The Bible is the most banned book in history. Why? Because it is the most dangerous book in history. The teachings within run counter to prevailing societal norms and power structures. Communist regimes, Muslim clerics and even democratic influencers have sought to stamp out the Bible, or cut it up for their own ends. The book relentlessly emphasizes God before self, flipping attitudes we all nourish in our inmost being.

Therefore, reading or listening to the Bible requires preparing our hearts and minds. This is no small or flippant undertaking. The following are ten attitudes I find necessary to enjoy my time in the scriptures:

1. Prayer. I start each reading session asking the Holy Spirit to show me wonderful things from God’s law (Psalm 119:18).

2. Curiosity. What will I find? What might God show me? I open the book with the attitude of a discoverer.

3. Anticipation. I trust the Holy Spirit to work in my life, in some form or fashion, through the words of scripture, and I ask the Holy Spirit specifically to do so.

4. Hope. If the Scriptures are God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17), then shouldn’t you and I hope for good results as we invest time in them?

5. Realism. Changes and insights arrive slowly, often imperceptibly. On rare occasions God shouts, sporadically God whispers, but generally God keeps his thoughts to himself. All the time—every minute of the day—the world, my own flesh and the devil screech and howl, attempting to drown God’s voice. I try to enter my reading times with open eyes to this raging battle, ears cocked for a silent voice.

6. Perseverance. Reading through the Bible in a year requires discipline. Remember, when you’re in the minutiae of instructions for constructing a temple, the payoff of David slaying a giant and cutting off his head is around the corner.

7. Trust. I believe the Lord holds good things in store for me as I open His book.

8. Open-mindedness. Withholding judgment, I fight against shutting down just because I disagree with something I read. The Bible remains potent after several thousand years of scrutiny. I’m not the first to struggle in its pages. I ask the Lord why? and what does this mean for me? as I read the Bible.

9. Unhurried. Don’t rush. Fight the urge to skim. The words of the Bible are too important, too valuable, too solid, to take at a harried pace. This is my biggest temptation when reading—I’m always forcing myself to slow down.

10. Gratitude. People have depended on the Bible for centuries, raised families with it, and created societies based on its wisdom. Believers enthralled by the scriptures died torturous deaths for translating them, handing me the privilege of reading the scriptures in my heart language. Along with being the most banned, the Bible is the most printed, translated, distributed and purchased book in history. I approach my learning with the understanding that saints gave their lives and fortunes so I can sit in my comfortable chair, coffee in hand, and enjoy this book.

I try to remember that like our Lord himself, the Good Book is not safe, but it is very, very good.

Pick up a Bible and join me in reading the most dangerous book in history. Invest in this radical practice. Soften your spirit and provoke your soul—you will not regret it.

Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Markus Spiske