Jesus Christ remains one of the most influential figures in history, and yet, to this day, many of us misunderstand what He actually taught.
Over the years, some motivational sayings have been loosely attributed to Him, shaping how people think about faith, life, and themselves – sometimes in ways He never intended.
It’s easy to get caught up in popular sayings, but for those who wish to truly understand His message, you need to know what he actually said or didn’t say.
Here are 5 common phrases that kind of sound like Jesus said them, and he never did.
1. Follow Your Heart
This is a very common saying, and though I pretty much agree with it, Jesus actually never told us to do that.
Instead, He said, “Follow me,” emphasizing a relationship with Him as the true path.
The Bible also warns us that “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9).
So, trusting your feelings alone isn’t His way. Jesus wants us to walk with Him, trust His guidance, and prioritize His truth over our fleeting emotions.
Following our hearts sounds appealing, but His call is to follow Him wholeheartedly, trusting in His direction instead of our own impulses.
2. Be True to Yourself
Many modern self-help ideas suggest we should “be true to ourselves,” but Jesus’s teaching actually pushes us in a different direction.
When Peter asked Jesus what he should do to follow Him, Jesus replied, “if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).
His path is not about self-affirmation or living according to personal desires; it’s about surrendering our ego and selfish ambitions to serve God and others.
Jesus challenges His followers to deny their self-centered tendencies and prioritize His way.
It’s a radical call to humility and sacrifice, not self-importance.
3. Believe in Yourself
In today’s culture, believing in yourself is seen as one of the keys to success. However, Jesus’s words point elsewhere.
When Thomas doubted Jesus’s resurrection, Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but by me” (John 14:6).
His message is that salvation and eternal life come through trusting in Him, not in our own strength and confidence.
He teaches his followers that believing in themselves alone can lead to pride or disappointment, and that trusting in Him offers true hope and direction.
His teaching is about placing our faith in Him, not in our own abilities.
4. Live Your Truth
The phrase “live your truth” has become quite popular in recent years, and people find different meanings in it.
Some understand it as not allowing anyone to make you believe something you know isn’t true, while others see it as each one of us pursuing our own version of reality.
However, Jesus’s words point toward seeking the ultimate truth: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32),
His truth isn’t subjective or personal; it’s absolute and unchanging.
Living according to His teachings means aligning our lives with His truth, not crafting our own versions of reality.
His message invites us into freedom through truth – one that is found in Him – and not in embracing whatever feels right at the moment.
5. Strive for Happiness
Many assume that Jesus’s message is about finding happiness, but He actually emphasized something deeper.
When people asked Him what they should do to gain eternal life, He responded, “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
Jesus focused on the soul’s well-being and eternal significance, not earthly happiness.
He teaches that true fulfillment comes from living in alignment with God’s purpose, even when life gets tough.
Happiness might be a byproduct, but His main concern was our 救済 そして 精神の健康, not feeling good in the moment.
His teaching challenges us to prioritize things beyond ourselves.
A little Aquarius, devoted to writing and embroidery. Through my writing, I hope to empower readers to align with their true selves and navigate life’s mysteries with confidence.