Oops! The Bible did not say that: 7 famous viral quotes people think came from the Bible

Social media and the Internet has made it easier to share anything anywhere. Most of the time we spend in cyberspace, we see come across wonderful statements --- about life, love and other concerns. It assures us that we are not alone, we are going to beat every obstacle and will follow the path of the happiness. That's what life is all about, right?

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Unfortunately, some favorable statements claiming to be from the Bible are not. You might argue that it sounds and looks like something God wants us to hear, but most of these viral quotations are actually from popular culture. And more unfortunately, it diverts our mindset from what the Scriptures are really trying to mold.

Compiling from articles on Bible Study Tools and Crosswalk.com, we present seven picks from popular "Biblical" statements that don't actually come from the Holy Book.

1. "Yea, verily, God wants you to be happy."

It's so famous that this statement is often quoted in magazines and talk shows, as well as boosting someone's confidence in pursuing his/her happiness up. No matter how much we like to believe this statement, it's actually doing more damage to us. Remember, our mere existence is not about being happy, rather to worship God, our Creator. Everything is up to His own will, even our struggles.

2. "God won't give you more than you can handle."

He can and He will, because it is one way God can show the way back to humility. Sure, it's so assuring that everything we happen to face in life is something we can defeat, but just like the first one, it is not our top priority. Yet, according to 1 Corinthians 10:13, God will not let us be tempted beyond our limits and will provide a way out of that temptation. We will be given more than what we can handle, but He will also give us strength to stand up amidst it.

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3. "If you work hard, you'll be successful."

The Bible encourages us to be hardworking, but not in order to accumulate wealth as being successful is defined in today's context. This statement is nowhere to be found in the Scripture because our worldly wealth doesn't matter. We are being encouraged to work in service to God and His kingdom, and those material possessions are not part of the reward but Him being pleased with our work.

4. "If God brings you to it, He will lead you through it."

It sounds like a Bible verse very much, and some would even say that it could be related to the other teachings. However, this is probably a misinterpretation of the words from the Scripture. God, even from Jesus' words, will always be with us, but that does not directly translates into the idea He will always take us out of every suffering. He will not be the one to fix our mistakes along the way, and His will might even be for us to suffer in order to for glory to take place. We might not get out of the hardship to have the impact God wishes.

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5. "This, too, shall pass."

Another statement sounding nearly like from the scriptures, but just like the aforementioned statements, this is not necessarily true and can't be found in the Bible. Pain will heal, but not each and everything we are feeling until we leave this human body and earthly existence. Going through the Bible, we'll find comfort as God gives us, yet He is not going to take all the source of pain we are feeling. The amount of hurt we are suffering has a bigger purpose that focusing on the current trend of finding 'ultimate happiness' won't help us realize His grander plans.

6. "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!"

We come so far to think that everything revolves around us, and this is being highlighted in various aspects especially in consumerism, intensified by media. This has been even used in evangelism but it is not endorsed by the Bible at all. Yes, God loves us but believing in Him does not entail all our problems to be fixed in a snap, be always in awesome lives day by day nor it's about us again: make Him the center of your life, not the other way around. Believing in God's plan will not always be as wonderful as we think of, there will be problems along the way.

7. "Just follow your heart and believe, and you can do anything."

Disney seems to be fond of sounding like the Bible, but no matter how the stories affected your life, this verse is not Biblical. Anything is not our purpose, God has an ultimate designed plan that we are to follow. Our hearts desire and our thoughts are preparing us for His plans that might not be what we have in mind. This statement is endangering us of having illusions because it pushes what we want, rather than following what God wants.

They are encouraging to hear, but the danger is there, especially during today when everything wants us to be running, chasing our dreams. But those dreams may not be what He desires and our lives should be revolving on Him, which makes us all torn to what to pursue.

Despite all these, always keep in mind, heart and soul that we are created for His purpose, and we must listen. Read the Bible, do not be in contentment with what most people in the Internet age are saying.

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