Faith & Religion: English Vocabulary List

used to imply that engaging in immoral or sinful behavior leads to negative consequences, which may be fatal or result in spiritual death or separation from God

"Every bad choice has consequences — the wages of sin is death."

"He had cut corners on safety for years, and the lawsuit that followed was a reminder that the wages of sin is death."

used to suggest that taking action and starting a project or pursuing a goal is the most important step, and that the necessary resources and support will come as one goes along

"Just start the project — begin to weave and God will give the thread."

"She did not have a full plan but trusted that begin to weave and God will give the thread."

used to criticize people who only seek divine help during times of crisis but do not maintain a consistent practice of faith or spirituality

"They forgot all the help they received once things got better — the danger past, and God forgotten."

"As soon as the crisis passed, the promises made in desperation were quietly dropped — the danger past, and God forgotten."

used to emphasize the power of strong faith and belief in oneself, as it can overcome seemingly impossible challenges and enable individuals to accomplish difficult tasks

"Keep believing — faith can move mountains."

"The team had every reason to give up, but faith will move mountains kept the founder going through the hardest years."

used to suggest that shared faith and spirituality can strengthen family bonds and promote a sense of togetherness and support

"They pray together every morning and have a very strong bond — the family that prays together stays together."

"Community groups noted that the family that prays together stays together, pointing to lower conflict rates among households that shared rituals."

used to imply that being open to instruction and willing to learn leads to gaining knowledge and understanding, while rejecting wisdom and being closed-minded is foolish and hinders growth

"Wisdom starts with respect — the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom."

"She opened her lecture by quoting the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

used to highlight the importance of balance between relying on higher powers and taking responsible action

"Plan carefully and act — put your trust in God, and keep your powder dry."

"She was a woman of faith but also of action — put your trust in God, and keep your powder dry."

used to express a sense of humility and gratitude, acknowledging that one's circumstances could have been different if not for the benevolence or favor of a higher power

"He lost everything through no fault of his own — there but for the grace of God go I."

"She watched the news of the redundancies and thought quietly there but for the grace of God go I."

used to promote the value of human life and the importance of non-violence

"Killing is wrong in every context — thou shalt not kill."

"The principle of thou shalt not kill underpins legal and ethical systems across most of the world."

used to suggest that individuals who are highly favored or blessed by the gods are often taken away from the world at a young age

"He died young and brilliant — whom the gods love must die young."

"She was taken far too soon — whom the gods love shall die young, people said at the funeral."

used to suggest that even in difficult circumstances, those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged will be provided with the necessary strength and protection to overcome adversity

"He lost everything but somehow survived — God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb."

"The redundancy was brutal, but support came from unexpected places — God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb."

used to imply that everything happens for a good reason and the world is as good as it can be, emphasizing the idea of optimism and the belief that everything works out for the best

"Bad things happen, but it's okay."

"Despite the unexpected challenges, she maintained a positive outlook, believing all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds."

used for saying that admitting one's mistakes, sins, or wrongdoings can bring spiritual and emotional healing and relief

"Telling the truth felt like a weight lifted — confession is good for the soul."

"After months of hiding the mistake, she admitted it openly and felt much better — confession is good for the soul."

used to express a sense of humility and gratitude, acknowledging that one's circumstances could have been different if not for the benevolence or favor of a higher power

"There but for the grace of god go I."

"Witnessing their misfortune, I couldn't help but think, 'There but for the grace of God go I,' feeling immense gratitude for my own stability."