I’ve read some powerful arguments for the accuracy of the Bible. I have always been taught and I have come to believe as a deep conviction that the Bible is the word of God. Hundreds of the prophecies of the Bible have already been fulfilled in exact detail. Over and over again it has been proven to be scientifically and historically accurate. But in my own heart and in my own experience the most powerful argument for the accuracy and the truth of the Bible comes from my own experience. I believe the Bible is true because I have tested it and proven it true in my own life. Let me give you an example.
One summer afternoon our whole family experienced a powerful display of one truth of the Bible. We were in Newark, Ohio getting our weekly supply of groceries when we witnessed a man on the street physically abusing a woman. I pulled over and called the police wondering if I should intervene to protect her. When I stepped from the store where I was using the phone I looked up to see the man chasing the woman down the street. I called out to him, “Hey. Leave her alone.”
As soon as I did the angry man turned on me. He face with red with rage. He strode toward me cursing. “Mind your own business you…” So many thoughts go through your mind so quickly in moments like these. I considered saying to him, “Hey, if you want to hit someone, why don’t you hit me. I’m closer to your size than she is. She won’t press charges, but I guarantee if you hit me you are going to jail.” I held my tongue.
The man was cursing and furious and striding strait toward me. I knew he was going to hit me. I considered taking off my glasses but I didn’t want him to see it as a challenge. In my mind I decided that I would let him hit me once and then take him to the ground.
When he was just a few feet away from me I heard the “chunk” of the power door locks on our van. I’m not sure how confident my family was in my ability to protect them. It was comforting to know that while I was being pummeled by a hostile thug the family would be able to watch from the safety of the van.
At that moment a Biblical truth came to my mind as if spoken; “A soft answer turneth away wrath…” Softly and with kindness in my eyes I said to him, “Listen, you don’t want to do that. Don’t hurt her. You will wish you hadn’t done it later. Don’t hit her anymore.”
As if restrained by an unseen hand the man immediately stopped striding toward me and began to mumble and circle slowly around me toward the store. He never raised a hand but muttered his way into the store while the woman got away safely.
There are hundred of proverbs in the Bible as powerful as the one that soothed the savage beast in Newark and that should be no surprise to us. Bible principles work because they are true. They have their origin in the mind of God who knows all things. If you don’t believe me try it for yourself.
