Dangers of Spiritual Independence and Exalting Private Opinion

Individual independence and the exaltation of personal opinion above the collective judgment of the church are grave perils that lead to spiritual deception and the rejection of God’s appointed channels of lightChL 9.2+2. When an individual regards their own judgment as supreme, they place themselves in a position where they are liable to be overthrown by the enemyAA 163.2+2.

The Danger of Self-Confidence and Intellectual Pride

The tendency to trust in one's own finite judgment rather than respecting the counsel of experienced brethren is a form of self-exaltation that offends God3T 417.1+1. This spirit of independence often borders on arrogance and creates disturbance in the harmony that should exist among believers1MCP 274.2+1.

• Spiritual Pride: This is the most dangerous form of pride and often manifests in those who have had great light but failed to walk in it1888 710.3+2.

• Independence from Counsel: Neglecting the wisdom of those God has appointed to lead is equivalent to rejecting the means God has ordained for the strength of His peopleChL 9.2+2.

• The Pharisaical Spirit: Like the Pharisees, those filled with spiritual pride often mount the judgment seat to criticize others while remaining blind to their own defects Luke 18:11GMM January 7, 1914, par. 4.

The Authority of the Church and General Conference

While God gives every individual a mind and expects them to be thinkers, no one is justified in maintaining private independence against the voice of the highest authority on earthPCL 105.1+1.

• Surrender of Private Judgment: When the judgment of the General Conference is exercised, private opinions must be surrendered to maintain unity and prevent anarchyGRC 52.1+2.

• Unity in Action: As soldiers in Christ’s army, there must be a concert of action rather than meaningless, independent movements1MCP 266.2+2.

• The Voice of God: Disregarding the special authority and power invested in the church is a dismissal of the voice of God HimselfPCL 44.1+2.

Correcting the Spirit of Superiority

True holiness is characterized by a lack of boastfulness and a deep sense of personal insufficiencyLS80 211.3+1. To overcome the snare of placing personal ideas above others, a thorough conversion of the heart and a humbling of the soul are required3T 417.1+2.

• Seeking Harmony: Workers should compare ideas and form plans together so that the work can move forward as a symmetrical whole14MR 34.1+1.

• Value of Others: Those in positions of leadership must credit their brethren with some sense and ability, allowing them room to exercise their own judgment and discretionChL 37.1+2.

• Focus on Christ: When eyes are fixed on the purity of Jesus, human opinions and wisdom appear as foolishness 1 John 3:1812MR 375.2+1.

By laying aside all pomposity and narrow selfishness, believers can reach the state of heart-blending unity that Christ desires for His people John 13:357LtMs, Lt 8, 1892, par. 12+1. If anyone chooses to follow their own impulses and disregard the plain warnings of the Spirit, the result is inevitable injury to the cause and ruin to their own soulCCh 95.7+2. Let everyone instead ask with a broken heart, "What must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:301SM 111.1+1.

The Spirit of Prophecy teaches that starting an independent ministry with a spirit of independence is a dangerous path that leads to self-deception and the rejection of God’s voice1MCP 266.2+1. While every person is a free moral agent responsible to God, this does not justify moving out on one's own responsibility to advance original ideas or new theories that create controversy and division among the brethren1888 1592.2+2.

The Peril of Individual Independence

There have always been those in the church inclined toward individual independence, but this spirit often leads a person to have too much confidence in their own judgment1MCP 266.2+1. When a laborer chooses to act independently rather than respecting the counsel of those God has appointed for leadership, they are disregarding the special authority God has invested in His church3T 417.1+1.

• A Subtle Trap: Satan’s special effort is to lead men to feel that God is pleased when they choose their own course independent of the counsel of their brethren3TT 405.2.

• Despising God's Voice: To disregard the authority of the church is to despise the voice of God, as Christ and His church are inseparable1MCP 45.1+1.

• Resulting in Confusion: Following one's own independent judgment rather than pulling in harmony with fellow laborers leads to work that is worse than wasted, often working counter to God's designsGW 488.1+2.

The Necessity of Unity and Organization

Followers of Jesus Christ will not act independently of one another, but will instead act with reference to their fellow laborers to ensure noble, concentrated action5T 534.2+1. Our strength lies in a union of hearts and hands, which is essential for success in the great work of GodChS 174.2.

• Concert of Action: As soldiers in Christ’s army, there must be a concert of action in every department to avoid meaningless movementsPaM 256.1+1.

• The Vine and Branches: True unity consists in being grafts united to the same parent stock, drawing life from the same center, Jesus Christ John 15:11-171888 1141.2+1.

• Counsel and Cooperation: Before starting out on any line of work, there should be counsel and cooperation to ensure the work is built on a solid foundationSpTB09 20.1+1.

Dangers of Isolating from the Body

Those who think they can go as an independent company to heaven or who proclaim the church to be Babylon are often following the sparks of their own kindlingTM 56.1+2. Such individuals become unbalanced in mind because they refuse the steadying influence of their brethrenTM 56.1+1.

• Anarchy and Confusion: Yielding to the suggestion that independence increases one's importance is unsafe and brings the church into a state of anarchyMR311 10.3+2.

• Self-Exaltation: A self-confident, independent spirit will never enter the kingdom of God, as it is rooted in pride and a lack of Christlike humility2SM 216.1+2.

• The Example of the Stars: Just as the stars of heaven are under law, each influencing the other to do God’s will, so God's people must draw together to advance the work healthfullySpTB09 19.3.

The Call to Press Together

In these perilous times, the message for the church is to "press together" in order to maintain a united front against the enemyTM 56.1+2. We are to walk in the footsteps of Christ, putting away all self-trust and committing ourselves to the unity for which He prayed John 17:17PC 83.2+1. Only by working in unity, unselfishness, and humility of heart can a great work be accomplished for the Master19MR 65.2+2.