The phrase “you only live once” or YOLO has become a popular saying in recent years. It’s often used to justify impulsive or risky behavior under the pretense that we should make the most of our short lives. But is this an appropriate mindset for Christians to have?
The Bible has quite a lot to say about how we should live our lives and make decisions. Let’s take a look at some key principles from Scripture that relate to this YOLO attitude:
1. Our lives belong to God, not us
As Christians, we acknowledge that our lives belong to God because He created us (Genesis 1:27). We were made for His purposes, not our own: “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:36). This means the focus of our lives should be fulfilling God’s will, not pursuing selfish pleasure.
We are called to be good stewards of the life God has given us. This involves making wise decisions that honor Him and align with His values. The book of Proverbs repeatedly advises seeking wisdom and discretion (Proverbs 2:1-15, 3:21-26). God will hold us accountable for how we manage what He has entrusted to us (Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 14:12).
2. Earthly life is fleeting compared to eternity
The Bible describes earthly life as brief and transitory compared to the eternal state that awaits us. “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). Our days on earth are like “grass which grows up and flourishes in the morning, then fades and withers in the evening” (Psalm 90:5-6).
Given the temporary nature of this life, we should not become overly attached to the world’s pleasures that will soon pass away. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Our hope as believers is set on eternity, where God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (Revelation 21:4).
3. We will give account for all our actions
The Bible warns that one day we will stand before God and give account for our lives. We will be judged for the “deeds done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10). Jesus cautioned not to live for ourselves but store up heavenly treasures, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).
Knowing we will face evaluation from the Lord who knows all should make us consider our actions very carefully. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes 12:14 concludes, “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” This makes impulsive decisions to “live it up” seem unwise.
4. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit
According to Scripture, our bodies are not truly our own because the Holy Spirit resides within believers. “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?” (1 Corinthians 6:19).
This carries important implications for how we live. We should honor God with our bodies and not join them with immorality (1 Corinthians 6:15-18). Rather than chasing fleshly indulgence, we are called to offer ourselves as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:12-14). Our bodies belong to God, so we must glorify Him with them.
5. We cannot serve both God and money
The relentless pursuit of wealth and possessions is another area YOLO attitudes can lead to dangerous territory. Jesus famously warned that “no one can serve two masters…You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). Demanding careers that earn lots of money while leaving no time for family and spiritual things often reveal misplaced priorities.
This is not to condemn enjoying the good things God provides or working hard in our vocations (Ecclesiastes 2:24, Colossians 3:23). But we should examine whether we are serving money rather than God as our highest priority. For “what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Matthew 16:26).
6. Biblical wisdom leads to blessings
While YOLO suggests doing whatever you want in the moment, the Bible directs us to the fear of the Lord which “is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). God’s wisdom leads to blessing and prosperity when built into our lives (Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1). This aligns with our eternal interests rather than chasing fleeting pleasures of the world.
Proverbs offers extensive practical advice for living wisely and making prudent decisions that lead to health and well-being. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). God’s guidance helps us live well.
7. We are to keep eternity in mind
A key distinction between YOLO and a Christian view of life is perspective. YOLO focuses only on the immediate with no thought of consequences. But Jesus tells us to live ready for His return at any time (Matthew 24:36-44). Keeping eternity at the forefront of our minds motivates us to make wise investments of our time and resources.
Paul writes, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). When we realize life is a brief opportunity to prepare for eternity, it frames our values and decisions differently.
8. We cannot control the length of our lives
YOLO implies you should live wildly because you only have one life. But the truth is we cannot control how long we will live. Our lives are in God’s hands, not our own. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow” (James 4:13-14).
Since we cannot guarantee tomorrow, we should make the most of each day God gives us. But this means excelling at the purposes He has called us to, not selfish pursuits. We can embrace each day as a gift from God, although none are promised (Psalm 118:24).
9. God has numbered our days
Not only are our lives uncertain, but their lengths are appointed by God. King David prayed, “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (Psalm 139:16). The boundaries of our lives have been established by the Lord.
This truth should make us slow to claim autonomy over “my life.” Our days belong to the Lord and are unfolding according to His will. “‘My times are in Your hand’” (Psalm 31:15). We can rest knowing He ordains our steps and will work all things for good in His timing (Proverbs 20:24, Romans 8:28).
10. We should number our days
Since our days are numbered by God, we should seek to number them wisely. “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). By keeping our life’s brevity in view, we gain perspective for living each day well.
Moses prayed this after witnessing a whole unbelieving generation die in the wilderness due to lack of faith in God. Their example reminds us to have an eternal perspective and obey God’s word (Hebrews 3:7–4:13). When we understand how fleeting life is, we gain insight for making it count each day.
11. Do not boast about tomorrow
The temptation with a YOLO attitude is to arrogantly assume we have long lives ahead to do as we please. But the Bible repeatedly warns against boasting about our plans for tomorrow. We cannot presume on the future since our lives are always in God’s hands.
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:13-14).
Instead, we should humbly acknowledge, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that” (James 4:15). Planning is wise, but boasting is foolish since we cannot control what tomorrow holds.
12. Put on the new self
The YOLO mindset tends to allow for sinful behavior under the idea that we should “have fun.” But as Christians, we are called to “put off your old self” and be made new in Christ (Ephesians 4:22). Paul writes to “put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
Followers of Christ have been transformed to live in a way that honors God (Romans 12:1-2). While we cannot earn salvation by good works (Ephesians 2:8-9), our lives should demonstrate the Holy Spirit working within us to produce righteousness (Galatians 5:16-26). YOLO attitudes often lead people into old patterns of sinful living.
13. Live a faithful life
Rather than chasing selfish, worldly pleasures, Christians are called to live faithfully in God’s sight. “So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:1-2).
Keeping an eternal perspective helps us live each day nobly as an act of worship to God. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). This includes pursuing moral excellence, self-control, perseverance and godliness (2 Peter 1:5-8).
14. Practice righteousness
Living under the mindset of YOLO often translates into “since I only live once, I can do whatever seems fun and enjoyable now.” But as Christians, we are called to practice righteousness in our day-to-day lives. “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous” (1 John 3:7).
This looks very different than immoral behavior condoned by the world. Our lives should demonstrate the character of Christ through practicing what honors God. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
15. Be diligent in God’s work
YOLO attitudes tend to prioritize thrill-seeking and pleasure over productive disciplined work. But God calls us to steward our lives wisely for His purposes. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23 NIV). We should make the most of each day by diligently applying ourselves to the work God sets before us.
This requires saying no to laziness and irresponsibility. “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8). Living for God includes working hard with the time He gives us.
16. Be ready for Christ’s return
One problem with the YOLO perspective is it focuses solely on this life with no preparation for eternity. In contrast, Christians know Jesus is returning soon to judge the living and the dead. We want to be ready when He comes again.
“Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect… blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes… But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites” (Matthew 24:44-51).
17. We will stand before God’s judgment
The YOLO mentality presumes this life is all there is. But the Bible teaches we will one day stand before God and give account for how we lived. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
Knowing we will face evaluation from the all-seeing Lord who knows our deeds and motives should compel us to live carefully and rightly. “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light” (Luke 8:17). God’s approaching judgment motivates holy living.
18. Fear God, not man
YOLO attitudes often focus on peer approval and popularity over pleasing God. But Jesus taught that we should fear God who has power over the soul rather than fearing man’s opinion (Matthew 10:28). The opinions that matter most are God’s, not the ever-changing views of people.
Peter tells us, “Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17). Our highest honor and reverence belongs to God. Pleasing Him through lives of righteousness should matter far more than the approval of friends or society.
19. Love God and neighbor
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus replied: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets’” (Matthew 22:37-40).
Rather than self-centered pursuits, we are called to devote ourselves fully to loving God and loving others. This sums up the purpose of our lives. Selfless love fulfills God’s design far more than selfish recklessness. The needs of others should concern us more than our own gratification.
20. Glorify God in all you do
The Westminister Shorter Catechism summarizes man’s purpose as “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Our lives are meant to honor the Lord who created us. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
Seeking thrills or impulsive pleasure for ourselves fails to bring glory to God. But when we steward our lives wisely as His faithful servants, our lives point to His praise. As Christians, acting for God’s glory should be our overarching aim, not pursuing selfish bucket lists.
Conclusion
In summary, “you only live once” is not an appropriate guiding philosophy for Christians. We acknowledge God as Creator with rights over our lives. Earthly life is brief compared to eternity. We will give account to God for all our actions. Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit belonging to God. We cannot serve both God and money. Biblical wisdom leads to blessing. An eternal perspective should direct our view of life. We cannot control the length of our lives which are ordained by God. We should number our days wisely rather than boasting about tomorrow. As new creations in Christ, we are called to practice righteousness in the time allotted to us while preparing for Jesus’ return and the final judgment. When our lives are rooted in loving God and loving neighbor for His glory, we can make the most of our fleeting days on earth. The YOLO mentality promotes self-centeredness and reckless living. But God offers us something far better – lives of meaning, purpose and eternal significance when submitted fully to Him.
