Do you have to feel emotion when reading the Bible?

[HawkBlue27]

About 3 or 4 months ago, when I would read the Bible, it came naturally to me. Not necessarily emotions but just reading the Bible and getting something out of it. After struggling with sin and the world for some time and trying to get back into my relationship to God, I try to read the Bible and I seem to have developed this mentality that I am not truly reading it unless I feel some emotions along with it. For example, coming across passages about Christ's death does not make me cry, or coming across something about God always being there does not make me smile. I don't know I keep expecting some type of emotional manifestation to know that I am reading God's word to get something out of it, but I find it so difficult without expecting some emotions. Have I distorted something about the Christian life or is something wrong here?

 

[Goodbook]

Go on faith not feelings.
we don't 'feel' God, we 'have faith' in God. Blessed are those who have not seen and believe. Feelings come and go..faith endures.

 

[Albion]

I find it so difficult without expecting some emotions. Have I distorted something about the Christian life or is something wrong here?

I don't think so. The Bible may move you to tears or adulation, but it is meant as revelation, instruction, etc., so if it is studied for its guidance, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. And remember that we all respond to things differently. Some are inclined towards more intense feelings and others to quieter reflection.

 

[HawkBlue27]

I guess, but I seem to have developed the idea that I am not getting anything out of the Bible unless some wave of emotions comes down on me. I have no idea where I got this idea but maybe because I was struggling with sin for that time it's made me rusty. I don't know.

 

[ezeric]

A famous preacher said once "quick down - quick up".

I get the notion that the OP brother Hawkblue27, is getting down at times because
of sins…and that is wrong thinking.

Its not so much the "sins", as that has been dealt with at the cross - "it is finished" remember?

But its not using FAITH to stand in GRACE.
Faith to know you are still (and always will be forgiven).
Faith to know that HE never leaves you.
Faith to know that HE is NOT counting mans sins against them.

Its not living in faith that is robbing you.
Not believing that JESUS takes away the sins (yours and mine) of the world (all of us).

No "whatever is not of faith is sin".

This is your hang up, and as you believe may it be done in/for you.

My question is "how is your believing lately?"

Relax and Rest in JESUS…
that is where faith is…HE is Faith.

-eric

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

When I was younger moves that showed Jesus on the cross meant things to me, but I never got emotional. As I've gotten older though thats changed. We watched Son of God (I think that was the movie) and I was tearful watching Him on the cross. As for the bible itself. The most common emotion tends to be of inspiration or conviction. I'm sure some cry, I don't usually unless I'm going through rough times and read something in it that God obviously wanted me to read to make me hopeful!

When you die Gods not going to be like "Hey remember on November 23rd, 2011 at 4:05pm when you read <insert verse>? You didn't feel emotion, so because of that your not getting in!"

 

[2PhiloVoid]

About 3 or 4 months ago, when I would read the Bible, it came naturally to me. Not necessarily emotions but just reading the Bible and getting something out of it. After struggling with sin and the world for some time and trying to get back into my relationship to God, I try to read the Bible and I seem to have developed this mentality that I am not truly reading it unless I feel some emotions along with it. For example, coming across passages about Christ's death does not make me cry, or coming across something about God always being there does not make me smile. I don't know I keep expecting some type of emotional manifestation to know that I am reading God's word to get something out of it, but I find it so difficult without expecting some emotions. Have I distorted something about the Christian life or is something wrong here?

Hawk,

What you're experiencing probably comes from dealing with a roller-coaster wave of emotions in regard to your own sin(s), and you've perhaps come to expect an emotion to attend each spiritual course change. However, I don't think the Lord intended for our recognition (and application) of His truth to necessarily be accompanied by a 'rush' of adrenaline or serotonin. While occasionally we could each feel a 'high' when we read the bible as we open ourselves to flushing out the bad stuff of our lives and as we hope to see a clear direction from God, I don't think we can expect our engagement with the Bible alone to always bring some form of felt inspiration.

In fact, I think there is a reason that Jesus says we "must take up our cross each day," and that Paul says that we have to "put on the armor of God in preparation for the battle," because this is what engaging in the Christian life will often feel like, that is, like work, frustration, or sheer turmoil, even at the simple level of reading the Bible. Not every moment of the Christian life will be filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit.

So...it sounds like you're probably normal, like most of the rest of us.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

you probably have not done it on purpose. (love hopes for the best, and that your motives are pure and holy(set apart) in Christ Jesus).

historically, the 'churches' are not full of joyjoy, peacepeace, and righteousnessrighteousness, all gifts gvn without measure by ABBA throughout the New Testament....

the reasons are many and varied, and few are there who find out the Truth - it is far too convenient to just go along as things have been, instead of "paying the price" to actually find and know and LIVE the TRUTH.

again, search the experience OF THE BELIEVERS in the NEW TESTAMENT,
read and read and read the New Testament,
and also Genesis through Malachi (substantial Truth and help there!)
.
and see, Yhvh willing, what the new testament believers did and how they lived,
and , as truth requires, do not say "well, that was for long ago" or any such excuse like that.

all the Promises of Yhvh are Yes and Amein in Christ Jesus, the Same Today, Yesterday, and Forever....

remembering also the warning(s) in Matthew 16. (and the Promise(s)).

...... Have I distorted something about the Christian life or is something wrong here?

 

[Quasicentennial]

Although the Word of God just sits in your household just like any other book, and because our minds of logic are not supernatural minds of Christ yet unless Jesus returned now to transform us, at the very least our faith focused on Christ always becomes a constant memory and joy, especially where peace and joy are so supernaturally abundant that flow invisibly from our hearts -
and interestingly enough, especially from the Word of God itself in book form by being alive spiritually to protect your household from spiritual attack, because of the multiplication of faith if there is more than one Christ-believing individual in your household - or church if you enjoy Sunday service as a congregation for listening to the pastor's sermon message, prayer, study and song worship.;'*';.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Better to be steadfast in prayerful Bible reading through any highs and lows of emotion.

 

[seashale76]

What does emotion have to do with anything? Actually, being too emotional is the real problem, as way too many people use their emotional responses as reasoning to do whatever the heck they want and call it the will of the Holy Spirit (thus Pentecostalism- for example). Nowhere in our faith do you see instructions that you must feel emotional to be a Christian and live a Christian life.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

What does emotion have to do with anything? Actually, being too emotional is the real problem, as way too many people use their emotional responses as reasoning to do whatever the heck they want and call it the will of the Holy Spirit (thus Pentecostalism- for example). Nowhere in our faith do you see instructions that you must feel emotional to be a Christian and live a Christian life.

Seashale,

Is 'joy' an emotion?

 

[seashale76]

Seashale,

Is 'joy' an emotion?

The joy of the Lord is my strength. It's not your own joy. Many manufacture the latter and claim it is the former.

 

[jsimms615]

I've gone months and sometimes a year or more without feeling strong emotions when reading the Bible. It is a discipline and it simply needs to be a regular part of your day whether you feel anything or not is irrelevant.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

The joy of the Lord is my strength. It's not your own joy. Many manufacture the latter and claim it is the former.

Seashale,

Actually, when St. Paul describes the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, the joy (Chara) he mentions there....really is kind of our own, and it comes about as we "walk in the Spirit."

It would be ironic if you felt less than joy about this fact.

But seriously, I wish you the Joy of Christ this Christmas season!!

 

[anewman1993]

don't stop because you arn't feeling it, I'm struggeling with this right now. Sometimes I don't feel god, and when I do its not always pleasant because of the sin in my life, honestly,most of the time when god shows up there are a lot of me sobbing happening, because I'm so ashamed. Even now, not 5 minutes ago I was watching videos I shouldn't have. I'm sitting here right now, trying to force myself to go pick up my bible, but I want to go back to the videos, but I want to pick up my bible, my body is screaming at my, the flesh is screaming at me, and the part of my that loves god feels broken and depressed because its like I'm not even trying.


Sometimes though, I go through a dry spell, I may be doing better sin wise (though there is always some amount, but there are times I'm less prone to it then others). And I still don't really feel emotions, thats ok. One thing I would say, spend more time in prayer ,before AND after reading, praying about what you just read for me, helps bring it to life.