THE SPIRIT OF EVIL INDEPENDENCE.

THE SPIRIT OF EVIL INDEPENDENCE. 

Scripture : Ecclesiastes 4:13

Topic: The Spirit of Evil Independence. 

Being connected to someone can be your only opportunity to make it in life and ministry. Your breakthrough may be connected to someone’s vision. However, many people do not understand this and they only think of how to become independent. I believe in independence. But not every kind of independence is good. Some independence is acquired in the wrong way and with the wrong motive.

Independence becomes evil when it has the following characteristics:

1. Acquired at the wrong time.

2. Acquired in the wrong way.

3. Acquired out of hurt, bitterness and hatred.

4. Acquired out of rebellion against authority.

5. Acquired with the wrong motive.

Paul was independent. He said he consulted no one. Read his words:

"For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it...I conferred not

with flesh and blood..."

Galatians 1:12, 16

Paul is telling us here that as far as his ministry is concerned, he is independent of all men. Timothy, however, was not independent. Paul wrote to Timothy and told him exactly what to do and exactly what to preach. When you read the book of Timothy, you will realize that it is full of instructions from Paul. In ministry, Timothy was dependent on Paul. Paul gave him many instructions

for ministry, 

"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee."

1 Timothy 4:12-16

"Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach."

2 Timothy 2:1-2

Independence, when it is God’s command, is a beautiful thing but when it is not of God, it leads to destruction. All opportunities to make it in ministry fade away and the person is left independent but frustrated and non-performing. Many so-called independent churches acquired what l call evil

independence. Some pastors, who have gone independent when God did not send them, are finding out that to be independent is not as simple as it may seem. I remember one rebellious pastor who left his home church breathing threats and curses. He boasted, “Give me six months, and I will show you all about church growth!” He spoke of all the great things he would do. However, as the years went by, like the prodigal boy, he found out that life and ministry are more complex than they look!

The spirit of evil independence is the spirit that leads a person to independence but in an evil way. Independence is a good thing if it is inspired, engineered and directed by God. The independent status of some African countries was born out of rebellion. In Ghana, we told our colonial masters that we had the right to manage or mismanage our affairs; and that is exactly what we have done. We have virtually mismanaged our affairs for the last fifty years! After fifty years of independence, we are still going around in circles. There has been no substantial improvement in our roads, health care, economy,

education and other sectors. Dear friend, apart from God’s way, there is no other way. You can do it your

way and not prosper, in spite of all your efforts. I know that evil independence looks quick, flashy and instantly successful.

The Bible compares two builders in the book of Matthew 7:24 –27. One built his house on the rock while the other built his on sand. After sometime, it looked as though the one who built his house on sand was far ahead of the other. Before you could say “Jack Robinson”, his house was at the roofing stage. The

“latest man on the scene” impressed everyone in the community. One day, the storm blew, and the house on the rock stood as solid as ever; but the cheap one on the sand came crashing down, and was destroyed beyond repair. There are so many people walking in their own ways. They think that they are too old and too intelligent to be advised.

"Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished."

Ecclesiastes 4:13

They are doomed if they do not heed God’s Word and walk in godly counsel. The spirit of evil independence is spurring them on to their destruction. 

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

Proverbs 14:12, 16:25

Do you have the spirit of evil independence? A spirit of evil independence will rob you of all your God-given opportunities as you tear away from anyone who can be a blessing to you. Are you connected to anyone or any group? Do not pursue independence in an evil way! Do not destroy that opportunity. 

Credits : Excerpt from

Opportunities

Bishop Dag Heward- Mills