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NASB | Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, But he who walks wisely will be delivered. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts confidently in his own heart is a [dull, thickheaded] fool, But he who walks in [skillful and godly] wisdom will be rescued. [James 1:5] |
Bible Question: for years i have heard this statement god helps those who help themselves.i would like to know where it came from and what it means my mom was a strict baptist and she said it all the time |
Bible Answer: Greetings ram658, "Many people believe that quote came from the Bible. Many people obviously don't read their Bibles. This particular quote is nowhere to be found in all of Scripture. So where did it come from? Would you believe it came from GREEK MYTHOLOGY?? Specifically, it came from one of Aesop's fables. There's a story about a wagoner and Hercules that runs like this: "A Wagoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. He came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the Wagoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong. 'O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress." But Hercules appeared to him, and said: 'Man, don't sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves." The saying "the gods help those that help themselves" evolved to "God helps those who help themselves" as the phrase was repeated and passed on from culture to culture throughout the centuries. Today Christians often quote the phrase thinking it's biblically based, without realizing that it actually originated from pagan mythology!" (Courtesy of www.vesselofhonour.com) Opposite of Biblical teaching: Jer 17:5 (NIV) This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD." Prov 28:26 (NIV) He who trusts in himself is a fool... terrib |