Am I reading the Bible by conviction or condemnation?

When it comes to advice on choices or decisions in life, Paul provides some incredible information in Romans 14.

Rom 14:5 Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Also, Rom 14:22-23  Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.  (23)  And he that doubteth is damned if he eat [do], because he eateth [does] not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

The above verses have nothing to do with feelings. They have to do with conviction. Feelings are fickle and can change depending on your mood. Conviction is stable, as it has to do with your faith, or an inner truth (conscience) of right or wrong. In addition, the above verses have nothing to do with laws or rules which is the very thing that brings condemnation. In your question, you mention condemnation, which tells me that you made some human rule in your mind about reading the Word and now because you failed to live up to the rule, you fell into condemnation. Romans 7 is all about how we are dead to the law by the death of Christ. We are not under the bondage of laws. We are not judged by the laws we make up in our heads. Paul’s advice above tells us that we have liberty to do anything we want, as long as we are fully convinced concerning it, or conversely that our hearts do not condemn us. Think of it this way, God gives you liberty to live your life and make your own decisions. The only time God steps in is to say “No”. When you have that red flag of “No” in your heart (or by conviction), then you stop what you are doing!! For everything else, you handle your affairs in liberty by your persuasion of right and truth.

Think of this practical example. As a parent, you tell your kids to go and play in the back yard. You are not going to tell them what they can do. That would be weird. You will however tell them, don’t do this or that, for their own good (protection). Similarly, in your life, God is not telling you what you must do. He will trust that the liberty you have will constrain you to what is right. But God will step in and say “No” when something might be harmful to you. When that conviction comes in your heart with a sense of urgency, or a red flag moment, this is when you should obey. If you don’t and you continue, then you fall into sin as Paul says here, “…and he that doubteth is damned if he continues to do, because he does that act disregarding that conviction [of faith]: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”

As believers, we walk by faith and not feeling. In addition, we walk in liberty and not by law. So, these two statements completely cancel out the thoughts running around in your head. If you want to read the Bible, you can do so. If you don't have motivation (conviction) to read the Bible, then don't read it. Whatever you do, be comfortable in your conviction about it without falling into the trap of feeling condemned. Again, who is making the laws that bring that condemnation? It is not God and the Holy Spirit. It is you alone!