Cultural Mantras

Cultural Mantras

Our modern culture is filled with short sayings, motivational quotes, and mantras
that sound wise and uplifting. For most, they are easy to remember, comforting
in times of stress, and often repeated as though they line up with truths we can
find in God’s word. But many of them do not come from God’s Word at all. Some
even actually contradict it. Paul warned in Colossians 2:8: “Beware lest anyone
cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of
men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
If we want to walk faithfully, we must be careful not to replace Scripture with
slogans. There are a few of these common sayings that have always bothered me
whenever I overhear them. Let’s compare them with the truth of God’s Word.
“Follow your heart.”
This is one of the most repeated messages of modern culture, often seen in
movies, songs, and even Disney fairy tales. Its roots go back to humanist
philosophy, which elevates personal feelings and desires as the highest authority.
But the Bible warns us against this: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) Instead of following our
hearts, we are called to trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5–6). Our emotions may
change with the wind, but God’s Word stands firm forever.
“God won’t give you more than you can handle.”
This saying is often quoted for comfort, but it is a distortion of 1 Corinthians
10:13. That passage promises God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what
we can bear with His help, but what it does not say is life itself will always be
manageable. In fact, Paul confessed: “We were burdened beyond measure, above
strength, so that we despaired even of life.” (2 Corinthians 1:8) That doesn’t
sound like “manageable” circumstances. But Paul explains the purpose: “…that
we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead” (v. 9). This
saying became common in the 20th century as a misapplication of Paul’s words,
but it misses the deeper truth: life may give us more than we can handle, but
never more than God can handle.
“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
It’s believed that this saying has been around since at least the 1600s and was
made popular by preacher John Wesley in a sermon. But it is not found in the
Bible. God is not primarily concerned with how clean our hands are, but how
pure our hearts are. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for focusing on outward
cleanliness while neglecting the inward: “First cleanse the inside of the cup and
dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” (Matthew 23:26) True holiness
is not about soap and water but about being set apart to God.
“To thine own self be true.”
This famous line comes from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, not from Scripture.
It reflects a human-centered worldview, where authenticity to self is the highest
good. Jesus, however, calls us not to be true to ourselves but to deny ourselves:
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) The goal of our walk in Christ is not self-
expression but rather Christlike obedience.
“God helps those who help themselves.”
Many assume this comes from the Bible, but it does not. The phrase was

popularized by Benjamin Franklin in Poor Richard’s Almanack, though variations
existed earlier in Greek philosophy. But Scripture teaches the opposite. Romans
5:6 says: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly.” God doesn’t wait for us to climb up to Him. He reaches down to rescue
the helpless. Salvation is never earned by self-effort; it is a gift of grace.
“Once saved, always saved.”
This became common in certain branches of Protestant theology, particularly in
Baptist and Calvinist traditions. While the Bible does promise security for those
who are in Christ (John 10:27–28), it also warns believers about falling away.
Hebrews 3:12 says: “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief in departing from the living God.” Instead of resting in a slogan, we are
called to remain faithful, holding fast until the end (Hebrews 3:14).
You might wonder, what harm is there in some of these sayings if they sound
good? The harm is that they can blur the line between human wisdom and divine
truth. Over time, we can begin to place unintended value in catchy mantras than
in the living Word of God. Psalm 119:105 reminds us: “Your word is a lamp to my
feet and a light to my path.” It is God’s Word that gives us light in the darkness,
not cultural clichés. The world has many sayings that sound biblical but are not.
Some are half-truths or distortions of scripture; others are outright
contradictions. But if we are to be faithful disciples, we must cling to God’s Word
and be careful not to give credence to worldly mantras. Jesus said in John
8:31–32: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” May we continue to be people
testing everything against God’s Word, rejecting man-made wisdom, and holding
fast to the truth that truly sets us free.
- John Wells

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He who is content, has enough;
He who complains, has too much.
- Benjamin Franklin

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