Confidence Sounds Spiritual Until It Replaces Dependence

We have substituted confidence for dependence. We think confidence is spiritual. We think self-confidence is a fruit of the Spirit.

But it is not. Dependence is. The Bible teaches dependence, not confidence. Faith, not self-confidence.

This is what we forget. Confidence sounds spiritual. But when it replaces dependence, it is not.

This is the error. This is what we need to see.

The Dependence We Have Lost

Turn with me to the Gospel of John. Jesus is teaching about the Vine and the branches:

Without Me you can do nothing.

Not: Without Me you can do less. Not: Without Me you can do it, but less effectively.

Without Me you can do nothing.

That is dependence. Not confidence. Inability without Him. Capability only with Him.

This is what we forget. We think we can do without Him. We think we have confidence. But we only have ability through Him.

And then there is this, from the same chapter:

If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love.

That is dependence. Not doing it on your own. Doing it in Him. Abiding in His love.

The Difference Between Confidence and Dependence

And then there is this, from 2 Corinthians:

My power is made perfect in weakness.

Not: My power is made available to confidence. Not: My power amplifies strength.

My power is made perfect in weakness.

This is dependence. Not confidence. Weakness is where His power works. Not in our confidence.

Most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities.

Boasting in weakness. Not in strength. That is dependence.

And then there is this, from the same verse:

When I am weak, then I am strong.

Not: When I am confident, I am strong. But: When I am weak, I am strong.

This is the difference. This is what we forget.

Confidence sounds spiritual. But when it replaces dependence, it is not.

The Dependence We Need

So what does this mean for us? It means we need dependence, not confidence. Faith, not self-confidence. Reliance on God, not trust in self.

TheBible does not teach self-confidence. It teaches dependence.

Not: I can do all things. But: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

That is dependence. That is faith. That is what we need.

Confidence sounds spiritual. But when it replaces dependence, it is not.

Dependence is spiritual. Faith is spiritual. Trust in God is spiritual.

Self-confidence is not. That is what we have forgotten.

We have substituted confidence for dependence. We think confidence is spiritual.

But it is not. Dependence is.

TheBible teaches dependence, not confidence. Faith, not self-confidence.

When I am weak, then I am strong. That's dependence. That's faith.

Confidence sounds spiritual until it replaces dependence. That is what we need to see.