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This Bible text has a number of blessings embedded in it. Firstly, there is the phrase ‘common to man’ which helps us in times of doubt or shame because Satan loves to whisper that we are the worst person ever to exist. While Apostle Paul is not excusing our behaviour, he is supporting us by confirming that we are not alone in our temptations. Indeed, Jesus highlighted that there was ‘none good’ and that is one of the ways we are all the same – we are all sinners!

Thankfully, because of God’s faithfulness and His awareness of our individual circumstances, this promise provides for a way out of temptation so that we do not fall (i.e. bear). That is then our choice to make.

Unfortunately, as is his way, Satan also has introduced the spirit of error to the application of God’s word.

I recently heard a debate between two Christians where one was asserting, ‘God will not give you more than you can handle (bear)’. This, however, is not what the word says and may even be unhelpful to those who are experiencing suffering. If someone has lost a loved one or been diagnosed with a terminal illness it is entirely likely that it IS beyond what they can bear. This notion can lead to doubting God’s word or blaming themselves for not being strong.

Apostle Paul experienced much suffering when he became a missionary for the Lord, and he realised that it was beyond what he could bear. He also wrote 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, “For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:”

This gives a much more realistic picture of our weakness in times of trouble and where real strength lies. When we are unable to bear something, that is when we must turn to the only one who can. He has promised, Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

Rather than falling for any misquotation of scripture we can trust that ‘God will not give us more then HE can handle!’