In this sobering installment of the For the Sake of Your Joy series, we confront the deceptive appeal of spiritual independence. The message exposes how the desire to live unaccountable and unpastored—though often disguised as freedom—is actually a path to ruin. Independence from God’s ordained order may feel empowering, but it subtly leads to isolation, vulnerability, and spiritual decline. We understand that being shepherded—having a pastor, a spiritual covering—is not a restriction but a divine provision for our protection, growth, and joy. God’s design places us in spiritual families for our good, and rejecting that order is not just unwise—it is evil. True joy and safety are found in submission to the structure God has established. Listen and be blessed. Shalom.