You Shall Know the Truth

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.
1st Timothy 4:7 NIV

In The Message, it reads this way, Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion. 

Don't be nervous - I'm about to jump all over two statements that some people believe are from Scripture. I've even been asked where they are in the Bible...  Remember, my goal is that the Truth will set you free. I hope you will read to the end... 

1. God helps those who help themselves.
2. God won't give you (or put on you) more than you can bear.

I grew up hearing those two fallacies preached at me like they were gospel - straight from the Word of God. They are NOT!  

I think the first one might remotely hint at 2nd Thessalonians 3:10, For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.  I guess if you really reach, you could loosely define those who work so they can eat as helping themselves, but that's a real stretch...

And for the second one, people tout 1st Corinthians 10:13, No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. This Scripture passage in context (read verses 6-12) is actually about people being tempted to sin and God in His grace providing the way of escape from the temptation. It has nothing to do with bearing a load.

The DANGER in believing those two statements are Scriptural is when life really IS more than we can bear in (and of) our own strength. When we fail because it's not within OUR strength, we blame God because we tried to help ourselves, so why didn't He help us? And believing (the fallacy) that He won't put more on us than we can bear, we get angry and hurt and disappointed and feel betrayed by God because it WAS more than we could bear... on our own. Paul tells us the Truth when he addresses the church in Corinth from his own experience.

In 2nd Corinthians 1:8-9a NLT, Paul writes, We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die.  Yes, he said, "We think you ought to know..."

Now here's the treasure! The Truth that will set you free!  Continuing in verse 9b - 10, But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.

Later on, in chapter 12 is when Paul tells us that God said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” His power in our weakness. It's always been about us learning to rely on God.

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for opening our eyes to the Truth of Your Word. Cause the roots of it to go deep into our hearts. Forgive us for believing silly stories dressed up as religion. Give us the opportunity to spread the Light of Your Truth to all who will listen. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.