America is an interesting place to grow up in, especially if you happen to live in the Western states. I happened to have grown up in Arizona. In the minds of some that conjures up images of cowboys on horseback out in the Wild, Wild West and because of that we have been somewhat stigmatized by those in the East as being un-sophisticated, and lacking cultural refinement.  You see all that doesn’t matter to us natives because we boast in our spirit of independence and couldn’t care less what those in the east think. There is an underlying attitude that we can go at life on our own, we don’t necessarily need anyone.  I know that is a gross generalization of the way things are in the West, but the underlying attitude is one of independence. That being said, I believe that all Americans, for the most part, pride themselves in being independent.

We must not allow that spirit of independence to drive us along on our own spiritual journey where we don’t need anyone else’s input and especially their opinions. The Scriptures tell us of this prevalent attitude in all mankind;

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Did you know that Christianity is not like a buffet where you get to choose the things you like and avoid the things you don’t?  When I came to the Lord there was this saying, “It was all or nothing baby!” I lived in a Christian community of men and women called ‘Maranatha House’.  Coming out of the rebellion against the “Establishment”, which we thought was freedom, and into the true freedom of submission to God.  Now most of us can handle the submission to God part, but have a little difficulty with the idea of  submitting to a church, pastor, or elder.

Heb 13:17  Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them <continually recognizing their authority over you>, for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account <of their trust>. <Do your part to> let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you <either>. (cf 1Co16:16; 1Pe. 5:5)

I know that for some those 3 Scriptures are a bitter pill to swallow. There are article after article in all kinds of publications that speak out about church leaders abuse of power. I can sympathize with you in that regard, yet I have found that it was easier to forget the past, then to let the past frame my future. I have sadly seen those who have experienced hurt at the hands of leadership fall prey to the bondage of bitterness and walk in far less than what God had intended.

Php 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

I believe that the spirit of independence makes us vulnerable to the offense by those in authority. The opposite of independence is submission. Wow, is that an unpopular word! Wait it gets worse when you look up the Greek definition. I say worse because you have to remember where I live.  Here is the Greek word;

hupotasso hupotasso

1) to arrange under, to subordinate

2) to subject, put in subjection

3) to subject one’s self, obey

4) to submit to one’s control

5) to yield to one’s admonition or advice

6) to obey, be subject

I think we have seen or heard a parody of a parent spanking their child and saying “This really hurts me more than you.”  But really when I talk of ridding ourselves of a spirit of independence it comes back and hits me square between the eyes. So, when I say lets repent of this spirit and ask God for the Grace and Wisdom to walk this out, I mean to include myself. It is not easy for us to do the definition of that word without freaking out a little. That is where having faith in God comes in to play. You see we need to trust God to work in the lives of that other person, as we submit to them. As difficult as that may seem, it is not without an incredible reward. Try it, you might like it!!

Have a Great Day!!!