HOW GOD JUDGES OUR INDEPENDENCE: THE CALL TO SURRENDER Josimar Salum

 HOW GOD JUDGES OUR INDEPENDENCE: THE CALL TO SURRENDER

Josimar Salum

6/28/2025

Man’s inclination toward independence originated in the Garden of Eden. There, Satan, the ancient serpent, concentrated all his seductive power on the man’s decision to declare his autonomy from the Creator. He sowed in the human heart the seed of pride, encouraging distrust of God’s goodness and His government:

“For God knows that on the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

(Genesis 3:5 NKJV)

This illusory proposal of independence, presented as freedom and wisdom, became the root of all sin. Man desired to be “like God,” not realizing that he was already created in the image and likeness of the Lord (Genesis 1:26–27), and there was no need to break away from Him to experience true fulfillment.

Human independence manifests itself from a very early age. Who hasn’t seen a small child refuse to take their father’s hand to cross the street? The child wants to prove his own strength and, even unconsciously, challenges the limits imposed by love and protection. He wants to test his own will, even though he does not yet have the ability to judge danger.

The same principle repeats throughout life. The teenager who rejects advice, the young person who despises the experience of their parents, the girl who rebels against her mother’s guidance, the woman who resents being called to fulfill her purpose, the adult who relies exclusively on their own success, and even the elderly person who, at times, resists depending on others. It is pride disguised as independence, generating an arrogant sense of self-sufficiency:

“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”

(Proverbs 16:18)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”

(Proverbs 3:5)

In this age of self-sufficiency and shallow relationships, there grows in the hearts of young people a sense of contempt for their parents and for those whom God has established as authority. This generates a hardening that leads them to act compulsively according to their own thoughts, without considering the wisdom of those who guide them.

This condition, at the same time, gives rise to apathy toward their neighbor, a proud satisfaction in their own ways, and a tendency to live on their own, refusing to depend on any care.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…”

(2 Timothy 3:1–2 NKJV)

The Lord, however, desires to gather His children as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, protecting them, guiding them, and warming them with His love:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”

(Matthew 23:37 NKJV)

Yet many young people, seduced by the illusion of freedom, want to leave the covering of their parents and live a personal, solitary, and rebellious experience, without realizing that this exposes them to danger and suffering.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

(Proverbs 14:12 NKJV)

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction.”

(Proverbs 3:11 NKJV)

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise.

(Ephesians 6:2 NKJV)

Thus, even in the midst of a self-sufficient, hardened, and superficial generation, God’s call remains an invitation to repentance, humility, obedience, and fellowship: to return to live under His wings, in the protection of His love and the safety of His care.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”

(Proverbs 18:10 NKJV)

“The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.”

(Psalm 121:7 NKJV)

The truth is that human beings were not created to live isolated. No baby can survive alone. Every child depends on someone to feed, warm, protect, and teach them. However, as they grow, they begin to believe they can walk without help.

“Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with his mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.”

(Psalm 131:1–3 NKJV)

Even in maturity, when we take pride in solving our problems, we remain in need: of relationships, of counsel, of community, of God. And at the end of life, dependence becomes even clearer — no elderly person buries themselves; no one is born alone and no one leaves this world alone without help.

God’s Word makes it clear that we depend on the Lord at all times:

“For without Me you can do nothing.”

(John 15:5b NKJV)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

(Psalm 23:1 NKJV)

“He gives to all life, breath, and all things.”

(Acts 17:25b NKJV)

In the Bible, we see clear examples of the consequences of rebellious independence:

Samson: trusted in his own strength and departed from God’s purpose, being defeated by his enemies (Judges 16).

Saul: rejected the Lord’s guidance and lost his throne (1 Samuel 15:22–23).

The younger son: declared independence from his father, but ended up miserable, discovering that true freedom was in the father’s house (Luke 15:11–32).

On the other hand, those who learned to depend on the Lord found victory and peace:

Moses: even as a leader of millions, humbly declared that without God’s presence he would not go forward (Exodus 33:15).

David: recognized that God was his rock and fortress (Psalm 18:2).

Jesus: in His perfect humanity, declared:

“I can of Myself do nothing”

(John 5:30 NKJV)

— showing total submission to the Father.

That is why God’s call for us today is clear: surrender.

The word surrender means giving up control, submitting our own will, recognizing that we are not our own, and to submit to the Lord the preeminence of governing our lives.  

The most significant aspect of all this is that surrender almost always manifests through brokenness — a softening of the heart, a willingness to listen, to welcome, and to submit also to those who care for us and help us along the way.

Surrender is not passivity; on the contrary, it is an active act of faith, trust, and humility before God, which also expresses itself in our personal relationships with those who love us and walk with us.

It is giving the throne of our heart to the One who has all power and all wisdom. It is recognizing that our sufficiency does not come from ourselves, but from Him. It is declaring, as the psalmist said:

“Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.”

(Psalm 37:5 NKJV)

In a culture that values independence, autonomy, and the pride of “making it on your own,” surrendering to the Lord and relying on others may seem like weakness. But in God’s eyes, it is exactly the opposite: surrender is the path to true strength and genuine freedom.

Jesus taught us about surrender in every step of His walk among men. He clearly declared:

“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.”

(Luke 22:42 NKJV)

There in Gethsemane, He showed us that surrender means giving up even our deepest desires to know and experience the Father’s purpose for our lives.

Surrender also calls us to live in covenant. It is not a casual or distant relationship with God, but an intimate and permanent communion, where He rules our thoughts, plans, and attitudes.

Moreover, this surrender leads us to recognize our interdependence with the people He has placed around us — parents, spouses, friends, brothers and sisters in the faith, spiritual leaders — because no one was created to walk alone. We are called to depend on God, but also to cooperate and submit in love to one another:

“Submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

(Ephesians 5:21 NKJV)

“Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.”

(Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NKJV)

God designed us to live in family, in community, where we exercise mutual care, service, and humility. Thus, true surrender to the Lord is also manifested in how we honor, listen to, and walk alongside those He has given us.

Surrender also implies humility: acknowledging that we are not self-sufficient, that we need to be guided, taught, and transformed. It is taking the posture of children who fully trust in the Father’s care:

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

(1 Peter 5:6 NKJV)

May we recognize early on that the mighty hand of God is often revealed through the lips that advise us and the hands that help us — those closest to us.

It is urgent to let go of proud independence and embrace the vulnerability of a heart softened by the admission of weakness. It is learning to wait on God, without forcing promotions before their time, without rushing into vital and important choices, without taking steps alone and without letting go of the hand of the One who promised to be our right hand and faithful companion.

Remember: God’s right hand can be revealed in the helping hand of someone walking beside you.

May He deliver us from the deception of independence and grant us the joy of living every day under His provision, guidance, and love.

#ASONE