If you’re reading this, I assume you’re striving to live a life according to Jesus’ way. And how can you do that if you don’t know what Jesus’ way is, right?
Unfortunately, much of today’s wisdom about success, setting goals, and finding your way through life isn’t Biblical truth.
Because there are a lot of things Jesus never said.
Hi, I’m Lauren Thell, author of Christian YA fiction and blogger for teens who are ready to exceed the world’s expectations!
In This Article
This post is inspired by the multitude of Facebook memes about things Jesus never said. (Beware: Not every “Jesus never said” meme you come across is accurate in its portrayal of Jesus. Some are there to promote a human agenda. Don’t fall for Biblical interpretations on social media just because Jesus’ name is pasted on them!)
So what is it that Jesus never said?
10 Things Jesus Never Said in the Bible—And What He Actually Did Say
Some of what gets passed off as Jesus’ words is laughable. But I’ll bet there are a few on this list (#2 and #8 perhaps?) that even staunch Christians didn’t realize weren’t biblical.
1) Be true to yourself.
What Jesus actually said:
“Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Matthew 23:12
2) Follow your heart.
Nope, he never said that. But he did say this:
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:20-21
3) Do what makes you happy.
What Jesus actually said:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24
(Frustrated by this one? See my post Happiness & Holiness: Aim High and Go For Both.)
4) You are the center of your universe. You can make anything happen.
Even Superman had limitations. Fortunately, Jesus’ real words point to the actual center of the universe:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5
5) This is your best life now. Live your dreams.
As Jesus informed us in the Bible, the best is yet to come:
“Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
John 12:25
(Related: Does God Want You to Dream Big?)
6) I am a way, a truth, and a life.
This one makes me laugh. There can only be one truth:
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
You don’t have to have all the answers.
but, hey, why not?
Bring me your questions about faith, life, God, the Bible… and I’ll help you find the answers.
7) Love yourself first and everything else falls into line.
Jesus’ real words were:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 10:27
(If you’ve been bitten by the “gentle self-love” bug, you might benefit from my post No Excuses: A Challenge to Own Your Problems.)
8) God helps those who help themselves.
That’s right, this is not a biblical teaching. At all. What Jesus really said:
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
John 15:7
9) Life isn’t about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.
What Jesus actually said:
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:38-39
10) Get with the times.
Are God’s commands and promises relevant today? You bet:
“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
John 15:19
Time to Set the Record Straight
The world wants you to believe it’s all about you, your feelings, your desires, and your achievements. But Jesus asks you to deny yourself and keep your sights on him and eternity. If that sounds arrogant to you, consider what you’d do if you were lost in the woods and found someone familiar with the area.
Would you call him arrogant for telling you he knows the way?
Get to Know the Real Jesus!
Think you know everything there is to know about Jesus and Christianity? Timothy Keller’s book Encounters With Jesus will challenge that.
See also:
- 6 Bible Stories That Show the Astonishing Love of Jesus
- Jesus Saved You From Sin, Death, Hell—And God
- Is it a Leap of Faith to Believe in Jesus?
- Desiring God as the Ultimate Source of Pleasure
Jesus knows the way. Follow his words to higher ground!
The words Jesus says in the Bible give us such great comfort in comparison to those “worldly sayings” which are based depending on self only. Have especially heard number 2 and number 8 sayings. How could those worldly words ever work for the good! Thanks be to Jesus as he tells us: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.” John 14:6. Thank you, Lauren…So very much appreciate reading all that you write.
I love this one. Such great reminders. Bless you for all you do❤️
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