By: Louis Rushmore
Several symbols and mottos have been hijacked from their original and appropriate meanings, instead to represent either a rallying point for immorality or so construed as to become catchphrases by religious persons. Christians hesitate to use those symbols and mottos. While there may be several additional examples, please consider these three.
The Rainbow
Almighty God, the Creator (Genesis 1:1) established the rainbow at a specific time in history for a particular reason. Following the universal flood during the days of Noah, God assured mankind through Noah that He would never again destroy “all flesh” by such a flood.
“Thus I establish My covenant with you: Never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood; never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” (Genesis 9:11–16 NKJV emphasis added)
However, homosexuals absconded with the rainbow to symbolize their abominations. God, in both testaments of the Bible, strongly condemns every form of sexual deviance, including homosexuality (Leviticus 18:6–20, 22–23; cf., Genesis 19:1–29). “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; cf., Romans 1:18–32).
“The rainbow became an LGBTQ+ symbol on June 25, 1978, when it debuted at the San Francisco Gay Freedom Day Parade” (“When Did the Rainbow”). “Now the rainbow flag is an international symbol for LGBTQ pride and can be seen flying proudly, during both the promising times and the difficult ones, all around the world” (Gonzalez emphasis added). Not only did homosexuals and other perverters of sex come out of the proverbial closet, but they have not ceased trying to force morally upright people into their closet and to shut the door.
Total Commitment
The words “total commitment” represent a valid biblical reference to a conscientious dedication to the practice of Christianity. In the 1960s and 1970s, Total Commitment became the combination of words to represent a movement that grew out of the Crossroads Church of Christ in Gainesville, Florida. Later, it moved its center of influence to the Boston Church of Christ, before morphing itself finally into the International Churches of Christ. Doubtlessly, in the beginning, sincere members of the Lord’s church sought to inspire and persuade fellow Christians to greater conviction and Christian service. However, that effort evolved into an authoritarian, hierarchal disciple-making ministry instead of voluntary submission and dedication. Eventually, the internal movement became a separate religious group, similar to the development of Protestant groups over the centuries. For instance, the Methodist Church emerged from within the Anglican Church—Church of England—Episcopal Church—first, from the “Holy Club,” a study group focusing on devout Christianity, and later, “Methodism,” which “developed intensive and personal accountability, discipleship, and religious instruction” (“John Wesley”).
The Son of God demonstrated a total commitment to the will of the Father in Heaven by becoming incarnate and ultimately a vicarious sacrifice on Calvary’s Hill, nailed upon the cross (Philippians 2:6–8). The apostles of Christ also exhibited total commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and to His church; all but one of them died a martyr’s death. The apostle Paul is a worthy example earnest imitation (1 Corinthians 11:1) respecting total commitment (2 Corinthians 11:23–28).
Purpose Driven Life
Aside from some content that favors Calvinism, Rick Warren forcefully and accurately outlined the need for followers of Jesus Christ to be all-in or to be those who are genuinely and spiritually purpose driven in their lives (Warren). Living life here on earth with all of its physical trappings, nevertheless Christians ought to “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33). Sadly, even the children of God more readily identify with the world and material prosperity (John 15:19; 1 John 2:15–17) rather than to screen their thoughts, speech and day-to-day activities with the Bible—the Word of God—as a spiritual filter.
Conclusion
Fortunately, God is willing to forgive people of their sins, including sexual perversions, upon repentance. Following the list of sins in 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, the Holy Spirit caused the apostle Paul to pen, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). Among other sinners, Corinthian Christians who had been homosexuals were forgiven when they repented and otherwise obeyed the Gospel of Christ. The LGBTQ+ group stole and perverted the rainbow, and God-fearing people want it back. Let’s recover the rainbow and unabashedly raise it to the height and to the significance that God assigned to it. Besides that, the rainbow is a beautiful reminder of God Who put it into our skies.
Apostate members of the churches of Christ took ownership of the words “Total Commitment.” Perhaps with good intentions initially, ultimately they tarnished the words “total commitment” and transformed themselves into something beyond the teachings in the Bible about the church for which Jesus Christ died to establish. These days especially, there needs to be genuine conviction preceding, as well as following, conversion by obeying the Gospel. Christians need to take back and truly own for themselves “total commitment”!
Yes, the Baptist Rick Warren popularized the phrase “a purpose driven life” so widely that using it for us might seem to border on copyright infringement. As a matter of fact, “Purpose Driven” is a registered trademark, and The Purpose Driven Life is a copyrighted book by Rick Warren and Purpose Driven Ministries. “While you cannot use the phrase for commercial branding due to the trademark, everyday use of the words in normal conversation to describe a goal-oriented lifestyle is not restricted” (“Is the Phrase”). Christians need the biblical principle of a spiritually, purpose driven life to navigate through life on earth to the only goal of beneficial consequence—a home in Heaven with God. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23–24 NKJV).
Don’t allow anyone to steal your God-given rainbow! Determine to be totally or wholly committed to the faithful and energetic exercise of your Christianity! Embrace purpose in your life that will guide you through earthly obstacles to a home in Heaven with God! Let’s take them back—the rainbow, total commitment and a spiritually purpose driven life!
Works Cited
Gonzalez, Nora. “How Did the Rainbow Flag Become a Symbol of LGBTQ Pride?” Britannica AI. 28 May 2026. 20 July 2026. <https://www.britannica.com/story/how-did-the-rainbow-flag-become-a-symbol-of-lgbt-pride>.
“Is the Phrase a Purpose Driven Life Copyrighted or Trademarked?” Google AI Overview. 20 July 2026.
Warren, Rick. What on Earth Am I Here For? Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2004.
“When Did the Rainbow Become a Symbol of Gay Pride?” Google AI Overview. 20 July 2026.
