Help Those Who Lack Faith in the Bible

1. What is the best way to help many who are not convinced that the Bible is the Word of God?

¹ Many to whom we speak do not share our conviction that the Bible is the Word of God. How can we help them? Often, the best way is to open the Bible and show them what it contains. “The word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword . . . and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) “The word of God” is not dead history; it is alive! The Bible’s promises move irresistibly toward fulfillment. The influence of the Bible’s message on a person’s true heart motivation is more powerful than anything that we might personally say.

2. What explanations of Bible truths have changed the attitude of some people toward the Bible, and why?

² Seeing God’s name there has caused many to peer deeper into the Bible. Others have decided to study the Bible when shown what it says about the purpose of life, why God permits wickedness, the significance of current events, or the hope of eternal life on a paradise earth. In lands where religious practices have exposed people to harassment by evil spirits, the Bible’s explanation of what causes this and how to gain relief has aroused interest. Why do these points impress sincere people? Because the Bible is the only source of reliable information on all such vital matters.​—Psalm 119:130.

3. (a) When people say that they do not believe the Bible, what may be the reasons? (b) How might we help such people?

³ However, what if people tell us that they do not believe the Bible? Should that end the conversation? Not if they are willing to reason. It may be that they view the Bible as Christendom’s book. Her record of hypocrisy and political meddling, as well as her constant solicitations for money, may account for their negative reaction to the Bible. Why not ask if that is so? The Bible’s condemnation of Christendom’s worldly ways, along with points of contrast between Christendom and true Christianity, may arouse their interest.​—Micah 3:11, 12; Matthew 15:7-9; James 4:4.

4. (a) What convinces you personally that the Bible is God’s Word? (b) What other lines of reasoning can be used to help people appreciate that the Bible really is from God?

⁴ For others, a straightforward discussion of the evidences that the Bible is inspired of God may be helpful. What clearly proves to you that the Bible is from Jehovah God? Is it what the Bible itself says as to its origin? Or is it the fact that the Bible contains numerous prophecies reflecting detailed knowledge of the future, prophecies that must have come from a superhuman source? (2 Peter 1:20, 21) Is it perhaps that the Bible displays wonderful internal harmony, although written down by 40 men over a period of some 1,600 years? Or its scientific accuracy in contrast with other writings from those times? Or the candor of its writers? Or its preservation in the face of vicious efforts to destroy it? Whatever you have personally found to be impressive can also be used to help other people.a

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