Here are three different sayings that most of America thinks is scripture but is not.
The saying – God helps those who help themselves.
The source – Benjamin Franklin and Poor Richard’s Almanac.
Contradictory scripture – Philippians 2:3,4, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 1 Peter 5:5b, for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace (help) to the humble.
The saying – God will never give you more than you can handle.
The source – A perversion of 1 Corinthians 10:13 mixed with some feel good PMA teaching. 1 Corinthians 10:13 actually says, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
This scripture is about righteous living and resisting temptation. It says we will not encounter temptation that we cannot resist as Christians.
Contradictory scripture – 2 Corinthians 12:9, And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
The truth of the matter is that God constantly gives us more than we can handle on our own so that we call out to him in our hour of need. We find grace to help in our time of need. God never gives you more than He can handle.
Jude 24, Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
Saying – If you build it,they will come.
Source – The movie, Field of Dreams. This saying is used today to suggest to church planters that all they need is a location and God will bring the people. It does sound very wise and scriptural to most of America today because the American church is biblically illiterate. This is a prosperity gospel zinger because this saying contains an element of faith. Biblical faith is not positive, wishful thinking. It is based on the character of God and the promises of God. True faith says I believe it because God has said it and he always keeps his promises. What is needed for people to come is for the Gospel to be preached, the Holy Spirit to prepare and open their hearts so that they might hear, the people to believe the truth, then obey the truth, and then to worship God in Spirit and in truth. The false, health and wealth prosperity gospel fills up buildings with people who are comfortably riding to hell in their sins. These people are called tares in scripture.
Contradictory scripture – Romans 10:13-15, For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The church needs many faithful Gospel preachers in order that some may come.
Luke 13:34-35, O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! 35 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
John 6:66-68, From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.