Can anyone give me the Scripture reference for this expression? Stop now, take a moment, use your Bible index or online Bible search tools and let me know what you find.
Did God actually say that? (hint: If you don’t already know, a quick Google search will reveal the true origin of the expression)
Is the God helps those who help themselves philosophy even biblical? Why or why not?
3 comments:
NO. This quote in found in Hezekiah 6:1. However this is NOT a book of the Bible. There are many scriptures passages in the Bible that warn of this type of behavior:
Jer 17:5 (ESV) This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD."
and
Prov 28:26 (ESV) Whoever trusts in his own minds is a fool...
This is a good example on why it is important to know what the Bible actually says. And not give the enemy a foothold in our faith.
I like your Hezekiah joke Alethea. =] Probably in that same book could be found the origin of "ye must hate the yankees" or something like it.
But, to play "devil's advocate" I actually think that this 'ol phrase has legitimate value. For example, James 2:18,20,26 , God does not expect us to be idle. Our faith actually demands works as an expression of its existence. Speaking of Proverbs, he actually strongly opposes laziness: 21:25, 26:14, etc.
If the purpose of this phrase is simply to get people off their rears and into the streets doing the Lord's work, then it gets my philosophy thumbs up. If the purpose is in reference to our salvation, or purported to be a verse of scripture, then it's surely a travesty to repeat.
Good memory Tonka though the verse you’re referencing isn’t a Hezekiah verse. It’s found in actually Galatians 7. In my old NIV verses 1 & 2 read, “1 Thou shalt not like the Yankees. 2 Also, you don’t have to wear hick clothes if you don’t want to.” They’re strongly missing from all my other Bibles though…
Seriously though, Tonka does make some great points and reference some great verses. If fact in James it also stresses the need to be “doers of the Word, and not just hearers only” (1:22). Clearly the Christian life involves action.
I also happen to agree with Alethea’s views though. We have a tendency to trust in our own actions and ability and often leave the Holy Spirit out of the equation, or tack God on the end as an afterthought after we've already acted. I think we’re frequently weak in faith unless it's faith in ourselves and our abilities.
My struggle with phrases like this one is that in my experience they’re usually only quoted to justify someone’s judgmental attitude or defend their foolish actions. It’s bad enough when people try to twist scripture to meet their needs, but it’s really hard for me when they cite something as Gods Word (that isn’t) while at the same time twisting its meaning toward their own sinful bent.
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