Had our good Bible been written by uninspired persons, it would have presented quite a different appearance and would have been a discouraging study to erring mortals, who are contending with natural frailties and the temptations of a wily foe. But as it is, we have a correct record of the religious experiences of marked characters in Bible history. Men whom God favored, and to whom He entrusted great responsibilities, were sometimes overcome by temptation and committed sins, even as we of the present day strive, waver, and frequently fall into error. But it is encouraging to our desponding hearts to know that through God’s grace they could gain fresh vigor to again rise above their evil natures; and, remembering this, we are ready to renew the conflict ourselves. {4T 10.2}

Dersom vor gode bibel var blevet skrevet af uinspirerede mænd, ville den have fremstillet et ganske andet billede og den ville have været nedslående læsning for fejlende mennesker, der kæmper med naturlige skrøbeligheder og en træsk fjendes fristelser. Men sådan som den er, har vi en rigtig beretning om fremtrædende personligheders religiøse erfaringer i bibelhistorien, Mænd, der stod i yndest hos Gud og hvem han betroede et stort ansvar, blev undertiden overvundet af fristelse og begik synder, ligesom vi i vor tid kæmper, vakler og tit begår fejltrin. Men for vore mistrøstige hjerter (11) er det opmuntrende at vide, at de ved Guds nåde kunne vinde ny styrke til atter at hæve sig op over deres onde natur; og med dette i tanke er vi rede til selv at genoptage kampen.