Pride and Independence
Hi Friends,
Merry Christmas! I hope all is well with you. Today I am writing about a vision the Lord gave me about a week ago. It was a seven part vision, and I thought it would be too long for anyone to read in one sitting, so I decided to write only on the very first piece of the vision. I know the recent visions have been covering rather heavy topics. This is also a heavy topic, but I need to share what I believe God is showing me. He loves us so much, and wants us to embrace the truth that is revealed in scripture.
The Vision
A Hand and a Computer
First I saw a 3D neon green, line drawing of a computer. It appeared as if the line drawing had become a model, sitting in the palm of a hand. The hand began to close over the 3D model. As the hand began to exert force upon it, each of the individual lines forming the computer, began to break apart. It shattered the model. The neon green slender sticks flew in all directions.
What I believe the vision means:
The vision begins with a hand holding a 3D line drawing or model of a computer. I believe that the hand is the hand of God. We know that God is our creator, and that he holds the entire world in his hands. The model of the computer represents communication, and information. The whole world works together and is intricately connected through the internet. One part of the world engages with another in business, commerce, and in the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Our computers are used in all aspects of life, running our cars, our appliances, our trains and planes, operating our industrial machinery, synchronizing our city traffic, opening the flood gates, and bridges. From space our computers monitor our weather, and determine our location. Both military and domestic operations depend on computers. We rely on computers to dispense cash and make local and online purchases. Computers are used to cook our food and entertain our children. Only in the most remote areas are we unable to contact people by cell phone.
So in the vision, the hand represents God, and the computer represents our fast paced world and its accomplishments in technology, facilitating trade, manufacturing, knowledge and communication.
Our world’s ability to communicate and work together reminds me of time long ago. It was after the great flood, when the population was being rebuilt. This story takes place in Chapter 11 in the book of Genesis.
“Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.”
“They said to each other, ‘Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.’ They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.’”
“But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. The Lord said, ‘If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.’”
“So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:1-9
You might ask yourself, “What did God find offensive in their desire to build a tower?” It was in the attempt to make a name for themselves, that we find the offense. In effect they were creating a monument to their own accomplishments. Declaring themselves to be important, independent, separate, and autonomous, not needing God nor looking to him.
If you remember, the devil made his plan to be independent from God. He wanted to be equal to God. “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:13-14
So what was the result of his prideful, rebellious plan? The Lord threw him down to the earth along with one third of the angels. “He replied, ‘I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.’” Luke 10:18
“His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth.” Revelation 12:4
The devil, as the serpent in the garden of Eden, lured Eve with the same bait. He enticed her with the notion that she could be independent, and like God, having the knowledge of good and evil.
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
“The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”’”
“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:1-5
The woman fell for the idea - to be like God. It is the desire for independence from God that is sinful. People everywhere want to do their own thing and go their own way. Those who have not known God and his ways, do not appreciate who he is. They do not recognize him as their creator, the very one who gives them breath.
When we go our own way, and believe that we do not need God, we rebel against his authority. In so doing we declare ourselves to be our own gods. We worship what we love, we covet the things the world has to offer, and we are no longer concerned with others’ needs, but live to please ourselves. When we decide what is good and what is evil, not God, and not his word, we are in terrible trouble.
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20
My Study Bible (The Full Life Study Bible, Donald C Stamps, editor, Life Publishers International, 1992) has an explanation in its footnote: 3:5 You will be like God:
“Satan, from the beginning of the human race, has tempted humans to believe that they can be like God and decide for themselves what is good and what is evil. (1) Humanity , in seeking to be ‘like God,’ became independent from God Almighty and as such became a false god (see v. 22, note; Jn 10;34, note). Humans now seek to gain moral knowledge and ethical discernment from their own minds and desire independence from God’s word. Nevertheless, only God has the right to determine what is good and evil. (2) Scripture declares that all who seek to be gods ‘will perish from the earth and from under the heavens’ (Jer 10:10-11). This will also be the fate of the antichrist, who will proclaim himself ‘to be God’ (2 Th 2:4).”
In the vision, the hand closed over the 3D computer model and the neon green lines broke apart and scattered. I believe that this is God’s desire to crush the very thing that is an offense to him. It is our willfulness and our declaration of independence that we demonstrate by our actions, and our words, and our intentions to be SELF.
I have quoted this scripture often, but until we can truly embrace its full meaning, we may find ourselves in opposition to God: “You are not your own; you were bought at a price.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
What this means is that if we refuse to acknowledge that the Lord is our creator, and refuse to submit to his will, if we refuse to repent of our sins and do not appreciate his suffering and death on the cross that purchased our salvation, then our sin will remain, and we will be held accountable. The second death will be our portion and we will be eternally separated from God. This is the fate of all those who go their own way and ignore such a great salvation.
God wants to destroy our desire for independence and our alignment with the world and its values. He wants none to be lost. The computer represents communication and knowledge. We can not afford to be so connected and in harmony with the world that we are no different than the word.
We are told to be separate— to stand apart from the world. We are to be dedicated, and holy unto the Lord. “Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17
The Lord expects us to live differently, to live a life dedicated to serving him, and showing the world the way to salvation. Jesus instructs us in the word: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16
So we are not to be independent from him, but to be obedient to him. We are to be separate unto him, and separated from the world. And in this, we fulfill our purpose in him:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13
As the salt of the earth, we are disciples of Jesus. We are not to blend in, speaking, and acting in the same manner as the world. But in opposition to the world, we stand out as a light and as an example of one who is yielded to God, who trusts in God and is used by God. If we are no different, if our values and interests are no different, then how can we display the glory of God? How can we point to his goodness, if our actions and our words are not sourced in his good and perfect will? How will people come to the Lord, if we do not show forth his good character, and bear the fruit of his Holy Spirit living within us?
It is time for the church to arise and be his faithful ones. “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name and I will do it. If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:12-15
The Lord’s power and might are only displayed when we yield to the Spirit of God. “I am the vine and you are the branches. If you remain in me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” John 15:5-8
So now what should our prayer be?
A Prayer
Lord, break us. Break our desire for independence apart from you. Break our willfulness. Help us to be as a broken horse who will now accept the saddle. We want to be in tune with you, in step with you. You said, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 ) Help us Lord, to see the world as you do. Break our hearts for the lost. Help us to pray for those who need healing and salvation. Help us to be available and give us divine appointments. We need your power and the supernatural faith to believe for signs and wonders, for miracles, healing and deliverance. Help us to lead others to salvation. We love you Jesus! We are not our own, we were bought at a price! Amen!
Thank you for reading. Please share with a friend or feel free to re-post! Thanks again, and be blessed!
