TMOTCS: THE DANGER OF SELF RELIANCE!
No believer is capable of facing the world, the flesh and the devil on his own and be victorious. Similarly, no one can live a life that pleases God in his own strength. Every time we are defeated, failed or run into trouble is because we have been self-reliant or have been solely dependent on our own physical and spiritual resources. It is dangerous to rely on self when we have the world, the flesh and the devil to face in the battle of life (Eph 6:10-11)
The believer faces three enemies on earth and he must always be on guard, be vigilant and keep awake against them so as not to be consumed unawares. The first enemy is the Flesh and it is the enemy ‘within’. The Flesh is evil and in it dwells no good thing (Rom 7:18). The World is the second enemy and the enemy ‘without’. The world is full of wickedness, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life (1 John 2:16). The Devil is the third enemy; the enemy ‘around’ and the most powerful of all. He is hell bent to destroy Man at all costs (1 Pet 5:8).
Therefore, no believer can withstand all these great forces by self determination, physical strength and own spiritual sufficiency. The Devil is the oldest and wisest enemy of man, full of deceitful devices to corrupt the best mind and make him do the unexpected. We should not be ignorant of his devices lest he will get advantage of us (2 Cor 2:11). So, it is sheer foolishness to be self reliant! The believer needs God in every situation to succeed. Nobody wins the race of life without Him. Therefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall (1 Cor 10:12).
