subsequent years my Christianity seems to be dwindling.

I know this is messed up, but sometimes I think I hope I wasn't saved yet, because sin is counted worse when it is done by someone who is saved.

Here. I am an avid student of the word of God and have been for nearly 30 years now. I stay pretty much continually in the word, so I am a good one to ask this question.

The thing you need to do first is this: Spend time every day praying to Him to begin revealing His word to you. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. Keep doing this daily. If you keep doing it, and really meaning your prayer, I promise you He will begin leading you to passages that really start opening your mind to see things. He may also lead you to hear a message on TV or radio that really teaches you something. Understanding will start to flood your mind, and make reading the word ever increasingly more fun and profitable.

DO NOT worry about some 30 day program for reading through the Bible, or anything like that. It is not about letting your eyes move over words. It is about letting the Holy Spirit become your Teacher, one lesson at a time, through the word.

Trust Him, and He will provide.

God bless, and welcome to our Forum.

 

[1watchman]

Well, there might be more than one way to see this: One is truly a "born again" believer in Jesus, the Christ, but is more "carnal" and prefers the things of the world instead of God's Word; or, one is not saved, and just views the Bible as too difficult and not an interesting book to be reading. The faithful saints will want to learn the Bible. Is the reader "born again" as a redeemed "child of God"?

Now, if one has understood John 3 and John 14 and thus has received the Lord Jesus into their heart, and is devoted to Him, they will want to know God's mind and ways for us. If reading is a problem for one, they might seek help in having a Bible study with one who knows the Bible well.

 

[CrystalDragon]

Well, there might be more than one way to see this: One is truly a "born again" believer in Jesus, the Christ, but is more "carnal" and prefers the things of the world instead of God's Word; or, one is not saved, and just views the Bible as too difficult and not an interesting book to be reading. The faithful saints will want to learn the Bible. Is the reader "born again" as a redeemed "child of God"?

Now, if one has understood John 3 and John 14 and thus has received the Lord Jesus into their heart, and is devoted to Him, they will want to know God's mind and ways for us. If reading is a problem for one, they might seek help in having a Bible study with one who knows the Bible well.

I'm pretty sure a good 80% or so of Christians haven't read the Bible.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I was saved and baptized, or at least, I thought I was saved, in 2014. Back then I found reading the Bible easy, and I remember at one point moving quickly through Genesis.

Since then I don't know what happened. I used to read the Bible everyday, then I just stopped. I wouldn't read it for days, or weeks, or months. Then I would read it again, rinse and repeat.

Is struggling with reading the Bible a sign that I wasn't really saved? I don't believe that, I don't think, but there are so many things a real Christian should be and do, and I don't do them.

I saw the replies on my other question, and reading the Bible sounds like a good idea. How do I keep up reading it every day? I don't even know what happened over the years, it just seems like a fire was extinguished. I'm worried that as this point I'm more like the seed planted in the shallow earth than the real seed. After I was saved, I immediately "sprang up" but in subsequent years my Christianity seems to be dwindling.

I know this is messed up, but sometimes I think I hope I wasn't saved yet, because sin is counted worse when it is done by someone who is saved.

No, it just means that reading the Bible is something you don't feel the need to do every day. The important part is trying to live it in some way everyday.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Some people read it every day for their whole life. Some don't. Both are saved. I've had spurts where I read it for a long time, then sometimes I go a long time without reading it (well as in every day). And in my case I have a brain injury so its not always easy to keep things straight when I read.

One suggestion for how to read it every day is to read at ODB.ORG (Our Daily Bread). Not only do you get a nice little message every day but it includes a verse on which the message is based (so you can read some bible verses) but it also has "Bible in a year" near the top that has a new set of things to read each day so that you in a year would literally read the whole bible. If you do the message of the day thing it only takes a minute or two. If you do the bible in a year thing to, it takes about 10 minutes. Thats not alot of time taken away from a persons day so its well worth it.

 

[Another Lazarus]

The only way to survive our STRUGGLE in faith is by praying and REGULAR FASTING.

Esther urged the Hebrew to fast for 3 days and nights without food and water and pray to God that they may be saved from massacre by haman the jealous man.

Jesus fasted for 40 days.

Jesus said a kinda demon possessing people cannot be expelled without fasting.

Daniel fasted for 21 days.

The muslims fasting for full month of ramadan, how about us the christians ?

I'm not trying to snatch your delicious meal though.

We need to fast to build up our faith, if you dont hv stomach problem.

You can still do with simple fast such as eating only one meal for one day, later you make it 2-3 days.
or you may start with drinking juice/water for one day without meal. later you make it 2-7 days, you do that at least once in a month.
You will find it very beneficial, just try it regularly at least once/twice a week.

If you have stomach sickness due to the acid, you can still do the fasting by eating non delicious bread 3 times a day like Daniel did, he didnt eat meat.

i mean tasteless bread and pure water like this
for 21 days or more like Daniel did:

The more you fast the more you get stronger in God.

 

[bekkilyn]

I think it's normal for many to go through "wilderness periods" from time to time. It's also possible that you have become too busy in other areas of your life so that you don't have the energy to read. In that case, it may be time to drop some activities and/or re-prioritize.

 

[Kit Sigmon]

I was saved and baptized, or at least, I thought I was saved, in 2014. Back then I found reading the Bible easy, and I remember at one point moving quickly through Genesis.

Since then I don't know what happened. I used to read the Bible everyday, then I just stopped. I wouldn't read it for days, or weeks, or months. Then I would read it again, rinse and repeat.

Is struggling with reading the Bible a sign that I wasn't really saved? I don't believe that, I don't think, but there are so many things a real Christian should be and do, and I don't do them.
Are you connected with a mentor or a bible study group at church?
Are you being discipled/shepherded?

I saw the replies on my other question, and reading the Bible sounds like a good idea. How do I keep up reading it every day? I don't even know what happened over the years, it just seems like a fire was extinguished. I'm worried that as this point I'm more like the seed planted in the shallow earth than the real seed. After I was saved, I immediately "sprang up" but in subsequent years my Christianity seems to be dwindling.
Are you in regular fellowship with believers(going to church)?


I know this is messed up, but sometimes I think I hope I wasn't saved yet, because sin is counted worse when it is done by someone who is saved.

You don't need to be moving quickly through the Bible...take your time when you read it...take notes/write down questions you have about verses you read.
The Bible isn't to be scanned through like you be reading a newspaper.
Search out/research what scripture means...meditate upon it, pray, believe it, live it out each day.
Those in OT times didn't have a Bible...teachings were oral reports.
The 10 Commandments/10 Sayings were written on stone tablets.
Biblical things were consistently taught, spoken of, put in to practice and
were even regularly used in greetings/conversation...sadly many don't that
today...not even when amongst other believers.

 

[paul1149]

I know this is messed up, but sometimes I think I hope I wasn't saved yet, because sin is counted worse when it is done by someone who is saved.

This is going in the wrong direction. It is placing the burden of salvation back on your works. Place Jesus first, whether you read the Bible or not. Worship Him with what you've got, where you are right now. The devil likes to get us sidetracked in religious performance, grading ourselves, and all it does is take the focus away from Christ. Of course there is a place for self-evaluation and confession of sin, but we should not settle down there. Get back up and start moving in the right direction. If you soil was perchance shallow, then "break up your fallow ground". The parable of the sower wasn't given fatalistically, it was so that we could identify problems and deal with them. I would say place the past behind you and press forward to the high call of God in Christ Jesus (php 3). It most certainly is not too late for you.

 

[lastofall]

Struggling to read is not a sign, rather it is a lack of faith: because faith comes by hearing the Word of God; therefore we must more abundantly hear God's Word, which is just to say we must more abundantly study, so that we may submit to and rely upon His Word, and deny our own will.

 

[LoricaLady]

I was saved and baptized, or at least, I thought I was saved, in 2014. Back then I found reading the Bible easy, and I remember at one point moving quickly through Genesis.

Since then I don't know what happened. I used to read the Bible everyday, then I just stopped. I wouldn't read it for days, or weeks, or months. Then I would read it again, rinse and repeat.

Is struggling with reading the Bible a sign that I wasn't really saved? I don't believe that, I don't think, but there are so many things a real Christian should be and do, and I don't do them.

I saw the replies on my other question, and reading the Bible sounds like a good idea. How do I keep up reading it every day? I don't even know what happened over the years, it just seems like a fire was extinguished. I'm worried that as this point I'm more like the seed planted in the shallow earth than the real seed. After I was saved, I immediately "sprang up" but in subsequent years my Christianity seems to be dwindling.

I know this is messed up, but sometimes I think I hope I wasn't saved yet, because sin is counted worse when it is done by someone who is saved.

Try listening to audio Bible. YouTube has the entire Bible there and its also found in audio format elsewhere online. There are great movies which only have the Bible's words in them, also on YT, like The Book of Matthew, The Book of Acts, The Book of John, The Book of Revelation. Maybe going technological will help you. Praying for you....

 

[1watchman]

One suggestion for how to read it every day is to read at ODB.ORG (Our Daily Bread). Not only do you get a nice little message every day but it includes a verse on which the message is based (so you can read some bible verses) but it also has "Bible in a year" near the top that has a new set of things to read each day so that you in a year would literally read the whole bible. If you do the message of the day thing it only takes a minute or two. If you do the bible in a year thing to, it takes about 10 minutes. Thats not alot of time taken away from a persons day so its well worth it.

Yes, the Daily Bread site is a good source of spiritual encouragement (OBD.org), and one can read the recommended verses shown there in their own Bible.

 

[RaymondG]

The pharisee studied the bible so much that they knew it by heart....and not even Jesus could tell them anything different about what they already knew....Just saying. Bible study does not always equal Christian. Sometime wisdom is given to the babe and the wise confounded.