Let's Go Back to the Bible

Pardon Me, But That’s Not in the Bible

There are many modern-day proverbs that would surprise some people to find out that they are not in the Bible.  For example: “Cleanliness is next to godliness”; “Spare the rod, spoil the child”; “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and to remove all doubt.”   These are popular maxims today, but if you look them up in a Bible concordance, you will not find them in the Bible.

Similarly, there are many popular sayings that folks use to try to offer comfort today that would surprise some people to find out that they are not in the Bible.  For example: “God will not give you more than you can handle”; “Heaven gained another angel”; “It’s all part of God’s plan”; “Everything happens for a reason.”  These are often used as Biblical counsel for those who are hurting, but if you look them up, you will not find them in the Bible.

Likewise, there are many doctrines today that would surprise some people to find out that they are not in the Bible.  The doctrine of “salvation by faith only” is not in the Bible (Jas. 2:14-26; Mark 16:16).  The doctrine of saying “the Sinner’s Prayer” to be saved is not in the Bible (Matt. 7:21; Luke 6:46).  The doctrine of “once saved, always saved” is not in the Bible (2 Pet. 2:20-22; Gal. 5:4).  The premillennial doctrine of the rapture is not in the Bible (Mark 13:32; 1 Thess. 4:14-17).  The “join the church of your choice” doctrine is not in the Bible (Eph. 4:4; Matt. 16:18).  The doctrine of “all worship from the heart is acceptable to God” is not in the Bible (Matt. 15:7-9; John 4:23-24).  The doctrine that promotes women preachers in the church is not in the Bible (1 Tim. 2:11-14; 1 Cor. 14:34-35).  The doctrine of baptism washing away all previous marriages and divorces is not in the Bible (Matt. 19:9; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).  There are so many manmade doctrines today that sound good, but if you look them up, you will not find them in the Bible.

So, with so much being said and believed today that is not in the Bible, what should we do?  We should determine to speak where the Bible speaks.  The Bible says, “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11).  This can only happen by spending time in the Bible and saturating our hearts and minds with Holy Writ (Psa. 1:2).  We must know what the Book says (John 8:32).  We should determine to not say things or believe things that the Scripture does not support (Gal. 1:8-9; Rev. 22:18-19).  Even if something “sounds good,” we must hold it up against the light of God’s Word (Psa. 119:105).  Finally, we should help to correct those who pass off certain sayings or beliefs as if they are from God.  The Scripture is there “for correction” (2 Tim. 3:16-17), as long as we use it accurately (2 Tim. 2:15) and lovingly (Eph. 4:15).