Dependence on God: Overcoming the Trap of Self-Sufficiency
Summary
Life is full of “potholes”—unexpected challenges and wounds that can derail us if we’re not careful. One of the most subtle and dangerous of these is self-sufficiency: the belief that we can handle life on our own, without God’s help. This attitude often creeps in quietly, sometimes after a victory or a season of growth, and it can lead us to act without seeking God’s guidance. We see this in the story of Joshua, who, after the miraculous victory at Jericho, assumed he could handle the next battle at Ai using the same strategy—without consulting God. The result was defeat and unnecessary loss. Even after being corrected, Joshua fell into the same trap again with the Gibeonites, making a costly treaty because he relied on his own judgment rather than seeking God’s counsel.
Self-sufficiency is not just a problem for biblical heroes; it’s a trap for all of us. It often arises when we forget that it was God who brought us through past challenges. King Asa experienced God’s miraculous deliverance from a massive army, but years later, he relied on political alliances instead of God, forgetting the source of his earlier victory. David, on the other hand, consistently reminded himself to “bless the Lord” and not forget God’s benefits, recognizing that every victory and provision came from God, not from his own strength.
A major reason self-sufficiency takes root is that we view our spiritual lives through the lens of natural human development. In life, we grow up, become independent, and eventually our parents may even depend on us. But with God, we never outgrow our need for Him. No matter how mature we become, we always need His guidance, correction, and presence. This is why mentoring and spiritual accountability are so vital; we all need people who can speak truth into our lives and help us stay dependent on God.
The antidote to self-sufficiency is a daily, intentional dependence on God. Jesus modeled this for us, saying that apart from the Father, He could do nothing. He calls us to abide in Him, like branches connected to the vine, because without Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. This means daily time in prayer, worship, and the Word—not just listening to sermons, but seeking God personally. It means letting God “hold the string” of our lives, like a kite that soars only when tethered to its source. When we let go and try to fly on our own, we crash. But when we remain connected, God lifts us to heights we could never reach by ourselves.
Key Takeaways
- Self-sufficiency is a subtle spiritual danger that often follows success or familiarity. Like Joshua, we can easily assume that past strategies or victories guarantee future results, forgetting to seek God’s fresh guidance for each new challenge. The greatest defeats often come when we act on autopilot, rather than in dependence on God. [04:05]
- Forgetting God’s past faithfulness is a root cause of self-sufficiency. King Asa’s story shows that even after experiencing God’s miraculous help, we can drift into relying on our own resources or alliances. True spiritual maturity is marked by a continual remembrance and gratitude for what God has done, which keeps us humble and dependent. [13:58]
- Spiritual growth does not lead to independence from God, but to deeper dependence. Unlike natural life, where maturity means self-reliance, in the kingdom of God, maturity means recognizing our ongoing need for God’s presence, guidance, and correction. We never outgrow our need for spiritual mentors and accountability. [21:03]
- Abiding in Christ is the daily practice that keeps us from self-sufficiency. Jesus taught that apart from Him, we can do nothing, and He modeled a life of constant communion with the Father. Abiding means prioritizing time in prayer, worship, and Scripture—not as a ritual, but as a lifeline that keeps us connected to the source of all fruitfulness. [24:52]
- Letting God “hold the string” of our lives is the key to soaring in His purpose. Like a kite that only flies when tethered, we reach our true potential when we surrender control and allow God to direct every area—our relationships, work, finances, and dreams. When we try to “do it ourselves,” we crash; when we trust Him, He lifts us higher than we could ever go alone. [28:03]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Recap: The Potholes of Life Series
[02:56] - Defining Self-Sufficiency
[04:05] - The Subtle Danger of “I Got This”
[06:38] - Joshua’s Mistake at Ai
[09:00] - Repeating the Pattern: The Gibeonite Deception
[11:57] - Forgetting God’s Faithfulness: The Story of Asa
[13:58] - Asa’s Downfall and the Cost of Forgetting
[17:14] - David’s Example: Remembering God’s Benefits
[20:09] - Spiritual Growth and the Need for Mentoring
[21:03] - The Danger of Spiritual Independence
[23:58] - Abiding in Christ: The True Source of Strength
[28:03] - The Kite and the String: Surrendering Control
[29:22] - The Ease of God-Directed Work
[31:01] - The Importance of Daily Dependence
[31:58] - Self-Sufficiency Leads to Pride and the Call to Repentance
[33:00] - Responding to God’s Invitation
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Pothole of Self-Sufficiency
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### Bible Reading
Joshua 7:2-5 (ESV)
> Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai. And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.” So about three thousand men went up from there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.
2 Chronicles 14:9-12 (ESV)
> Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried to the LORD his God, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.” So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled.
John 15:4-5 (ESV)
> Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
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### Observation Questions
1. In the story of Joshua and the battle of Ai, what did Joshua do differently compared to the battle of Jericho? ([06:38])
2. How did King Asa respond when faced with a massive army, and what was the result? ([12:49])
3. According to John 15, what does Jesus say about our ability to bear fruit apart from Him? ([24:52])
4. What are some phrases or attitudes that the sermon says reveal a self-sufficient mindset? ([02:56])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Joshua failed to seek God’s guidance after his victory at Jericho? What does this reveal about the dangers of relying on past successes? ([06:38])
2. What does Asa’s story teach us about the importance of remembering God’s past faithfulness, especially after experiencing His help? ([13:58])
3. How does Jesus’ teaching about abiding in Him challenge the way we think about spiritual maturity and independence? ([24:52])
4. The sermon mentions that self-sufficiency is subtle and can creep in after seasons of growth or victory. Why do you think this is such a common pattern for believers? ([04:05])
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### Application Questions
1. Can you think of a recent situation where you acted without seeking God’s guidance because you thought, “I got this”? What was the outcome, and what could you have done differently? ([06:38])
2. The sermon says that forgetting God’s past faithfulness is a root cause of self-sufficiency. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself daily of what God has done in your life? ([13:58])
3. In what areas of your life do you find it hardest to let God “hold the string” and surrender control? (e.g., relationships, work, finances, dreams) ([28:03])
4. The pastor shared about the importance of having mentors and spiritual accountability. Do you have someone in your life who can “call you out” or speak truth to you? If not, what steps could you take to find that kind of relationship? ([20:09])
5. Jesus modeled daily dependence on the Father through prayer and time alone with God. What would it look like for you to build a daily habit of abiding in Christ? What obstacles might you face, and how can you overcome them? ([24:52])
6. The sermon compared our relationship with God to a kite and a string. When have you experienced “crashing” after trying to do things your own way? How did God use that experience in your life? ([28:03])
7. The pastor mentioned that self-sufficiency can lead to pride. What are some warning signs in your own life that you might be drifting toward self-sufficiency or pride? ([31:58])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray, asking God to reveal any areas of self-sufficiency in their lives and to help them grow in daily dependence on Him.
Devotional
Day 1: The Subtle Danger of Self-Sufficiency
Self-sufficiency often creeps into our lives so quietly that we may not even realize we are drifting from dependence on God. Like Joshua after the victory at Jericho, we can fall into the trap of thinking that past strategies or successes guarantee future outcomes, neglecting to seek God’s guidance for each new challenge. This subtle shift leads us to act on our own wisdom, which can result in unnecessary defeat and discouragement. The lesson is clear: even when things seem familiar or easy, we must continually seek God’s counsel and not rely solely on our own understanding. [06:38]
Joshua 7:2-5 (ESV)
"Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, 'Go up and spy out the land.' And the men went up and spied out Ai. And they returned to Joshua and said to him, 'Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few.' So about three thousand men went up from there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai, and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water."
Reflection: Where in your life have you been relying on your own experience or past victories instead of seeking God’s direction afresh today?
Day 2: Remembering God’s Faithfulness Prevents Self-Reliance
Forgetting what God has done in our lives opens the door to self-sufficiency, as seen in the story of King Asa. When we attribute our victories to our own strength or forget the ways God has delivered us, we are more likely to trust in ourselves or in worldly solutions when new challenges arise. Remembering and recounting God’s faithfulness keeps our hearts humble and dependent, reminding us that every good thing comes from Him and not from our own efforts. [13:58]
2 Chronicles 14:9-12 (ESV)
"Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and came as far as Mareshah. And Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up their lines of battle in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. And Asa cried to the LORD his God, 'O LORD, there is none like you to help, between the mighty and the weak. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; let not man prevail against you.' So the LORD defeated the Ethiopians before Asa and before Judah, and the Ethiopians fled."
Reflection: What is one specific way God has come through for you in the past that you need to remember and thank Him for today?
Day 3: We Never Outgrow Our Need for God and Others
Unlike natural life progression, where children become independent from their parents, our spiritual journey is one of continual dependence on God and the need for spiritual mentors and accountability. No matter how mature we become in our faith, we never reach a point where we can “do it on our own.” We need to remain teachable, open to correction, and connected to a community that helps us stay aligned with God’s will. [21:03]
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)
"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you allow to speak truth and correction to you, and how can you intentionally seek their wisdom or accountability this week?
Day 4: Abiding in Christ Is the Antidote to Self-Sufficiency
Jesus teaches that apart from Him, we can do nothing; our fruitfulness and strength come only from abiding in Him daily. This means intentionally spending time in prayer, worship, and the Word, not just hearing sermons or teachings, but personally seeking God’s voice and presence. Abiding is a daily choice to remain connected to the true source of life, allowing Him to prune, guide, and empower us for every good work. [24:52]
John 15:4-5 (ESV)
"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can intentionally abide in Christ today—whether through prayer, worship, or reading Scripture—before you begin your daily tasks?
Day 5: Letting God Hold the String of Your Life
True freedom and success come not from cutting ourselves loose, but from letting God “hold the string” of our lives. Like a kite that soars only when tethered, we reach our highest potential when we surrender every area—our relationships, work, finances, and dreams—to God’s control. When we let go of the need to figure everything out ourselves and instead trust God’s leading, we experience His peace, provision, and guidance in ways we never could on our own. [28:03]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been trying to “hold the string” yourself, and how can you surrender it to God’s control today?
Quotes
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