The (Sin?) Of Independence

Independence is a major theme, right now especially. Political independence, religious independence, even individual independence (when a child becomes an adult) are all important and very celebrated in our culture, but can independence be bad? Is there a time when we should be dependent?

Isaiah 50:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Who is among you that fears the Lord,
That obeys the voice of His servant,
That walks in darkness and has no light?
Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.

Proverbs 3:5-6 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

Ephesians 6:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

We are called as Christians to rely on God, to depend on Him. We have no true wisdom on our own. We have no goodness on our own. We have no understanding on our own. We have no strength on our own. We are not called to do it on our own. We are not called to trust ourselves, to look out for number one, to use our strength, power or wisdom in anything. We are to use God’s.

Not only are we to use God’s, but we are actually told NOT to use our own. Everything we have apart from God is weak, insufficient and worthless. All that we have which is worth using is really from God, and we can only use it if we use it through God. He offers it to us freely, but we have to humble ourselves, admit that we can’t do it on our own, that we aren’t good enough, and take what He offers instead.

Romans 3:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

as it is written, “There is none righteous, not even one;

It is folly and deceptive to think that we don’t need God for every action, every second of our lives. The only reason that we take a single breath, that we can read these words, is because God has given us the ability, He has allowed us to do it. He is the only reason we are alive today.

It is not possible for us to be truly independent as individuals, and it is not something we should seek. Political independence can be good, religious independence can be necessary, but individual independence in the form of self-sufficiency (apart from God) is a lie and deception. The Bible calls us, implores us, to depend on God, for He is our only source of true strength and life. That is what trust really is, depending on God for everything.

Psalm 62:5-8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. 

Where do you try to claim independence from God? What areas of your life are you trying to maintain control? This Independence Day, thank God for the political and religious freedom we have, but also take the time to consider how you have tried to win your independence from God. Then, prayerfully give Him back your life, reinstating your true dependence on Him in everything.