Relying on God: Debunking Misleading Biblical Advice
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone! Today, we celebrated the generosity of our congregation, as we will be donating over $2,000 to the DeSoto County Dream Center. We also welcomed both our in-person attendees and those joining us online, emphasizing the importance of community and connection.
We kicked off a new series today, focusing on debunking common misconceptions about biblical advice. We started with the statement, "God won't give you more than you can handle." This phrase, often used to comfort those in distress, can sometimes be misleading and even harmful. We examined its origins, likely from 1 Corinthians 10:13, which speaks about God not allowing us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. However, this verse specifically addresses temptation, not the broader challenges of life.
We explored three tests to evaluate such statements: context, biblical doctrine, and the Messianic perspective. Context involves understanding the surrounding scriptures and the intended audience. Biblical doctrine looks at the heart and character of God throughout the entire Bible. The Messianic perspective focuses on how everything in the Bible points to Jesus.
Through these tests, we found that the statement "God won't give you more than you can handle" doesn't hold up. In fact, the Bible is full of examples where God allowed people to face more than they could handle on their own, such as Moses, Gideon, Esther, and even Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. These instances show that God often allows us to face overwhelming situations so that we learn to depend on His presence and power.
We concluded that God sometimes allows more than we can handle to draw us closer to Him, to teach us to rely on His strength rather than our own. This is not to discourage us but to remind us that in our weakness, His strength is made perfect.
### Key Takeaways
1. Context is King: Understanding the context of a scripture is crucial. 1 Corinthians 10:13, often cited to support the idea that God won't give us more than we can handle, specifically addresses temptation, not life's broader challenges. Misinterpreting this can lead to harmful advice. [01:07:42]
2. Biblical Doctrine: The Bible is full of stories where God allowed His people to face more than they could handle on their own. Moses, Gideon, Esther, and David all faced overwhelming situations, teaching us that God often allows such challenges to draw us closer to Him and to rely on His strength. [01:18:19]
3. Messianic Perspective: Even Jesus, in His humanity, faced more than He could handle alone. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He was deeply distressed and troubled, showing us that even the Son of God needed to rely on the Father. This perspective helps us understand that we, too, need to depend on God in our most challenging times. [01:21:28]
4. Dependence on God's Presence: God allows us to face overwhelming situations to teach us to depend on His presence. In our moments of desperation, like Jonah in the belly of the fish, we learn to cry out to God, and He promises to be near to all who call upon Him. [01:28:07]
5. Dependence on God's Power: We are not meant to handle life's hardships on our own. Paul’s experience with the thorn in his flesh teaches us that God's grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. This encourages us to boast in our weaknesses so that Christ's power may dwell in us. [01:32:26]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[47:28] - Introduction and Announcements
[48:03] - Importance of Community and Connection
[48:53] - Power of Agreement in Prayer
[52:15] - Vision and Mission of Harvest
[52:52] - Introduction to New Series
[53:56] - The World is Full of Advice
[54:39] - Celebrity Quotes on Advice
[57:33] - The Danger of Bad Biblical Advice
[58:18] - Common Misconceptions
[59:59] - Testing Biblical Statements
[01:01:27] - Three Tests: Context, Doctrine, Messianic Perspective
[01:04:31] - God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle?
[01:07:42] - Context: 1 Corinthians 10:13
[01:11:55] - Biblical Doctrine: Examples from the Bible
[01:18:19] - Messianic Perspective: Jesus in Gethsemane
[01:21:28] - Dependence on God's Presence
[01:28:07] - Jonah's Desperation and God's Response
[01:32:26] - Dependence on God's Power
[01:37:21] - Encouragement and Closing Prayer
[01:48:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 10:13 - "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it."
2. Psalm 69:1-4 - "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal."
3. Mark 14:33-36 - "He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 'My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,' he said to them. 'Stay here and keep watch.' Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 'Abba, Father,' he said, 'everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Corinthians 10:13 specifically address, and how is it often misinterpreted? [01:07:42]
2. In Psalm 69:1-4, how does David describe his situation and his feelings towards it?
3. What emotions and physical reactions does Jesus experience in Mark 14:33-36, and what does He ask of the Father? [01:19:23]
4. According to the sermon, what are the three tests to evaluate biblical statements? [01:01:27]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the context of 1 Corinthians 10:13 change its application to our lives? [01:07:42]
2. Why is it significant that even Jesus, in His humanity, faced more than He could handle alone? [01:19:23]
3. How do the examples of Moses, Gideon, Esther, and David illustrate the idea that God allows more than we can handle to draw us closer to Him? [01:11:55]
4. What does Paul mean when he says, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness"? How does this apply to our daily struggles? [01:32:26]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by life's challenges. How did you respond, and did you feel God's presence during that time? [01:22:28]
2. How can you apply the principle of depending on God's presence in your current life situation? What practical steps can you take to seek His presence daily? [01:24:21]
3. In what ways can you remind yourself to rely on God's power rather than your own strength when facing difficulties? [01:31:11]
4. Think of a specific challenge you are currently facing. How can you use the three tests (context, biblical doctrine, Messianic perspective) to seek God's truth and guidance in this situation? [01:01:27]
5. How can you encourage someone else who is going through a tough time to depend on God's presence and power? What specific words or actions can you use to support them? [01:36:50]
6. Identify one area of your life where you have been trying to handle things on your own. What steps can you take this week to surrender that area to God and rely on His strength? [01:32:26]
7. How can you cultivate a habit of crying out to God in moments of desperation, similar to Jonah's prayer from inside the fish? What might that look like in your daily prayer life? [01:28:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding Context in Scripture
Description:
Understanding the context of a scripture is crucial for accurate interpretation. Many people cite 1 Corinthians 10:13 to support the idea that God won't give us more than we can handle. However, this verse specifically addresses temptation, not the broader challenges of life. Misinterpreting this can lead to harmful advice and misunderstandings about God's nature and His expectations of us. By examining the surrounding scriptures and the intended audience, we can gain a clearer understanding of God's message and avoid misapplying His words. [07:42]
1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of a time when you misinterpreted a Bible verse. How did it affect your understanding of God or your situation? What steps can you take to ensure you understand the context of scripture better in the future?
Day 2: Biblical Doctrine and Overwhelming Situations
Description:
The Bible is full of stories where God allowed His people to face more than they could handle on their own. Figures like Moses, Gideon, Esther, and David all encountered overwhelming situations that taught them to rely on God's strength rather than their own. These stories remind us that God often allows such challenges to draw us closer to Him. By understanding the heart and character of God throughout the entire Bible, we can see that He uses these moments to teach us dependence on His power and presence. [18:19]
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (ESV): "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. 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."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenge that felt overwhelming. How did you respond? In what ways can you shift your focus from your own strength to relying on God's power in similar situations?
Day 3: The Messianic Perspective
Description:
Even Jesus, in His humanity, faced more than He could handle alone. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He was deeply distressed and troubled, showing us that even the Son of God needed to rely on the Father. This perspective helps us understand that we, too, need to depend on God in our most challenging times. By looking at how everything in the Bible points to Jesus, we can gain a deeper understanding of our need for God's presence and strength in our lives. [21:28]
Mark 14:33-34 (ESV): "And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.'"
Reflection: Consider a time when you felt deeply distressed. How did you seek comfort or strength? How can Jesus' example in the Garden of Gethsemane guide you in seeking God's presence during your own times of distress?
Day 4: Dependence on God's Presence
Description:
God allows us to face overwhelming situations to teach us to depend on His presence. In our moments of desperation, like Jonah in the belly of the fish, we learn to cry out to God, and He promises to be near to all who call upon Him. These experiences are not meant to discourage us but to remind us that in our weakness, His strength is made perfect. By relying on God's presence, we can find comfort and strength in the midst of our trials. [28:07]
Jonah 2:1-2 (ESV): "Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the belly of the fish, saying, 'I called out to the Lord, out of my distress, and he answered me; out of the belly of Sheol I cried, and you heard my voice.'"
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt desperate and cried out to God. How did He respond? How can you cultivate a habit of seeking God's presence in both good times and bad?
Day 5: Dependence on God's Power
Description:
We are not meant to handle life's hardships on our own. Paul’s experience with the thorn in his flesh teaches us that God's grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness. This encourages us to boast in our weaknesses so that Christ's power may dwell in us. By acknowledging our limitations and relying on God's power, we can experience His strength and grace in our lives. [32:26]
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
Reflection: Identify an area of your life where you feel weak or inadequate. How can you invite God's power into this area? What practical steps can you take to rely more on His strength and less on your own?
Quotes
1. "Part of the Harvest family, what is our vision? Make, grow, and equip followers of Jesus to fulfill their God-given purpose in life. And we do that through community, discipleship, and outreach." [52:15] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "How many of you know that the world around us today is full of advice? Everywhere we turn, somebody's trying to advise us in some form or fashion. We get tons of advice from social media. Now, how many of you would agree that sometimes you're on social media a little too much? You probably need to cut back a little bit." [53:56] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "How many of you have heard bad biblical advice? So let me give you a few examples. And these are just some statements I thought of. And all of us have probably heard these at some point. And you may have heard some of these statements. You may believe some of these statements. You may believe some of them. And you can just let your hand if that's you and kind of get a gauge of where the room is. But how about the statement, God helps those who help themselves. That's in the Bible, right?" [58:18] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "How many of you know that there's no shortage of people that are trying to give us advice? Well-meaning advice, many times. And many times, it's not just me. It comes across really good and really helpful. And the whole idea is to make a person feel built up and make them feel better, right? In the middle of whatever it is they may be walking through. Hopefully, I think the hope is that it inspires us and inspires us to keep on plugging along, even when we feel like giving up." [57:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So we're going to look at our tools. And we're going to try to figure this out. And what the Bible is really saying. Now, here's the thing. I believe this verse actually originated from 1 Corinthians chapter 10. So if you've got a Bible, you can turn there. In 1 Corinthians chapter 10. You can also follow along in the YouVersion Bible app. If you hit more and hit events, our notes should pop up. And you should be able to follow along from there. Or right on the screen. But I believe this comes from 1 Corinthians chapter 10. And remembering, again, even a well-meant encouragement, if it's false, could actually be dangerous in your life." [01:06:55] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So, three tests we're going to use moving forward. Number one is context. Everybody say context. Guys, context. You probably understand context. Context is so important. There is a statement actually that context is king. In communication, context is king. So, we look at things and, for instance, Scripture. When people use Scripture out of context, they're usually using it as a weapon or they're using it to prove a point. Their own point. Context is king. You can take a single verse out of the Bible out of context and almost make it say whatever you want it to say." [01:02:18] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So here's what we're going to do, guys. We're going to look at the whole Bible. We're not going to do it today, because that would take a long time. But we're going to basically kind of look at the mindset of what is happening throughout the entire Word of God. And then we're going to look and see, does this work? Does this statement fit with what we see when we look at the entirety of the Word of God?" [01:14:19] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "So we are built to need him alongside of us. And so God wants us to learn to depend upon his presence. And the second thing he wants, God wants us to learn to depend upon his power. God wants us to learn to depend upon his power. Guys, how many of you in this room, would lift your hand up and say, I have experienced the power of God in my life before?" [01:30:25] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Guys, remember how we talked earlier about the danger of a biblical statement that's not 100% accurate? God doesn't give you more than you can handle. Here's the problem with that statement sometimes. When we're really going through it, it makes us feel inferior and flawed and incapable of handling things on our own. That's the point. Yes, we are incapable and flawed and incapable. We are incapable of walking through this on our own. We need his power and we need his presence. We weren't meant to live life in our own power and strength. We were meant to live life in his power and his strength." [01:31:11] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Guys, we weren't created to handle the hardships of this life. Because here's the deal. God wants us to experience the joy and the healing that his power brings. Guys, can you imagine how underwhelming it would be if you could handle everything really easily? Like, I mean, some of you back in the late 80s, early 90s, those of us who grew up in that time and were gamers, and they started coming out those little first player shooter game things. And they had little cheat codes you could put in. And you got to a place where they had what was called God mode." [01:34:01] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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