The Path of Spiritual Independence

Luke 15:11-24

Spiritual independence means living outside the restrictions of God’s will and choosing instead to please ourselves. As believers, we frequently take matters into our own hands, despite God’s promise for perfect provision.

Desires can blind us. We either want what we don’t have or would like what we have in a different form. We chafe at the constraints of our faith that call us to deny ourselves and obey God (Luke 9:23). Personal satisfaction becomes a priority, opening us to deception. The Enemy paints a beautiful, albeit untrue, picture of how things will be if we just change our circumstances. We start believing the lie that gratification can be found elsewhere and forget the truth that our life is complete in Christ (Eph. 1:3).

When this lie exerts influence over us, our ability to make Christ-centered decisions is crucial. Unless we sift our desires through the will of God and hold onto the truth that His grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9), we will choose to act independently of Him. Though we’ll make a decision that sounds right, looks good, and seems harmless, in actuality we are departing from God’s good and perfect will. For a period of time, we may find delight in walking outside of His plan. Sin—doing what we want instead of what God wants—brings temporary pleasure but is followed by despair and, many times, disaster.

No matter how far you have wandered spiritually, turn back to the Lord. Like the father in the story of the Prodigal Son, God waits to welcome you home. In Him, you will find all you need (Eph. 3:18-19).

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