Devotionals

Stop Trusting Yourself

by Michael Edwards 
06/21/26
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“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB)

One of the greatest hindrances to walking in New Covenant peace and victory is leaning on our own understanding. Our fleshly mind, influenced by a fallen nature, is unreliable. It sees only in part, filters through past wounds, emotions, and limited perspective. God calls us to stop trusting ourselves and fully trust Him instead.

Jesus understood this perfectly. Scripture tells us, “But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man” (John 2:24-25 NASB). Jesus knew the sin nature and fallen condition residing in every human heart. He did not entrust Himself to man’s wisdom, opinions, or strength.

Why then do we so readily entrust ourselves to our own understanding? When we lean on our own reasoning over God’s Word, we are trusting the very fallen nature Jesus refused to rely upon. This leads to anxiety, wrong decisions, self-reliance, and distance from the Father’s perfect will.

Jesus modeled the better way. He declared, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner” (John 5:19 NASB). His life was one of constant dependence on the Father. The New Covenant invites us into this same lifestyle. We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16 NASB) and the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth (John 16:13 NASB).

Stop leaning on your own understanding today. Acknowledge Him in all your ways—your thoughts, decisions, worries, and plans. Lay down self-trust and choose childlike dependence on the One who knows all things and works everything for your good. His ways are higher (Isaiah 55:8-9 NASB). When you trust the Lord with all your heart, He straightens your paths and fills you with His peace that surpasses comprehension (Philippians 4:7 NASB).

The New Covenant is not about self-improvement but surrender to Christ’s life within you. Let go of self-trust. Cling to the trustworthy One. He will never fail you.

Many more New Covenant Bible Studies HERE. Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will and testament of Jesus that began after the cross. And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in My blood." Luke 22:20