I know this is a popular saying—but you need to know that it isn’t found in the Bible. Nor, in fact, does it reflect what the Bible tells us about God and our need for His help.

In fact, I hope you’ll take a few minutes to think more deeply about what you’ve written. What you have really said (even if you didn’t realize it) is that you don’t need God. You don’t need Him (you think) to help you solve your problems, nor do you need Him to guide you and keep you from making bad decisions. And by implication, you’re also saying that you don’t even need Him to forgive your sins or prepare you for eternity.

The root of all this isn’t only an independent spirit or a self-reliant attitude, but pride—the kind of pride that says, “I don’t really need God; I can get through life on my own.” But nothing could be more dangerous spiritually, because it keeps us from admitting our sin and our need for forgiveness. The Bible warns, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).

But I have good news for you: God loves you! He loves you so much that He sent His only Son into the world to give His life for you. Why ignore Him and go through life without Him? Don’t let pride, or anything else, keep you from Jesus. Remember: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).