Studying Scripture Honestly

I've noticed that when I'm studying scripture, I get more out of it if I just study it as myself. What I mean is, I always used to (and still do) get into "Bible Study Mode", where I take scripture seriously. I try to place myself in a frame of mind where I can best prevent the parts of myself that I understand to be unbiblical from negatively affecting my study, and allow those parts that have flourished because of my faith to take the lead. I still believe this is a good way to approach scripture, but perhaps it is not honest.

I have found this year that when I let myself relax, focus on scripture alone without trying to simultaneously control myself, I see more. This means I can be snarky, crass, and generally respond to scripture in ways that are natural but part of my mind decries as disrespectful. I respond to things like Paul writing in 1 Thessalonians 3:6 "he has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us" with a sarcastic "That's nice". I have a good habit of being able to look past disturbing phrasing to get at actual meaning, but I let that fall by the wayside, and make scripture prove to me that it's not offensive, racist, or wrongly wrathful.

Now, I believe the application out of this is not to treat scripture disrespectfully, but honestly. If I'm currently at a place where I am asinine, disinterested, or even disbelieving of what I'm reading, I need to honestly acknowledge those as parts of my reaction which affect my understanding. I also need to be honest that I don't want to react like that, and thus my goal with those behaviors, then, is to grow out of them - BUT the best way to do so is not to ignore them.

I know this doesn't really sound that profound, but I am honestly quite surprised that my treating scripture in a way that I feel is disrespectful helps me develop even more respect for it.