What does Ellen White write about...
Adventistische Schriften über: "What should I do if I have no interest in reading the Bible and cannot bring myself to do it?"
Answer
A lack of interest in the Bible often stems from the consumption of superficial or entertaining literature, which spoils the taste for spiritual truths. To regain this interest, it is necessary to consistently avoid such influences and deliberately train the mind on God's Word. True love for the Holy Scripture does not arise from coercion, but through diligent study, prayer for the Holy Spirit, and contemplation of Christ's life.
The Influence of Entertainment Literature on Bible Study
»Before they accepted the present truth, some had developed the habit of reading novels. Upon joining the congregation they endeavored to overcome this habit. Offering these people reading material that resembles what they have abandoned is like offering intoxicants to a drunkard. If they give in to the temptation that constantly lies before them, they will soon lose the taste for solid reading. They have no interest in Bible study. Their moral strength is weakened. Sin appears ever less repulsive... Works that do not so decisively mislead and corrupt are still to be avoided if they provoke an aversion to the study of the Bible.«
Books That Render the Spirit Unfit for Truth
»There is such a mass of fictional reading in the world that fills the mind with fantasies and follies, thereby creating an aversion to the words of truth and righteousness! The spirit thus becomes incapable of solemn thoughts, of the patient, diligent examination of the Holy Scripture, which is the handbook by which you are to be led to God's paradise.«
Reading the Bible Out of Love, Not Coercion
»I do not command you to read the Bible – I would never do that. I want you to read the Bible because you love it, not because you are compelled to; for then it will be an unpleasant task. But if you neglect reading the Bible, you will lose your love for it. Those who love God's Word are the ones who read it the most... It is not natural for the heart to love the Bible; but when it is renewed by grace, the spirit will find delight in the rich truths and promises in God's Word.«
Practical Steps to Foster Love for the Scripture
»When a genuine love for the Bible has awakened and students begin to recognize how vast the field and how precious its treasure are, they will want to seize every opportunity to become familiar with God's Word. Their study will not be limited to a specific time or place. This continuous study is one of the best means to cultivate a love for the Holy Scripture. Encourage the students to always have their Bibles with them. When they have the opportunity, let them read a passage and reflect on it.«
The Necessity of Prayer and Concentration
»It is not enough to study the Bible as one studies other books. For it to be understood salvifically, the Holy Spirit must move the seeker’s heart... Mere reading of the Word will not achieve the heavenly intended result; it must be studied and kept in the heart. Knowledge of God is not attained without spiritual effort... We should take a verse and focus the spirit on the task of grasping the thought that God has placed for us in that verse. We should dwell on that thought until it becomes our own.«
The Spiritual Cause of Disinterest
»Those who see nothing interesting in the Word of God are still in their sins and connected with Satan, who controls their spirit and thoughts.«
Original Sources (English)
Stephan Krol
Founder of EGW Vision
Why I built EGW Vision
Hello, I am Stephan Krol. I started this Ellen White website to make the writings of Ellen G. White and the Adventist pioneers easier to access for everyone.
EGW Vision helps you find topics, statements, and quotes faster, especially when many original sources are not yet fully available in your language. The tool searches semantically, groups relevant content by topic, and presents matching results as clearly as possible in your language.
My hope is that this tool supports personal Bible study, strengthens trust in the original sources, and helps more people discover the message of these writings with clarity, depth, and joy.
