Man’s greatest myth, or self delusion, is that he can achieve total self-dependence. This is believed to be a fundamental right of human nature. However, the myth that we can be totally self-dependent is a lie and a great deception.

Fact About Self-dependence

Wherever there is life there is a constant expenditure of energy, says A W Tozer. The need for continual renewal is required to keep the organism alive. Once an organism is forced to expend more energy than it is able to create, there comes a point where life ceases. This is known as death.

The fact is that man cannot be totally self-dependent, either naturally or spiritually. No living thing is self-sufficient. For any organism to survive it requires sustenance from an outside source.

Self-existence then is a state which does not exist, for we are all dependent on many things. Only God is totally self-dependent.

Mans Greatest Myth

From the start a child appears to strive for self-dependence. However, is it self-dependence or an inborn desire to have one’s own way? To self-govern.

Adam was created in the image of God, Genesis 1:26, with the ability to be self-dependent. He had everything he needed for his independent survival. After he disobeyed God and became a sinner, he no longer had that ability and neither do we.

Even the most important people in the land look to humble cows, hens and bees for food, rain to grow crops, and the mailman to deliver mail. Throughout history man has proven his interdependence and the need to have faith in others.

The Bible puts it this way. How could one chase a thousand. And two put ten thousand to flight, Deuteronomy 32:30. There is collective strength in interdependence.

What is Independence

Independence is a state of feeling free from outside control or influence and a state of self-governing. We all have a measure of self-dependence, but it has major limitations. Our human capacity at self-governing is flawed.

Our limited self-dependence is not prideful stubbornness and being unteachable. It is earnestly knowing our limitations and yearning for the leading of the Teacher, the Holy Spirit, John 14:26.

Our body is the house of our eternal soul and needs to be fed spiritual food, John 6:35, just as the body needs physical nourishment. Man left to his own devices will die, not just physically but eternally.

What Self-Dependence is Not

Our limited self-dependence is not selfishness where we are the centre of our universe. It is knowing that we are in need of salvation through Jesus Christ and the leading of the Comforter, John 14:26. The One who intercedes for the saints according to the will of God, through wordless groans that are too deep for words, Romans 8:26, 27.

Self-dependence is the right to live free from oppression and determine one’s own destiny. However, this is only truly achievable through a loving heavenly Father. John Donne, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, said in a sermon in 1642, ‘No man is an island’. Man does not have the ability to save himself or live as an island.

Therefore, the ability to achieve self-dependence is man’s greatest myth. It is a lie straight from the enemy, whose aim is to steal, kill and destroy, John 10:10. The truth is we are all totally dependent on the One who is far wiser than us. For I Am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning. And from ancient times things which have not been done. Saying, My purpose will be established. And I will accomplish all My good pleasure, Isaiah 46:10.

Free Will

God gave every person the gift of a free will, just as the angels in heaven have a free will. Every person has the opportunity to choose their eternal destination. The person who denies dependence on a loving Heavenly Father, John 3:16, will eventually live in an eternity not of their choosing.

Either we rely on our own strength, or we admit we are utterly dependent on the great I Am that I Am, Exodus 3:14. He alone paid the debt for our sin, for the wages of sin is death, Romans 6:23.

God created us to be dependent upon Him, for He desires to fellowship His people in a personal relationship. He has an eternal plan for each one of us. He knows our weaknesses and our strengths and uses it all.

Man’s Greatest Myth

Those who refuse to acknowledge their dependence on God, or deny that God exists, hold the mistaken myth that they can be self-dependent. They believe they have no need of an over-arching power that desires only the best for them. They believe their own resources and efforts are where their strength lies and they can achieve all they ever need or want.

These people have difficulty with the thought that they are in fact totally dependent on the grace and mercy of a loving Heavenly Father. He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good. And sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous, Matthew 5:45.

The inability of man to successfully live self-dependent is clearly displayed in the lives of the rich and famous. Riches and fame, or power corrupts and great riches, fame and power corrupt absolutely. Solomon is a good example of this. He knew great heights, but he also sank to great depths. Vanity of vanity, all is vanity, Ecclesiastes 1:2.

Death to Man’s Greatest Myth

True self-dependence is only found in total submission to a loving heavenly Father. He gave His all, that we might be adopted as His sons, crying ‘Abba Father’, Mark 14:36. Sons who inherit all the glory of belonging to the kingdom of God. Our strength and true independence comes from Him and Him alone.

The truly successful person is the one who presents his or her life as a living sacrifice, Romans 12:1. They humble themselves before the mighty hand of God. We were created to live free, but this can only truly happen in Him.

Real self-dependence is making the right decisions for our life. It is acknowledging our total dependence on God for all our needs. In Him alone we will find true fulfillment. He is the One who gives us the desires of our heart when we delight in Him, Psalm  37:4. What are the deep desires of your heart for you become what you love? Is it the desire to please self, or please the One who created you? Man’s greatest myth is his self-dependence.

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Dr. Wendy Stenberg-Tendys is a servant of the Lord who enjoys researching Biblical topics and sharing words of encouragement from the Word of God. She asks the hard questions.

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