Image by Vitaly Gariev, provided by Unsplash via Wix. Cropped.
July 18, 2026
People say things they've heard before that sound like wise sayings or that sound like shorthand expressions of their faith. They don't always think about how the words might be interpreted by others. They don't think about whether the statement is always true in a literal sense, or whether it needs to be qualified with explanations about when and how it is true, and when and how it is not true.
They aren't trying to be analytical. But by quoting the platitudes they have heard, they run a serious risk of misrepresenting God and the Christian faith.
Christians should be careful about making these claims, because they may not accurately reflect the teachings of Jesus or the character of God.
Here are some of the phrases that concern me:
Bad things that happen are God’s will?
I Wince When I Hear People Say That Bad Things are God’s Will
I was watching a movie, and a character explained something bad that happened by saying, “It was God's will.” Christians sometimes say this. But while God allows evil, he does not cause evil. And evil is never God's will. We need to be more precise in our language and ask the right questions.
God helps those who help themselves?
God must have needed him/her in heaven (that’s why they died)?
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