
Kids Talk About God
Why is the Bible important
By Carey Kinsloving and Friends
   âBecause God made the world and the book,â says Mason, age 4.
Yes, the same God whose creative power breathed the âbreath of lifeâ into Adam also breathed inspiration into the writers of the Bible.
In fact, the word often translated as âinspiredâ in the Bible literally means âGod-breath-ed.â The New International Version translates it as such: âAll Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousnessâ (II Timothy 3:16).
The fact that the Bible is inspired by God is all the reason we need to consider it important. Jesus said, âMan shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of Godâ (Matthew 4:4).
When God breathes and we inhale or believe, wonderful things happen, says Kayla, 9: âWhen Iâm mad at someone, the Bible taught me to forgive people even if Iâm mad at them.â
God wants us to live beyond our natural capacities. I might be so mad at someone that all I can think about is revenge. But God says, âVengeance is mine, I will repayâ (Hebrews 10:30). Leave retribution to God. He knows peopleâs thoughts and deepest motivations. We donât. Let God be God, and forgive even when youâre sure someone has wronged you.
Only the Bible assures us that Godâs justice will prevail in the end. The next time youâre wronged, refuse to retaliate, and instead, put it all in Godâs hands. The power of believing this one truth from the Bible could change your friendships, your marriage, your life!
âWhenever I am tempted to do something wrong, I quote verses I memorized from Godâs Word,â says Kendall, 10. âOnce, I was tempted to run away, but I knew it was wrong, so I quoted verses I had memorized, and the devil went away.â
You have good company, Kendall, because Jesus used the same strategy of quoting Scripture when the devil tempted him in the desert.
The Bible reveals an unseen but real conflict in spiritual realms for peopleâs hearts and minds.
In this spiritual war, the Apostle Paul sounds like a general giving commands to the troops: âFor the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christâ (II Corinthians 10:4-5).
When the writer of the Book of Hebrews compared the Word of God to a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12), he probably had in mind the Roman soldiersâ famous weapon. Many opposing armies carried bigger swords, but the disciplined Roman army wielding the smaller, well-balanced blade usually won.
Memorizing Scripture and reading the Bible is akin to a soldier training for combat. Donât wait until youâre in the midst of a battle to prepare. A soldier would be foolish to go into battle without part of his equipment. The Apostle Paul said, âPut on the whole armor of God. … And take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of Godâ
âIâm sleeping in my bed, the rain scared me, and Godâs word made me feel better. I remembered God will always be with me,â says Jordan, 5.
Think about this: You canât receive comfort from Bible promises you donât know.
Memorize this truth: âMan shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds form the mouth of Godâ (Matthew 4:4).
Ask this question: Are you going to live by Godâs revelation or by what seems good to you?