Popular Proverbs and Sayings Found in The Bible

Every culture in every nation has contributed to the numerous proverbs and sayings that are passed from generation to generation. Due to linguistic differences and varying ways of life, the same truths are expressed in distinct proverbs, sayings, and fables. A good number of the sayings pertaining to life have proven to be true by the admission of many people who have lived well into adulthood.

Some will find it surprising to discover that all proverbs and sayings that are true to life in any culture have biblical "equivalents." Is there any difference in the value of proverbs given by the word of one's ancestors and those given by the word of God, especially when the message is the same? Often, the biblical equivalents of the sayings of life offer insight into why certain proverbs and sayings are true. Biblical proverbs also speak of how dismissing some warnings and counsel carries consequences in the natural and supernatural worlds. Secular proverbs rarely speak of consequences in the spiritual realm or in an afterlife.

The Golden Rule

One of the most popular proverbs known in the West is the advice of the Golden Rule. It simply urges everyone to, "do unto others as you would have them to do unto you." In the New Testament scripture of Matthew 7:12, the Lord told his disciples, "Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that man should do to you, do ye even so to them for this is the law and the prophets." In the secular version there's no mention of the law and the prophets. Why? Because the non-scriptural proverb speaks to everyone whether they believe in Jesus or not. The scripture speaks to the disciples of Christ who aren't only concerned with treating others with fairness, but also with keeping the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:37-40 is one of many passages revealing how the Christian keeps the law and the prophets through Christ. The golden rule has much more significance to the believer in Jesus than it does to the average unbeliever.

What Goes Around Comes Around

The scripture of Galatians 6:7-10 says, "Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. But, he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not."

The biblical equivalent of this proverbs reminds that actions, both good and evil, are reaped in the physical and spiritual realm. The secular version applies to this present life only and usually serves to remind the wicked that they'll reap the evil they've sown.

Other Proverbs and Sayings

Is it true that a leopard never changes his spots? The scripture of 2 Peter 2:22 says, "But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, 'The dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.'"

Again, the difference in acquiring biblical proverbs is the opportunity to learn that a leopard doesn't have to remain a leopard so he'll have no spots at all as a new creature in Christ.

Jealousy has been called the "green-eyed monster". Envy against another person should truly be viewed as the monster that it is. This is why this saying appears in the biblical scripture of
Proverbs 14:30 which reads, "A sound heart is the life of the flesh, but envy the rottenness of the bones."

The majority of the saying and proverbs of life whether secular or biblical offer sound counsel and warning to be heeded. Some decisions made have live long consequences and others will literally cut life short.