I am shocked, stunned, and flabbergasted. I was positive that Matthew 7:1 (judge not) was at least in the top ten of the most searched Bible verses. It’s not. It is not even in the top 100!
Bible Gateway, an awesome place to search bible verses, compiled the top ten most searched bible verses on their platform. John 3:16 is still the Belle of the Ball.
In today’s post, I am going to discuss the top ten most searched Bible verses.
Did your favorite Bible verse make the cut?
Here’s a link to the top 100.
#1) GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Raise your hand if this was the first Bible verse you memorized. It was mine — in the King James version.
It’s a simple Bible verse with a massive impact. At first blush, it seems theologically light. It’s not.
The word “love” has been hijacked by progressives. This level of love is anything but touchy-feely. It’s powerful!
God was the offended party. He also provided the means by which to clear the offense. This was not a do-over or mulligan for humankind. Justice required recompense. Jesus was the sacrificial Lamb.
What’s our part in this grand plan? We must put our faith in the completed work of Christ.
Remember, we are saved by grace through faith.
#2) Great Plans For You
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Ah, yes, a Hobby Lobby favorite. Here’s an article about bible verses rejected by Hobby Lobby.
I love this Bible verse even if it’s taken totally out of context on a regular basis.
God’s people were being judged. The weeping prophet informed them of the impending judgment.
God, in His abundant mercy, gave them hope. Here is my best effort to paraphrase the Almighty:
“Okay, you’ve done some awful things. You will be in captivity for seventy years. Yes, seventy years. No, you cannot confess your way out of it. Binding the devil won’t help you. I love you and this is what’s best for you. Get comfortable.”
#3) All Things Work For The Good
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
“Why do bad things happen to good people?” That question is asked often. Deep down we believe that we’re good and only deserve good things.
RC Sproul flipped that question on its ear, asking, “Why do good things happen to bad people?”
Luke 18:19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
Suffering is inevitable. Jesus learned obedience through suffering.
God works His purpose through us and at times it will be uncomfortable.
#4) I Will Fear No Evil
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Three of the top ten searched bible verses are found in Psalm 23.
We are going to walk through times of darkness. Valleys are necessary. Stay close to Jesus during these dark nights of the soul.
King David wrote Psalm 23. I imagine that he wrote this Psalm when King Saul was attempting to murder him.
David was poetically recalling his life as a shepherd. Shepherds care for their sheep using a rod and staff as protection.
Certainly, God cared for David more than David cared for the sheep.
Fear is not a bad thing. We just cannot allow fear to destroy our ability to move forward. God will never leave us and will never forsake us.
John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
#5) Transformed By The Renewing Of The Mind
Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Our minds are constantly under assault with sin, iniquity, anger, lust, pride, and more. Yes, when we surrender to Christ we become a new creation. We don’t get a brand new brain though. Daily, we must put off the old and put on the new.
We will either drift into worldly conformity or fight to be transformed through the word of Christ.
Here’s an article I wrote about renewing the mind.
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
#6) Followed By Goodness and Love
Psalm 23:6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
God surrounds us with His goodness, grace, mercy, and love. He is our rear guard (Isaiah 58:8).
Even when we feel alone God is with us!
#7) Don’t Be Anxious
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Anxiety is wreaking havoc in our society. Approximately, 40,000,000 adults in the United States are impacted by anxiety disorders.
Paul encourages us to pray when we become anxious. He states in every situation we should pray. There is no situation that is too small to bring to the Throne of Grace. Address small issues immediately and do your best to keep them from getting out of control.
I Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
#8) An Overflowing Cup
Psalm 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
There are three distinct things happening in this tiny Bible verse.
God is in complete control even when our enemies have us surrounded. David was perhaps a bit sarcastic in his writing.
“Hey pal, I realize that you want to kill me. You can’t right now. God has made this awesome spread and I’m going to have a bite with my Lord.”
Anointing oil is used several times throughout the Bible. David was anointed by Samuel before he positionally became King. Perhaps David was reminding himself of that promise.
Rabbi Daniel Lapin describes the overflowing cup beautifully in his book titled, Thou Shall Prosper.
This is a show of abundance. There is enough for our family and more than enough to give away.
#9) Tim Tebow’s Favorite Verse
Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Tebow used this verse inside eye black when he played football. This was the way in which he preached to those casually watching him play the game.
What was Paul actually talking about in this verse?
Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter. He was sharing about living a life of need or a life of abundance. He was fine in either situation and could do all things (be broke or sick) through Christ.
#10) Do Not Fear
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I have a shark phobia. My sense of survival is heightened while in the ocean. It’s my brain telling me, “Hey pal you could be a Scooby Snack.” That doesn’t impact my life, though.
In other situations, I must overcome or crucify fear.
Sola Melodica is an evangelistic YouTube channel. I post at least one video per week. These videos are designed to reach as many people as possible with the Gospel of the Kingdom. We’re averaging around 10,000 views per month — which is awesome.
However, many of the viewers are God-haters, atheists, agnostics, or nihilists. I get pushback on these videos. I must resist the spirit of intimidation. It’s not a one-and-done type of thing.
When fear rises up resist it with the Word and prayer.
Honorable Mention
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Discouragement, like fear, must be resisted. Things don’t always go the way we want and that can be, well, discouraging.
I have over 1,500 subscribers on my YouTube channel. If I compare myself to other channels I can be discouraged. Or I can reframe things and say, “Dude, over 1,000 different people, liked your stuff so much they didn’t want to miss the next video!”
Be strong and full of courage. Resist discouragement.
Psalm 42:11 Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.