One of the greatest struggles for many Christians is reading the Word of God. Have you ever started a “Bible in a Year” plan only to forget about it halfway through the year? Better yet — maybe you never even made it past a week. You think it’s because you’re not disciplined enough or that an evil spirit is blocking you. Both answers could be true, but I’m here to share a different perspective about reading the Bible.
Here’s the truth: I’ve never been someone who memorizes Bible verses word for word. And this used to make me feel so guilty, like I wasn’t “Christian enough.” But in my conversations with the Lord, He showed me that the most important thing to Him is obedience. As the prophet Samuel told Saul, obedience is more important than sacrifice.
So ask yourself: Do you obey God with the little you already know about Him?
When you read one psalm or one chapter from the Gospels, how does it impact your life?
If nothing happens — if you don’t feel convicted to change the way you live — pause and analyze your heart. The Bible says there is no point in hearing the Word and not putting it into practice. That means the seed of the Word has fallen on futile ground. In Scripture, the “ground” is your heart.
The Bible is a book that comes alive. That means the stories you read must speak to your soul and push you to think, do, and be better. The Word of God must transform you.
Knowing this, you shouldn’t study the Bible just to memorize verses or impress other Christians by proving you “know Scripture.” Remember: the devil also knows the Bible — he used it to tempt Jesus. What truly matters is what you do after you read Scripture. How does it shift your thinking? Does it push you to reflect? Does it make you re-evaluate your actions, your habits, your relationships?
Whenever I’m going through something, I ask God to give me a verse to support me through the waiting period or to give me strength for the new season He’s sending me into. When He does, I read it, and I feel empowered to trust God and wait on Him. That verse becomes the word I bury into my soul. It helps me stay positive, strategize, and see things differently.
I also use the Bible to interpret my dreams. When I dream, I write everything down — every symbol, every detail. Then I look for those symbols in Scripture to decode what God was saying to me. Dreams aren’t always clear, but God always gives clues. You just need to dig deeper. So when you pick up the Bible, expect to receive insight about your life. Expect God to speak to you and heal you.
You also need the Holy Spirit to guide you while reading Scripture. If you’re struggling to believe what the Bible says, check your heart. What’s blocking you — doubt, sadness, anger toward God? If these things are in your heart, it becomes difficult for the seed of life to grow in you and transform you. Submit it in prayer.
I encourage you: the next time you read the Bible, read it to be transformed.
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