Being a Christian can be pretty confusing sometimes. I’ve been going to church for years, but I still catch myself getting things wrong about my own faith. It’s like playing a game of telephone – the message can get twisted over time without us even realizing it.
I decided to dig into this and found 11 things that a lot of us Christians often misunderstand. Some of these might surprise you, whether you’re a longtime believer or just curious about what Christianity is all about.
God wants you to be rich
Many think being a good Christian means God will make you wealthy. But Jesus often taught about the dangers of loving money. He said it’s hard for rich people to enter God’s kingdom. The Bible talks more about generosity and contentment than getting rich.
The Bible is always literal
Some folks think every word in the Bible should be taken literally. But the Bible uses different types of writing, including poetry, stories, and letters. Jesus often used parables – made-up stories to teach lessons. Understanding the context and style helps us get the real message.
Christians shouldn’t have doubts
We sometimes think having doubts means weak faith. But many Bible characters, like Job and Thomas, had doubts. Even Jesus asked why God had forsaken him on the cross. Doubts can actually lead to stronger faith if we work through them honestly.
Good people go to heaven
Many believe that being a good person is enough to get into heaven. But the Bible says we’re saved by God’s grace, not by doing good things. Jesus taught that believing in him, not just being good, is the way to eternal life.
God helps those who help themselves
This popular saying isn’t actually in the Bible. In fact, the Bible often shows God helping people who can’t help themselves. Jesus taught about depending on God, not just relying on our own strength.
The rapture is clearly taught in the Bible
The idea of Christians suddenly disappearing before bad end times isn’t clearly in the Bible. It’s a pretty new idea in Christian history. The Bible does talk about Jesus coming back, but not in the way many movies and books show it.
Satan is in charge of hell
Many picture Satan ruling over hell, but that’s not what the Bible says. Hell is described as a place of punishment for Satan and his demons, not their kingdom. God is shown as being in control of everything, including hell.
Christians shouldn’t judge at all
While Jesus said “Do not judge,” he didn’t mean we should never use good judgment. He warned against being hypocritical or harsh in judging others. The Bible actually encourages wise discernment and lovingly helping others avoid sin.
God wants us to be happy all the time
Some think being Christian means always being happy. But the Bible shows many believers, including Jesus, experiencing sadness and hard times. God promises joy and peace, which are deeper than just feeling happy all the time.
All Christian denominations believe the same things
There are many different Christian groups, and they don’t all agree. Some differences are small, but others are pretty big. It’s important to know what your church teaches and compare it with what’s in the Bible.
The Bible prohibits all drinking
Some Christians think the Bible says never to drink alcohol. But Jesus turned water into wine, and Paul advised Timothy to drink some wine for his health. The Bible warns against drunkenness, but doesn’t say all drinking is wrong.
11 Things People Wrongly Believe Jesus Said
11 Things People Wrongly Believe Jesus Said
9 Subtle Behaviors That Instantly Turn People Off
