It is interesting that there are so many phrases in everyday use that can be found in the Bible. Many may use these phrases without even thinking about where they came from and many may be atheists or agnostics anyway. Some who may never have even opened the pages of the Bible may be surprised how many phrases contained in the Word of God have become everyday phrases in our society.
In one internet forum, a contributor observed that “In general the bible is ignored by modern society. It is ignored largely because people think its moral standards and helpful counsel is hopelessly out of date. Most people want to live their lives without anyone telling them what to do, or what not to do. That has not changed since the Garden of Eden.” These are just some of the reasons why some never read or consult the Word of God.
With the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI), so much information has now become even more available at the touch of a button. An AI overview acknowledges that there are, therefore, challenges and considerations as follows:
Accuracy and Verification: AI models can produce incorrect information (hallucinations), necessitating human verification, particularly when dealing with complex or niche topics.
Information Overload: Despite the ability to summarize, the sheer volume of information generated can become a “knowledge epidemic”.
Over-reliance: Increased reliance on AI for quick answers may hinder the development of in-depth critical thinking skills.
We have to be careful when looking at their overviews on everything, as they may just be quoting from one source or several sources, which might be incorrect or totally wrong. However, in the case of phrases in the Bible that have become normal in society today, it can be simple to compare with or check with the Bible itself.
Therefore, in this new series, we will be giving just some of so many examples of phrases from the Bible that are part and parcel of our everyday language. These are readily available on the internet but many may not even have thought about the connection between language from centuries ago, which was translated into English and which has become part and parcel of the way we speak today.
We will also give examples which are not found in the Bible per se, but which are close and express biblical principles, and we will quote examples which are not in the Bible and even contradict biblical teaching, even though some people think that they are in God’s Word.
The blind leading the blind
It describes a situation where a person ignorant of a given subject gets advice and help from someone just as ignorant (Wikipedia). If things are not going well or according to plan, criticising leadership in government, mainstream churches, large corporations and businesses can become the norm and a regular habit.
We could apply this saying to many leaders in the world today as they do not consult the Word of God in their decision making. We only have to look at the sorry mess the world is in to see how bad decision making has been. Jesus was talking about the spiritual leaders of His time which is so applicable to so many spiritual leaders today!
In Matthew 15:14, Christ warns us: “Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”
Christ’s warning applies likewise, and perhaps even more so, to the many incompetent political leaders in this world.
Escaping by the skin of your teeth
When we have a narrow escape by just avoiding whatever danger there was and by the slimmest of margins, we can say that we escaped by the skin of our teeth. It may describe a situation where failure was expected or highly likely, and the success was extremely close, almost not happening, and it could happen in many situations in which we may find ourselves.
In Job 19:20, Job exclaims: “My bone clings to my skin and to my flesh; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth.”
A fly in the ointment
Today, we use this expression in any situation that may cause a problem with someone’s plan(s). Solomon speaks of the stench of a fly in a perfumer’s oil,contrasting it to a small problem that spoils something valuable. It can also be an expression for a hitch in a plan, especially one that was not at first apparent.
In Ecclesiastes 10:1, King Solomon writes: “Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, And cause it to give off a foul odor; So does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.”
A stumbling block
The first mention of stumbling blocks in the Bible is in Leviticus 19:14, where the admonition was not to put a stumbling block in front of the blind. Wikipediaobserves: “…a stumbling stone or tripwire; anything that makes someone trip and fall. This figuratively means ‘something that causes someone to lose faith in Jesus’. Of course, today, with the Bible being seen as outdated or irrelevant, many will just see a stumbling block in everyday terms in their own lives such as an obstacle, hindrance, or barrier that prevents progress, agreement, or action. It is certainly a phrase commonly used by many. But the Bible speaks about not putting stumbling blocks in front of those new to the faith.
In Romans 14:13, Paul cautions and encourages us: “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”
A drop in the bucket
This is quite a common saying that implies that something is small or insignificant. It is a tiny amount compared with what is needed or expected. It is trivial, a pittance, that on its own is unlikely to make any difference. An example would be where a government is sending tons of food to a poor country but, on its own, that would be just a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed. Of course, if many nations did the same, it could start to become significant.
It refers to something very insignificant, without making a tremendous difference. This is how the nations are in the eyes of God. They can try to usurp God’s plan and reject Him; it will all come to nothing. Isaiah 40:15 reads: “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, And are counted as the small dust on the scales. Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing.”
The writing is on the wall
It is an idiom indicating that there are clear, inescapable signs of imminent failure, misfortune or downfall and that, unless some unforeseen circumstances arise, the inevitable will happen.
Certain events seem to lead inevitably to a specific outcome. When you see something that predicts an obvious conclusion, you might say the writing is on the wall.
The phrase ironically describes a situation that wasn’t so obvious at the time. No one knew what the writing on the wall in Daniel 5 meant, until God gave Daniel the interpretation that the kingdom would be taken away from the king (Daniel 5:25-28).
In Daniel 5:5, we read about Belshazzar’s Feast: “In the same hour the fingers of a man’s hand appeared and wrote opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote.”
A leopard cannot change its spots
Of course, it is biologically impossible for a leopard to change its spots. Ginger software observes that “the phrase ‘a leopard never changes its spots’ means that it’s impossible for one to change their character, even if they will try very hard. The expression may also be used to explain the idea that no one can change their innate nature.”
People can get stuck in their ways and cannot change, just like a leopard can’t change its spots. It’s something we can say that means a person’s character, especially if it is bad, will not change, even if they pretend that it will. Of course, when someone is called by God to His Way of Life, they should change a great deal; nevertheless, they are still subject to the pulls of the flesh and the constant barrage of negative broadcasting from Satan and his demons. And, of course, only a tiny fraction of the world’s population are being called to God’s Way of Life today.
The famous saying can be found in Jeremiah 13:23: “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or a leopard its spots?”
Salt of the earth
If someone is referred to as the “salt of the earth,” they are deemed to be a good person. You can count on them. They are dependable and honest. It describes humble, straightforward individuals who possess good values and are dependable. At least, that’s how the phrase is often used today.
Jesus said His followers were to be the salt of the earth. This means that they had to have high standards.
He tells us in Matthew 5:13: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.”
Wolves in sheep’s clothing
This idiom today is, in the world, about those who appear harmless, kind, or trustworthy but are actually dangerous, deceitful, or malicious. With many scams that are rife in our current society, this is a particularly important saying to keep in mind.
In a religious situation, this can refer specifically to those who claim to be literal “prophets,” or leaders. It also applies, in general, to those who make false religious claims. A true Church of God member who “rightly divides the word of truth” (compare 2 Timothy 2:15) and carefully studies the Bible will be able to identify false prophets.
In Matthew 7:15-16, Christ warns us: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?’
Oh you of little faith
This is a phrase that many can use in a secular setting as a friendly or cordial good-natured approach to another who may doubt what has been promised, or an expected conclusion or consequence. Jesus used this phrase a number of times to His disciples as a means and expression of encouragement at a time when they may have been going through trials and problems that tested their faith. But He also reminded them that they had to allow their faith to grow to master tremendous challenges. Please see Matthew 6:30: “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”
Also note Matthew 8:26, 16:8 and Luke 12:28.
A man after my own heart
People say this all the time, referring to someone they admire. In 1 Samuel 13:14, God said this about David, as He recognized his willing heart to repent.
If you’re without sin, cast the first stone
Christ used this somewhat identical phrase when He told the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees who accused the woman caught in adultery and who wanted to trick Him. The direct saying was, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first” (John 8:7).
In the twinkling of an eye
It describes a very brief moment. Paul uses it to show the tremendously fast change from mortal to immortal when Christ returns. “… we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52). Even science fiction writers like Brian Aldiss used this term as the title of one of His books.
The truth will set you free
In general terms, we should recognize that it is always safer to tell the Truth than to resort to a lie, because sin will find us out, and unrepentant liars will end up in the Lake of Fire. Christ used this phrase in John 8:32 for His disciples in this context: “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Free from error and deception.
He who lives by the sword, dies by the sword
Not an exact quote, but close. Christ told Peter to put his sword away when he was willing to defend Christ against those who wanted to arrest and kill Him. He said: “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). The warning is repeated in Revelation 13:10: … he who kills with the sword must be killed with the sword.”
(To Be Continued)
Lead Writers: Brian Gale (United Kingdom) and Norbert Link