Can the Bible Be Trusted?
Why trusting Scripture is essential for a real relationship with God
Can the Bible—a collection of ancient writings—really be trusted today?
Is it just a book of myths, outdated laws, and moral fables?
Or is it the very Word of the living God, speaking with authority, clarity, and power into every generation?
Every Christian, at some point, must answer this question.
If the Bible isn’t reliable, then our faith crumbles.
But if it is true—wholly, perfectly, eternally true—then it changes everything.
In a world flooded with misinformation, skepticism, and spiritual confusion, trusting the Bible is not a small issue. It’s foundational.
Let’s explore why we can trust the Bible—and why we must.
1. What Do We Mean by “Trusting the Bible”?
To say “the Bible can be trusted” means we believe it is:
- True in all it affirms (inerrant and infallible)
- From God, not merely from men (inspired by the Holy Spirit)
- Sufficient for knowing God and living a godly life
- Authoritative, commanding our belief and obedience
In short: The Bible is God’s Word, not just a good book. Trusting it means submitting to it—not as one opinion among many, but as the truth (John 17:17).
This is no small claim. So, why should we believe it?
2. The Bible’s Own Claims About Itself
A. Inspired by God
“All Scripture is breathed out by God…” — 2 Timothy 3:16
The Bible claims divine origin. The Greek word translated “breathed out” (theopneustos) literally means “God-breathed.” This means Scripture is not human speculation about God—it is God’s self-revelation to humanity.
B. Spoken by the Spirit
“Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” — 2 Peter 1:21
The human authors of Scripture wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Their personalities and styles shine through, but the message came from God.
C. Pure and Perfect
“The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace…” — Psalm 12:6
“Every word of God proves true…” — Proverbs 30:5
Scripture does not present itself as partial truth, or evolving wisdom. It is pure, trustworthy, and complete.
3. Evidence That the Bible Is Trustworthy
A. Historical Accuracy
The Bible is not a myth—it is grounded in real places, people, and events.
- Archaeology has repeatedly confirmed the accuracy of biblical accounts (e.g., the existence of King David, the Pool of Bethesda, Pontius Pilate).
- The Gospel writers included specific historical details that could be verified or falsified by their readers.
- Luke, in particular, is recognized by scholars—even skeptics—as a careful historian (see Luke 1:1–4).
B. Manuscript Reliability
No ancient book is better preserved than the Bible.
- The New Testament has over 5,800 Greek manuscripts, with thousands more in Latin and other languages.
- The time gap between original writings and existing manuscripts is far shorter than for any other ancient document.
- The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in 1947) confirmed the remarkable accuracy of Old Testament texts preserved for over 1,000 years.
C. Prophetic Fulfillment
The Bible contains hundreds of specific prophecies—many fulfilled in history.
- Over 300 prophecies point to Jesus as the Messiah: His birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), His crucifixion (Psalm 22), and His resurrection (Isaiah 53).
- Daniel 9 accurately predicts the timeline of the coming of the Anointed One.
- No other religious text contains such precise, fulfilled predictions verified by historical events.
D. Consistent Message Across 66 Books
- Written over 1,500 years
- By 40+ authors
- In 3 languages
- Across 3 continents
And yet, from Genesis to Revelation, there is one unified story: God’s plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ. This coherence is not man-made. It’s divine.
4. Why This Matters for Your Life
A. If the Bible is true, then you have a firm foundation
In a shifting culture, where truth feels subjective and fleeting, the Bible provides an unchanging anchor.
“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.” — Psalm 119:89
You can build your life on the Word of God with confidence.
B. If the Bible is trustworthy, then Jesus is who He says He is
The Scriptures point to Christ from beginning to end. Jesus Himself affirmed the Old Testament (Luke 24:27) and promised the New Testament through His apostles (John 16:13). If Scripture is true, then so is Jesus—and He is Lord.
C. If you can trust the Bible, you can trust God’s promises
Are you wrestling with fear, doubt, guilt, or suffering? The Bible gives you God’s own promises:
- Forgiveness in Christ (1 John 1:9)
- Strength in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)
- Eternal life (John 3:16)
- A new heart and Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26)
5. Common Misunderstandings About the Bible
Misunderstanding 1: “The Bible has been changed over time.”
Reality: The wealth of manuscripts allows scholars to reconstruct the original text with over 99% accuracy. Any variations are minor and do not affect doctrine.
Misunderstanding 2: “The Bible was written by biased men.”
Reality: The Bible’s authors often wrote things that harmed their own reputation. They didn’t paint themselves as heroes—they highlighted their failures to exalt God’s grace (e.g., David’s sin, Peter’s denial, Paul’s persecution).
Misunderstanding 3: “The Bible contradicts itself.”
Reality: Apparent contradictions are usually resolved through careful study, understanding context, and recognizing the difference between cultural perspective and timeless truth.
6. How to Build Deeper Trust in the Bible
A. Read it Daily, Not Occasionally
“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” — Matthew 4:4
Just as food nourishes the body, the Word nourishes the soul. Make it your daily bread.
B. Study It Prayerfully
Ask God to help you understand. His Spirit delights to open the Scriptures (Psalm 119:18). Join a Bible-believing church or study group.
C. Obey What You Read
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” — James 1:22
Trust grows when you see that God’s Word works. Live it out—and watch your faith deepen.
7. Application: Let God’s Word Shape Every Part of Life
If the Bible can be trusted:
- Believe it: Let it redefine your worldview
- Obey it: Let it direct your decisions and priorities
- Proclaim it: Share it boldly, because people need truth
Let Scripture shape:
- Your identity: You are who God says you are.
- Your purpose: You exist to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
- Your hope: You live for eternity, not just today.
📣 Conclusion: Yes, the Bible Can Be Trusted
The Bible is not a dead book—it is the living Word of God.
It speaks, convicts, heals, guides, and transforms.
You can trust the Bible—because you can trust the God who gave it.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” — Isaiah 40:8
So open it. Believe it. Live it. And let it lead you deeper into the heart of the One who speaks through every page.