That's not in the Bible

Lady Bug · Jan 10, 2011

I kind of have a pet peeve, not about the intentions behind the statement, but the fact that I don't know where they are actually getting the statement from.

I had just seen this statement somewhere else on CF and it got me thinking. It is said that God does not tempt us beyond what we can bear, but people also say that God doesn't give us any more than we can't handle and I swear that the latter statement is not in the Bible anywhere. Granted, Catholicism doesn't mandate that every single thing be in the Bible itself but I've heard this statement long said by Protestants as well and it kind of bugs me because I don't really see this in the Bible - not at all - I am not perturbed by the intentions of those who make the comment, but I want to know where exactly does God say that He won't give us more than He can handle?

Studious One · Jan 10, 2011

Lady Bug said:
I kind of have a pet peeve, not about the intentions behind the statement, but the fact that I don't know where they are actually getting the statement from.

I had just seen this statement somewhere else on CF and it got me thinking. It is said that God does not tempt us beyond what we can bear, but people also say that God doesn't give us any more than we can't handle and I swear that the latter statement is not in the Bible anywhere. Granted, Catholicism doesn't mandate that every single thing be in the Bible itself but I've heard this statement long said by Protestants as well and it kind of bugs me because I don't really see this in the Bible - not at all - I am not perturbed by the intentions of those who make the comment, but I want to know where exactly does God say that He won't give us more than He can handle?

While you would be hard pressed to find the phrase, "God will not give you more than you can bear," you will find the idea in Genesis 4.

Cain, after killing Abel, received a punishment from God. Cain said it was harder than he could bear. Yet, if one reads on, Cain must have been able to bear his punishment, for he continued to live and even had children.

I do believe that God does not give us more than we are able to handle.

MoreCoffee · Jan 10, 2011

If you think of tests and "things" as closely related then the idea that God does not tempt anybody and does not test anybody beyond their ability to bear it ... doesn't it seem like the same thing is being said when folk say "God won't give us more than we can handle"?

What I mean is this. If you receive more wealth (for example) than you can handle without falling into sin then isn't the wealth a test that has gone beyond what you can bear? Similar "things" can be substituted for wealth in the above.

Does that make sense to you?

benedictaoo · Jan 10, 2011

St Paul said it.

He said, he will not test us beyond our strength and he will afford us a way out.

It does not mean we automatically will have the strength to endure and choose rightly.

We might not rise to the occasion... but we choose not to.

We have the grace, God will give us the grace but we have to cooperate with it and it's not a walk in the park. It taks effort.

And where is all this is in the bible? Catholicism knowing theology. Getting it right because God gave to them the authority to teach us these things in His name.

Where is that in the bible? Matthew... why do we believe this is the correct exegeses of matthew? Because we have history that proves it is.

Anygma · Jan 10, 2011

wetter it's in the bible or not, i remember my parents and many peoples telling me that through my life. there's something else i heard not too long ago that makes sense to me, God sometime sends us things that are much more then we can handle on our own but with God's help we can, when we let God in charge... then we can praise God and give Him glory for what he did to help us through

PilgrimToChrist · Jan 10, 2011

Lady Bug said:
I want to know where exactly does God say that He won't give us more than He can handle?

1Cor 10:13 said:
Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.

We should not pray for God to take away our temptations and sufferings but for the strength to bear them up so that we may grow in strength and advance in virtue. Suffering is the only way.

Hoorah!

AMDG · Jan 10, 2011

Remember asking the same thing a few years ago and ZooMom also pointed out that verse.

eastcoast_bsc · Jan 10, 2011

I think the are referring to Corinthians 1 10:13, but this scripture is referring to sin and temptation.

But you should always remember this scripture, that Jesus said: "I am with you always, to the end of the age" Thats Matthew 28:20

We will always have trials and tribulations. Those that tell you other wise are lying. Jesus tells us, that we need to pick up our crosses and follow him. The bible talks of this life, as a woman in labor, at the time there is pain and anxiety, then there is peace and joy.

Paul said that he felt like an orphan, and that his body was but a tent, and that he longed to be home with Christ.

I know I may sound like a broken record, but we need to read the WORD of God. It is nourishment, and is like a two edge sword, that cuts down even to bone and marrow.

Don't let anyone lie to you. Read the word, and follow Christ.

SolomonVII · Jan 11, 2011

Lady Bug said:
I kind of have a pet peeve, not about the intentions behind the statement, but the fact that I don't know where they are actually getting the statement from.

I had just seen this statement somewhere else on CF and it got me thinking. It is said that God does not tempt us beyond what we can bear, but people also say that God doesn't give us any more than we can't handle and I swear that the latter statement is not in the Bible anywhere. Granted, Catholicism doesn't mandate that every single thing be in the Bible itself but I've heard this statement long said by Protestants as well and it kind of bugs me because I don't really see this in the Bible

Click to expand...

So not so much a pet peeve then, but a real 'lady bug' is a better description of your problem here.... <place groan here>

- not at all - I am not perturbed by the intentions of those who make the comment, but I want to know where exactly does God say that He won't give us more than He can handle?

Click to expand...

Psalm 55:22 is one place where that idea is expressed ....somewhat?... well kinda, Okay, not really even. But faithful hope in the Lord's ultimate deliverance will sustain.

Psalms
Chapter 55 1 1 For the leader. On stringed instruments. A maskil of David. 2 Listen, God, to my prayer; do not hide from my pleading; 3 hear me and give answer. I rock with grief; I groan 4 at the uproar of the enemy, the clamor of the wicked. They heap trouble upon me, savagely accuse me. 5 My heart pounds within me; death's terrors fall upon me. 6 Fear and trembling overwhelm me; shuddering sweeps over me. 7 I say, "If only I had wings like a dove that I might fly away and find rest. 8 Far away I would flee; I would stay in the desert. Selah 9 I would soon find a shelter from the raging wind and storm." 10 Lord, check and confuse their scheming. I see violence and strife in the city 11 making rounds on its walls day and night. Within are mischief and evil; 12 treachery is there as well; oppression and fraud never leave its streets. 13 If an enemy had reviled me, that I could bear; If my foe had viewed me with contempt, from that I could hide. 14 But it was you, my other self, my comrade and friend, 15 You, whose company I enjoyed, at whose side I walked in procession in the house of God. 16 Let death take them by surprise; let them go down alive to Sheol, for evil is in their homes and hearts. 17 But I will call upon God, and the LORD will save me. 18 At dusk, dawn, and noon I will grieve and complain, and my prayer will be heard. 19 God will give me freedom and peace from those who war against me, though there are many who oppose me. 20 God, who sits enthroned forever, will hear me and humble them. For they will not mend their ways; they have no fear of God. 21 They strike out at friends and go back on their promises. 22 Softer than butter is their speech, but war is in their hearts. Smoother than oil are their words, but they are unsheathed swords. 23 Cast your care upon the LORD, who will give you support. God will never allow the righteous to stumble. 24 But you, God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction. These bloodthirsty liars will not live half their days, but I put my trust in you.

Click to expand...

Anyways, the answer seems to be that those exact words don't exist.
Maybe it isn't even true that God won't give us more than we can handle.

Everyday Theology: God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle | Blogging Theologically | Jesus, Books, Culture, & Theology

While this phrase sounds very positive and affirming, you will not find “God won’t give you more than you can handle” anywhere within the pages of the Bible. It simply doesn’t exist.

Click to expand...

Truth be told, we are all way, way too weak to handle the baggage that we have to lug around us, and the solution is to depend on God to be our valet. God is our suffering servant, because it is beyond our ability to do this on our own, but he is ready, willing and able to give us the helping hand that we need.
The servant is greater than the master, he who is last will be first, and first, last.

Lady Bug · Jan 11, 2011

SolomonVII said:
So not so much a pet peeve then, but a real 'lady bug' is a better description of your problem here.... <place groan here>

um...ok?

Foundthelight · Jan 11, 2011

1Co 10:1 For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,
1Co 10:2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,
1Co 10:3 and all ate the same spiritual food,
1Co 10:4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.
1Co 10:5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
1Co 10:6 Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.
1Co 10:7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play."
1Co 10:8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.
1Co 10:9 We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,
1Co 10:10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
1Co 10:11 Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.
1Co 10:12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
1Co 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1Co 10:14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

God has provided the way to escape temptation. However, it is up to us to take advantage of that way. Those who believe in the error of OSAS use this verse to say that God will not let us fall into sin due to temptation. The truth is that many (most) will at one time or another give in to such temptation.

Rom 15:1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

Let us not condemn those who give into temptation, but rather, help them.

benedictaoo · Jan 11, 2011

what I want to know, where in the bible does it say "God helps those who help themselves..." I hear that all the time, and I believe it's true, but it's not in the bible specifically.

Where is there any hint of it in there? Or is it just a reference to cooperating with grace?

SolomonVII · Jan 11, 2011

Lady Bug said:
um...ok?

Ahh, you don't like my pun.

Bottom line, it's not in the Bible. It is not even true.

_Shannon_ · Jan 11, 2011

SolomonVII said:
. It is not even true.

I completely disagree. Completely.

"All things are possible with God."

"Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

"No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."

That last verse sort of says it all in a nutshell there, doesn't it? God does not give us more than we can handle, through humility and reliance upon Him. Sometimes the way through is surrender. It's about cultivating prudence, asking for help when we need it, and allowing ourselves to understand that we must seek GOd in all things first and the details will follow. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct you paths"

AMDG · Jan 11, 2011

SolomonVII said:
Bottom line, it's not in the Bible. It is not even true.

1 Cor 10:13 does indeed indicate that God will not give us more than we can bear.

As for "God helps those who help themselves", I thought that Benjamin Franklin said that in Poor Richard's Almanac.

benedictaoo · Jan 11, 2011

SolomonVII said:
Ahh, you don't like my pun.

Bottom line, it's not in the Bible. It is not even true.

yeah right... and autistics are schizophrenics.

benedictaoo · Jan 11, 2011

AMDG said:
1 Cor 10:13 does indeed indicate that God will not give us more than we can bear.

As for "God helps those who help themselves", I thought that Benjamin Franklin said that in Poor Richard's Almanac.

It's a popular saying, I think it's true.

MARKedByChrist · Jan 11, 2011

I've actually been asked several times if that saying "God helps those who help themselves" is in the Bible when I was working. I have to tell them no quite a few times for it to really sink it. When I was taking my ordination tests, that statement actually showed up a few times almost as a joke. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw it.

-Mark

SolomonVII · Jan 11, 2011

MARKedByChrist said:
I've actually been asked several times if that saying "God helps those who help themselves" is in the Bible when I was working. I have to tell them no quite a few times for it to really sink it. When I was taking my ordination tests, that statement actually showed up a few times almost as a joke. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw it.

-Mark

What it really says is if 'you don't work you don't eat'.
That's a little harsh though, don't you think?

It seems to me that God really does help those who help themselves though. The first leap of faith is all on our own, then he scrapes us up off the bottom.

Or maybe we get pushed after all, sort of like a pre-ordination that the Calvinist talk about.

AMDG · Jan 11, 2011

SolomonVII said:
What it really says is if 'you don't work you don't eat'.

Now I think that is somewhere in the Bible.

That's not in the Bible

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