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I’ve written some of my most read posts about a myth. A lie. A misquoted and misapplied Bible verse.
As with most lies the enemy uses, it originates from a misapplied truth in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that talks about temptation and how when we are tempted, God always allows us a way to resist that temptation. We can’t be tempted beyond what he’s equipped us to bear. (But, even that is misapplied if it’s done on our own strength.)
So using that truth, people often stretch it to say to hurting people, “God will not put more on you than you can bear.”
Yea — right!
Tell that to me. Or my friends. Or yourself.
Ever feel defeated? Like you can’t handle what you’ve been asked to “bear”?
Imagine telling a mother of two young children after she suddenly loses her husband and fears being able to raise the children, provide for them, and keep the home in which they live, “Remember, God will not put more on you than you can bear.”
Doesn’t sound very comforting to me — or probably to her. At the time she feels very much like she has more on her than she can bear.
And, she does.
And I’m not suggesting God “put” that on her, but he certainly allowed her to have more on her than she can bear.
If you’re like the rest of us you have felt that way also. It’s part of being in the fallen world in which we live.
And yet, for the believer we have an answer.
When we feel out of control — in over our head — afraid of the circ*mstances of our life — worried — our answer is Jesus.
It’s all grace, and it’s a sufficient grace to help us in our time of need. We are more than conquerors — with Jesus
Ironically, however, I believe that truth, combined with the misapplication of the verse above, is where the lie in that familiar saying originates.
We have an answer to the stress of this world — a strength to bear any burden. But, that can make us think we should be able to handle anything.
And, we can — with Jesus.
But…
When the administration of that strength rests on us — on our abilities – if you can bear it — it leaves out our need for grace.
And Jesus made it clear when he said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
This may seem like semantics, and I’m not usually a semantics kind of guy, but when the semantics are wrong here it can produce a terrible theology. One that says you have to make it on your own. That because you are a believer, you suddenly have the power to defeat anything that comes your way. And, you do have power — but it is not you — the power is Jesus in you.
The key here is you won’t have more on you than you can bear — in Jesus. Paul said, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)
But without an understanding of “Christ in me” that phrase “God will not put more on you than you can bear” isn’t freeing. It’s burdensome. And — with any misunderstanding of where our true strength resides — that saying becomes a lie.
And probably no one who uses that statement intends it to harm — they intend it to be helpful. But the enemy would love you to live in that lie, believing that somehow you have to get it together — you have to conquer all the ails you — in your strength, because, you know, “God will not put more on you than you can bear”. It’s a dangerous, defeating statement without proper understanding. It’s not helpful in a person’s time of struggle.
It might be easier to say, “You know, God will never allow anything upon you that he can’t handle.” Then we can encourage people to “cast their cares upon him, because he cares.”
And, as strange as it may seem, those times of disparity — when we are overwhelmed with our personal abilities — unable to stand up to the pressures we are facing — have more on us than we can bear — actually have great value within the sovereignty of God. He uses them for our good.
So you will rely on him. 1 Peter 5:7
So you will call on him. Acts 17:26-27
So you have no choice but him. John 15:5
So he can tell us things we wouldn’t know otherwise. Jeremiah 33:3
So he can be gracious to you. Isaiah 30:18
So he can show his kindness and compassion. Lamentations 3:21-24
So he can restore your soul. Psalm 23:3
So he can demonstrate his strength. 2 Corinthians 12:9
So you will trust in Jesus — and the Father. John 14:1.
So you can produce character and hope. Romans 5:3-5
So he can keep us from being self-reliant 2 Corinthians 12:7
So he can discipline his children. Hebrews 12:6-7
So God’s power is revealed. 2 Corinthians 4:7
So he can show our need for salvation. Psalm 119:67
So he can comfort us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
So we can learn to comfort others. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
So he can reveal his unseen workings. Psalm 77:19
So he can demonstrate how all things work for an eventual good. Romans 8:28
So the Gospel might be proclaimed. Philippians 1:12-13
So he can draw prodigals home. Luke 15:17
So he can build character and hope. Romans 5:3-4
Don’t believe the lie. God will allow more on you than you can bear — alone. You and I need him for our every breath.
If you feel overwhelmed today — defeated — like there is more on you than you can bear – turn to the burden bearer. “Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.'” (Matthew 11:28)
Ron Edmondson blogs atRonEdmondson.com.
