True Spirituality

True confidence is found in surrendering to the One who cannot fail.

“…who put no confidence in the flesh.” – Philippians 3:3b

The world tells us that self-confidence is the key to success. From childhood, we are trained to trust in our own abilities, to develop skills, to push forward with sheer determination. We are told that our identity is built upon what we accomplish, what we know, and how well we perform. But Paul shatters this illusion, declaring that true spirituality is the exact opposite: we put no confidence in the flesh. Let’s explore what Ray Stedman has to say about this in today’s devotional, Immeasurably More.

The flesh—our human effort, natural ability, and self-reliance—is not the means by which we accomplish anything of eternal value. In fact, confidence in self is the very thing that keeps us from resting in God’s sufficiency. God never intended us to live by our own strength but rather to depend entirely on His life within us.

This is especially deceptive in the realm of religion. Many well-meaning people—even within Christian circles—fall into the trap of subtly placing confidence in the flesh: confidence in disciplines, prayer routines, theological knowledge, or even their own faithfulness. But Paul leaves no room for this. He says no confidence in the flesh—not even a little. His sole confidence is in Christ.

So where does that leave us? Stripped of all boasting in ourselves, freed from the exhausting cycle of self-effort, and resting entirely in the One who lives His life through us. True spirituality is not found in striving, but in yielding—abandoning all trust in self and placing our full confidence in Him.

Personalized Journal Entry in the Holy Spirit’s Voice Through Scripture

You were never meant to carry the weight of your own sufficiency. The world taught you that self-confidence is your strength, but I tell you, your strength is in Me. I have called you to live by faith, not in yourself, but in My indwelling life. When you let go of trust in your abilities, your wisdom, your diligence, and your self-discipline, you will find that I am more than enough for you.

I do not require your effort to accomplish My work through you—I only ask that you abide. Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit will you walk in all that I have already provided. You are My workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to walk in the good works I prepared beforehand for you.

Your confidence is safe when it rests in Me, for I am able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond all you ask or think, not because of your effort, but because of My power at work within you. Do you see? True confidence is not about believing in yourself, but in resting in the One who cannot fail.

So cease from striving. Let My peace rule in your heart. My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. When you stop clinging to self-sufficiency, you will find the true power of My life flowing unhindered through you. This is the freedom of life in the Spirit.

(Zechariah 4:6, Ephesians 2:10, Ephesians 3:20, Colossians 3:15, 2 Corinthians 12:9)

Prayer

Father, I rest in You. I lay aside every false confidence, every attempt to rely on my own strength, and I yield fully to Your life within me. You are my sufficiency. You are my wisdom. You are my ability. I trust You to live through me, moment by moment, as I cease from my own striving. Thank You that I never have to depend on myself, for You are more than enough. Amen.