The Giant of Dependency

There are two giants named dependency. One is our enemy and the other our dearest friend. The right giant will serve as our greatest defence, however, the wrong giant can deliver our greatest defeat.

This evil giant of dependency is the giant that will defeat us while pretending to be our friend. It is the false security leading us to a trust that we have found comfort and happiness yet, we are unaware of this giants ill-intent.

This is a giant that does not first appear as a giant but rather a small pleasure or convenience that will bring us either pleasure or ease.

There is not one singular face of dependency, as this giant has many costumes and will appear tailored to every individuals weakness.

The giant of dependency conquers us by gently appealing to our flesh until he has consumed us and we can no longer function without his help.

The giant of dependency always plays the long game. He is not concerned with a quick victory but rather a slow methodical destruction of our lives.

One thing we must be aware of is that unlike Goliath he does not appear as an evil killing machine. No, this giant is more evil than he but appears beautiful.

If this giant revealed his end game there would be few who would fall for his trap. Although we are aware of him he is so sneaky that even while we are trying to avoid him he finds us.

In Matthew 4 Satan asked Jesus to turn a stone into bread and to cast himself down from the mountain.

These temptations are unique to Jesus and would not be the same temptation used fro you and I.

Satan knows I can not turn stones to bread and I can not safely leap from a mountain. Thus Satan used what he knew Christ was able to do in his temptation.

Satan will take what we are gifted at and what we are drawn to to temp us.

What is the danger of dependency?

1. It replaces God.

Philippians 4:19 KJV 1900

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

2. It will rob us of our testimony.

If Jesus would have bowed to Satan He would still be the Son of God but would have lost His power and influence.

When we yield to our addictions we are telling those who are watching our lives that the addiction is the greater desire in our heart.

It also tells God that He is not enough but that we would rather replace Him with something physical.

John 20:29 KJV 1900

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

3. It will consume our lives and over power us.

The very nature of dependency is that we arrive at a place that we must have it to function or cannot function without its presence. It controls and consumes our lives.

Furthermore, our dependency upon it only grows not lessens.

Romans 7:14–8:11 KJV 1900

For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Victory over the Giant named Dependency.

1. We must be spiritually minded.

One of the first things we must do is change our mindset.

That is we must turn from seeking pleasure and instead seek Jesus. Matthew 6:33

Matthew 6:33 ESV

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

The Giant of dependency is so daunting that it is the most arduous of task to look away long enough to look to Christ.

Yet this is the very first step that must be taken. We must look to Christ fir help.

You may say, “Pastor, I have asked God for help many times yet the problem persist.” To be spiritual minded is not to merely acknowledge Christ or desire His help. It is a change of passion.

It requires a critical change of motivation.

As Matthew said, Seek the kingdom of God first.

This is accomplished through a meditation upon the Word of God. It is impossible for the Word of God to be in our hearts and sin simultaneously.

This is why the Psalmist said in Ps 119:11

Psalm 119:11 KJV 1900

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee.

2. We need help in this battle.

Proverbs 27:17 KJV 1900

Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 KJV 1900

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Galatians 6:1–5 NKJV

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.

3. Christ must be our dependency

Galatians 2:20 NKJV

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Again in Romans 7 and 8 we see that Paul recognized the spiritual struggle that he was fighting.

The struggle is real and our desires are real. We can not gain victory by saying that we want to do better. We can not slowly back away in hopes that the allure of sin will lesson its own will. Sin will never loosen its hold by its own volition. It must be stripped of its power forcefully.

Christ is the only power strong enough to conquer this giant.

As we submit to His strength He will break the stronghold of dependency and replace it with His joy.

The only way to defeat this Giant is with a greater giant. That giant is Christ. We must allow Him to replace the dependency in our life.

We will not find victory in a twelve step program, a new environment, or a new motivation. We will only defeat this giant by the hand of Jesus. We must learn to lean on Jesus

Learning to lean Learning to lean I'm learning to lean on Jesus Finding more power than I've ever dreamed I'm learning to lean on Jesus

Learning to lean Learning to lean I'm learning to lean on Jesus Finding more power than I've ever dreamed I'm learning to lean on Jesus

Sad, broken-hearted, at an alter I knelt I found peace that was so serene And all that He asks is a child like trust And a heart that is learning to lean

Learning to lean Learning to lean I'm learning to lean on Jesus Finding more power than I've ever dreamed I'm learning to lean on Jesus