Corrupting the Truth – Old Wise Tales in Old Wineskins
Luke 5:38-39 “But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins and no one after drinking old wine wishes for new; for he says, the old is good enough.”
Is your faith in God like that of an old man hanging on to old wise tales? Those of us who have known Christ for a long time, tend to be set in our ways or should I say, set in our beliefs. There is nothing wrong with, standing up for the truth. However, there are beliefs that Christians confess as truth that are not true at all but old wise tales that need to be exposed as such.
A Divine Revelation
For example, have you ever heard the statement that God will not give you more than you can handle? Many believe this to be true based on a narrow interpretation of I Corinthians 10:13 which states, “No temptation has overtaken you, but such is common to man, and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with that temptation will provide a way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” However, the Greek word used here for temptation is peirazo which refers to trials or tests with moral or character implications and not circumstantial hardships. Try telling a parent who has just lost a child that God doesn’t give them more than they can handle. Life will most certainly give us more than we can handle and God’s permissive will allows this.
Paul learned this truth regarding his thorn in the flesh. He wrote in II Corinthians 12:9 that God’s grace is sufficient for us and that His power is perfected in our weakness. When God allows difficult circumstances in our lives, we can and should depend on Him to get us through them. Therefore, the truer statement is that God will not give us more than He can handle, but we will have to let Him handle it.
If we clearly understand I Corinthians 10:13 correctly, another wise tale is threatened that has to do with overcoming sin. Romans 7:14-20 is often referred to as a Christian’s battle with sin. Sadly, if this passage describes life as a believer, Paul does not paint a picture of victory for the Christian but one of frustration and defeat. “We know that the law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I do I hate. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”
Fortunately for us, I Corinthians 10:13 assures us that “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with that temptation will provide a way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it” without sinning. Since God provides this “way of escape” from sin, I believe Paul was referring to his life under the law in the verses above and not his life in Christ. Paul understood that the law truly had no power to deliver him from the bondage of sin. Yet in Christ, Paul acknowledges our ability to overcome sin according to Romans 6:18 & 8:2. These Scriptures state, “And having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” (Romans 6:18) and “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus sets you free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2) As believers, do we still struggle with our sinful nature? Yes, but in Christ we can submit to the power of His Spirit within us that gives us the freedom to overcome sin and obey the Father in everything.
A Divine Challenge
Sometimes we hold tightly to teachings because of loyalty to those who have taught us these things. We never think to question them or examine them in light of the whole of Scripture. Sometimes those old wise tales are easier to believe than the truth. They tickle our ears and lull us into complacency. Like one who has grown accustomed to drinking old wine, we do not seek change because the old has become good enough.
Call to Action
Ask the Spirit to give you a fresh understanding of God’s Word whenever you read it. When you hear something from the pulpit or a biblical teacher, test it against the Word of God to make sure that it is correct. Don’t be like the Pharisees who were settling for old wine. Renew your mind daily with the Word of God so that you can be “fresh wineskins” that God can pour a fresh word into.
Father, so many of us rely heavily on earthly teachers to convey the truths of Your Word. Help us rely only on the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. We are instructed in Your Word to test the teachings of men. (“But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.”) Give us discernment when it comes to understanding Your Word, so we are not deceived by false doctrines. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray, Amen!