I think I hated reading when I was 15 too
However, when you understand that each book in the bible was written by God, you will start to get a hunger for the word. It's a burning hunger too let me tell you. I don't care about almost anything anymore, but the word of God. What is more important than what God has to say
?
I would pray to God that he give you that hunger, because there is no better hunger to have I swear it. You should constantly be in conversation with God, his word is how he talks to you, and your prayer is how you talk to him
J, once again I shall quote you to say: I agree, the 'hunger' is satisfying enough, that you will no longer need the pleasures of sin.
MB was one of three things I gave up the moment I accepted and trusted in Jesus. Swearing was number two, which I failed at a few times, but I'm good now. However, i'm looking at vocabulary I never would have considered as 'swearing' before to examine my intent behind them when I speak them. Number three...i cant remember
Other things I have given up amaze me the most though, and not because i've specifically said "I NEED to give this up!!!" I have just lost interest.
Music - I was hardcore with listening to music. At least 3 hours a day, an average of about 5 i would say over the last 5-6 years. Could never get enough. Radiohead was my favourite, but I was going through a serious Blur phaze up until about 4 days ago. I figured I was very dependent upon music, to the point where I was commiting Idolatry. So i deleted my mp3's, cleared the Iriver, all i have is the cd's, which i never listen to thanks to mp3 format. Havent touched them. I've been reading and reading and reading. The bible, about the bible, opinions about religion, arguments for an against, reading everthing, either to imporve my knowledge of God's Word, or to help me understand how I can show God's Word to others with strong beliefs.
TV - In Australia, we get tv shows about 7 decades after the US, almst literally
. So we download them, which is stealing I have come to accept. 24 is so good, but it leaves you wanting more. There will come a time when there is no more 24. But there will never be no more of The Word, which I have discovered. And as much as I was obsessed with 24, it just doesn't really matter anymore. Not when there are people out there who do not know God's Word, or who deny it.
The only habit I feel might be a problem is the Internet
But I figure, as long as my priority is to better understand the Word of God or to better share the Word of God through research on the internet, it isn't idolatry. It was before I was reborn though.
So, to summarise this extensive essay; If you don't have the hunger for God's Word, spend all your efforts in finding it, because when you do, it will be the only completely satisfying thing there is, and no Sin will be the focus of your life when you're on God's team.
