Will God Give You More Than You Can Handle?
Tackling the False Ideas
We all face difficult times in our lives. Sometimes these struggles are so intense that we feel we cannot handle them. In these moments, well-meaning people might say, "Remember, God promised us that He will never give us more than we can handle." They want to encourage us, but I think this can actually do more harm than good. If we believe this and still cannot handle the struggle, we might feel like failures, leading to guilt and more stress. Also, we should ask if this statement is even true and if it is found in scripture.
Many people think this saying comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13: "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability." But if we look at this verse in its context (which we will do soon), we will see that this interpretation is not correct. First, let us see if the statement "God will not give us more than we can handle" is actually true.
Consider the apostle Paul, who wrote 1 Corinthians. He faced many hardships as a missionary in hostile areas. Paul openly talked about his sufferings for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 6, he uses strong words like afflictions, hardships, beatings, imprisonment, hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger to describe his struggles (see 2 Corinthians 6:4-10). Was this more than he could handle? Paul says in the same letter, "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" (2 Corinthians 1:8-9).
It sure sounds like God gave Paul more than he could handle. His personal strength was drained, and he fell into despair, feeling like he wanted to die. But why would God do that? If we continue reading verse 9, it says, "But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead" (2 Corinthians 1:9). So, God allowed Paul to be "burdened beyond his strength" to teach him to rely on God's strength instead of his own—the same power God used to raise Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:19-20).
Therefore, the popular idea that "God will never give us more than we can handle" is actually false. God will give us more than we can handle to bring us to the end of ourselves so that we realize our life, breath, and sustaining power come only from Him. Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Context of 1 Corinthians 10:13
Now, let us look at 1 Corinthians 10:13. As we have discussed before, understanding the context of a verse is crucial to grasp its meaning. So, what is the context here? Paul is warning the Corinthian Christians about the dangers of being arrogant and overconfident in their ability to resist temptation. Before they became Christians, many Corinthians worshiped idols and took part in excessive feasting and immoral activities that were common in Corinth's social scene. Even though they no longer worshiped idols, they still wanted to be part of the city’s social life and started to rationalize their participation, thinking that as long as they had the right perspective on idols, they could avoid falling into temptation. Paul saw this as dangerous, like playing with fire, and addressed it in 1 Corinthians 8-10, cautioning them about their "freedom in Christ."
Paul emphasized that while Christians do have freedom in Christ, they must be careful not to use it in ways that might lead others into sin. He stressed the importance of considering "weaker brethren" who might not be strong enough to resist temptation if they saw others exercising their freedoms. Paul used his own life as an example, explaining that although he had the right to receive financial support as an apostle, he chose to work as a tentmaker to avoid any misunderstanding or criticism about his motives, thus removing any potential obstacles to the gospel.
Paul's example shows the principle of self-limitation for the sake of others. He was willing to give up his own rights and freedoms to win more people to Christ, much like missionaries who adapt to cultural restrictions to connect with their audience. In contrast, the Corinthians were confident in their maturity and pushed their freedom to extremes, risking a return to their old ways. Paul used Old Testament examples to show how Israel frequently fell into temptation, and he warned the Corinthians about the danger of overconfidence, advising them to "take heed lest [they] fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
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Meaning of 1 Corinthians 10:13
After warning the Corinthians about being overconfident, Paul shifts to offer encouragement and insight about dealing with temptation. He starts by acknowledging that everyone faces temptation; it is a common human experience. No one should think their temptation is unique or unprecedented. We might have differences in circumstances, but the most basic temptations remain the same. This shows that temptation is universal.
Paul makes it clear that being tempted is not wrong; what matters is how you respond to it. He reassures the Corinthians that they do not have to give in to temptation because God is faithful and will always provide a way out. Specifically, Paul says, "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" (1 Corinthians 10:13). This means that God would not let them face more than they can handle when it comes to temptation. He pictures God as aware of their struggles and offering a helping hand to escape temptation (see also Hebrews 4:15).
So, no one can say that they had no choice but to sin because the temptation was too strong. Paul assures that God will always provide a way out, making it possible to endure and overcome any temptation. This promise encourages us to trust in God’s faithfulness and rely on His help in times of temptation.
Application of 1 Corinthians 10:13
The application of 1 Corinthians 10:13 can both guide and encourage us in our daily lives. First, it is important to understand that everyone faces temptation. Knowing that it is a common experience can make us feel less alone and more connected to others. Second, we can trust in God's promise that He would not let us be tempted beyond what we can handle. This assurance can strengthen us to resist temptation, knowing that God is providing the strength and means to overcome it.
Third, we should always look for the escape routes God provides in moments of temptation. This might mean removing ourselves from a tempting situation, seeking support from fellow believers, or turning to prayer and scripture for guidance. Fourth, it is also crucial to avoid being overconfident in our ability to resist temptation. We need to acknowledge our vulnerabilities and take practical steps to guard against them, like setting boundaries and seeking accountability.
Fifth, we must be considerate of how our actions might affect others, especially those who may be weaker in their faith. Sometimes, this means limiting our freedoms to avoid causing others to stumble, showing love and care for our community. Following Paul's example, we can willingly give up certain rights or freedoms for the sake of the gospel and the benefit of others, making personal sacrifices to avoid misunderstanding or criticism and enhancing our witness for Christ.
Finally, we can find hope and encouragement in knowing that God understands our struggles and is actively helping us overcome them. This reminder can give us strength and comfort, knowing we are never alone in our battles against temptation.
May God help us all to overcome our temptations!
Source: “The Most Misused Verses in the Bible” by Eric J. Bargerhuff
Thank you for this.God is our only hope in the end times,I have switched off the material world.God is all.