Trusting Yourself Over God Will Always Lead You Astray

In a world that praises independence, self-reliance, and personal wisdom, it’s easy to be deceived into thinking that leaning on our own understanding is some sort of strength. Culture tells us to “trust your gut,” “follow your heart,” and “do what feels right.” But the Word of God paints a very different picture. It’s a picture that reveals the danger of walking by sight instead of by faith.

Proverbs 3:5-6 commands us:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Why would God warn us not to lean on our own understanding? Because our limited perspective is tainted by sin, emotions, past wounds, pride, and fear. What seems wise in the moment can be foolish in the long run. What looks like an opportunity may be a trap. What feels safe can actually be a detour from God’s will.

When you lean on your own understanding, you take control—and that is the root of the problem. You start making decisions out of personal logic rather than obedience, comfort instead of conviction. You begin to rely on reasoning instead of revelation from God. This is how people fall into relationships God never ordained, jobs that become burdens, and habits, such as addiction, that lead to destruction.

Consider Saul in 1 Samuel 13. He took matters into his own hands, offering a sacrifice he was not authorized to give, simply because he got impatient and fearful. He leaned on his understanding—and it cost him the kingdom. Or think of the Israelites in the wilderness who, seeing no water, grumbled and doubted God’s provision. Their own understanding could not comprehend that God was working a miracle on the other side of their obedience.

Leaning on your own understanding makes you the ‘god’ of your life. It dethrones the Almighty and places human wisdom in the seat of authority. But Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

God sees the whole picture—we only see the snapshot. He sees what’s ahead—we only see what’s in front of us. That’s why He invites us to trust Him, especially when the way doesn’t make sense. Faith is not blind; it’s just not based on human sight.

If you’re in recovery, rebuilding, or trying to start over, this truth matters more than ever. Your feelings will lie. Your mind may still be healing. Your instincts may be trained by trauma. This is why you need God’s Word as your compass, His Spirit as your guide, and His presence as your strength.

The way out of confusion is not more control, it’s more surrender to our loving God.

Ask God to show you where you’ve been leaning on your own understanding—whether in decisions, relationships, or habits. Write those areas down. Then surrender them one by one in prayer, asking for His wisdom, His understanding, and His direction instead.

In what areas of your life have you been making decisions without first seeking God?

What did you learn from a time when your way seemed right, but led to regret?

What fears make you want to take control instead of trust God?

What does it look like for you to acknowledge God in all your ways?

What steps will you need to take today to lean less on your own understanding and more on God?

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.”

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Isaiah 55:8–9 (NKJV)

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

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1 Samuel 13:8–14 (NKJV)

Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him.
So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering.
Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.
And Samuel said, “What have you done?”
Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash,
then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”
And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.
1But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”

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Jeremiah 17:9 (NKJV)

“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?”

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Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Be blessed knowing you can trust our God!