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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: There was a day when I never thought this could happen in America, but if things keep going as they are, I have to wonder if we’ll have to surrender our Bibles. It’s concerning when I see even pastors encouraging people not to bring their Bibles to church but rather just read Scripture on the large screens. The claim is that Bibles in church are distracting because it takes so long for people to turn to the right page. Shouldn’t the churches be teaching how to use the Bible? – B.I.

A: For some people Scripture is little more than a reference book of Biblical facts. It is seldom opened and rarely relished as the spiritual staff of life. Many Christians are starved for the things of God; totally unprepared for a time of crisis or conflict. We need to make the Scriptures a daily part of our lives, storing God’s Word in our hearts and minds. Then, if our Bible is ever taken away from us, we can readily recall it, feed upon it, and inwardly digest it.

Countless stories have come out of prison camps of Christians who had no Bibles but who had committed to memory great portions of Scripture. What a comfort, blessing, and strength those Scriptures were as they repeated them over and over. One Christian who was in a prison camp for three years said that during his imprisonment his greatest regret was not having memorized more of the Bible.

Paul says, “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist” (Ephesians 6:14, NIV). The truth is the Word of God. We are to be girded and undergirded with the Word. To achieve this, we must read it, assimilate it, and feed on it. We must let it be our staff and strength. It is quick and powerful – the bulwark of the soul.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

©2026 Billy Graham Literary Trust. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

(c)2026 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.