Overeating?

Everyone knows that feeling of eating way to much food. Ever eat way to much scripture? What I mean by this is going into a deep study and gathering way to much information to be placed into effective application.

Just like there must be a balance of eating and digesting I believe there needs to be the same thing with Bible Study. Read the Word often and daily but allow what the Holy Spirit is teaching you digest and apply it to your life before you move on to the next course or meal.

Did you know if you eat or drink something in a large quantity it could actually kill you? This is not just saying your body can't physically handle the content but your body will actually react to the nutrients of the food in a negative way. Here lately I it seems I have lost an appetite for studing the bible, and though in the past this greatly alarmed me and it meant I had to be an apostate, It doesn't bother me so much anymore. Why? because I have overeaten and must learn how to digest the vast information that is already there.

I believe God pushes and pulls as He needs to draw us closer and at times this means a push when we need time to digest what He is trying to teach us. Like we will maul over a biblical truth and think we have the lesson learned only to find we are far from it. Very similar to Israel in the desert should we need it God will make us walk around the mountain again until He knows we are ready and have learned the lesson.

I don't know a whole lot about how the Holy Spirit works nor do I claim to be an expert but I know this from experience, that sometimes Birth Pangs must happen before a birth takes place.

What good does it do to speak profoundly about the Trinity if, lacking humility, you displease the Trinity? Indeed it is not learning that makes a man holy and just, but a virtuous life makes him pleasing to God. I would rather feel contrition than to know its definition thereof.

For what would it profit us to know the whole Bible by heart and the principles of all the philosophers if we live without grace and the love of God?

EVERY man naturally desires to know; but what good is knowledge without fear of God? Indeed a humble laborer who serves God is better than a proud intellectual who neglects his soul to study the course of the stars.

TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather than polished diction.

God speaks to us in many ways without regard for persons.
Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the scriptures, when we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to read and pass by.

If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never seek
a reputation for being learned.

Mixed excerpts from the book "The Imitation of Christ" by
Thomas A Kempis.

Very awesome quotes, Oh how I love simplicity :)

I am actually reading Ecclesiates right now and find it very interesting in light of what has already been said. Solomon did things that had no gain yet throughout chapter two he tells us repeated he was opperating out of wisdom. And then in chapter 2:12-14 He realizes the great equalizer...Death. From there is found yet another truth in verse 24 "A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work..."

Throughout my Christian walk I wasn't satisfied with what Christ was doing in me, I wanted Him to speed up the process so I would be "holier" but the additude didn't come from Humility or Reverance but immaturity. Christ will let us marinade if that is what it takes.

In reading this, one or two scriptures came to mind.

Psalm 1v2, 'But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night'.

Matthew 4v4, '...Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'.

Acts 17v11, '...and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these thing were so'.

Just some scriptures.

God bless.

Great Sciptures :) I am definitely not promoting not reading scriptures but perhaps aiming for Quality over Quanity when it comes to bible study and quality bible study is easily applied and changes life.

Great Sciptures :) I am definitely not promoting not reading scriptures but perhaps aiming for Quality over Quanity when it comes to bible study and quality bible study is easily applied and changes life.

I would like to point out the Godly men of old that I've read about.... they read the Bible through 4 or 5 times a year!!! A YEAR!! Could we actually tell them they had aimed wrong (choosing quantity) by reading the Bible so many times a year?!! (And they did this for years.... 4 times a year times 25 years = a bible read through over 100 times in their lifetime. (I want to add that they did not do this for bragging rights ;] )) But 100 times... wow!!! It's hard for me to complete the one year schedule.

The Lord knows those who are His and will turn their Bible reading around for good, even it they are into quantity at this time in their life!! We ALL started out immature and how many reading this believe that they are mature? Only the Lord knows!! LOL God help us all, as my granny used to say!! (edit: I was making fun of myself over the maturity thing, not anyone else.)

God bless you, brother!
Sister Lisa

Reading the bible that way is a good way to retain what has been read I suppose. And perhaps it depends on how one learns. I personally am a visual learning and if I can find something that sticks in my brain about something then I usually hold onto it, so that leaves me in the more of the Mediating stage to hopefully life application. Often times I will read a scripture and something sticks out and then I spend the rest of the day thinking about that one verse or verses. When I go back I will reread that same scripture and its context I dive in deeper.

I have nothing against the Quanity readers, for me though when I read in quanity I forget largely what I read even if I am paying attention to what I was reading. Down the road if someone asked me what the story was about I would only be able to give them a vague understanding of the verse. Either way we must absorb the Word like a sponge doesn't matter if its in small nibbles or big gulps. :)

Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God:. . . .

What we have gained by daily readings is the blessing of having things bring Scriptures to mind throughout the day. My goal is to reach a point where I think in Scripture, wrap myself in Scripture. To feel God's Word saturate my soul and heart.

The more I read the Bible the less worldly entertainments appeal to me. When we first began daily readings we still watched TV. Now we watch less than 2 hours a week and that is less appetizing.

I realize I do not need to have my brain and senses continually engaged. It is very good to do just as David wrote above 'Be still, and know that I am God.' How great He is.

I liked the analogy of eating a little and then digesting what was eaten. Without time for reflection, I feel there is no growth. Many people keep their minds occupied to avoid facing this reflection because they might have to face the results of their actions. Years ago we had music playing during our waking and sleeping. This distracts the mind and numbs the brain.

white stone

"Many people keep their minds occupied to avoid facing this reflection because they might have to face the results of their actions."

Guilty as charge :)

I would do this often actually filling my brain up not with Biblical truth but gorging myself on biblical facts. Though the facts of the bible are important if they cause us to avoid Spiritual Truth then they could definitely be a hinderance. Yet another thing I would do and probably am still guilty of is reading scripture and it convict my heart in some way and then say Alright gotta keep reading.

As we study the bible we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as He leads and when we are convicted STOP and see what God is trying to tell us, because for the most part its not going to be some useless fact about the year Israel was captured (though that date is important) but will likely be something we need to apply to living to avoid hurting others and ourselves.

"Oh thank GOD!!! Someone who is finally honest!! Thank you so much for your entire post! It is both enlightening to me in it's teaching and refreshing in it's content! Finally someone besides me who admits to struggle and not being Mr. Perfect Saint."

I am glad you enjoyed my post, and I try to be honest even if it doesn't make me "look good" What do I care? As much as I love this Forum for the most part the only time I will ever meet them is in eternity, and there all my cards will be shown, So why not just start now? :)

Also the Saints of Christ will worship in Spirit and TRUTH, I believe this is not only in Biblical Truth and Christ as the Truth but also in our everyday living, What good is dishonest worship? I am glad someone relates to me on this as well, us supersaints have to let our guards down every once in a while. ;) But I have met others here that are just as honest and are far holier than I.

I am glad to see you stuck on Mark 11:24 I am currently stuck on the Beattitudes and basically the entire sermon on the mount. It wasn't just a great sermon but everything Christ was and everything we ought to be. What's the first one? Blessed are the Poor that's definitely me.

Thanks for this thread Matthew,

I have found it to be how we approach the Word of God. I don’t believe we should just read the bible for information but impartation. We should always approach the scriptures with prayer. I believe we should be prayed up in the Spirit and also praying the scriptures that we have learned. If our prayer life becomes dry then we lose our desire to read and meditate on the scriptures. I have also found out that if we stop reading and meditating on the scriptures we will lose our desire to seek Him more in prayer. We need to be continually praying in the Spirit and being feed the Word of God for our spiritual growth.

Many times I have gone back to the scriptures that I know or have underlined to stir up the Spirit within me. We need to memorize scripture and meditate on it regularly. I have gone a whole day before without reading the bible but not without reading the scriptures in my mind and engaging my spirit upon meditation. We must keep our faith active toward God so the Spirit will always be active in us. I have been saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Spirit. We are to be lead by the Spirit of God.

Since I have been baptized in the Holy Spirit there is an awareness of the power of God within and without. I know I must keep my faith active with a continual awareness of God’s presence at all times. We must never be caught off guard by the adversary. We must always be ready to resist him while being steadfast in the faith for the glory of God

Blessings to all!

That Reverence for His Word has been sorely lacking in this generation and the church has become wishy-washy because of that alone. We only love Jesus as much as we love The Word of GOD - Who He is.

This is the reason many gatherings have become social groups without the power of regeneration.

Very interesting and quite true.

I did a study of John and from it you are confronted right at the Start who/what is the Word of God. I recognized the Scriptures as the EXACT representation of God and that it should be handled with extreme care and interpretation.

I also thought of when people misquote me or take me out of context or misrepresent who I am, I didn't like it much and though there was a clear standing witness to contradict many would just take others words for it. When will this generation become Bereans? Well I guess the real question is when will I become a better one because I can't really change others but change in a generation starts with the Fear of the Lord in me and then by the Light Shining in me the fire may spread.

I completely agree with the OP regarding the need for slowly studying the Word, meditating on and applying what we read. If we read too fast we will overeat.
However, I have seen another type of "overeating" of the Word, and I think it is closely connected...

rbanks wrote:

I have found it to be how we approach the Word of God. I don’t believe we should just read the bible for information but impartation. We should always approach the scriptures with prayer. I believe we should be prayed up in the Spirit and also praying the scriptures that we have learned.

Yes. A few years ago I used to belong to a mega church of about 7000 attendants. The church was great as far as sound doctrine and faithfullness to teach the whole counsel of God goes. We were encouraged to attend church once or twice a week and sit and learn the Word(and I am not knocking that). We were encouraged to mark up our Bibles and notepads. We received in-depth teaching and were encouraged to study in-depth on our own.

However, out of the 7000 only a small handful were on fire to live out book of Acts Christianity. The rest sat and learned and studied in-depth but had no passion to truly live out or give out the Word. The majority were getting "fat" with the information of the Word. I believe that's one of the reasons we do not see much of New Testament Christianity in the west. I tremble to ask myself, "Am I really endeavoring to receive the quickening effect of God's Word, or am I simply learning it without really living it? Well, anyhow, I'll get off the soap box for now.

You bring up a great point :) I preached one time before and mentioned our condition in the west here, I believe what we lack is the Holy Spirit fire. As we read and as we study its like stacking wood and dumping gasoline on the pile but without a spark there is no fire. The average Christian is more scripturally studied than most eastern preachers, yet we find more converts and more passionate preaching in the east. Why? because the Holy Spirit has truly gotten a hold of them and they want their nation and world around them know the GREAT NEWS. Here in the States its a different story why would we want live eternal in the future when we have comfort and peace now? Our security isn't in question and so many don't even think about tomorrow when they get into a car accident or are killed by some other means.

The Fear of the Lord is necessary in all our endeavours and unfortunately its what we lack. This is why we have many many loosey goosey preaching, and tickling ears.

It does seem that what the people want, they will be given.

The soldiers and king had an abundance of skill and weaponry, yet none would rise to the occasion. They would however be most willing to heap it upon that ruddy little shepherd boy, thus weighing him down and making him unfit for battle. We raise soldiers bearing the most efficient equipment but they have no heart for battle?