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Six Popular “Bible Verses” That Are Not In The Bible

Have you grown up among religious church people all your life and heard many bible verses quoted to you and thought that they were actually written scriptures in the Bible,

but later found out that they were not? Well, I have!

So I have listed six well-known verses that have all the qualities of being scriptural but cannot be found in the Word of God.

1. Once a man, twice a child!

The above phrase is the title of the most popular post on this blog.

In this post, I wrote that we have been led to believe that when we get old we will return to our childhood days of being totally dependent on others.

But, is this God’s desire for the elderly? Note that debilitating diseases can affect any age group where you will be dependent on others to take care of you until you are well.

However, I don’t believe that old age is a disease but a natural process of life where God can give you the strength to live a quality life.

Is the phrase ‘once a man, twice a child‘ biblical? Click on the link to get the answer.

2. Only what’s done for Christ will last.

This is a true statement and is worthy of being part of the 66 books of the Bible. I have quoted it in many of my posts on this blog. Every time I used it, I searched for the scripture reference to attach to it but to no avail.

You will find it’s origin in a stanza of Charles Studd’s poem.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
C.T. Studd

It is indeed only one life that we can live in this world so it bequeaths us to live it well. Here is a real scripture reference to prove this fact.

Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. (Psalm 127:1)

 

3. The Lord helps those who help themselves. 

We often use this verse to reprimand anyone who just sits around waiting on God to help them without trying to help themselves.

Afterall, the Lord only helps those who help themselves. Is this a fact?

I did some research in the Bible and I came across several verses that are contrary to this statement. Here are a few.

Because I delivered the poor who cried out, the fatherless and the one who had no helper. (Job 29:12)

“How have you helped him who is without power? How have you saved the arm that has no strength? (Job 26:2)

But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay. (Psalm 70:5)

For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him who has no helper. (Psalm 72:12)

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)

Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)

Base on the above Bible verses it appears as if the Lord takes pleasure in helping the helpless and those who are weak.

Hallelujah! What a Saviour!

 

4. The Lord bless you with wealth to give to the poor.

I desperately want this verse to be in the Bible because it would perhaps nudge the conscience of the stingy rich folks.

But, even though the exact sentence is not biblical we have a few scripture references that remind us that when we help the poor and needy we will be blessed.

He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given. (Proverbs 19:17)
He who has a generous eye will be blessed, for he gives of his bread to the poor. (Proverbs 22:9)
He who giveto the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses. (Proverbs 28:27)
Don’t forget that Jesus reminded the rich man that if he wanted to be perfect he should sell all that he had and give to the poor (Matthew 19:16-22).

5. Cleanliness is next to godliness!

I can still hear my mother quoting this verse to us when we refused to clean the house. Of course, as children, we thought that it was a verse from the Bible. Little did we know!

God does specialize in cleanliness because He does not tolerate sins and He cannot live in a dirty vessel.

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) 
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

6. God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.

Can I get a hallelujah? And let the church say Amen!

During testimony service in the small country churches in Jamaica, you will hear this statement at the end or beginning of each testimony.

So most naturally this verse is in the Bible.

Fake!

I googled, searched my Bible concordance and Biblegateway but unfortunately, I cannot find it.

Not to worry because the Lord is indeed a miracle working God as seen in the many miracles which Jesus performed while on earth (Matthew 4:23; Matthew 8; Matthew 9:35; Matthew 15).

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— (Acts 2:22)

Share with us some of your favorite ‘unscriptural’ Bible verses.

 

24 Comments »

  1. In our family, we attribute such “verses” to the infamous book of Hezekiah. As Hezekiah 1:1 says: The words and sayings of Hezekiah, keeper of the words that should be in the Bible, but aren’t. Take comfort, friend, and know that I shall always support you.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Thanks l love this write because is an eye opener I was equally deceived by the constant use of some of them by Christian to actually think they are biblical even though I have not come across them in the bible

    Liked by 2 people

  3. I had to come to terms with two over the last few months. One..”He will never put more on you than you can bear.” An amazing song with so much hope but not a verse at all.

    The second is…”comparison is the thief of joy.” I like you went to find it so I could quote the verse when I referenced it…it’s a quote by Theodore Roosevelt…still very true, but not an actual Bible verse. The good news is that while they are not Bible verses, they create a reliance on God. They cause us to go to Him and fully rely on His power and love to keep us going in the right direction,

    Liked by 2 people

    • So true. Even if they are not actual Bible verses some of them do glorify God. I am familiar with ‘ God will not give us more than we can bear.’ I did not know that it was not in the Bible. I think it is derived from the following verse: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. (1 Cor.10:13).
      I am not familiar with ‘ comparison is the thief of joy’ But the statement is true. Thank you so much for your input. I do appreciate it. Have a blessed weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I call them exegetical anomalies. Job 1:21, “…. the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away…” is most quoted to comfort those who run into miserable loses. It wasn’t God who gave Job his misfortunes. Satan it was!
    Very common at the demise of loved ones is, “MAY HIS/HER SOUL REST IN PEACE.” I do have a post on this titled, “IS MAY HIS SOUL ‘RIP’ A PRAYER?” Definitely, not, scripturally speaking!
    Thanks for this scriptural awareness. Thanks for liking my posts on “REVEREND CHRIS OKOTIE.” Thanks for following me. I’m following you, a great lady as well.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. LOL. One of my favourites is “The path of a righteous man…” that appears in “Pulp Fiction” and “Captain America: The Winter Soldier”. In both cases, they even provide a chapter and verse (the same one in each case), but it doesn’t exist.

    Liked by 1 person

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