“Bible Verses” That Aren’t Actually In The Bible

Episode 457

When you want pithy quotes, check out social media. When you want words of truth, look to the Bible. But be careful not to get those two mixed up.

Some familiar sayings may sound like Bible verses, but they’re really not. Today, we’ll find out why so many old saws really don’t cut wood.

"God Won’t Give You More Than You Can Handle"

Of all the Bible verses that aren’t actually in the Bible, here’s the most familiar one: “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” This sounds great, especially if you’re struggling with financial hardship. Unfortunately, it’s not true. The fact is, life is always more than we can handle without God. After all, we need his help just to take our next breath!

The idea that “God won’t give you more than you can handle” is a misreading of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which actually says:

“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.”

The good news is that God’s faithfulness provides us a way to endure temptation…not necessarily avoid it.

"God Helps Those Who Help Themselves"

Here’s another popular quote. Maybe you heard your grandma say this when you refused to do your chores: "God helps those who help themselves.” Again, it might seem like something from the Bible, but it’s not. It’s the opposite of what God’s word says, which is that our help comes from one place. Psalm 121:2 says:

"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.” It’s not “God plus me getting the job done.”

God’s help is never contingent on what you or I do. There’s nothing we can do even to earn God’s help. But, again, the good news from the Bible is that “…God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” God’s help is always available, not because we do our chores, but because He loves us despite our brokenness.

"If God Closes a Door, He’ll Open a Window"

Have you ever been disappointed, and someone told you, “If God closes a door, He’ll open a window”? Besides letting the bugs in, one way or another, what is that really saying? Does God always resolve your problems immediately? That’s not always the case, is it? Sometimes, God closes a door, and we have to wait with the doors and the windows firmly shut. The Bible does promise that God will keep us headed in the right direction, when we follow him with all our heart. Psalm 32:8 says:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”

But the “way you should go” doesn’t necessarily mean God will make an escape hatch when you don’t seem to be making progress. You’ll find that God often does some of His best work as you wait, teaching you to trust Him even more. Psalm 37:7 says:

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

"To Thine Own Self Be True"

Our next quote is, “To thine own self be true.” That might sound like scripture, but it’s really from Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet… and as a piece of advice, it’s downright unbiblical. “To thine own self be true” suggests that all you need for success is to follow your own instincts and desires. Unfortunately, it’s our own instincts and desires that cause us to sin. Self-reliance is no substitute for reliance on Jesus. He is the source of truth and the only one we can truly rely on.

"Follow Your Heart"

That brings me to the next common saying, another piece of unbiblical advice: “Follow your heart.” First of all, here’s what Jeremiah 17:9 says about our hearts:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”

In light of that truth, following your heart seems like a really bad idea.