The Bible or the Bullet
The Communist soldiers had discovered their illegal Bible study.
As the pastor was reading from the Bible, men with guns suddenly broke into the home, terrorizing the believers who had gathered there to worship. The Communists shouted insults and threatened to kill the Christians. The leading officer pointed his gun at the pastor’s head. “Hand me your Bible,” he demanded. Reluctantly, the pastor handed over his Bible, his prized possession. With a sneer on his face, the guard threw the Word of God on the floor at his feet.
He glared at the small congregation. “We will let you go, “ he growled, “but first, you must spit on this book of lies. Anyone who refuses will be shot.” The believers had no choice but to obey the officer’s order. A soldier pointed his gun at one of the men. “You first.”
The man slowly got up and knelt down by the Bible. Reluctantly, he spit on it, praying, “Father, please forgive me.” He stood up and walked to the door. The soldiers stood back and allowed him to leave. “Okay, you!” the soldier said, nudging a woman forward. In tears, she could barely do what the soldier demanded. She spit only a little, but it is enough. She too was allowed to leave.
Quietly, a sixteen-year-old girl came forward. Overcome with love for her Lord, she knelt down and picked up the Bible. She wiped off the spit with her dress. “What have they done to Your Word? Please forgive them,” she prayed.
The Communist soldier put his pistol to her head. Then he pulled the trigger.
~ Jesus Freaks, by dc Talk and The Voice of the Martyrs ~
I have a question for you: was this girl’s sacrifice worth it? I mean, it’s one thing to lay your life down for a family member or friend or instead of denying Christ, but all she was asked to do was spit on the Bible for goodness sake! If I were in her shoes, with Communist soldier’s invading my Bible study, I’d be praising God that they came up with such an insignificant requirement! I don’t intend to be crude, but if you’ve ever sneezed or coughed when you were doing devotions, you’ve probably already gotten spittle on there. So what’s the big deal?
If you are inclined to agree with the last paragraph, I beg you to realize that her decision was one of extraordinary significance. She chose the precious Word of God over her own comfort and safety; a decision you and I make every single day, but almost always in the opposite direction.
More Than A Bible, More Than Spit
Her sacrifice was worth it because it symbolized something much greater than simply a leather-bound Bible and a quarter-teaspoon of spit. It was a choice between her earthly home and her Heavenly Home, between her persecutor’s threats and her Savior’s promises. She had nothing to lose and everything to gain by choosing God’s Word over earthly comfort. Are we ready to make the same choice?
The answer is that we do make that choice, and we almost always choose comfort. We choose to “spit” on rather than sit under the perfect instruction of Scripture. You and I are constantly “spitting” on the Holy Word of God when we aren’t willing to sacrifice our meaningless comforts for some truly meaningful guidance. And I don’t care if that offends somebody. We offend God, my friends.
A sixteen-year-old girl in Asia laid down her life rather than neglect God’s Word. Are you willing to lay down your magazine? Pray to God that He will grant you the grace to be faithful to His Word. Because, honestly, most of us are too weak to shut-off our computer in order to have some distraction-free devotional time. It won’t get easier till we work harder.
The Bible feeds our spiritual well-being and our strength of character. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your Word.” (Psa. 119:9) We will leave our souls starved and our character unguarded if we fail to make the Bible top priority.
Do you want to impact this world for Christ? Do you want to be a Godly young man or woman? Sidney Howard said, “One-half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it.” What are you willing to sacrifice? When will you stop offending God by neglecting one of His primary means of grace in your life, His written Word?
Do not let the opinions of your friends or the customs of your family get in the way. Make the change today.
Some Practical Application
Start asking yourself the questions, “What does priority mean to me?” “What does it look like when something is top priority in my life?” “What does neglect look like?” “What other means of grace am I neglecting?” and most importantly, “What does the Bible have to say about all this?” Start with Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:1-2. Ask yourself, “What are these verses saying? What do they mean for me?”
Was that girl’s sacrifice worth it? You can bet the world it was.
April 15th, 2006 at 4:17 am
One-half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it.
Marvelous post. Your posts consistently stimulate me to think deeply on these sort of things, and of course, to “do hard things.”
April 15th, 2006 at 4:34 am
Oooph, you guys really got me here: “Pray to God that He will grant you the grace to be faithful to His Word. Because, honestly, most of us are too weak to shut-off our computer in order to have some distraction-free devotional time. It wont get easier till we work harder.”
Ouch!! That’s something I’ve been struggling with lately. I want to read the Word more, but I haven’t the self-discipline to click the “Close” button. I have to continually ask God’s help; I can’t do it of my own will.
Thanks for posting this great piece, guys. It was amazing, and a good reminder to stop spitting, and start standing on the Word of Truth.
April 15th, 2006 at 5:54 am
Wow. What faith she must have had.
April 15th, 2006 at 11:42 am
Thanks for the great post. It’s a challenge and a reminder to us to stand firm in our faith.
I admire the girl. She could have “spit” on the Bible like the rest did, but she chose to stand firm in her faith.
Once again, great post.
April 15th, 2006 at 2:47 pm
This story does make me think. The soldiers were not just asking her to spit, and she knew it. They wanted her to put her life before her faith and ridicule and mock the foundation of all she believed. It took amazing courage, and I can only hope that her friends were shamed and encouraged into being stronger followers of Christ when the next challenge came. Thanks for sharing this!
April 15th, 2006 at 6:13 pm
Stories like this make me reflect on my heart. Thank you. There was a dramatic film short of this story at the SAICFF.
April 15th, 2006 at 6:51 pm
Great post guys!
Happy Easter to both of you!
April 16th, 2006 at 1:27 am
Wow, that sure packs a punch, but a good one. Thanks for reposting this, guys…you have a way of hitting the nail right on the head and not beating around any bushes.
Blessings for a wonderful Easter!
April 16th, 2006 at 4:25 am
I have been reading your site off and on for a while now, but something in this post made me want to comment.
1) Recently I have been challenged to give up the “comfort” of reading other books in order to read the Bible only. I tend to read thought-provoking books and I read my Bible - but how much value do I place on reading my Bible? Do I consider IT thought-provoking? It has been a good challenge.
2) What prompted me to comment was your seemingly innocuous statement at the end of this post, “Ask yourself, ‘what are these verses saying? What do they mean for me?’”
It hits a little too close to “what does the Bible mean to you?” a form of relativism that Christians often fall into. While I know that wasn’t your intent, perhaps a better way to state your thought would be, “What is God saying to you through these passages?”
But perhaps I am making a mountain out of a mole-hill, in which case I apologize.
Thanks for the challenge!!
> Jody
April 16th, 2006 at 6:47 am
Ok, I’ll make this comment short.
My response to this post:
http://redzerosix.blogspot.com/2006/04/purpose-proceeds-essense.html
April 16th, 2006 at 3:32 pm
Jody: Thank you for pointing that out. You are right that it was far from our intention to imply that the Bible has many different meanings. I think a better way to have said it was this: “How does these verses apply to my life?”
Don’t worry, you didn’t make too big a deal out of it. It was an important clarification.
April 16th, 2006 at 4:22 pm
I think you are absolutely right. So many times I’m bored, but instead of having some time with God, I force myself to do something else.
This is a very good post.
Andrew Joyce
MK in Brazil
April 17th, 2006 at 2:15 am
Okay - thanks. I really thought it was a great artical. I have enjoyed your posts and they really make me think! =0)
~ Jody
April 17th, 2006 at 3:51 am
Interestingly enough, an even greater sin (at least in my mind) is that of seeming goodness.
For example, I don’t read computer building magazines instead of God’s word; At least, that’s not how I start.
I start by working on a Christian movie, and due to a deadline, don’t take God’s day off to worship him, and don’t take an hour out to study his word. That’s where it starts. But after all, it’s a good cause: I’m not being lazy, instead, I’m working hard! I’m doing a hard thing by working on the movie!
The sad thing is, the harder thing for me is to read the bible. Why is it so hard? What makes it difficult to take a break for a mere fraction of the day to study the one whom I am making the movie to glorify?
But after a while, I realize that building computers is a part of filmmaking. So, I start reading about computer building instead of working on the movie, because the movie is finished, and I’m out of the habit of reading God’s word. So I start reading about filmmaking: Computer hardware in particular.
Now I’m reading Maximum PC instead of the bible, and it has some very interesting articles about computer games, and how realistic they are. Pretty soon, I read about a game that really interests me, so I download the demo and install it.
It’s the same sin, it’s just more disguised in the beginning.
Well, I gotta run. By the way, I’m not sure what changed, but this is the first time I’ve been able to access your blog in quite a while!
God Bless!
~ John.
April 17th, 2006 at 4:11 am
Thanks for the Post Guys!
April 17th, 2006 at 10:28 pm
The 16-year old girl in this post knew the meaning of this verse:
“But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. ” Matt. 10:33
The Communist soldiers weren’t asking her only to direct her spit in a certain direction, they were asking her to deny her Lord.
Praise God that there are Christians who refuse to deny Jesus! May we do the same in our everyday lives.
~Sparky
April 17th, 2006 at 11:11 pm
Note: Please limit all off-topic comments to emails. Thank you.
Edited By Siteowner
April 18th, 2006 at 12:59 am
Remember, though, that the Lord tells us not to take up graven images. The discourse on the Bible in contemporary Evangelical culture comes uncomfortably close to idolizing the Bible itself. We need to remember that the Bible is only valuable and sacred vis-a-viz the Word of God enclosed therein–there is nothing in the physical book, leather, and paper itself that makes it any different from any other book. Y’all may disagree, but I really don’t think God would have wanted that girl to die for a scrap of leather.
April 18th, 2006 at 3:05 am
I love this post. it’svery well written. Keep up the good work.
~EA
April 18th, 2006 at 4:16 am
Thanks, Alex, for sharing this story. It had also moved me when I read it. May we all seek to see God and His word as precious as she did.
Kimi
April 18th, 2006 at 5:50 pm
Thank you for that post, it really makes me think. Reminds me of what Jim Elliot said: “He is no fool to give up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
April 18th, 2006 at 11:08 pm
Sorry I’ve been absent for so long, but life kind of got in the way. What a good post to which to return!
“The sad thing is, the harder thing for me is to read the bible. Why is it so hard?”
Very interesting point. I have the same problem, though it’s mostly with falling asleep in my Bible or in church. Personally, I think it’s the Devil, and while the knowledge doesn’t change the battle, it does help in fighting.
April 19th, 2006 at 4:33 am
That was well said. I do agree about finding more time to read devotions for the Lord. I’ll be checking this site out more as I go.
F.N
April 21st, 2006 at 6:33 pm
An excellent post. Very good questions. Thank you.
September 18th, 2006 at 4:56 am
The 16 year old girl in this story reminds me of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. We have a movie about him and we watched it for Bible study one time. That kind of movie, that kind of story, just really is encouraging. Watch it!
Thanks for the post. Good job.
-Allie
December 30th, 2006 at 2:56 pm
wow! what a challenge. i never thought of it like that. spitting on the bible is just like not reading it and ignoring it cause it is so convicting. i definitely don’t want to do this. i want to read my Bible more. thanxs for this challenge and also isn’t that comment wrong by someomeon saying that the Bible is just like any other book. it’s God’s holy word. it should be revered, right?
January 30th, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Dying for a delusion?
Stupid.
February 25th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Wow! It really provoked some serious thinking. Thanks for posting this. I really appreciated it.
A sister in Christ
March 18th, 2007 at 8:18 am
Wow.
Very convicting.
March 29th, 2007 at 9:42 am
Thanks for sharing the story, and thanks for the practical “tips” at the end of the post.
April 1st, 2007 at 2:09 am
Wow! you would expect the pastor to be the one who actually do what the girl did.
But rather it was a 16 year old young woman with an unshakeable faith that knelt down on her knees and died for the Word of God! I pray too that i would be able to do the same.
June 5th, 2007 at 8:29 am
No, the girl died needlessly. Even from a Christian perspective (which I do not hold), spitting on the book would not have angered God - and if it did, then he’s not the kind of guy I want to hang out with. He is a mean and evil God if he allows such things to happen. And please don’t suggest that she’s better off in heaven - it’s an easy argument but can only result in the conclusion that everyone’s better off dead. It’s absurd.
Love the way that the bad guys are, of course, Communists, too - how predicatable!
June 5th, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Peter: Your perspective of her actions regardless, the story (including the Communists) is a true one. Predictable bad guys? Perhaps. Fabricated? Not a bit.
June 12th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
Good post, so I’m going to get off-line and go do some Bible study. Thanks for the reminder of what we need to be doing.
July 25th, 2007 at 6:33 am
Thank you for this little push. I am more determined then ever to study the Word, and get myself prepared in mind and spirit for whatever God has for me.Thanks!
September 6th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
WOW! Thanks for posting this! I pray that I’d be able to do the same in her place.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:32 pm
[…] The Bible or the Bullet - 09-07-07, 12:31 AM The Communist soldiers had discovered their illegal Bible study. As the pastor was reading from the Bible, men with guns suddenly broke into the home, terrorizing the believers who had gathered there to worship. The Communists shouted insults and threatened to kill the Christians. The leading officer pointed his gun at the pastors head. Hand me your Bible, he demanded. Reluctantly, the pastor handed over his Bible, his prized possession. With a sneer on his face, the guard threw the Word of God on the floor at his feet. He glared at the small congregation. We will let you go, he growled, but first, you must spit on this book of lies. Anyone who refuses will be shot. The believers had no choice but to obey the officers order. A soldier pointed his gun at one of the men. You first. The man slowly got up and knelt down by the Bible. Reluctantly, he spit on it, praying, Father, please forgive me. He stood up and walked to the door. The soldiers stood back and allowed him to leave. Okay, you! the soldier said, nudging a woman forward. In tears, she could barely do what the soldier demanded. She spit only a little, but it is enough. She too was allowed to leave. Quietly, a sixteen-year-old girl came forward. Overcome with love for her Lord, she knelt down and picked up the Bible. She wiped off the spit with her dress. What have they done to Your Word? Please forgive them, she prayed. The Communist soldier put his pistol to her head. Then he pulled the trigger. The Rebelution: The Bible or the Bullet Ecclesiastes 8:4 "Where the word of a king is, there is power.." KingJV […]
November 29th, 2007 at 10:54 am
I would like to know the sources from this story… To me, it seems completely fictional. The details in the post are as clear as mud. “A Girl, 16 years old,” random Communists… I would like some _credible_ sources.
Please send them to kendricksnyder@gmail.com or make sure you label this is a fictional story.
If this story IS true. If I am, in fact, wrong, then I believe it to be VERY irresponsible to take CHILDREN into a country that outlaws Christianity with the punishment of death.
How would they even get into such a country? Why would OUR government allow a little old church group to take it’s children far away and into a dangerous country?
This post seems to be pure propaganda.
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:43 am
The account of that church didn’t say the church members were Americans that had left home. They most likely were native to the country this took place in. The details may not have been considered necessary (the post wasn’t supposed to be a news clip.)
December 23rd, 2007 at 4:54 am
P.S.-It is a good idea to check stories that you hear over the internet. I’m afraid that as Christians we like to hear stories that support our faith and don’t always check their validity. The one in this article, though, was quoted from a book on persecuted Christians, so it is probably a lot more reliable than some of the stuff you may hear elsewhere.
February 6th, 2008 at 12:52 am
That is true. You must always, when you read something is to have a little amount of realism so you know that the people writing aren’t lying
March 12th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Hey I have just read this, and so many thing in life over seas and during world wars and such always make me teary eyed, when I read of another one giving their life for faith and it is just so powerful.
So here is my question:
Will we be ready when the time finaly comes for us?
March 13th, 2008 at 9:33 am
On the surface, it might seem that she died for a scrap of leather, and some ink on some pages. But what really happened? Communists are anti-religion, so by throwing the book on the ground, and telling people they can live by spitting on it, they are in fact telling people to renounce their faith, to give up their religion. Now, we know we are God’s people from the moment we accept Jesus Christ into our live, and that his blood cleansed us of sin, so this is in fact a pointless act. It doesnt mean that spitting is ok, just because we know that it is pointless. Everyone of the people who spat, gave the Communists more power, more control. The woman (shes more of a woman at 16 than many others IMHO) stood up against oppression, stood up for God, and the prince of the world did the worst he could to her. Not such a bad thing IMHO. She did the Hard Thing, mastered her fear, and showed true grit.
Peter Beadro- Communism only killed 300 million people, lets give it another chance, eh comrade?
(notice the sarcasm)
April 5th, 2008 at 11:18 am
I heard this story told at a church youth rally. Now I am writing a sermon for youth (i'’m 14) and this story is a great example on the fact of it being about christianity not being allowed in other countries.
April 22nd, 2008 at 4:35 am
I’ve read this story before and it really touched me. What a brave young woman! I’m certain she has a Martyrs spot in heaven!
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I saw this exact post on a movie about martyrs at my youth-group a couple years back - it spoke to me then, and it still speaks to me now. thanks alex.
May 4th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Wow… this post has totally made me think! For many of us we have never will not die a martyrs death but instead of the making a decision of the Bible or a bullet we have to decide the Bible or our favorite TV show — or the Bible or hanging out with friends!! How many times have I chosen to skip my daily Bible reading in the morning to get little more sleep! That is so sad to me. Many of us would say YES of course we would choose to die for Christ if having to pick between dying or rejecting Christ or like this girl had to do spit on the Bible . Well… how many of us have even read our bibles yet today???? I don’t know about you but its really sobering to me to think of the many times I have chosen to relax and do something fun instead of reading the precious Word of God that my dear Heavenly Father has written as a letter to each of us!
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Wow! Great post, guys! I loved it! I’ve read the story before and it touched me then, too! But I like the way y’all looked at it. My fave part was when you said, :A sixteen-yea-old girl in Asia laid down her life reather than neglect God’s Word. Are you willing to lay down your magazine?” Ouch! That was totally hitting the hammer on the head! Keep up the great work!
June 9th, 2008 at 8:24 am
Hi. this really touched me especially since I live in China now. I know people who wouldn’t spit on the Bible… would I? Do I? Something to ask myself and pray about. May God have mercy!
Thanks for printing this story.