Are You Spiritually Independent? YES I Am… WAIT…What Does That Mean?

January 13, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

Think back when you were growing up, and the feeling that you continually had to want to try and do things yourself. No help from mom and dad…”just let me try by myself.” We went through this process of wanting to be independent, and actually began to see the importance of this independence.

Can you imagine living your entire life as if you were a child, having others do everything for you: Telling you what to do and how to think always? That might seem unrealistic, but understand the concept here…Independence is HEALTHY, and leads to maturity. The concept of independence fits into “free agency” which is the ability to think and act as we wish to, without being mandated to fit into someone else’s commands.

With independence, there are still laws that govern us, which we must abide by in order to keep life civil, but laws govern what we DO, not what we think. We can freely be independent with our thoughts.

There is freedom in independence. Our opinion matters to us greatly. All of us study books of our choosing, and learn different things, at different intervals. For those of us who are spiritual, we have discovered that when we study spiritual matters, that we can include God to help us in our learning. We have discovered that by doing this, we are spiritually independent, and our learning and thoughts are our own, guarded by God to remain on track of the truth.

Does this describe you? Are you spiritually independent, or are you under the dependency of being told what you should think and do by a religion?

God never intended His people to depend entirely on institutions, leaders, or religious systems for their relationship with Him. From the beginning, Scripture teaches that each person is accountable to God personally, not through another man.

The Bible instructs believers to seek God directly.

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:8, KJV)

Spiritual independence does not mean isolation or rebellion. It means that a person’s faith, obedience, and understanding of truth come from God, through Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit—not solely from church authority.

Jesus warned repeatedly that deception would increase in the last days.

“Take heed that no man deceive you.” (Matthew 24:4, KJV)

This warning places responsibility on the individual believer. No one can outsource discernment. A person must know the Scriptures for themselves and be willing to test every teaching.

The Bible commands believers to examine what they are taught.

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV)

Spiritual independence means comparing every doctrine, tradition, and instruction against the Word of God. Truth is not determined by position, popularity, or authority—it is determined by Scripture. I personally find great comfort here.

The Holy Spirit was given for this very purpose.

“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13, KJV)

God does not expect blind obedience to men. When human instruction conflicts with God’s Word, the believer’s loyalty must remain with God.

“We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29, KJV)

Spiritual independence becomes especially critical in the last days, when false teachings and false authority will increase.

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets… insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24, KJV)

Those who are spiritually dependent on men will be vulnerable to deception. Those who are grounded in Scripture and led by the Spirit will not be overtaken.

Jesus described the difference plainly:

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, KJV)

Spiritual independence is not about rejecting community—it is about knowing Christ well enough to recognize His voice above all others.

In the end, every person will stand before God alone.

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12, KJV)

For this reason, spiritual independence is not optional. It is necessary. God calls His people to know Him, trust Him, and follow Him personally—especially in times of deception.

Being spiritually independent is not dangerous.
Being spiritually dependent on men is.

Let me identify with the feelings that you might be having right now. Your church has brought you very many positives in your life. It has been the BEST environment for you, as well as a wholesome place to assist you in raising your children. I can personally agree with your thinking, and am not challenging that whatsoever. A church can be very SUPPORTIVE in our relationship with Jesus Christ. This is how a church should actually be in a person’s life…SUPPORTIVE.

But we need a DIRECT RELATIONSHIP with the Savior, INDEPENT from our church. For those raised in the church, we have been taught that the church is the same thing as God, and they are not. The church is an organization that teaches about God, but it is not God Himself.

A person can have a relationship and belief in the church, but not have a relationship with God, because they are separate entities.

Spiritual independence is developing a relationship with God, and the Savior on your very own. Once again, the church can be in a supporting role to help you with that relationship, but your relationship with Christ should remain solid, even if your church goes away, which it will when we die…can you see my point?

Now, let’s get very specific. If you are spiritually independent, you will learn to trust your learning that you have had with God on your side, even if it goes against the church’s teachings. Chances are, this is a current situation that you are facing right now.

As the veil of deception is currently being lifted by God, many people are beginning to see that some of what their church has taught them their entire life is not true. It does not fit with the teachings that Christ taught when He was on the earth. This sends them in a tailspin because their entire testimony has been in the church, and not in Jesus Christ Himself.

If you are Spiritually independent, your testimony in Jesus Christ is centered on the gospel that He taught while on the earth, as recorded in the bible, and not a church. You realize that all churches have some untrue teachings because of the influence of “mankind” and that they are not perfect. A church will never get you into heaven, it is Jesus Christ that will get you there.

Being spiritually independent is having the ability to attend a church meeting and to be able to determine if what you are hearing is true, or untrue, because of your teaching and relationship with Jesus Christ, independent from a church being your mediator.

A person who is spiritually independent does not need to drop out of a religion, for it still might be the very best environment for them to be in. However, they must recognize truth and false teachings, and be able to tell the difference.

A Paramount concept in being spiritually independent is listening and obeying Jesus Christ over any “man”…ALWAYS! If your spiritual leader tells you to do something, and it doesn’t feel right. Take that to God and ask Him, for He will always tell you the truth. Then when He gives you guidance from what your leader is telling you, YOU MUST obey God.

I bring this example up often, because this is not what the church teaches. We have been told to follow the leader of the church, even over personal revelation. Do not get caught up in this deceptive trap. Following a leader in this manner is not demonstrating obedience or having faith, it is outright deception.

If you are spiritually independent, you would know these scriptures:

“We ought to obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29, KJV)

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets… insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” (Matthew 24:24, KJV)

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27, KJV)

Jeremiah 17:5 (KJV)

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Psalm 118:8–9 (KJV)

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.

Colossians 2:8 (KJV)

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

Christ Alone Is the Head — Not a Church or Leaders

Colossians 1:18 (KJV)

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Ephesians 1:22–23 (KJV)

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church.

John 14:6 (KJV)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Matthew 23:8–10 (KJV)

But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Scripture Alone Is the Standard of Truth

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (KJV)

All scripture is given by inspiration of God… That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Galatians 1:8 (KJV)

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

You will come to learn that Jesus Christ has a church…and, it is NOT any “church” here on earth, rather it consists of all people who believe in Him. This is “Christ’s Church.”

We learn that Jesus will come to get “His church” when He comes for the Rapture. He will take those “In Christ,” and not a certain denomination on the earth. Let’s learn more about this.

The Promise of Being Caught Up (Raptured)

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive (in Christ) and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”

• 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”

Jesus is coming for those who are spiritually independent and have a direct relationship with Him, NOT a church.

• John 14:2-3

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

This is a supporting scripture for the rapture.

• Matthew 24:40-41

“Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.
Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.”

• 1 Thessalonians 5:2-6

“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.”

• Philippians 3:20-21

“For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.”

 Assurance of Escape from Wrath

• Revelation 3:10

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.”

• 1 Thessalonians 1:10

“…Even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.”

• Luke 21:36

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”

The things that shall come to pass are the terrible events of the 7-year Tribulation period. This is the time that God will pour out His bowls of wrath unto all of the people on the earth. God’s “fight at this time is not with His followers, but rather those who follow evil. It will be a brutal period of time. But God plans to rescue His believers prior to the 7-year Tribulation Period.

Those “accounted worthy” are those who believe in Christ and His atoning sacrifice. They believe that His sacrifice was complete, and does not require our good works, nor any ordinance from a church.

It is my prayer that all of you will have a direct relationship and testimony in Jesus Christ, independent from your church. They might appear similar, yet they are not the same entity. Your testimony needs to be firm with the Savior with or without the church. If this is not the case, ask God to assist you in understanding the difference, for He will.

Ask Him to prepare you for the rapture. Spend some time studying His words as written in the bible. Learn how we are saved by grace, and not through our good works. Learn how His atonement was a gift, and does not need to be earned, rather just having faith in. In doing so, you will feel prepared for the rescue plan that He has for the followers of Jesus Christ.