By Illustrated Theology
merlin again. Sorry folks, my day didn’t go as planned and 5 Steps to creating our art with God, will be later. This 10 Myths was in the pantry waiting for its opportunity to debut. Read or Listen to the YouTube. Your choice.
You probably heard the phrase, “it’s in the Bible,” but when you go look for it, it’s nowhere to be found. That’s because over time a lot of ideas have slipped into Christian vocabulary as if they were sacred truths, but they’re just human traditions, misinterpretations, or straight up inventions. So, get ready because in this video, we’re going to bust some of the most famous myths, that Christians believe, but that simply are not in the Bible.
Myth Number One: When you die, you become an angel. This one’s a funeral classic. Now, he’s an angel in heaven watching over us. Sounds sweet, right? But it’s not biblical. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that humans become angels after death. Angels are a totally different category of being created by God. They’re not ex-humans who got promoted for good behavior. They were created that way from the beginning. “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of salvation?”
In other words, it’s a completely different mode of existence. Now, to be fair, this myth isn’t totally without any biblical connection. The confusion often comes from Matthew 22:30 where Jesus says that in the resurrection they are as the angels of God in heaven. But, pay attention. Jesus didn’t say we become angels. He said we will be like the angels in one specific way; “they neither marry nor are given in marriage.” He was talking about how human relationships will change in the afterlife, including marriage, but that doesn’t mean human identity is transformed into angelic. In fact, God’s plan for humanity is greater than for angels. Paul writes in I Corinthians 6:3, “Know ye not that we shall judge angels.” So, think about it. Would becoming an angel be a promotion? No, it would be a demotion. God has prepared something far more glorious for us, a resurrected, incorruptible body, and a high position with Christ.
Myth #2: Noah took only one pair of each animal onto the Ark.
This one is straight out of every children books, and nursery mural; that cute little boat, giraffes on one side, elephants on the other. One couple of each animal species watching the sunset. Adorable? Yes. Biblical? Only partially! The truth is, Noah took two of every unclean animal, but 7 pairs of the clean ones. Yep, 7. It’s written clearly in Genesis 7:2, “Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female and a beast that are not clean, by two, the male and his female. So why do people get this wrong? Because most only remember Genesis 6:19, “And of every living thing of all flesh two of every sort, shalt thou bring into the ark to keep them alive with thee. They shall be male and female. That verse gives a general instruction and that’s the one people quote in simplified summaries, but in the very next chapter, God gives a more specific command for clean animals and most folks just don’t notice that and why bring so many more clean animals? Because they‘d later be used for sacrifices and perhaps even for food. God was already preparing everything in advance as He always does.
Myth #3 Mary Magdalene was a prostitute
Here’s another myth that has misled people for centuries and there’s not a single verse that says this. Seriously, go look it up. Mary Magdalene was never called a prostitute in the Bible. That idea was spread by pop culture, and even by some church leaders, like Pope Gregory I, in the 6th century. What the Bible actually says, is that Jesus cast out seven demons from her which does show she had a troubled past. But that doesn’t automatically mean prostitution. The truth is Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus most faithful followers. She was there at the crucifixion when many disciples had fled, and she was the first to see Jesus resurrected. That’s a big deal, so let’s honor her story the way the Bible does without adding labels God never gave.
MYTH #4: Money is the root of all evil.
This is one of those things people are sure is in the Bible, but it’s not, and it’s not just a misinterpretation, it’s a misquote. What the Bible actually says in First Timothy 6:10, is “for the love of money, is the root of all evil. That small phrase, “for the love of,” money makes all the difference! In other words, money itself isn’t the problem. It’s the uncontrolled love of it, the obsession, the greed, the idolatry. Money is just a tool that can be used for good or evil, depending on the heart of the person who holds it. There are people with little who are extremely greedy, and people with much, who are generous, and used by God to bless others. What the Bible condemns is the craving to be rich at any cost! That spirit of covetousness that makes someone sell their soul for status, power, and comfort. Paul continues in that same verse, “which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” So, no God doesn’t hate money. He hates seeing money take his place in your heart. The problem isn’t a full wallet, it’s an empty soul.
MYTH # 5 is when something bad happened, it’s because you didn’t pray enough!
This one, sounds super spiritual but it’s actually terrible theology. It’s the idea that bad things only happen when you don’t pray enough. It basically turns God into some kind of divine customer service manager. You pray & He fixes things. You don’t pray & He sends you problems! That’s not Christianity, that’s superstition! Jesus prayed constantly and He was betrayed, arrested, beaten, and crucified. Paul was a powerful man of prayer and he was persecuted, imprisoned, stoned, and went hungry. Stephen prayed and he was stoned to death. So clearly, prayer is not a force field that blocks all suffering; it’s a connection to God in the midst of suffering. Yes, the Bible says to pray without ceasing, but it never promises prayer will shield you from all problems. In fact, Jesus said in the world you shall have tribulation, but he also said “be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So, let’s drop this cruel myth that makes people feel guilty for tragedies or pain. Sometimes people did pray and the cancer still came, the accident still happened, the job was still lost. It wasn’t a lack of prayer. It was a tragedy in a fallen world.
MYTH #6: Jesus never judged anyone.
This is your classic social media verse, minus the context. More and more people love quoting “judge not that you be not judged,” as if Jesus were some kind of chill hippie guru, who only dropped good vibes and motivational quotes, but that’s wrong. Jesus did judge and he judged hard!
Let’s get to the facts. Remember the Pharisees? Jesus called them hypocrites, whitewashed tombs, children of hell, brood of Vipers. All of that is in Matthew 23 and it honestly reads like a divine exposed thread. And what about the adulterous woman in John 8? Yes, Jesus did forgive her, but he also said, “Go, and sin no more.” He called sin what it is, SIN! He didn’t minimize the weight of her actions. He offered grace and truth, and more than that, John 5:22 is crystal clear, “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.” In other words, Jesus is the judge, but He’s a judge, who is just, merciful, and full of grace. The problem isn’t Jesus’ judgment, the problem is human judgment; hypocritical, harsh, unloving, and trying to take God’s place. That’s why Jesus said, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. So, let’s stop with this attitude of Jesus never judged anyone, as an excuse to stay in sin, and reject correction, because Jesus forgave, but He also confronted, he welcomed, but He also exhorted; He didn’t come to leave us just the way we are; He came to transform us and that includes correcting, disciplining, and yes, judging! Jesus is not some cosmic hippie giving out good vibes and ignoring sin. He is the King, the righteous one, the Lamb, and the judge.
MYTH # 7: God will never give you more than you can handle. This phrase sounds biblical, right? It even has a comforting tone, but that’s not what the Bible says. The verse usually used to back up this claim is I Corinthians 10:13, which talks about temptation and says, “But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” Notice carefully the text is about temptation, not suffering, not burdens, not tragedy. It’s not about the heavyweight of life. It’s about the ability to resist sin with God’s help. Now, when it comes to burdens, too heavy to carry, let’s look at the Bible. Moses said “I am not able to bear all this people alone.” David wrote, “For mine iniquities are gone over mine head, as a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.” Paul said, “We would not brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure above strength in so much that we despaired even of life.”
So what does this mean? It means that yes, God does allow things that are beyond our strength, but precisely so we’ll stop trusting in ourselves and run to Him. God never promised that you’ll be able to handle everything on your own. What He did promise, is that he’ll be with you, when you can’t. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” So, let’s drop this motivational sounding theology disguised as a Bible verse. God doesn’t want you to be strong all the time. He wants you to depend on Him. It’s in weakness that his power is made perfect.
MYTH #8: Where two or three are gathered God is there. This one feels like a war cry for mid-week services with four people in the room, and yes, God is always present with his people but this verse has been ripped out of context so badly, it hurts. The truth in Matthew 18:20 is not about small church services or prayer meetings with low attendance. The context is something much more serious. Jesus was teaching about church discipline, what to do when someone sins and refuses to repent. First you go and speak with the person, one on one. If they won’t listen, that’s when #2 or #3 come in as witnesses to the process. So, when Jesus says, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, he’s not talking about a mini prayer meeting, he’s saying, “When you come together with justice and humility to deal with serious sin in the church, I am with you. It’s like a spiritual tribunal, but with Jesus in the middle, saying, “I approve of what you’re doing, because you’re following my teaching with love and truth. In other words, this verse doesn’t mean God only shows up when there are at least 2 people present, because if you’re alone, he’s still there. Jesus said, “Lo, I’m with you always, even when you’re praying alone in a dark room, He’s present.
MYTH # 9: Satan lives and reigns in hell.
This is a classic image from movies, comic books, and even some emotional sermons. Satan on a throne of fire, laughing with a trident in hand, ruling hell like the CEO of suffering, but that’s not true. That is not biblical, it’s a medieval invention. In reality, hell is not Satan’s headquarters. It’s his final destination. He doesn’t rule there, he’s going to be punished there. Jesus made that clear in Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.” In other words, hell was prepared for him, not by him. He doesn’t want to go there and he has no authority there, so where is Satan right now? On earth! That’s right! He walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. He has access to the spiritual realm and actively influences people systems and cultures. That’s why Paul calls him the God of this world and the Prince of the Power of the Air, but the cross already sealed his fate. He’s condemned and his days are numbered. Revelation 20:10 reveals the end and the devil was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.
MYTH #10: The forbidden fruit was an apple.
This one even became the universal emoji for sin. Every time someone mentions Adam and Eve, the mental image appears, a juicy red apple, but where in the Bible does it say it was an apple? Short answer? Nowhere. Genesis 3:6 simply says, “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was pleasant to the eyes and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat.” What fruit mystery? It could have been a fig, a pomegranate, a date, a grape. The Bible doesn’t say.
So where did the apple idea come from? Blame the Latins in the Latin Vulgate translation. The word for apple is “malum” (long “a”) whereas the Latin word for evil, is also “malum,” though with a short “a.” Somebody thought that word play was theological and boom, the apple myth was born. Apple equals sin.
NEXT UP: Illustrated Theology: How To Differentiate Between Your Voice and God’s Voice