Got a Life Verse? Skip These 10 Scriptures

You've probably heard of the concept of a "life verse." It's supposed to be a Bible verse that resonates with you, that you can cling to in times of trouble or doubt, that encapsulates the essence of your faith. 

Sounds great, right? 

But let's be real, not every Bible verse is equally inspiring. In fact, some of them are downright weird. So, in the spirit of irreverence, let's take a look at 10 random Bible verses that would be silly as life verses.

10 “Unconventional” Life Verses

1. Job 19:17: "My breath is offensive to my wife; I am loathsome to my own family." 

Maybe not the best verse to cherry-pick out of the book of Job. But this book on suffering, resilience, and faith does have some gems.

Better life verses from the book of Job:

• Behold, thou hast instructed many, And thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, And thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. (Job 4:3-4)
• And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28)
• The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. (Job 5:11)

2. Ecclesiastes 1:2: "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless." 

Ecclesiastes has always been a little tricky to understand. While it’s not the most uplifting book in the Bible, the author Solomon does provide divine wisdom that could just become a part of your repertoire of life verses. 

One great idea? Proverbs 10:17, which says, “Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” 

3. 2 Kings 6:29: "So we cooked my son and ate him. The next day I said to her, 'Give up your son so we may eat him,' but she had hidden him." 

Yikes! This gruesome story might not make for a great life verse, but it does remind us of the depravity of man. For some more inspiring stories from the book of Kings, try out 1 Kings 3, which tells the story of King Solomon asking God for wisdom above all else. 

4. Psalm 88:18: "You have taken from me friend and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend." 

While this verse doesn’t exactly resonate of joy and hope, it does give us insight into the psalmist’s humanity. Life can be tough and lonely. Thankfully, the next psalm starts on a higher note: I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever. 

5. Genesis 25:32: "Look, I am about to die," Esau said. "What good is the birthright to me?" 

We all know how this story ends…Esau trades his inheritance for a bowl of soup! Must have been some pretty good stew. Jokes aside, this story reminds us not to give in to temporary satisfaction. 

6. Psalm 44:15 says: "All day long my disgrace is before me, and shame has covered my face." 

Well, that's not exactly a confidence-booster. Maybe this could be interpreted as a reminder to stay humble and not let success go to your head, or as a way to embrace your own flaws and imperfections. At least this is a sentiment we can all relate to!

7. Zachariah 8:17: "Do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this," declares the Lord. 

Okay, this one seems pretty straightforward. It's a reminder to not be a jerk and to treat people with kindness and respect. God is love…but there are things He hates. And one of those things is hatred towards each other. 

8. Isaiah 60:6: “A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.”

We love animals as much as the next person, but we’re not sure about being covered by a “multitude of camels”! Jokes aside, the entire chapter of Isaiah 60 is one of our favorites. Hopeful and uplifting, this chapter ends a book of prophecy that shows God’s heart towards His people.  

9. 2 Kings 2:23: “Elisha went up from there to Bethel. As he was going up the road, some young people came out of the city. They mocked him: ‘Get going, Baldy! Get going, Baldy!’”

Poor Elisha! Baldy seems a little harsh for a guy who may just have had a receding hairline. Once again, the book of Kings gives us some unusual stories that might make us look twice. But don’t ignore this portion of Scripture entirely–it’s also one of the most interesting and movie-worthy parts of the Bible. 

10: Amos 5:20: "Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?" 

Yikes, that's not exactly a cheery sentiment. Maybe this could be a reminder to always be prepared for the worst, or as a warning about the dangers of complacency. Either way, we’re reminded of the “fear of the Lord” that’s central to the Christian faith. 

How to Choose a Life Verse That’s Actually Uplifting

Now that we've seen some examples of potential life verses, you might be wondering how to choose one for yourself. Here are a few tips:

Consider your values: What are the things that are most important to you? Love, joy, justice, peace, compassion? Look for Bible verses that align with these values and can serve as a reminder to stay true to them.

Look for Jesus: What motivates you to become more like Christ? Look for verses that highlight the power of Jesus to help you become more like Him. 

Find comfort: Life can be tough. One of the most powerful parts of Scripture is its ability to bring supernatural comfort. Look for verses that can bring you peace in the midst of trial, stress, heartache, or confusion.

Seek guidance: Whether you're facing a big decision or just need some more Spirit-filled direction, the Bible offers a wealth of wisdom for those looking for purpose. Look for verses that can help you navigate life and make the right choices (the book of Proverbs is a great place to start!)

Ultimately, choosing a life verse is a Spirit-led choice that only you can make. It should be a verse that you can turn to again and again for inspiration, comfort, and guidance. Take some time to ask the Lord for guidance, choose a verse, and memorize it!