By Mark Ellis
In the last few years, singer-songwriter Justin Bieber’s bad-boy antics and run-ins with the law have alienated some of his Christian fan base and even led thousands to petition the White House to have the Canadian-born star deported. But recently, the 21-year-old pop sensation has considered the error of his ways and made a stunning turnaround in his relationship with Christ.
In an interview with Joe La Puma for the Oct/Nov 2015 issue of COMPLEX conducted at the Montage Beverly Hills hotel, Bieber bares his soul about the dramatic restoration of his walk with Jesus.
“I forgot what I was about, what my mom raised me to be,” Bieber confessed to COMPLEX. “I veered off, and I got tainted. I came into the music industry at 13. I was trying to trust people and they’d break my heart at 15,” he says.
Bieber became disillusioned with people who took advantage of him. In response, he started to “do his own thing.”
“I got into a little bit of trouble,” he admits, “—nothing that other 20-year-olds don’t get into—just rebelling a little bit. Now, being 21, I’m coming into my own and around some pretty cool people who are not afraid to tell me what’s real.”
He says his behavior pushed the limits. “I was doing anything. I was doing so many things that I shouldn’t even be on the planet still. I think that it (my survival) was by the grace of God.”
During his time of rebellion, he says his manager, Scooter Braun always made sure he was safe and that situations didn’t escalate out of control. Sometimes Braun’s oversight as a “fixer” worked, and other times it backfired, he told COMPLEX.
The night he spent in jail was an unforgettable experience. “It’s freezing; it’s uncomfortable; there are people in there you just don’t want to be around. I had people who were yelling at me. They were saying, “Bieber! We f___ with you, bro! We love you! Aye! Keep your head up, bro!” It was kind of funny to hear that, especially from cats in jail.”
Bieber admits some people around him wanted him to rebel.
Following his epic break-up with Selena Gomez, his heart began to soften toward God. “Love is a choice. Love
is not a feeling. People have made it seem in movies that it’s this fairy tale. That’s not what love is.
“You’re not gonna want to love your girl sometimes but you’re gonna choose to love her,” he continued. “That’s something in life that I had to figure out. I can’t lean on people. I got to lean on God. I gotta trust in Him through all my situations. Then, hopefully, my other relationships will flourish around me.”
After his turbulent adolescence, he also began to reflect on the limits of science and his place in the universe. “For a “big bang” to create all this is more wild to think about than thinking about there being a God,” he told COMPLEX.
“Imagine putting a bunch of gold into a box, shaking up the box, and out comes a Rolex. It’s so preposterous once people start saying it. At this point, my faith has gotten me to where I am. My faith has brought me to a whole other level. I love talking about my faith.”
Bieber bemoans some of the representations of Christianity he sees on late-night TV and says he wants to focus less on religion and more on his personal relationship with God.
“I’m not religious. I, personally, love Jesus and that was my salvation. I want to share what I’m going through and what I’m feeling and I think it shouldn’t be ostracized.”
“I actually feel better and more free now that I know what I can do and what I can’t do. I’m gonna use my voice for a reason. I think that people, as soon as they start hearing me saying I’m a Christian, they’re like, “Whoa Justin, back up, take a step back.”
Bieber says he wants to pursue Christlikeness with increased focus. “I do not want to shove this down anyone’s throat. I just wanna honestly live like Jesus. Not be Jesus—I could never—I don’t want that to come across weird. He created a pretty awesome template of how to love people and how to be gracious and kind. If you believe it, he died for our sins.”
He recognized Jesus came to deal with his insecurities, pain, fears, and trauma. He realized he had been self-medicating – trying to heal himself – and that was unnecessary.
“We have the greatest healer of all and his name is Jesus Christ. And he really heals. This is it. It’s time that we all share our voice….I’m at a point where I’m not going to hold this in.”
Bieber compares his love for Jesus with his love for a woman. “It’s like a girlfriend. If I have an awesome, bomb girlfriend, I’m gonna wanna show her off and go around and tell people my girl is the s___. I’m not gonna cheat on her because she’s the best.
“It’s like with God: The whole thing with religion is you present yourself holy and bring your offerings so that God can bless you, when the whole point of the relationship [should be], ‘No, I’m gonna do this because he loves me. I’m gonna do this because he’s amazing and not because [I] have to, [but] because [I] want to.’ That’s the whole thing with religion that’s been throwing off the people. It’s not a ‘have to.’ It should be just like a personal relationship. Like, ‘Hey, I love you because you first loved me.’
“If we can understand that we’re all imperfect, let’s come to God and come for his help. You’re not weak by doing that. I think that’s a common misperception of Christians, that you’re being weak because you can’t handle it. None of us can handle this world, dude! It’s eating us alive.”
But, man, I don’t wanna have to do it on my own. I know for sure my parents can’t give me all that I need. I know that my friends can’t give me all that I need. There’s something missing. I think that going to church is fellowship, it’s relationship, it’s what we’re here on the earth to do, to have this connection that you feel there’s no insecurities. I think that’s where we need to be.
Bieber’s renewed faith has given him a God-centered confidence. “I feel invincible like, nothing is bigger than God. If God’s for me, who can be against me? That’s helped me in a lot of situations where I feel judged. It gives you confidence and you can carry yourself in a cool way, but it’s not cocky. It’s a confidence that’s a godly confidence. That’s what I always want. I wanna be loved for being a good dude and for being confident in myself because I know who I am and what I carry and what I sacrifice.”
Do you want to know God personally, here are four steps…
For the full interview in COMPLEX, go here.
Praise God! Let’s all pray for him to continue steadfast in the Lord despite the trials and temptations that accompany stardom!
Thank you Jesus for saving this young man. You have answered his mothers prayers.
I pray you answer mine for Robert.
Praise the Lord.
Praying for this young man. Waiting for his first Christian Album. Keys have a Bieber Christmas.
It is most revealing of our times. It is what is spoken of in the Scriptures, “darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” It seems also to be what Paul wrote about to the Thessalonians, “for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a (the) lie, that they all might be damned , because they received not the love of the truth.:” How we must still shine the light of the glorious gospel of Christ to as many as we find–daily, “and so much the more, as we see the Day approaching.”
Pray for all the entertainers, even the ones who seem so far from God. God’s love is so incredible it can melt any heart. Can you imagine the day when the Kardashian’s encounter the love of God and surrender to our Father? Circle all of them in prayer. Give them a piece of your heart in prayer and cry for them rather than a piece of your mind.
Our Father is searching for true worshipers. This assignment is of such a great importance that He spearheads this Himself. To anyone that will respond favorably to the call,they will become much more richer for doing so. I applaud Mr. Bieber on his conversion. May He allow the Holy Spirit to use him for His glory; May his gifts, may his voice positively transform many lives at a time. May his desires become God breathed!
What an inspiration Justin is for young people. I’m in my sixties and I admire this young man immensely. He can touch so many young hearts to turn to God and Jesus. What a wonderful testimony for the young. Justin spoke so beautiful from his heart. May God and Jesus continue to touch his heart and transform his life that he be a true witness to what following Jesus can do in your life. God bless you Justin
Helen, what you write is very wonderful, comes from your heart and not your head, is not ‘reliious’ but ‘Christian’.
I hope that your sincere words are read by many.
Thank you.
‘Bieber compares his love for Jesus with his love for a woman. “It’s like a girlfriend. If I have an awesome, bomb girlfriend, I’m gonna wanna show her off and go around and tell people my girl is the s___. I’m not gonna cheat on her because she’s the best.’
Christ Jesus is not your girlfriend! He is all love, authority and power! He expects “love” honor, respect, and obedience; regardless of how He makes you feel! No one wants to talk abouth the suffering and sacrfice of people all over the world; who are not ashamed of Him! Regardless of how they feel, and are being brutally persecuted – even killed for it! Following Jesus at times; has very little to do with how we “feel” – especially compared to having “bombshell” girlfriend!
Jesus Bieber, if you are going to follow Jesus and not be ashamed of Him. Then Man Up, and find out who He really is – Christ and Him crucified – in your personal realationship with “God”!
I believe the point he was trying to make is that he wants to tell everyone about his love for Jesus, not keep it under wraps. I don’t think he was comparing that love to the love he might feel for a girlfriend. I for one think we should pray for him and give him a chance to demonstrate the genuineness of his faith.
I get it.. But men break up with their “girlfriends” all the time!
Christ Jesus is not a show- piece; we carry around on our arm – to show off to people.
We are his bride; not the other way around! Can He put us on display and show us off to the world? To represent Himself?
There is a great responsibility; when you tell everyone you are Christian and proclaim your love for God! People are going to be looking at what you do; not just what you say!
I realize he is still young; but it’s still to much about about Justin Bieber. He needs to humble himself and learn how to become more Christlike in his character; not just telling other people about his love for God. Christ in you the hope of glory!
And I know he has a powerful praying mother!:)
Time will tell if he’s sincere. The main person witnessing that has been witnessing to him is quite possibly not a Christian so we will have to wait and see what sort if seed whether true or false, now planted will it flurish and if it does what sort of fruit will it produce? All I know is that as far as Christians go, if Carl Lentz is a Christian, and I’m not eve saying he is, then he is barely in Christs’ camp to begin with. This is the ma that mentored Beiber to Christ. So we will have to wait and see things go with Justin and whether or not the apple falls far from the tree.
Wow, I would question your true Christianity!!! Of course Justin will have hard times and fall, he is human. Why would a fellow believer want to sit back and watch to see if a brother is legit? Get on your knees and pray for your brother. I hope for your sake no one is doing you the same injustice and sitting back to enjoy watching you fail or mess up. I praise God for his unfailing love and holiness. For his mercy and his grace. For his forgiveness and his sacrifice. Justin is his child and he will always be waiting for him to come home running.
Yes LJ is completely right. Also, he has just refound Christ after living in such darkness. Recovery, healing and proper respect and understanding takes time. No one is perfect and it will be a difficult road for him to alter his mindset, wording and behavior. We as fellow and flawed Christians need to embrace him with love, compassion and support and pray that his faith may increase and that the Spirit enlightens him further to God’s true nature.
I am so happy to know Justin Bieber back to God with renewed faith. God answered my prayer. May
God continue leading him all his life on earth.
I think his heart is in the right place, but….time will tell if he is truly living for Jesus. Saying you’re a Christian, and truly being a born again Christian, walking the narrow path is very hard as a pop star. Too many temptations…so time will tell if he is serious.
Remember….being a Christian is following Jesus…..and living by His commandments. Keeping pure in heart, and body ( no sex before marriage ) and watching what comes out of your mouth ( cursing, foul language etc )
We will be known by our fruit, and so will Justin Bieber…..I pray this is more than just a publicity stunt on his part!
I’m personally grateful for this verse as clearly Justin is
Hosea 14:4 (NIV)
“I will heal their waywardness
and love them freely,
for my anger has turned away from them.
This is a timely message for moms who are praying, caring, loving wandering children Justin’s life is a testimony to how God can use our prayers, the love we express to our kids. My mom faithfully did just that. God graciously brought me back to a strong relationship with him. I am thankful God alone is worthy of my praise and adoration.
I think whenever we become famous and right to make a choice it’s obvious that we get persecuted for the rightest choice we do based on the conscience. Now I think if Justin Bibier steps down from being a follower of Satan he can win thousands of souls to Christ Jesus. Many people say that Justin Bibier has gone far rebelling against God but what if thought that God won’t strike the wicked just because didn’t serve him but he gives a space in order for a person to repent or not. Justin Bibier can be a Christian yes but if there is no someone who can lead the way of Christ he will die and go to hell and that’s unfair.
Now no matter what church he goes but he needs a Divine Revelation from Heaven to change his way I mean God gave him talent not that to be used by Satan but to God.
Let’s pray for him!
All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. Every one of us has done things that we should go to hell for. God calls his people. Glad to see Justin in the family of the saved through what Christ did, not what we did.
He is wearly and he knows Jesus’s hands are wide open. atleast that is encouraging. He falls into the right direction
Well said. ?
Thank you Jesus for turning Bieber’s life around!! Guard him from evil paths and put all the right connections in his life. Lord protect him with your Love and use him to be a blessing to others. Amen
I’m so very proud of you Justin. Gods going to do great things through you. I’ll continue to pray for you. I’ve always been a big fan of your and I knew you could use your gift to reach so many people for Christ.
I’m so glad, our brother has come back Home ! Praise the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY !!!
Our God Loves Us beyond our mortal comprehension and knows everything about us. There is No where that we can go that He can’t Find Us…He is our Only Hope for Today, Tomorrow, and Forever…So Connect with Him…God Our Father, His Holy Spirit, and Jesus, His Son (3 in One) and Your Life will Bring you more Satisfaction than You could Imagine! Read the True Bible and Ask God to Reveal Himself to You through His Word. He Never Disappoints A Willing Heart.
I am Very Happy for You, Justine Bieber, and for Your Loving ‘n Praying Mother. I will also Support You in Prayer for renewed Strength, Wisdom ‘n Courage, Honesty in your Relationship with Our Superior Lord and Savior (Jesus)!
I question those that say god made us to “follow” and “worship” him. I find the Bible a human printed book. Nothing more. I believe there is a higher power and “God” but I refuse to believe the “2015 New Worlds Edition” Bible that was just changed AGAIN this year. If someone is changing something in there then something is wrong. The Bible already has AWFUL grammar so they’re not changing that. God didn’t write the Bible or the Commandments. Those were people who believed in something else. If we were created to do Gods bidding then why were there more people B.C? Ask yourself that. Also ask whether or not he would have let himself die over his followers if we’re alive to “worship” and “serve” him. There is a God. There is no Bible. No Commandments. If God really created us and wanted us to follow those things he would not let drugs exist. He wouldn’t let all these things happen and exist. God is watching over us, he did not create us to serve and worship him and do his every bidding. He created us to live. To perpetuate and continue what he started, which is the earth.
Praise God. You are always looking out to save those who are lost coz you love everyone of us and don’t want any to perish.
Thank you for touching this young man. It is to you that one stand or fall but he will not fall because you will strengthen him by the power of your Holy Spirit.
Yes there are many challenges ahead but Father you have promised you will not forsake us and no one will snatched us out of your Hands.
Father, please protect him by the power of your Name. Jn 17:11
In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.
Thanks for a great article! I love Justin Bieber and I really like this sentence: “If we can understand that we’re all imperfect, let’s come to God and come for his help. You’re not weak by doing that. “
Six months later, he’s still acting exactly the same way he was before. But in fundamentalist Xianity, which requires no actual reform of life – just feeling “invincible in Christ” – that’s not at all surprising. He continues to be a horrific example of narcissism and arrogance, but now puts upside-down crosses on his albums and claims “christianity.” Pathetic and sad. Just like the faith that puts Jesus’ words LAST and easy-believism FIRST.
The GOD of all mankind and the creations is among us,
that whoever is repent, born again and come to Jesus…. he will be saved…
there are more than you expects to be honoured….
but should not backslide away from the point you decide… coz, you might be late when you tried to come back again once you are in trouble….
stand firm in God… because, Gods firm foundation stands… we read…
here is my prayer for you ” unseen ”
God loves you JB….!
Jesus Blessed…. Justin Biber….!
i am also a gospel singer en song writter a thank God 4 dt he accept without puched anyone b problem in d church they dont lyk support their children en the devil took dt chance 2 snatch them with alot ov money …me the world trying had 2. take me. b d a say no am n goin 2 disappoint Jesus .b. Justin Bieber set yo lyz on Gog disz yo tym 2 sow the world dt nothing. z impossible 2 God plz dont go back God z ganna do Hiz job in u…..oh praise be Jesus .
Wow! I’m representing a large sum of Nigerians. Thank God he is changed and there is hope for him in Heaven. May God change everyone to him and make us know Jesus and the cross.
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