Jimmy Swaggart Quotes

Powerful Jimmy Swaggart for Daily Growth

About Jimmy Swaggart

Jimmy Swaggart (born March 15, 1935) is an American evangelist, pastor, singer, musician, and televangelist, most known for his charismatic preaching style and the scandals that shook his ministry in the late 1980s. Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, Swaggart was the fourth of five children born to Willie Ethel (née Taylor) and Coy Swaggart, sharecroppers who later opened a small store. Raised in a deeply religious household, Swaggart started singing and playing guitar in church at a young age. Swaggart's ministerial career began when he was 14 years old, leading the local choir. After high school, he briefly attended Louisiana Bible Institute before leaving to focus on his music ministry. In 1954, Swaggart formed the Jimmy Swaggart Evangelist Team with his brother Donnie and cousin Gary Talley. They started touring the Southern United States, combining evangelism with gospel concerts. In 1971, Swaggart founded The Jimmy Swaggart Ministry (now known as Jimmy Swaggart Ministries) and began broadcasting a television program called "The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast." His ministry expanded over the years, with numerous churches, schools, and outreach programs established. Swaggart's popularity peaked in the 1980s when he was one of the most influential televangelists. However, in 1988, Swaggart was caught in a prostitution scandal, which resulted in a significant decline in his popularity and influence. Despite this setback, he continued his ministry, focusing more on local work. Swaggart's major works include several books, such as "Strength for Today and Bread for Tomorrow" and "A Study of the Book of Acts," and numerous gospel albums. He is perhaps best known for his charismatic preaching style, passionate sermons, and his unwavering belief in the power of prayer and faith healing. Despite the scandals that marred his career, Jimmy Swaggart remains a significant figure in American evangelical Christianity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The Bible is not just a book, it's an Almighty Declaration from God."

The quote suggests that according to Jimmy Swaggart, the Bible is more than just a religious text; it is a divine declaration directly from God. This perspective underscores the significance and authority attributed to the Bible in religious belief systems that view it as divinely inspired and infallible. The quote highlights the sacred nature of the Bible and its role as a source of guidance, wisdom, and revelation for followers of these faiths.


"Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay."

This quote emphasizes that sin, or acting against moral principles, leads to unintended and undesirable consequences. The phrase "Sin will take you farther than you want to go" suggests that once one starts down a path of sin, it can lead them into deeper and more serious transgressions than initially intended. "Keep you longer than you want to stay" indicates that the grip of sin can be powerful and difficult to escape, often lasting much longer than desired. Lastly, "and cost you more than you want to pay" signifies the emotional, financial, or relational toll that sin takes on an individual's life, often far exceeding any short-term pleasure or gain derived from it. In essence, the quote serves as a warning about the destructive nature of sin and encourages individuals to make moral choices in their lives.


"You can have all the material things in the world but if you don't have peace with God you don't have anything."

This quote emphasizes that while earthly possessions may bring temporary satisfaction, they hold no value if one lacks spiritual peace with God. In other words, true wealth and happiness come from having a positive relationship with the divine, rather than relying solely on material goods. It suggests that a peaceful connection with God is more valuable than any physical or financial possessions.


"God is not looking for perfect people; He's looking for committed people."

This quote by Jimmy Swaggart emphasizes that God values commitment over perfection in individuals. It suggests that one does not need to be flawless or sinless to serve God, but rather, a sincere and steadfast dedication to Him is more important. This perspective encourages people to focus on their relationship with God, prioritize their faith, and strive to fulfill their commitments, despite personal shortcomings or imperfections.


"The secret of a happy life is to live day-by-day, and take one thing at a time."

This quote by Jimmy Swaggart emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment, focusing on one task or issue at a time. By adopting this approach, individuals can lead happier lives as they avoid the stress and anxiety that often arise from worrying about the future or regretting the past. Instead, they can fully immerse themselves in their current experiences and responsibilities, finding joy and fulfillment in each day's endeavors.


If I do not return to the pulpit this weekend, millions of people will go to hell.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Will, Weekend, Go, Pulpit

I'm not knocking the poor homosexual, I'm not. They need salvation just like anybody else.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Need, Salvation, Knocking, Homosexual

I have sinned against you, my Lord.

- Jimmy Swaggart

You, Against, Lord, Sinned

I have sinned against You, my Lord, and I would ask that your precious blood would wash and cleanse every stain until it is in the seas of God's forgiveness.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Precious, Against, Lord, Sinned

It's a humorous statement that doesn't mean anything. You can't lie to God - it's ridiculous.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Mean, Ridiculous, Statement, Humorous

I get amazed, I can't look at it but about 10 seconds, at these politicians dancing around this, dancing around this, I'm trying to find a correct name for it, this utter absolute, asinine, idiotic stupidity of men marrying men.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Dancing, Correct, Utter, Marrying

I gave my heart to the Lord, and I remember the incident vividly. The Lord spoke to me. I know that sounds funny. It was not an audible voice or anything of that nature.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Voice, I Remember, Spoke, Incident

The minister of the Gospel is really the yardstick by which the nation measures its morals.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Which, Measures, Minister, Yardstick

The Media is ruled by Satan. But yet I wonder if many Christians fully understand that.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Satan, Christians, Ruled, Fully

I'm knocking our pitiful, pathetic lawmakers. And I thank God that President Bush has stated, we need a Constitutional amendment that states that marriage is between a man and a woman.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Woman, Need, Amendment, Knocking

I'm knocking our pitiful, pathetic lawmakers.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Pitiful, Pathetic, Our, Knocking

If you look hard enough, you'll find something good about me and say it.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Me, Find, About, Something Good

Evolution is a bankrupt speculative philosophy, not a scientific fact. Only a spiritually bankrupt society could ever believe it. Only atheists could accept this Satanic theory.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Fact, Could, Atheists, Speculative

Evolution is a bankrupt speculative philosophy, not a scientific fact.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Fact, Scientific Fact, Speculative

I feel like it's my responsibility and my obligation to stand up and to say that which I believe to be the truth.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Feel, Like, Which, Stand Up

I don't appreciate a preacher who commits adultery and then goes out and blames me.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Appreciate, Goes, Adultery, Preacher

Philosophies change by the day while God never changes, simply because, being perfect, He does not have to change!

- Jimmy Swaggart

Change, Changes, Perfect, Philosophies

I'm gonna be blunt and plain, if one ever looks at me like that I'm gonna kill him and tell God he died.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Blunt, Like, Gonna, Plain

Only a spiritually bankrupt society could ever believe it. Only atheists could accept this Satanic theory.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Society, Ever, Atheists, Bankrupt

You can find things about me you don't like. And frankly, I don't want to hear it.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Want, Find, Like, Frankly

Christians are supposed to be the most forgiving people on the face of the Earth.

- Jimmy Swaggart

Face, Most, Christians, Forgiving

You can't lie to God - it's ridiculous.

- Jimmy Swaggart

God, You, Ridiculous, Lie

I've never seen a man in my life I wanted to marry.

- Jimmy Swaggart

My Life, Never, Wanted, Marry

If you're searching for quotes on a different topic, feel free to browse our Topics page or explore a diverse collection of quotes from various Authors to find inspiration.