As the world is searching for words from the wise, motivational speakers seem to find just the right axiom fulfilling desires that touch on past experiences. Most everyone has one or two cliche sayings that they may gravitate towards. Many times those sayings build on who a person is or will become. Over time I noticed that there are a select few sayings that Christians like to use that may give some hearers a false concept when only superficially looked at. I like to think that if you are or want to be a Christian that your life consists of more than the title “Christian”. I like to think that people actually open their bibles not only to read the words but to study and meditate upon them. As our eternal life hangs in the balance between this world and the next, finding and living truth should become a top priority for us. Let’s not be found just gravitating towards a well structured saying that seems to be right at the time. Thinking you are grasping at the truth and actually knowing the truth is two different things. The Bible says to study to show yourself approved, so let’s do just that.

Let’s look at the saying by St Francis of Assisi. “Do all that you can to preach the gospel and if necessary use words”. This saying has action speaks louder than words written all over it. I love this saying. It seems like a cool saying, right?  Yet some may interpret this as all you need to do is love. Yes, Jesus was about loving others. Very true, in fact, Jesus knows exactly how to love each of us, but I notice that some people have a distorted sense of what love is. Just as a parent has family rules and if broken there are consequences for your actions, so God has a standard of what is expected of us. One thing Jesus did is that He brought an understanding of the scriptures to us. Now let us dissect what this writing is implying. This saying emphasizes on “ preaching the gospel”. So one must ask themselves, “What is the gospel and is it even possible to preach it without words”? The gospel is the “good news” or God’s plan to reconcile each one of us from eternal separation from Him due to sin. If one does not look at the sin factor in their own lives, how can God’s words produce a transforming power? Many scriptures point us to change our sinful ways. This is done by seeing the love of God in action through His word. Can we actually preach the gospel message without words? I would say NO. Jesus is the living word of God yet He pointed to scriptures for our understanding and expectations of those who choose to follow Him. 

There is another saying that states, “Jesus doesn’t care about how many bible verses you know He cares about how you treat people”. This can also be another deceptive saying and people can take this a couple of different ways. There could be jealousy combined with an anger factor against people who can quote scripture yet have trouble living it. When one is not fully converted and can not consistently displaying the fruits of the Spirit, this can rub some people the wrong way. This quote can come off as very attacking and if that’s how you feel about fellow Christians your prayer list just got bigger. The problem with a saying like this can result in implanting the thought in one’s mind that you don’t really need to read your bible, what little you know is ok as long as you are a good person and treat people well. Although Jesus probably does not care about how many scriptures you know, He does care and expects you to search and understand the scriptures. Any cliche that may pardon you from consistently placing God’s word in your heart can lead your mind to fall for the deceptive powers of this world. So as long as you understand and accept the fact that you need to read and grow daily in God’s word you should be ok, but if you understand that already, this saying probably won’t be at the top of your list or on your list at all.  

People tend to love to be around those who are positive and seem to have total control of their lives, so when we look at the saying by Napoleon Hill, “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve” many find it appealing. While this saying does motivate one into action and has an element of faith added, it can lead one to think that they only need themselves, causing them to bypass the need for God. There is a difference between a faith relying on and trusting in the power of God and a belief in our own ability to save ourselves. So with a cliche like this one, it tends to give full permission to “do it all” on your own.                                                                        

 Remember, Satan did not get the title of the great deceiver by accident. Are we quick to forget earth is our testing ground? We must look to the scriptures and stand firm holding ourselves accountable for our faith in Jesus Christ. One must ask themselves if a cliche saying truly aligns with scriptures and does it actually help me to fulfill a purpose for God’s will in my life. If not, maybe some good advice might be to prayerfully dive into God’s word. In saying all of this I pray that you will search the scriptures and those things that are good and pure to meditate upon. I thought that I might end this with my own favorite cliche used in order to promote this Back to the Bible Movement…“YOU are the church! What will the world see from God through you today?”