Man’s greatest myth, or self delusion, is that he can achieve self-dependence. This is seen as a fundamental aspect of human nature. But, is it a reality?

Fact

A myth is a widely held false belief or idea. There are many that people believe, but the myth that we can be self-dependent is nothing short of a lie.

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 going. Once an organism is forced to expend more energy than it is able to create, there comes a point when life ceases to be. This is known as death.

The fact is that man cannot be self-dependent, either naturally or spiritually. No living thing is self-sufficient.

Striving for Man’s Greatest Myth

A parent’s task is to foster independence in a child, for who wants to spoon-feed a 30-year-old? From the beginning 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. After he disobeyed God and became a sinner, he no longer had that ability, Like Adam we also don’t have the ability of total self-dependence.

Even the most important people in the land look to humble cows, hens and bees for food, rain to grow crops, the mailman to deliver mail, etc. Throughout history man has proved his interdependence and the need to have faith in someone other than himself. 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 dependence.

Born Again

No one is self-sufficient or independent. We are all sinners, Romans 3:23, but God made the Way, John 14:6, for fallen man to be redeemed through the Lamb slain before the foundation of the earth, Revelation 13:8. We were created for a higher calling than satisfying self. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly, 1 Corinthians 15:49.

Through Christ we are Born Again, renewed, sanctified and restored, Colossians 3:10; Romans 8:29. However, like Christ we bear the marks of sin, John 20:27. For all eternity Christ will be the Lamb slain and we will forever be the redeemed of the Lord, Galatians 3:13. Self-dependence is therefore man’s greatest myth for he is not only needs God, he needs the society he lives in.

Self-Reliance

Self-reliance is a personal quality that develops over time. It is the ability to depend on yourself through your own judgment, abilities, resources, and inner strength. It is very important to mankind.

Self-reliance strengthens individuals, supports communities, and advances mankind. It is also a coping mechanism that allows individuals to navigate challenges.

It is the opposite of being dependent on others for your survival and happiness. Yet, it is total dependence on God that turns a person into an overcomer.

What is Independence

Independence is a state of being free from outside control or influence. It is a state of self-governing. Yet, our human capacity at self-governing is greatly flawed. 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.

True self-dependance is not isolation or refusing to accept help from others but knowing how to yield to the Perfect One who created us. He knows what we need before we even ask, Matthew 6:8.

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

What Self-dependence is Not

Self-dependence is not selfishness where you are the centre of your universe. It is knowing that you 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 God. 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.

Therefore, the ability to truly 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. We need to be totally dependent on the One who is far wiser than us, for He alone knows the end from the beginning, 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. One third chose to follow Satan when the magnificent Lucifer decided to rise up against God, Isaiah 14:12ff, Ezekiel 28.

Every person therefore, 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. There is no middle ground.

Either we rely on our own strength, or we admit we are totally 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 eternally, Romans 6:23. God created us to be dependent upon Him, for He desires to fellowship His people for He has an eternal plan for each one of us.

The Myth Refuses God

Those who refuse to acknowledge their need for God, or that there even is a God, hold the mistaken myth that they can be totally self-dependent. They believe they have no need of an over-arching power that desires only the best for them. They believe they can achieve all they ever need or want in their own strength and ability. These people cannot live with the thought that they are in fact totally dependent on the grace and mercy of a loving Heavenly Father.

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

True Self-Dependence Is 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.

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 and in so doing give glory and honour to Him. We were created to live free, but this only happens in Him. The state of total self-dependence is a myth. It does not exist, for we are all dependent on so many things. Only God is totally self-dependent.

True self-dependence is acknowledging our total dependence on Him for all our needs. He is the One who gives us the desires of our heart when we delight in Him, Psalm  37:4. Question: what are the deep desires of your heart for you become what you love?

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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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