In The Margins

The whole of Scripture is “breathed out” by God with the same purity and power as the words he thundered from Mount Sanai. -R. Carlton Wynne “Scripture: Foundational for Life and Ministry”

How do I know what God is telling me about my life? How does God want me to live my life? What does God think about my motivations? My actions? My desires?

Each of these questions has a specific answer, and every answer can be found in the pages of Scripture. As Christians, we believe the Bible speaks to every situation in life. But why do we believe that? This conviction rests on a foundational doctrine called the inspiration of Scripture.

The inspiration of Scripture means the Bible is the very Word of God. Here, the word inspired does not mean that biblical authors were simply motivated or encouraged to write. Instead, it means that all Scripture is “breathed out” by God. Paul explains this in 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness…” (NIV) Other translations, like the CSB, use the word inspired in place of God-breathed, highlighting the divine origin of Scripture.

While human authors penned the words, the Holy Spirit guided them so that the Bible remains fully divine. As Peter writes:

“…no prophecy of Scripture comes from the prophet’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the will of man; instead, men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:20–21, CSB)

Inspiration teaches us that Scripture, though written through human hands, perfectly reflects God’s character. So why does this matter? Why should a high school student worried about grades, friendships, or stress care about the inspiration of Scripture? 

Here’s why: when you open your Bible, you can be confident you are reading the very words of God. You aren’t reading mere human advice—you are encountering clear, trustworthy guidance from the Creator of the universe. The inspired Word has the power to transform your attitudes, shape your desires, and direct your actions to look more like Christ.

-Since Scripture is “God-breathed,” how does that truth shape the way you read and apply its words to your daily life?

-When you open your Bible, do you approach it with the awareness that you are encountering the very words of God? How might that change your posture in reading?

-If every word of Scripture is inspired, what areas of your life do you need to bring under its authority more fully?

For further reading and study: 1 Corinthians 2:12-13