--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don’t kid yourself—true religion is not…" description: "\"“Don’t kid yourself—true religion is not about what you know, it’s about putting what you know about God and His Word into practice.”\" — Francis Chan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/francis-chan-548_religion_don-t-kid-yourself-true-religion-is-not_643424.jpg" --- # Don’t kid yourself—true religion is not about what you… ![“Don’t kid yourself—true religion is not about what you know, it’s about putting what you know about God and His Word into practice.” quote by Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/francis-chan-548_religion_don-t-kid-yourself-true-religion-is-not_643424.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/francis-chan-548_religion_don-t-kid-yourself-true-religion-is-not_643424.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/francis-chan-548_religion_don-t-kid-yourself-true-religion-is-not_643424.jpg) > ““Don’t kid yourself—true religion is not about what you know, it’s about putting what you know about God and His Word into practice.”” [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True religion is defined not by intellectual knowledge but by living out that knowledge through actions aligned with God's teachings. **In simple terms:** Religion is about practicing belief, not just knowing it. Key Takeaway Put belief into action daily. Themes faith practice spirituality obedience authenticity daily living Mood inspirational encouraging reflective Type spiritual motivational When to use this quote - personal devotion - community service - teaching - mentorship Key Concepts practical theology obedience Christian discipleship moral action Questions to Reflect On - What practical steps can you take to live your beliefs? - How does action deepen faith? A Different Perspective The quote may oversimplify complex theological concepts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [True religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-religion/) ## Related quotes > [I just have a sense that, you know, I'm curious about what is religion about, you know? Why do some of us still engage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-pagels/i-just-have-a-sense-that-you-know-i-m-curious-about-what-is-religion/) [Elaine Pagels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-pagels/) > [We are all part of the One Spirit. When you experience the true meaning of religion, which is to know God, you will realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/we-are-all-part-of-the-one-spirit-when-you-experience-the-true/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [God has spoken to man, and the Bible is his Word, given to us to make us wise unto salvation... Godliness means responding to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/god-has-spoken-to-man-and-the-bible-is-his-word-given-to-us-to-make/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [“Therefore, as you seek to know God, there isn’t a need to dabble in lots of different religions or make up one that makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chantel-hobbs/therefore-as-you-seek-to-know-god-there-isn-t-a-need-to-dabble-in/) Chantel Hobbs > [“This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise,in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-i-know-that-god-is-for-me-in-god-whose-word-i-praise-in-the-lord/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The tragedy in our colleges and seminaries right now is that we turn men out who know the word of God. That is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/the-tragedy-in-our-colleges-and-seminaries-right-now-is-that-we-turn/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) > [Show true religion, cause words don't relieve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/show-true-religion-cause-words-don-t-relieve/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [I respect religion in general. I respect a lot, but I don't follow any religion. You know, I just follow my personal connection with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juanes/i-respect-religion-in-general-i-respect-a-lot-but-i-don-t-follow-any/) [Juanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juanes/) > [Whatever our religion, we know that if we really want to love, we must first learn to forgive before anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/whatever-our-religion-we-know-that-if-we-really-want-to-love-we-must/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [There is one subject in religion, about which you can never know too much. That subject is Jesus Christ the Lord.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/there-is-one-subject-in-religion-about-which-you-can-never-know-too/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) > [Without philosophy man cannot know what he makes; without religion he cannot know why.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-gill/without-philosophy-man-cannot-know-what-he-makes-without-religion-he/) [Eric Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-gill/) > [A lot of people have many misconceptions about religion. I know what I'm talking about for myself. My mind is very ordered, so to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dion-dimucci/a-lot-of-people-have-many-misconceptions-about-religion-i-know-what-i/) [Dion DiMucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dion-dimucci/) > [I spent a lot of time in India with my father. I don't know all about their religion. But I know they love God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-spent-a-lot-of-time-in-india-with-my-father-i-don-t-know-all-about/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I don't have a religion, you know. This is what I am. I am a Rastaman; so this is not religion. This is life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-marley/i-don-t-have-a-religion-you-know-this-is-what-i-am-i-am-a-rastaman-so/) [Bob Marley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-marley/) > [There's practically no religion that I know of that sees other people in a way that affirms the others' choices. But in our century…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-pagels/there-s-practically-no-religion-that-i-know-of-that-sees-other-people/) [Elaine Pagels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-pagels/) ## More by Francis Chan > [If you want to see the big stuff that God has, you've got to take some risk and trust only in the Gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/if-you-want-to-see-the-big-stuff-that-god-has-you-ve-got-to-take-some/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [God is compassionate and just, loving and holy, wrathful and forgiving. WE can't sideline His more difficult attributes to make room for the palatable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/god-is-compassionate-and-just-loving-and-holy-wrathful-and-forgiving/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“In the midst of our failed attempts at loving Jesus, His grace covers us. Each of us has lukewarm elements and practices in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/in-the-midst-of-our-failed-attempts-at-loving-jesus-his-grace-covers/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Jesus' call to commitment is clear: He wants all or nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/jesus-call-to-commitment-is-clear-he-wants-all-or-nothing/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Yes, it is God who works in you. And, yes, there is work for you to do. Yes, the Spirit empowers you to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/yes-it-is-god-who-works-in-you-and-yes-there-is-work-for-you-to-do/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-point-of-your-life-is-to-point-to-him-whatever-you-are-doing-god/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Lukewarm people love others but do not seek to love others as much as they love themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/lukewarm-people-love-others-but-do-not-seek-to-love-others-as-much-as/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Life is comfortable when you separate yourself from people who are different from you. That epitomizes what my life was like: characterized by comfort.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/life-is-comfortable-when-you-separate-yourself-from-people-who-are/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Christ can come back at any time so the one thing you want to have in your life is a focused prayer time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/christ-can-come-back-at-any-time-so-the-one-thing-you-want-to-have-in/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“Awe Factor” video at www.crazylovebook.com to get a taste of the awe factor of our God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/awe-factor-video-at-www-crazylovebook-com-to-get-a-taste-of-the-awe/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [“What I want you to do right now is to go online and look at the “Awe Factor” video at www.crazylovebook.com to get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/what-i-want-you-to-do-right-now-is-to-go-online-and-look-at-the-awe/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Multi-tasking is keeping me from whole-hearted worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/multi-tasking-is-keeping-me-from-whole-hearted-worship/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [The stress that some of us feel - it's a lack of faith, it really is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/the-stress-that-some-of-us-feel-it-s-a-lack-of-faith-it-really-is/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [We have become dangerously comfortable- believers ooze with wealth and let their addictions to comfort and security numb the radical urgency of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/we-have-become-dangerously-comfortable-believers-ooze-with-wealth-and/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) > [Not being able to understand God is frustrating, but it is ridiculous for us to think we have the right to limit God to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-chan/not-being-able-to-understand-god-is-frustrating-but-it-is-ridiculous/) [Francis Chan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) [Explore all 479 Francis Chan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-chan/) ## More Religion quotes > [Christianity was never meant to be defined by its disciplines, but by its passions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-johnson/christianity-was-never-meant-to-be-defined-by-its-disciplines-but-by/) [Bill Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-johnson/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Social responsibility above the level of family, or at most of tribe, requires imagination-- devotion, loyalty, all the higher virtues -- which a man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/social-responsibility-above-the-level-of-family-or-at-most-of-tribe/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [The love religion is all that is written here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rumi/the-love-religion-is-all-that-is-written-here/) [Rumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rumi/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [No philosophy, no religion, has ever brought so glad a message to the world as this good news of Atheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-besant/no-philosophy-no-religion-has-ever-brought-so-glad-a-message-to-the/) [Annie Besant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-besant/) > [No religion has mandated killing others as a requirement for its sustenance or promotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-religion-has-mandated-killing-others-as-a-requirement-for-its/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Deepen your existing spiritual commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/deepen-your-existing-spiritual-commitment/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [The United States cannot and should not discriminate on the basis of religion. The free exercise of religion is at the very heart of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-pence/the-united-states-cannot-and-should-not-discriminate-on-the-basis-of/) [Mike Pence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-pence/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. To amass knowledge without becoming wise is not my idea of progress…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-scott-peck/but-i-already-saw-no-great-difference-between-the-psyche-and/) [M. Scott Peck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-scott-peck/) > [Above Coblentz almost every mountain has a ruin and a legend. 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