A Place of Dependency

Matthew 5:6 [NKJV], Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  

“Heaven didn’t run out of oil, the earth ran out of vessels.” 

“Jesus will never ask us to do anything He hasn’t already done.” 

Philippians 2:5-7 [NLT/NASB], You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, He emptied Himself [of His divine privileges] by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.

John 5:19 [NLT], So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself.  He does only what He sees the Father doing.  Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

John 5:30 [NLT], I can do nothing on My own.  I judge as God tells Me.  Therefore, My judgement is just, because I carry out the will of the one who sent Me, not My own will.

John 6:38 [NLT], For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent Me, not to do My own will.

John 8:28-29 [NLT], So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am He.  I do nothing on My own but say only what the Father taught Me. 29 And the One who sent Me is with Me—He has not deserted Me.  For I always do what pleases Him.”

John 12:49-50 [NLT], I don’t speak on My own authority.  The Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it. 50 And I know His commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells Me to say.

1 Peter 2:21 [TPT], In fact, you were called to live this way, because Christ also suffered in your place, leaving you His example for you to follow.

John 15:4-5 [NLT], Remain in Me, and I will remain in you.  For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. 5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.  Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.  For apart from Me you can do nothing. 

Definitions for independent…

-free from outside control, not depending on another’s authority.

-not depending on another for livelihood or subsistence.

-capable of thinking or acting for oneself.

-not influenced or affected by others.

-not connected with another or with each other; separate.

-not depending on something else for strength or effectiveness; freestanding.

Synonyms for independent…

-Self-reliant -Unallied

-Self-sufficient -Unconnected

-Self-contained -Unrestrained

-Self-determined -Separate

-Self-governing -Individualistic

-Self-ruling -Nonaligned

-Self-supporting -On one’s own

An independent person says and thinks…

-I’m pursuing my dreams.

-I’m pursuing my calling.

-I’m strong and I can do things myself.

-I’m a self made person.

-I don’t need anyone’s help.

-I don’t need anyone’s permission.

-I will decide what’s right for me.

-No one will tell me what to do, this is my life.

Isaiah 14:12-14 [NKJV], “How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!  How you are cut down to the ground.  You who weakened the nations! 13 For you have said in your heart:  I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.” 

15 Signs of an Independent Spirit… 

  1.  Seeks self glory

  2.  Operates in conceit 

  3.  Will use the Bible to leverage their agenda

  4.  Is competitive in nature

  5.  Only does what feels right to them

  6.  Only does what will benefit them 

  7.  Rebellious towards authority

  8.  Refuses to listen or submit their plans to wise counsel

  9.  Will obey, but only partially

10.  Impatient when it comes to the plan of God

11.  Does things in secret 

12.  Is divisive in nature 

13.  Will hide behind spiritual jargon 

14.  Has a hard heart 

15.  Would rather work alone to accomplish a work for God

“God will only give us as much authority in the kingdom as we’re willing to submit to.” 

Does an independent spirit have any place in the life of a believer?” 

James 4:6 [TPT], “God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.” 

Psalms 35:13 [NKJV], “I humble myself with fasting…” 

Matthew 5:3 [NASB], “Blessed are the poor in spirit [those who realize their need for Him], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the beggars, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

1 Corinthians 1:26-29 [NLT], Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. 27 Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise.  And He chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. 29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.