Introduction

Good morning, family. You know, we all have a way of leaning on our own understanding and trust in ourselves too much, don't we? We depend on our own strength and wisdom to navigate through life, and when we do, we often find ourselves in trouble. We're going to tackle this issue head-on today, exploring the problem of trusting in ourselves, the solution of trusting in God, and the benefits that come from placing our trust in Him.

Our discussion today draws from Proverbs 10:29, which says,

"The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.”

This scripture gently nudges us to consider where we place our trust.

I want to share this quote from Thomas Merton. He said, "The root of Christian love is not the will to love, but the faith that one is loved. The root of Christian love is not the will to love, but the faith that one is loved." We can't love, we can't trust, we can't live the Christian life in our own strength. We need to trust in God and his love for us.

Let's open in prayer:

Dear Lord, as we delve into Your Word today, we ask for wisdom and understanding. Help us to see the folly of trusting in ourselves and the wisdom of putting our trust in You. Open our hearts to receive Your truth today. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

So, folks, let's dive into this topic together, shall we?

The Problem of Trusting in Ourselves

Trusting in ourselves is a common pitfall that many of us fall into, often without even realizing it. We live in a society that encourages self-reliance and independence. We're taught from a young age that we should be able to handle things on our own, that we should be strong and capable. This mindset can seep into our spiritual lives as well, leading us to believe that we can navigate life's challenges and complexities on our own strength and wisdom.

Can quickly become a problem: When we trust in ourselves, we're essentially saying that we know better than God. We're placing our own understanding, our own perspective, above His. This is a dangerous place to be in, as our understanding is limited and flawed. We see only a small part of the picture, while God sees the whole. When we trust in ourselves, we're relying on incomplete information, which can lead us to make poor decisions and take paths that lead us away from God's best for us.

Can lead to pride and arrogance: We can start to believe that we're capable of handling anything that comes our way, that we don't need anyone else's help, not even God's. This pride can blind us to our own weaknesses and shortcomings, preventing us from seeing the areas in our lives where we need God's help and guidance. It can also lead us to look down on others, to judge them for their perceived weaknesses and failures.

Can lead to a sense of isolation and loneliness: When we believe that we have to handle everything on our own, we can feel overwhelmed and burdened. We can feel like we're alone in our struggles, like no one else understands or cares. This can lead to feelings of despair and hopelessness, as we try to carry burdens that are too heavy for us to bear on our own.

Can lead to a lack of faith in God: When we rely on our own strength and wisdom, we're not relying on God. We're not trusting Him to guide us, to provide for us, to protect us. This lack of faith can hinder our relationship with God, preventing us from experiencing the fullness of His love and grace.

It's a problem that we all struggle with, to one degree or another, and it's a problem that we need to address.

The Solution of Trusting in God

The solution to the problem of self-reliance is to place our trust in God ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO