In my profession, we read about 5-10 peer-reviewed scientific articles a day and dig into what’s been done and said, before we can even write just one sentence in our own paper to support a hypothesis, or to lay out the premise of our own work. Fact checking and cross-referencing play key roles in what we do. Citations are important and it’s a mortal sin to misquote, because it could mean doomsday for your manuscript.
In our everyday life, it is pretty common that someone comes to us, for help, support, or re-assurance. We then open up a chest full of comforting words to say to them. Sometimes we throw in quotes from famous people, both living and dead. Sometimes we share anecdotes we came across from somewhere. And if you’re a Christian, oftentimes, you would quote the Bible, which I think, is a good thing. However, quoting the Bible as to saying what it did not creates dominoes of confusion.
There are things we have heard said over and over again, in which the Bible gets quoted for but which aren’t really in the Bible. Let’s check our chest of wise sayings, and don’t get them confused with what the Bible actually says.
What we quote the bible said versus What’s really in the Bible
1. God won’t give you more than you can handle.
Ahmm… yeah, that would be super great, if life happens that way. But it doesn’t. You will get broken. And mend. Only to get broken again. And again. And again.
Because truth is, God allows suffering to the point that we actually break. It doesn’t mean He causes the suffering. But He allows it. Take a look at Paul. The hardship which was more than they could handle, led him to write this:
“We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.”
2 Corinthians 1:8-9
2. God helps those who help themselves.
Ouch! A lot of times, if not all of the time, we are actually clueless and helpless as to how we can get out of a particular situation. If I struggle helping myself because I am in fact, feeling helpless, and God only helps those who help themselves…then I am better off not having God. Because He won’t be there for me after all.
But the truth is, He always is! And I am many times helpless to help myself. I drown and He pulls me out of my helpless state. Over and over again.
“For You have been a stronghold for the helpless, A stronghold for the poor in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.“
Isaiah 25:4
3. Everything happens for a reason.
Probably! That’s actually one good statement I can live with. Something happens. I cannot understand why. I remember this quote. It comforts. It helps to think in my difficulty that things happen for a reason, even if I do not know the reason. However, to quote the Bible for that would actually be a lie. Because actually, what the Bible says is:
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.“
Romans 8:28
4. Money is the root of all evil.
Is it? Okay, so, I should avoid money like a plague then?
What will I use to do trade for my food, clothing and shelter?
Money in itself is a good thing. And having it is a very good thing, in my opinion. However, how we deal with it is the question.
Do you only like it? Then good.
But if you love it, the Bible says you’re in trouble.
“For the love of money (that is, the greedy desire for it and the willingness to gain it unethically), is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves (through and through) with many sorrows.“
1 Timothy 6:10
The Bible DOES NOT Say:
- God won’t give you more than you can handle.
- God helps those who help themselves.
- Everything happens for a reason.
- Money is the root of all evil.
The Bible DOES Say:
- God allows us hardships, beyond more than we can endure.
- God is a stronghold for the helpless.
- God causes everything to work together for the good.
- The love of money is the root of all evil.
Simply Ellaine 