goes unrecognized, unconfessed, by ShepherdDave — who considers himself a follower of Jesus.  The sin of independence is the-biggest-single reason ShepherdDave is so non-reproducing, so fruitless in adult evangelism, so dismissed by the nonbelievers around him.  ShepherdDave ASSUMES Jesus wants him doing this or that, or, he willfully DOES.  He doesn’t ASK.  And he doesn’t…

is the worst addiction of all — somebodiness-addiction.  When I became a Christian at age 24, my somebodiness-addiction began to migrate from outside the Church, to inside the Church.  Or better — I added to my secular-somebodiness-addiction, spiritual-somebodiness-addiction.  Double the strokes.  Kewl in the secular arena, and kewl in the Church arena. My somebodiness-addiction isn’t…

Only ShepherdDave researches anything, because only ShepherdDave has understanding-idolatry, the primary idol of every independent.  Only understanding-idolators experience frustration, anxiety, discouragement.  Only understanding-idolators are confident-they-know-what’s-best for themselves and others.  Only understanding-idolators have opinions about politics, Church, the world, the Christian life.  Only understanding-idolators are pontificators. Dependents/childlikes like DumbSheepDave are clueless-they-know-what’s-best for self or others.  They…

Other-worldly peace, is the internal peace that surpasses understanding.  Has nothing to do with circumstances.  Worldly peace, on the other hand, is circumstance-dependent, and requires leaning on my own understanding, being wise in my own eyes.  Understanding-idolatry is the problem all humans have, both believer and nonbeliever.  Understanding-idolatry originated in the Garden.  Knowing good from…

how much he fails at following Jesus.  He acknowledges that he’s not perfect, that he sins from time to time, like when he gets angry, but he fails to see that he never stops sinning, that there is a dark side to everything he ever does, even the seemingly selfless/loving things he does, fails to…

whenever the Spirit freshly convicts me of the sin of independence/concern-for-my-own-worthiness/dissatisfaction-with-Jesus-and-His-imputed-worthiness.  Sometimes the Spirit uses Scripture, sermons, books, and sometimes none of the above is helpful, none is used to freshly convict me, and for a while I wade in lifeless independence, confident-I-know-what’s-best, circumstance-dependent for my joy and peace.  Pride is the worst sort of…

in many ways, but is much better at appearing humble.  ShepherdDave claims to follow Jesus, but is not in awe of Jesus – is in awe of certain others and strives to be in awe of himself.  Like Donald Trump, he’s self-deceived about the extent of his pride/manipulation/self-awe, but is just as confident-he-knows-what’s-best.  Proverbs calls…

when I’m self-deceived about the real me, imagining myself a follower of Jesus, when I’m really a follower of me.  I imagine myself a wonderful person, more wonderful than others whose weaknesses I can spot, but blind to my competitive need to feel superior.  Feel good about Dave at the expense of others. –ShepherdDave, clear-sighted…

discussions, because only ShepherdDave is wise in his own eyes, leaning on his own understanding, and therefore is confident-he-knows-what’s-best-for-himself-and-others, is confident-he-knows-what’s-thankable.  Only ShepherdDave attempts to persuade others, gives unsolicited advice/opinion.  Pride, not humility.  ShepherdDave is an independent, the opposite of a dependent like DumbSheepDave, who is childlike, clueless-about-what’s-best. Democracy was designed by independents for other…

physiologically, it’s so much harder to be content, with myself, others, and the circumstances crafted by my ShepherdJesus.  I notice that I’m more-easily irritated, more competitive, more critical of others.  I want more.  I want to be better, do better.  Christian malcontent.  By contrast, I’ve noticed that when I feel good physiologically, it’s so much…