dependence on Jesus

"Do everything in dependence on Me. The desire to act independently- apart from Me- springs from the root of pride. Self-sufficiency is subtle, insinuating its way into your thoughts and actions with out you realizing it. But apart from Me, you can do nothing; that is, nothing of eternal value." Jesus Calling

John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and His mighty power.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His image, in the image of God, He created them.

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I don't know about you but I often have trouble with the words pride, self-sufficiency, and self-control. So as usual, I looked up the words in the Strong's Concordance. Here are their Biblical meanings from Hebrew and Greek.

pride

(had more than 4 definitions in the Old Testament and 3 in the New Testament)

Old Testament

#1347 ga' own (From to rise up)= arrogance, pomp, pride, majestic

#2087 zadowm= presumptuous, proud

#1466 gevah= pride

#7830 shachats (from to strut)= lion, pride, haughtiness

New Testament:

#5243 huperecho (from hold yourself above)= higher, supreme

#5187 tuphoo (from envelop in smoke)= lifted up by pride, high minded

#212 Alazoneia (from braggart)= boasting pride

self-willed

Old Testament

#7522 ratsan (from delight)= be acceptable, desire, will

New Testament

#829 authadeo (from self pleasing)= self-willed

self control, temperance

New Testament

#1466 (from self-control)= temperance

#1468 (from a strong thing)= self control

I then looked up the words in Webster' Dictionary

pride= unduly high opinion of one's self, dignity and self respect,

satisfaction in something done or owned

temperance= self restraint in conduct

self-control= control of ones own emotions, desires, actions

control= to exercise authority over, to restrain

self-sufficient= to get along with no help, independent

We are to depend on God for everything. He has given us the ability to self control what we do, it is a fruit of the Spirit that we get at salvation. We must use this control under God's authority, doing what He says is right and not doing what He says is wrong. To believe that we are self-sufficient is saying that we don't need God, which is obviously a lie. There are several definitions for pride. Because God is the Creator, it is good for Him to take pride in Himself. For us to have pride (think more highly of one's self) is a sin because we can do nothing outside of God. Who are we to take credit for God's work. But we can take satisfaction with something that we have done well or own, appreciating what God has given us.

one thousand gifts

#130 the smell of fall in the air

#131 yellow clouds floating through the blue sky