The Truth of The Phrase

"God helps those who help themselves" is one of the most common quoted phrases that is not found in the Bible.

I'm sure everyone has heard it at one point. I'm not sure where I first heard it. The truth to the phrase above is both yes and no. It isn't a very good phrase because I believe it is a little bit misleading, but at the same time can mean different things to different people. The misleading part is that "help themselves" sounds too much like self power and contradicts the need for God to help us. That is my interpretation anyway.

When I was younger and didn't know much about my faith yet, I prayed to God to take away my temptations and I would better serve him. God can shine a light in front of you and lead you away from temptation and lead you on to his path. But, you need to make a commitment to God and learn to stay away from temptations that will lead you deeper into sin. Temptations can be like a black hole, the more you listen to Satan and go in more and more, he will suck you right in.

God will clear the brush from your path and make it easier to stay on your feet when you pray to him and learn his Word. But you will still need to mow the grass and maintain the path, otherwise it will grow out of control and in to Satan's hands. I have learned many people ask God for help, but then expect God to do everything Himself, and as a result many fall in inactivity and continue to sin.

The right phrase should be "God helps those who believe and trust in him, maintain his path and he will guide you out of the wilderness and in to his meadow"