Acts 27:17 and 1 Corinthians 12:28 are the two verses where the word helps is used in the bible. The first example is a nautical expression with is a binding rope or chain to hold a ship together. The second use is in a list of gifts of service. We all think we understand what helps means there, as we are all called to be servants. I think it is a little more complicated than that.

The common usage in the gifts of helps is to support the weak, to lend a hand where needed. That is fine, but the first assertion of the Greek word antilepsis is a laying hold of, an exchange, as if it were to take the lead, to be out front.

Two different Greek words translated as helps, taken from two different situations, but for all practical purposes perform the same work, to keep things from falling apart. In the later part, of the gift, it has a broader meaning. It is not specific in what kind of help is needed. What help is required takes either knowledge of circumstance or investigation of needs.

But another helps is in the gifting which is not obvious and has no formal training or education exists. That is discernment. This help is strictly exercised in obedience of faith, responding to the Holy Spirit who knows the will of God and the needs of us all.

Discernment is an outgrowth of wisdom. Wisdom is the knowledge of expected outcome for a known situation. Discernment is the knowledge of expected outcome of a hidden situation. Only God can provide that kind of help.

Recognition of the gift of helps discernment can only be seen thru exercising obedience of faith.

Proverb 30:10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

My wife finally had enough. “Stop apologizing, you haven’t done anything wrong.”

My default setting was guilt. I assume the role without cause or justification. It just never occurred to me that I am both my Master’s servant and his accuser. Can I break the cycle by simply believe this scripture?

The scriptures reveal the truth in many matters, but having a head knowledge of the truth is not that same thing as accessing its healing power. Belief has to be more than acknowledgement of truth it has to be a resetting of your defaults. The essence of a default setting is to render the code back to the manufacturer’s original design, removing faults that have corrupted the code.

When it comes to human emotions and habits, it is not as easy as hitting a reset button. Oh if wishing could make it so.

Philippians 2:12c … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

It is work and work has to be performed to get results.

James 1:22-24 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

I could start by stop accusing my Master’s servant. That would be a start.

What is your default setting?