1747) I have encountered (or read about) many people who state the Bible has contradictions or inaccuracies. Many of these I have studied and have come to a place where I find no struggle with what seems and what actually is. These things I can cover at a later time because I’d like to focus on one found in Proverbs 22:6.

Here, the verse tells us if we train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it. I have considered this verse inaccurate because I know (or read about) many children who have been taught the ways of God and when they are older, they have completely turned their backs on him. So, it seems like this verse is faulty.

Whenever I run into verses like this one, it makes me wonder what the verse says in the original language. When translated, the word for depart in Hebrew is sur and it means to turn aside from. I have always assumed this verse meant that children who have been raised in God’s word would never abandon their faith, but what if this word means that God’s words will forever live in the child’s heart and memory?

If this is the case, God’s spirit can bring these verses up within the now-grown child’s life like a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) when needing defense or conviction or like the Bread of Life (John 6:35) when starving for what truly fulfills.

When you read of things which seem contradictory in God’s word, look into them and study them. God’s word can stand up to any scrutiny.