Is it normal to have more sinful thoughts after not reading the Bible for a few days ?

[QuestionQuest74]

I notice if I miss reading the Bible for a couple days my mind starts going towards a sinful direction is this normal for most Christians?

 

[Unqualified]

Yes. The Bible takes us to other places and teaches us morals which we need. It does it in such a way we feel better, or convicted or in some way changes the readers. So if you don’t endure reading it your going to get back in your flesh and be tempted and enticed to thinking wrong thoughts. Get a study if it seems boring and learn new angles on it.

 

[rebornfree]

I think so. Reading God's word helps us get a right perspective. If you are struggling to do it, do you need to change how you're doing it? Are you studying a particularly difficult book and perhaps need to return to the gospels for a while. Or do you need to get your teeth into something more challenging? Do you have a Study Bible with notes which will help enlighten passages. It really rewards study and becomes enjoyable imo.

 

[GDL]

Try to think of good and evil at the same time. Can you do it?

The fact that you're asking the question shows me that the Spirit of God is telling you something.

At this point for me just reading gets tiresome. Focused and concentrated studies primarily and secondarily discussions about our Text does the opposite. I can completely lose track of time and after many hours need to be reminded to eat or move a bit. I'm not telling you not to read. Find what works. He has something in mind, knows you perfectly, and will help you find what works for you.

 

[BobRyan]

I notice if I miss reading the Bible for a couple days my mind starts going towards a sinful direction is this normal for most Christians?

Read Eph 6 regarding the "armor of God". You will find that each piece of that armor that enables us to resist the devil according to that chapter, - ties back to the Word of God that is - living and active and sharper than a two-edged sword.

To live apart from the Word of God is to 'live at risk'

 

[Llleopard]

We have 2 natures inside us like 2 dogs fighting. The one that dominates is the one you feed.

 

[com7fy8]

I notice if I miss reading the Bible for a couple days my mind starts going towards a sinful direction is this normal for most Christians?

Well, we don't want to find out what will happen if we get away from reading and studying and meditating on God's word.

When I decided to read through the Bible, it was easy to make time. I just put off things like a football game or reading news or whatever could wait or be skipped.

And what has worked is to read a full chapter and notice anything that blesses and strengthens me, then write down notes and do research on anything that seems helpful to check out, praying for God to guide this.

There are plenty of things we can procrastinate or not do, at all, and be quiet in prayer and read and study. And feed on what helps us and what we can use to bless and help others > get what we can use to love others.

Bible reading for loving can be more interesting and valuable than doing it for knowledge and so we can say we are doing it.

 

[GDL]

I notice if I miss reading the Bible for a couple days my mind starts going towards a sinful direction is this normal for most Christians?

One last thought I missed before:

14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:14-16 NKJ)

• At the end of verse 14 is an Apostolic command and thus part of the New Covenant Law of Christ.
• Verse 16 is also such a command.
• We "hold fast our confession" when we remember who He is and do what He says.
• Our Lord and Great High Priest personally experienced every temptation we do and remained sinless. He fully understands & sympathizes with us.
  • So, we're commanded to come to Him and let Him help us in time of need - temptation in context.

We can approach Him anytime, anyplace. The context is weakness, temptation, sin. The time of need begins in the mentality, the thought life. We don't have to be reading to ward off sinful thinking. Approach Him with the best of proper intention you have, asking for His help to be rid of the thoughts you recognize as wrong. His Spirit will be bringing such things up in your conscience. Over time your intent will be more and more real as He provides His capacity for you to both will and work what pleases Him (Phil2:12-13). At some point repulsion re: sin will increasingly replace the attraction (Gal4:19; Heb1:9).

 

[GDL]

We have 2 natures inside us like 2 dogs fighting. The one that dominates is the one you feed.

And the one you feed is the one that dominates. Vicious cycle.