how the Bible changes lives
Learning from the Bible has an incredible ability to turn someone’s world around for the better. Here are two real-life stories that showcase this dynamic shift
Mateo
When I was just 15 years old, I fell in with a local gang. My crew had a huge effect on my mindset. Believe it or not, my main ambition back then was to lock down a ten-year prison sentence. It sounds completely wild today, but in my neighbourhood, people who did hard times earned major street status. I desperately wanted that same level of respect.
Before long, I was deep in the lifestyle, dealing with heavy drug use, casual hookups, and constant street violence. Everything peaked during a chaotic night when a shootout erupted. I genuinely thought my life was over, but somehow I walked away without a scratch. That close call shook me up big time. I started reflecting on where my life was headed and realised I needed a way out. The big question was where to turn for real help.
Most of my family members were going through rough patches, but one uncle’s family stood out. They were genuinely good people who lived by simple scriptural guidelines, and I recalled them mentioning that God’s name is Jehovah. Right after that terrifying night, I reached out in prayer, using his name and asking for guidance. Incredible as it sounds, a visitor from Jehovah’s Witnesses knocked on my door the very next day, and we began studying the scriptures together.
Walking away from my past wasn’t smooth sailing. Former gang mates constantly called me to hit the streets, but I held my ground and turned them down. Sticking with my studies completely reshaped my life and brought me real peace of mind.
Later on, I prayed again and brought up my old goal of spending a decade behind bars. I asked if I could spend at least ten years as a full-time minister instead, helping people find the same rescue I did. That request was granted, and I’ve now spent 17 years in full-time service without ever seeing the inside of a cell.
Tragically, many of my former crew are serving massive sentences or aren’t around anymore. I’m endlessly grateful to my relatives who dared to live differently. I ended up respecting them far more than anyone on the streets, and I’m deeply thankful for learning a far better way to live.
Felipe
I grew up in a rough neighbourhood plagued by heavy crime, violence, and addiction. My father struggled with alcoholism and substance abuse, which led to constant, aggressive fighting at home.
I picked up heavy drinking and drug habits early on. I spent most of my days running the streets, shoplifting, and selling stolen gear. As I got older, my father tried bonding with me in a completely twisted way by showing me how to smuggle contraband into the country. The money came fast, but it didn’t last long. Soon enough, law enforcement raided my house, and I was sentenced to five years behind bars for attempted murder.
One morning, the facility’s speaker system announced a scripture discussion hosted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. I decided to check it out. The discussion was down-to-earth and grounded in solid moral standards. I quickly started regular study sessions with them.
Making a real turnaround wasn’t easy, especially when other inmates began threatening me because of my new path. I prayed hard for resilience and guidance, and things started turning around. Eventually, I was even sharing these positive messages directly with other inmates.
By the time my release date arrived, I was so anxious about returning to the outside world that I almost wanted to stay put. As I walked out, several inmates called out, “Go home, little shepherd.”
It’s terrifying to think about where I’d be if I hadn’t opened up to this guidance. I’m just deeply grateful that I wasn’t written off as a lost cause.
You can find even more stories showing how scriptures transform people across the world in the featured series on the official site.
