The Bible, should we trust it?

I was asked recently, Why do I trust the Bible. Why do I hold it with such esteem? Some may ask me, Is it because of tradition? Experience? Was it because someone told you to? Or have you experienced the truth personally? It got me thinking that a lot of Christians just trust the Bible, which is rightfully so, but they do not know why. Let me explain why I trust the Bible and why you should as well.

First, the Bible is the foundation of our Walk with Christ. While traditional reason and experience help us with our Walk, scripture is the foundation of it. Without the Bible, the rest will fail us. John Wesley called himself a man of one book. For him, it was the final authority in matters of faith and practice. We too should have this mindset. We should follow the Bible not blindly, but as a living word to which God speaks, forms, corrects, and loves us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Scripture is not merely human words written down about God; it is a divine self-disclosure about Him. God breathed means the Bible carries the authority and presence of God. It is not dictated, but rather inspired by human authors under the divine guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible is not static or distant; it is the living breath of God continuing at work in US through the Holy Spirit, shaping us to be more Christ-like. God uses the Bible to teach us, to correct us, and to train us in righteousness so that we can do his work.

The word of God is the foundation of truth. God works through it to teach us who we are and teaches us what it means to live a holy life in a relationship with Him. Teaching here is not just an intellectual pursuit, but it’s transformational. As we read the Bible, we are invited into a story that reorders our values, reshapes our worldview, and, most importantly, it aligns our hearts with God’s will.

Some people think that reproofing and correction are the same thing. It is very close but not quite the same. Reproofing from the Bible is holding a mirror to our souls, revealing where we fall short of God’s holiness. This reproof is not for condemnation, but it is in love. This is the Holy Spirit’s way of drawing us closer to God, revealing what we must change to experience true joy in Christ. Correcting, however, shows us where we were wrong and points us to what is right. Correction is grace in action as it redirects our path and our lives. God is not only showing us where we are wrong, but He is also showing us how we can live a holy life in Him. Through the word, we can learn how to walk as Children of the Light, and it corrects us when we are walking in a manner that is not pleasing to God.

The final part of this verse is that scripture equips us for service. The Bible is not only a personal transformation, but it also equips us to reach others for Him. God’s word forms us so that we may serve others. The goal of studying Scripture is not just to win arguments with those who stand against it but to produce lives filled with grace, justice, and mercy. The Holy Spirit uses scripture to equip us for every good work. Every act of compassion, mercy, and justice grows from a heart trained by studying the scripture.

Psalm 119:105 continues this idea, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The Bible shows us the way forward, gives us clarity, and if we follow it, it will keep us from stumbling. I could tell you story after story in my life about how Scripture changed me. I would like to share with you a story about a former Sunday school student of mine. As many people know, I encourage children to memorize scriptures. I still do it to this day, but this one student I had almost 20 years ago would start the class off with a Bible memory verse. A couple of years ago, my wife and I met this student, and he shared with me how the memory verses had helped him stay on the right path in life as he grew older, walking with Jesus. The Bible helps illuminate our walk with Jesus.

Another reason we can trust the Bible is that it has been verified by experience and reason, contrary to what this world may say. An example of this is when we give forgiveness, we feel pressure off us. The Bible is clear that when we forgive, we are forgiven as well. The Bible also shows us that when we love like God loves, it resonates in us because it matches our deepest longing.

The Bible remains unified across centuries, cultures, and writers, portraying a single, cohesive story that points to Christ Jesus. Its Prophecy has been fulfilled over time, in its depths of wisdom unmatched by anything else. The Bible was written by 40 different writers in three different languages over a period of 1,500 years, yet it remains in perfect harmony.

That perfect harmony of the Bible all points to Jesus. Jesus even said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me.” John 5:39. Throughout the Bible, although Jesus is not mentioned by name, his presence is evident, weaving its way through the text. That’s the wonderful thing about Scripture; it shows us how we can be more Christ-like, whether it’s in Genesis or Revelation or any book in between. It forms us into the image of Jesus. The goal is not to gain Bible knowledge, but rather to undergo spiritual transformation into holy love.

It is normal to question, doubt, or struggle with parts of the Bible. Some of the parts are lengthy and seem to have no discernible purpose. Others make you wonder why God told them to kill all those people. I suggest you bring your questions to God in prayer, and he will help you with them. We must trust the Spirit who inspired the Bible and it will lead us into truth just Just like Jesus said in John 16: 13, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”

 We now know why we can trust the Bible, but how can we live out our trust in it? Let me give you four Practical ways of doing it. First, read it daily and make sure it becomes part of your devotional rhythm. Second, study it deeply, by yourself and with others. The third thing you can do is live it boldly. Let the word shape your values, decisions, and witness, and everything you do. Finally, proclaim it clearly. Trust in the truth and share its hope with people. Don’t just read the Bible and keep it to yourself. Let it flow out of you to this world.

In closing, I invite you to recommit yourself today to trusting, studying, and living by the word of God. If you are doing that now, I want to encourage you to continue doing it every day of your life. Do not let the world with its culture, politics, or trends shape you; only let the living word of God do it. It will transform you and keep you on the path. Jesus said, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17