The Bible Never Said That!

I grew up in church. Every Sunday, without fail, there I was: dressed up, bright-eyed, and mostly bushy-tailed, sitting in Sunday School. Church was like a second home—But here’s the thing: not everything I learned in church was straight from the Bible. Some of it? Straight from church culture or someone’s overly creative interpretation of Scripture.

Don’t get me wrong—church gave me a solid foundation. But as I started actually studying the Bible for myself, I realized something. I had been handed some well-meaning but very off-the-mark advice over the years. This is why it’s essential to not just read your Bible but study it. Otherwise, you’ll end up quoting verses that aren’t even in there. Like, “God helps those who help themselves.” Spoiler alert: He does not.

Here are a few things I grew up believing that I’ve had to unlearn, thanks to diving into Scripture and having some serious “Wait, that’s not in the Bible?” moments:

1. “A Dancing Foot and a Praying Knee Don’t Belong on the Same Leg”

This one came from a beloved pastor who probably meant well but… wow. The message was basically, “Don’t dance if you want to stay holy.” But when I opened my Bible, I discovered something amazing: King David, the man described as “a man after God’s own heart,” danced before the Lord with all his might (2 Samuel 6:14). Not a polite two-step, mind you—this was full-on, break-a-sweat, arms-flailing, “I love Jesus” dancing.

And you know what? God loved it. Romans 12:1 says to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice. That’s Bible speak for: “Use what God gave you to worship Him!” So, if you want to bust a move for the Lord, go ahead. Just maybe skip the worm during worship service—it might be a distraction.

2. Interracial Relationships Are “Unequally Yoked”

Oh, boy. This one made the rounds in my childhood. I was told that interracial relationships were “unequally yoked,” referencing 2 Corinthians 6:14. But that verse has nothing to do with race—it’s about faith. The Bible is clear: what matters is being spiritually aligned with your partner, not race…in-fact the Bible never even mentions race only different people groups. This is likely because to God there is only ONE race, the human race. Humans invented race based on variations of skin tones, not God.

Don’t believe me? Moses married Zipporah, a Midianite. Ruth was a Moabite and married Boaz. And guess what? Ruth made it into Jesus’ family tree. God celebrates diversity—He created it! So, no, dating someone from a different ethnicity isn’t a sin. But dating someone who doesn’t share your faith? That’s where things can get messy.

3. “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves”

Ah, the old “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” theology. Hate to break it to you, but that’s not in the Bible. Actually, the Bible is full of examples of God helping the helpless. Take Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Notice it doesn’t say, “God is our help once we’ve got it all figured out.”

God’s specialty is stepping in when we’re at the end of our rope, not when we’ve tied a neat little bow around our problems. Grace isn’t earned, y’all—it’s given. So next time someone throws this phrase at you, just smile and say, “Actually, God’s got this, whether I’ve got it together or not.”

4. “Cleanliness Is Next to Godliness”

Growing up, I heard this one all the time. It’s a classic! But guess what? It’s nowhere in the Bible. Not even a little bit. Sure, it’s nice to keep your house clean, but God’s way more concerned about the state of your heart than the state of your countertops.

1 Samuel 16:7 says, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” So if your room looks like a hurricane hit it, don’t stress—God’s not judging you. (Your mom might be, though. Proceed with caution.)

5. “God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle”

This one sounds comforting, doesn’t it? Too bad it’s not biblical. The truth is, life often throws us way more than we can handle. In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul says he was so overwhelmed he despaired of life itself. Why? So he could rely on God, not himself.

Here’s the good news: when life feels like too much, God steps in. His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). So if you’re facing something that feels impossible, lean on Him. You don’t have to carry it alone.

These are just a few examples of how my faith has evolved as I’ve dug deeper into Scripture. I’m still learning, and honestly, probably always will be. But here’s the thing: while church gave me a foundation, studying the Bible for myself has brought me closer to the truth. Scripture doesn’t need to be filtered through anyone else’s lens—it’s living and active and ready to speak directly to your heart.

Why Studying the Bible Matters

Look, reading the Bible is great—but if you’re not studying it, you might miss out on the truth. Skimming the Bible is like glancing at a recipe and hoping the meal cooks itself. Studying it is like rolling up your sleeves and actually cooking the meal—putting in the effort to understand what God’s saying and how it applies to your life.

So, get in there! Open that Bible, ask questions, and don’t just take someone’s word for it. Find out for yourself what God really says. I’m thankful for my church upbringing, but I’m even more grateful for the freedom I’ve found in God’s Word. It’s a journey, and trust me, it’s worth every twist and turn. God is faithful to lead us into the truth, even if it means we have to do a little unlearning along the way.