Its Not In The Bible Part 1

“God Helps Those Who Helps Themselves”

This phrase is not from the Bible but actually from the Aesopian fable “Hercules and the Wagoneer”

A WAGGONER was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. At last he came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the Waggoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong. "O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress," quoth he. But Hercules appeared to him, and said:

"Tut, man, don�t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel.

"THE GODS HELP THEM THAT HELP THEMSELVES."

The Bible teaches something entirely different:

Romans 5:6–8 ESV

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Proverbs 28:26 ESV

26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Jeremiah 17:5 ESV

5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Jeremiah 17:

Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness

Also not found in the Bible.

Cleanliness is connected to righteousness but not in the context of cleaning a closet or cleaning a drawer. It is meantioned within the context of cleansing one’s life of sins.

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

2 Corinthians 7:1 ESV

1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

James 4:8 ESV

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:

The Temptation was too strong. I couldn’t resist it/Satan made me do it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

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.

The focus of our temptations should not be on the temptation itself or Satan the tempter.

Instead focus on God’s power.

All Things Work Together For Good

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Nope not at all.

The text says that those who love God all things work together for good. There is a context there. The context is within the barriers of loving God.

Jesus Never Says the Word Grace

We Fight A Battle With Satan

We are not tasked with fighting Satan as most would believe. We are instead commanded and encouraged to submit to God who will fight for us.

God fights Satan, we don’t.

The Bible teaches that God will defeat our enemies. Its focus is more on standing firm in our faith/belief of God rather than our might against Satan.

Colossians 1:13–14 ESV

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

James 4:7 ESV

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 ESV

3 But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.

Ephesians 6:10–11 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Deuteronomy 28:7 ESV

7 “The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

Dueteronomy

Revelation 12:11 ESV

11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

Joshua 23:10 ESV

10 One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you.

Psalm 91:1–4 ESV

1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” 3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Psalm 9

2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV

15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.