Disciple Up # 168
Dumb Things Christians Say, Pt. 1
God Won’t Give Me Any More Than I Can Handle
By Louie Marsh, 7-15-2020
Intro.
First Stupid Saying…God won’t give me more than I can handle
The Twisted Scripture Behind This Dumb Saying:
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. 12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 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. 1 Corinthians 10:11-13 (ESV)
Notes about this passage:
1) Paul is talking about RESISTING TEMPTATION – NOT life in general.
2) Paul is WARNING US that if we’re not careful we, like the people in the Old Testament, WILL fall.
3) Paul is telling us that God will provide a WAY OF ESCAPE from any and all TEMPTATION not any and all problems.
- A way of escape means WE MUST FIND IT & TAKE IT!
- This is specifically spoken about temptations NOT suffering in general. Sometimes there is NO escape from that – as Jesus proved conclusively on the cross.
Verses Prove the Opposite of this Dumb Saying:
8 For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (ESV)
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you. 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (ESV)
13 But I, O LORD, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. 14 O LORD, why do you cast my soul away? Why do you hide your face from me? 15 Afflicted and close to death from my youth up, I suffer your terrors; I am helpless. 16 Your wrath has swept over me; your dreadful assaults destroy me. 17 They surround me like a flood all day long; they close in on me together. 18 You have caused my beloved and my friend to shun me; my companions have become darkness. Psalm 88:13-18 (ESV)
Ministry and the Christian Life are SUPPOSED to be done BEYOND OUR LIMITS!
24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:24-29 (ESV)
Where Does This Dumb Saying Come From?
It’s from our cultural obsession with SELF!
The selfism of our culture has been absorbed into the church so we look for verses that can echo that obsession. This one assures us that God is just waiting around to make things easy on us, to make sure we aren’t over stressed.
But the exact opposite is true! God is NOT a lawnmower parent!!
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 (ESV)
What Happens If You Believe This?
Many do believe it and find comfort in it. However there are some very serious downsides to buying into this baloney.
1) You are trusting in a false understanding of Scripture which will crumble and fall out from under you, probably at the worst possible time.
2) You put false and impossible expectations upon God, and that leads into an unhealthy relationship with Him.
3) You can have your faith severely damaged or destroyed when He doesn’t do what you think He’s supposed to do.
4) It keeps you from really deepening your faith, expressing all the gifts God has given you and discovering what God wants your life to be about. Living a life of self-reliance robs you of experience the joy unspeakable that living a life relying upon God and God alone brings you.
Please Get In Touch!
Email – louie@discipleup.org
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