There are scriptures that have been grossly abused, misunderstood, and misquoted. Everyone has made mistakes in their interpretation of scriptures but we are striving for accuracy. Although we’re striving to get it right there are some statements that just seem to keep on keeping on. So my intention is to focus on one of those areas that have caused a lot of confusion!! You have probably heard someone say that God will not put more on you than you can bear. I have heard this said in connection with tragedy, sickness, disease and other things of great adversity. Adverse things come with life. Jesus said in John 16:33, “these things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world”. Experiencing trouble in this world is a reality because this world system has been arranged to be against us by our adversary Satan, but God is for us. I think a lot of the misunderstanding has come from an incorrect interpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13 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.
A person can read this verse of scripture in the blindness of what you have been taught or heard instead of the light of what it says. Paul is saying that temptations are a reality to the human race and you have been taken by a common temptation. Temptations are things that appeal to the flesh and can be an invitation to sin. Occasionally we use or hear the word taken is used to describe a strong attraction to something or someone, or our attention having been captivated. Paul is giving some simple instructions about how we are susceptible to temptations in the flesh. He also said in Galatians 5:16 this I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Paul also says that God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able to resist. Satan the tempter cannot present things to you that are not common or resistible to mankind. It also says that God is faithful to always provide a way of escape instead of being overtaken by the temptation. There is nothing in this verse of scripture that conveys the idea that God’s the problem or He’s putting things on us. Instead, He’s the faithful one to deliver a person if they will choose the way of escape that God provides. God is the God of all comfort [2Cor.1:3] and there’s no comfort in being told that God will not put more on you than you can take when you’re faced with a tragic event. I realize people are just trying to help and they are conveying something they believe to be true. Understand God is not our problem He’s the solution to the problems we face, Jesus said in Him we would have peace.
Pastor James