Guest Post: Don’t Go Read a Book: Admonishments for Introverts and Nerdy People

Note: Enjoy this guest post by Elizabeth Clevenger!

What types of scenarios and situations make you want to run for the hills, or books, as it were? Information-loving people are necessary for society to thrive. But that does not mean that books help them thrive, particularly when it comes to spiritual life. 

As a fellow book-lover, who enjoys engaging with thought and information through the written word, I find that when my run-for-a-book adrenaline kicks in, that I should do the opposite. Here are a few scenarios to consider.

Don’t Go Read a Book… To Become an Expert on a Sin Issue

Reading blogs, articles, and entire books on a “struggle” you have with sin may very well be the reason why you are still struggling. Scripture is clear that sin does not die by information, research, or extensive use of your library card. It will only die if you get your face out of your book and are relational. 

Some “external to you, your brain, and your book” means of victorious Christian living to pursue:

• Sit under the preaching and teaching of the Word at your church at every opportunity (Sunday school, morning service, evening service, Wednesday service, Bible study…)
• Join a small group with the intention of being known and knowing the people in that group for building each other up… with mutual exchanges of words about personal life and daily existence
• Pursue trusted friendship within your local church body and initiate one-on-one time together in a setting that lends itself to deep spiritual conversation, accountability, and confession of sin
• Ask respected older people in your church how they please the Lord in the area in which you are seeking to grow
• Get personal with God face-to-face through prayer, openly and personally share your battles with God; use Bible reading, meditation and memorization to confront your heart in meaningful ways

Don’t Go Read a Book… On Evangelism

If you are saved, you can already share the gospel. Evangelism is something that will grow as you do.  There is no need to list “#1 Read a book on evangelism” before “#2 Invite unsaved neighbor for dinner.” As a Christian in need of this admonishment myself, let me propose a much more life-changing alternative: invite your unsaved neighbor for dinner and then go read your book afterwards. 

There are several reasons for this. Information can be much more meaningful and clear after experience, or you may realize you do not need as much information as you thought you did. Taking action before getting your master’s on the topic may also produce fruit in you that otherwise may not form, such as keeping you humble and keeping you trusting in the simplicity of Christ and His truth. Take action and then go enjoy a really big book in a really quiet corner. And the world will be blessed by both.

Don’t Go Read a Book… To Know God

Here is one of the best pastors in the English language [1] on this:

We must learn to depend upon Him and in order to do that we must learn to know Him, we must learn to have communion with Him we must learn to find our pleasure in Him. Let me put it plainly – the danger with some of us is to spend far too much of our time even in reading about Him. The day may come, indeed will come, when we shall not be able to read. Then comes the test. Will you still be happy? Do you know Him so well that though you become  deaf or blind this fount will still be open? Do you know Him so well that you can talk to Him and listen to Him and enjoy Him always? Will all be well because you have always been so dependent upon your relationship with Him that nothing else really matters?

Martin Lloyd-Jones

Reading about is not the same as relating with God. Consider putting the book down next time. Go on a walk and pray. Sit quietly and pray. Journal with God. Weep and rejoice with God to His face.

Don’t Go Read a Book… If You Could Do Something Better

We bookworms can and will take every opportunity to read. We are intrinsically motivated to do what others will do only when and to the extent of which it is required of them. Therefore I leave you with this final exhortation to consider: ask yourself, is there something better I could do right now than read? Is there a responsibility I keep putting off? Is there a person I need to call? Is my conscience pricking me about something and I am trying to shut it up? Don’t let reading be the hills of safety you run to – let it be a strength that God has given you and use it for God’s glory and for good alone.

[1] D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression: Its Causes and Cure (Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, MI, 1965), 285.

Elizabeth Clevenger is a member of Summit Woods Baptist Church in Lee’s Summit, MO. She has a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and a master’s degree in Biblical Counseling, both from Calvary University. Elizabeth, a certified biblical counselor, enjoys serving her church in the areas of evangelism, music, and counseling, and works on staff at Summit Woods as administrative assistant.

Enjoying this content? Subscribe to receive it directly in your email, once a week.