This is my very first post that is an actual article! I’m very excited to present it to you. 🙂

What should we read? post graphic(1)

What should we read?

This is a question that has been laid upon my heart recently. What should we read? Or really, how can we honor God with our reading?

Philippians 4:8 says,

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

I think that those are some pretty good guidelines for reading. After all, they are from God’s Holy Word! But how do we put them into practice?

Here is a list of what I personally do not read:

**Note: I can’t say that have Biblical reasons for all of these, but I will explain them as best I can. 🙂

I don’t read romance.

One of the reasons why I don’t read romance books, or even books with just a little romance in them, is because my mom doesn’t want me to. She doesn’t think that I need to be thinking about romance yet (I’m only a young teen). And I totally agree! Also, most romance books don’t have the best content. Is there virtue or truth in many romance novels? Not in my experience.

I don’t read horror.

Let’s go back to Philippians 4:8 again. Is horror true, pure or lovely? I don’t think so. I haven’t read much (if any) horror, so I can’t tell you from personal experience, but I believe that many readers could confirm that most horror books are not true, pure or lovely.

I don’t read (much) fantasy.

This is more of a personal preference than a conviction for me. I have read some good fantasy (such as The Twin Arrows and The Secret Slipper), and both of the books I mentioned had good Biblical messages, but a lot of fantasy doesn’t. Some have themes of darkness and evil, and I don’t believe it’s necessary to read about that.

So, what do I read?

One of my favorite genres to read is historical fiction. Of course, I do come across negative elements in this genre occasionally (really, you can in any- even Christian fiction!), but I simply stop reading if I find bad things. I enjoy learning about history… even if parts of the story are fiction. 🙂

I also enjoy Christian fiction, mysteries, and biographies/autobiographies. These genres are interesting to me, and are the main things that I read. There may be other wonderful genres that I have not discovered, but these are the ones that I have.

I’m not saying that I’m a perfect example.

Only Jesus Christ is. But I am saying that these are my convictions, and I try to follow them with whatever I read. I have trouble sometimes when I find bad things- I know I should put the book down, but the plot is so interesting! That is when it is hardest for me to follow my convictions.

What should you read?

This is a question that I cannot answer. You have your own preferences and convictions, based on many things: your age, interests, things your parents/pastor have taught you… I pray that you will study your Bible to learn what God wants you to read. I have given you my fallible position on the subject, and you may do whatever you like with it. Just please, don’t follow my stand because of me; follow it (if you do) because of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because He is the only One that matters.

Sign-off