Sayings Credited To The Bible Which Aren’t Biblical-Part 2
Posted: Thursday, November 24, 2011
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
Continuing to discuss the many sayings which sound as if they might have come from the Holy Bible but did not. Most of them, fortunately, are good advice and may have a message which is also given in the bible in some other form.
Moderation in all things This may sound good and to a certain extent it is, but it did not come from the bible in those words. First of all, a moderate amount of a bad thing is not good. This phrase may have come from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics where his summary uses that statement. But it still needs some exclusions. And what about the idea in the bible? A similar thought is found but as already stated, it has limitations as far as it’s intents are concerned.
The meaning Paul is trying to get across that they use good sense in their training and taking care of their bodies. Not many who are preparing for a great and important race would be a temperate smoker. (Or a moderate smoker). The thought and, no doubt the intent of the statement is of value, yet it cannot include moderate in bad or harmful things.
Spare the rod, spoil the child. This statement is also not found in the bible. Solomon used several admonitions which are somewhat similar to this. I realize that today, this type of thing is just about unheard of. But if people will only look at the lives of children today, you will find many more addicted to drugs and in a lot of other illicit activities which were once not nearly so rampant. Here is what Solomon said about it:
He who withholds his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him diligently. (Proverbs 13:24)
Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; The rod of discipline will remove it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15)
Do not hold back discipline from the child, Although you strike him with the rod, he will not die. You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol. (translated Hell in KJV) (Proverbs 23:13-14)
To thine ownself be true This is a phrase taken from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The older counselor of King Claudius, advising his son Laertes when he spoke famous line: "This above all things: to thine own self be true". It is not found in scripture.
It sounds good and has some merit, yet it sounds as if when you are true to your conscience, all is well. That is not necessarily true. One’s conscience can betray him. His conscience is rooted directly in his knowledge of right and wrong. If he is lacking in the knowledge of what is wrong, his conscience will not guide him away from that. This is why a thorough knowledge of the word of God is so vital. Here again is where my favorite saying fits well…”one cannot obey God if they do not know what He says.”
It is sinful to go against one’s conscience which places even more emphasis on the need to know the teachings of the bible in detail. James, the Apostle wrote this:
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:17 )
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This exact wording is not found in the more literal translations of he bible, yet it’s sentiment is definitely biblical. The scripture nearest to this wording is:
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31 KJV). The wording is slightly different in various translations but with the same meaning. The New International Version (NIV) actually lists it as Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, however, the saying was being used many years before the NIV was written so therefore, it cannot be said that it originated with it.
This sentiment is assuredly biblical and is expressed in other ways as well as the above. For instance, "love thy neighbor as thyself," has essentially the same meaning and is expressed in Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:43; 19:19; 22:39; Mark 12:31; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14; James 2:8; Luke 10:27 and in the verse on James 2:8, he refers to this as the “Royal Law”. So it is one to keep in our memory and to strive hard to follow.
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