Why the Enemy Doesn’t Want You to Read the Bible

Let’s be honest—developing a consistent Bible study habit isn’t just about time or motivation. There’s a deeper, spiritual battle happening behind the scenes.

The enemy knows that when we regularly spend time in God’s Word, we grow stronger in our faith, more grounded in truth, and more aware of God’s power in our lives. So, of course, he’ll do everything he can to keep us from that habit. Here are a few ways the enemy tries to mess with our Bible study:

Distraction, Distraction, Distraction

We live in a world designed to keep us constantly distracted. Think about it—your phone is a never-ending stream of notifications, social media posts, emails, and YouTube videos that pull you away from your Bible.

The enemy doesn’t need to get you to actively choose sin or apathy. He just needs you to be distracted enough that you forget about your quiet time or leave it for later. And we all know how that goes: “I’ll just check my texts… oh, it’s already time for bed.”

Feeling Like It’s “Not That Important”

Have you ever felt like reading the Bible is a “nice-to-have” rather than a “must-have”? The enemy loves to plant the lie that you don’t really need to read the Bible daily, especially when life is crazy.

He whispers that it’s okay to skip a day (or a week) and that you can always catch up later. But we all know how that usually goes—one skipped day turns into several, and we fall out of the habit. This subtle lie keeps us from realizing how much we actually need God’s Word to stay grounded and focused.

Guilt & Perfectionism

This one hits hard for a lot of us. We can get so caught up in trying to do everything perfectly—including our Bible reading—that we end up feeling guilty if we miss a day or don’t fully understand what we read.

The enemy loves to make us feel like failures when we fall short, especially in spiritual disciplines. He uses guilt to discourage us from picking up our Bible again, convincing us we’re not “doing it right” or that we’ve missed our shot for the day.

The “I’m Too Busy” Trap

The busyness of life is one of the most effective tools the enemy uses to keep us from consistent Bible study. There’s always something else demanding your time—work, school, relationships, social obligations, Netflix, laundry, grocery shopping, etc.

The enemy knows that if he can keep you busy enough, you’ll push Bible reading to the bottom of your to-do list. It’s not that you don’t care—it’s just that everything else feels like a priority.

What We Prioritize: Things We Always Work Around

But here’s the thing: there are certain things we don’t even think about working around. We make sure we get them done, no matter how busy we are. So, why not Bible study?

Sleep (and Coffee)

Let’s be real—most of us make sure we get enough sleep or at least try to. And coffee? Don’t even try taking that out of the routine. Sleep and caffeine are non-negotiables in some schedules.

What if we treated Bible reading the same way? Not as something that can be “worked around” but as something essential for our day. If we can make time for sleep and coffee, we can make time for God.

Work or School Obligations

We all have jobs, classes, or projects that are non-negotiable. We set aside time to show up for work, meetings, or deadlines because we know it’s important.

What if we gave God’s Word that same kind of priority? What if Bible study became just as much a part of your daily “work” schedule as responding to emails or prepping for meetings?

Social Media (and Netflix)

As much as we’d like to deny it, social media and Netflix are non-negotiables in many of our schedules. You scroll through your feed without thinking about it, and you’ve probably watched the latest show everyone’s talking about without even blinking.

What if we made Bible study a priority that we just don’t cancel or push aside, even when we’re tired or tempted by the next episode? Imagine trading 10 minutes of scrolling for 10 minutes of diving into Scripture—it might be the reset we need.

Exercise

If you’re someone who prioritizes fitness (or even just staying active), you probably have a consistent workout routine. Whether it’s a morning run, a gym session, or a yoga class, you schedule it, show up, and make it happen.

Why not think of Bible study the same way? It doesn’t have to be an hour-long, intense session—it can be a short workout for your spirit, but it’s something that you make time for because you know it benefits you in the long run.

Breaking the Cycle: How to Push Through

So, how do we break free from these distractions and make Bible study a consistent habit? Here are a few practical steps:

1. Start with the “Non-Negotiables” Think about what’s already on your schedule that you always work around. Use that as a reminder to carve out time for Bible reading. For instance, if you wake up for coffee every morning, try adding 5 minutes of Bible reading as soon as you sit down with your mug. If you exercise regularly, maybe add a 5-minute devotional afterward to center your mind on God.
2. Set Boundaries with Distractions If your phone is a major distraction, try using an app like “Do Not Disturb” during your Bible time. Or leave your phone in another room while you read. Make a conscious choice to separate that time for God from all the distractions that the enemy will throw at you.
3. Get Honest About Your Priorities Sometimes we need to confront the fact that we’ve been choosing distractions over something that has the potential to change our lives. When you realize that Bible study isn’t just a religious duty—it’s how you connect with the Creator of the universe—it becomes easier to prioritize it. The enemy might try to tell you it’s not worth it, but God’s Word will never return void. It’s always worth it.
4. Give Yourself Grace Don’t expect perfection. Some days you won’t have the energy, the focus, or the time. But instead of letting that guilt keep you from coming back, remember: God’s grace is bigger than any mistake or missed day. Just pick back up where you left off and keep moving forward.

In the end, developing a consistent Bible study habit is more about intention than perfection. It’s about showing up, even when it feels like life is pulling you in a hundred directions.

The enemy will always try to keep you from the Word, but you have the power to make it a priority. After all, you make time for the things that matter most—why not make time for God, too?