Why do people use the quote," What would Jesus do?"?

Question

This is just making it ok to make up what you think Jesus would do yourself. This is not biblical. It should be What Did Jesus Do. You are creating a Jesus to suit yourself. This is Idolitry!
Do you have your own views
on God?
Idolitry of the imagination is the oldest sin
in the Book, "these men have set up their
idols in their heart..." Ezek. 14:3. God says
that no idolitors "...shall inherit the
kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

Answer 1

So far, you are the second person I have ever heard ask that question. My dear husband is the only other person. And I think you are so right. It really should be, what did Jesus do? It isn't enough just to guess at Jesus' actions - it is best to go pick up your Bible and ask God to show you what to do. That is the best way to go through life - steered by the Holy Spirit and the Word, rather than by your own ideas and feelings. After all, we are fallible - only God makes no mistakes.

Good question.

And Alan - if you want to read a good book about how to live like Jesus, I know of one better than that book by Thomas Aquino. It's called the Holy Bible, and it is all about how to live like Jesus!

Answer 2

I see your point. I am supposed to answer a question here. I would like to respectfully disagree that asking oneself what Jesus would do is idolatry. The actions of Jesus that were recorded in the gospels did not include every situation that a modern person might face. In its best light, the question "What would Jesus do" indicates that a person is trying to decide on a course of action based upon the principles of Jesus' teachings when facing an issue that was not specifically addressed by Jesus during His lifetime on earth, in other words, an attempt to understand Jesus' overall philosophy.
Idolatry is to direct one's worship toward an object that is not God. Such an object could indeed be an imagined object, for example, an incorrect mental idea of God.
That very well could happen when a person with little understanding asks "What would Jesus do?", but I do not believe that this is ALWAYS the case. Some people DO have a better understanding than others.
Some people might deserve the "benefit of the doubt" before we accuse them of such a terrible sin as idolatry.

Answer 3

That was the name of a best selling Christian book, when I was young, many moons ago.

It was about a church community that thrived by daring to choose to do what Jesus would have done.

It was on bumper stickers and pencils, just big enough for the unexplained letters WWJD.

It was an underground thing. Christians were encouraging each other to be their best self, rather than confronting ornery unbelievers like we do at Yahoo!

Maybe we should go back to Christian codes to encorage each other. Sometimes talking to folks who will absolutely not listen is totally unproductive.

We should spend our verbage encouraging each other, and all the more as we see the day of His return approaching.

Answer 4

Now how would Jesus answer this question?

Seriously,I personally do not quote the phrase,however we as Christians should be thinking it on a daily basis,before acting.
To me,it is simply submitting to the will of God,rather than giving place to our own (this would be idolatry).

Think of it as being a pause,a moment to relect and analyze a situation,putting on the mind of Christ before proceeding in a carnal manner.

I understand,however that many non-believers use;"WWJD" in a less than genuine and mocking spirit,at times.

Answer 5

I think your reading too much into it. You can base what Jesus would do by what he has done in the past. I do agree so many people make God, Jesus, into who they want him to be, but I think you are using the phrase WWJD just to vent about it. Take a deep breath and use that energy to pray for the people that try and mold God into their image. God has it under control. You don't have to worry about people distorting God because he is the same God as he always was.

Answer 6

I can see your point and I go even further with it. If ppl say what would Jesus do, ppl will often respond with, I dont know, He isnt here, how do I know? I have heard that often.
The Bible is written for us to know and understand God fully, and Jesus was given to us as an example of how to live, think and speak like. WE desire to be ike Jesus, but we must know Him and the word to know what Jesus would do now, and what He did then.
I always say, What would Jesus do today, based on what the Bible tells us He did then? It makes ppl think?
If He didnt lie to cover Himself up then, He wouldnt do it now. Its not just even one thing, its His whole life, how He lived, and spoke and thought, and taught, all of it. LEts get this ppl, and stop the watering down of the gospel of Jesus Christ, to make it sound ok for us to do whatever we please. Its not like that. WE cannot do whatever we place. Grace doesnt cover continued, deliberate sin. GOD FORBID.
When we put outselves abot the word of GOD, we have made ourselves an idol that we worship. That is the same as having any other false god. I even hear ppl today, and no not just the LDS, saying they can become as their own god, this is really catching on ppl.
WE will need to Know God and all of His word to know what truth is and what it isnt. and to stay walking in the SPirit of God, by following PURSUING Jesus all the way and doing al He did . IF HE walked among us today in the flesh, He would still be the same , He doesnt change. IT is we that change, not GOd. Are we willing to obey the one true God, the triune God of three in one. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Jesus is our example and we are commanded, not just merely suggested , to be just like Him. And, we have a Spirit, a Holy Spirit, that will show us and empower us on how to overcome sin and count it all as joy. When we are like Jesus Christ, we wont want to sin, as we will be reviled by it just like He was. 1 John 3:9 says those born of God will not walk in continued sin, WHAT THEY KNOW IS SIN, as they cant. Once we are born again, we have the mindof Christ, and our nature is no longer a fallen sin nature, but that of a new creation man, that wont sin.
What did Jesus do???? You are right. The Bible shows us what He did, and thats our example of how we are to be today.
Great thought question. God bless you to overflow for it.
You make us THINK> AMEN
Happy Jesus' B/day everybody Lets keep it only about Jesus.
HALLELUJAH>

Answer 7

thes little Jesus braclets and trinkets are just another fad that the public is going through and the merchants are taking advantage of. It would be great if people would stop and think or stop and ask themselves about a given situation .What would Jesus do? We should ask the Lord about every decision that we make in life. Not wait until we get in trouble by making our own decisions and then call on him and ask him to bale us out again.

It should not be: What would Jesus do?

It should be Jesus What should I do? and Jesus what do YOU want me to do?

Answer 8

I can understand someone using that quote. Christians are suppose to be Christ-like, followers of Jesus. If someone is having trouble making a decision, then it makes sense to think about how Jesus would react in that situation in order to make the right choice. That is not idolatry.

God Bless.

Answer 9

Mmmm, think you're getting worked up over a non-issue, creating a problem by skewing intention. As a christian are you not called to be more Christlike? One of the greatest books written on the subject is Thomas Aquino's' "Imitation of Christ". WWJD means the best and most christian response under given circumstances. While that is open to interpretation, I don't see how it could in any way be construed as idolatry.

Answer 10

It is a question which I often ask myself when I am faced with a decision. I know it is really strange but I am faced with different challenges to those that Jesus faced. For a start I have decisions to make about work, money, leisure and so on. Asking this question helps me decide. It helps me focus on Jesus whom I love. I'm sorry that you think I am doing something wrong but that won't stop me. Perhaps we will meet in hell.