The Independent Mind: Following God’s Voice Above All

Faith
Christian living
Discernment
Mind
Obedience
Spiritual growth
Hearing God
What does it mean to have an independent mind in Christ? It’s not rebellion—it’s deep surrender. Learn how to break free from imitation, fear, and crowd-pleasing by anchoring your thoughts in God’s Word and walking boldly in His Spirit. Discover the secret of bold faith and divine guidance through biblical examples and a powerful personal testimony.
Published

August 23, 2025

Figure 1: Why You Need An Independent Mind? - SpiritWorshipGen

In a world where imitation and conformity dominate, God is calling His children to rise with an independent mind—a mind anchored in His Word, disciplined in His Spirit, and bold in its obedience.

Today, the world is saturated with imitation—voices echoing other voices, trends copying trends, and opinions shaped by social pressure. But among the noise, God is raising men and women with independent minds—minds not shaped by fear or conformity but forged in the secret place of prayer, meditation, and total dependence on Him.

🌿 The Independent Mind: Walking in God’s Voice, Not Man’s Echo

“Who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
    Who knows enough to teach him?”

But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

“Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.”Psalm 12:2


“Examine all things carefully; hold fast to what is good.”1 Thessalonians 5:21


🌿1. What Is an Independent Mind?

An independent mind is the mind of God. It does not imitate others blindly but examines all things in the light of His Word.

it is surrendered, discerning, and Spirit-led. It does not merely echo culture, tradition, or public opinion. Instead, it follows the inner conviction of the Holy Spirit and is anchored in Scripture.

The independent mind is:

  • A disciplined mind, where the heart leads and the mind obeys.

  • A Spirit-sensitive mind, aware that in God we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

  • A discerning mind, examining every decision by the light of God’s Word (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

  • A bold mind, that acts on divine direction, even without outward confirmation.

  • A Mind that never rushes to conclusion but seeks God’s counsel.

  • One that acknowledges total dependence on God: “For in Him we live and move and have our being.” - Acts 17:28

    It is disciplined, refusing to be ruled by emotions or impulses. It makes the mind a servant, and the heart the master.

As Prophet TB Joshua once taught:

“Mind management is the first priority for an overcomer because a spiritually focused mind is crucial for prosperity in all areas of life.”

The battleground is the mind. When it’s filled with fear, comparison, or human opinion, it loses clarity. But when rooted in God’s Word, it becomes a vessel for divine revelation. Galatians 5:16 -19

An independent mind is not influenced by the noise of the crowd but by the voice of God in the heart.


2. The Power of a Disciplined and Spirit-Filled Mind

The independent mind is a mind under management. The Psalmist declared:

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” — Psalm 119:11

A disciplined mind:

  • Chooses scripture over speculation.

  • Values prayer over panic.

  • Walks in faith over fear.

  • Makes decisions rooted in revelation, not reaction.

When your mind is under the influence of the Holy Spirit, you begin to influence the outcome of events.

Why?

Because you are no longer driven by circumstances—you are led by divine direction.


3. The Boldness of the Independent Mind

One of the greatest proofs of the independent mind is boldness.

Proverbs 28:1 says: “The righteous are bold as a lion.”

Those who hear from God are not afraid to speak, even when the outward situation contradicts their confession. This is why prophets declare what heaven says, not what earth shows.

Prophet TB Joshua modeled this fearless obedience:

“When you follow your heart in line with God’s Word, you will be misunderstood—but you will never be misled.” - TB Joshua

“I am loaned to you from heaven - When the whole world says don’t go and I hear Go,


🌿 Biblical Examples of the Independent Mind

📌 Abraham

In Genesis 12:1–4, God told Abraham to leave his home and go to an unknown land. He obeyed without needing human approval. His independent mind trusted God alone.

📌 Daniel

Daniel and his friends refused to bow to Nebuchadnezzar’s idol (Daniel 3:16–18). Their loyalty to God outweighed fear of punishment. Independent minds don’t follow the crowd.

📌 Elijah

On Mount Carmel, Elijah stood against 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:22). He followed God’s voice, not numbers. And God backed him up with fire from heaven.

📌 Joseph

Despite being betrayed by his brothers and unjustly imprisoned, Joseph maintained his integrity and faith in God (Genesis 39–41). He refused to conform to the pressures of Egypt, and God elevated him to a position of influence because of his steadfast, independent mind.

📌 Esther

Queen Esther risked her life to approach the king and save her people (Esther 4:15–16). She did not let fear or the expectations of others dictate her actions, but sought God’s guidance and acted with courage.

📌 Peter and John

When commanded by religious leaders to stop preaching about Jesus, Peter and John replied, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Their independent minds chose obedience to God over the approval of people, even in the face of persecution.

📌 Apostle Paul

Paul exemplified the independent mind throughout his ministry. After encountering Christ, he did not seek approval from the apostles in Jerusalem but followed the direct revelation he received from God (Galatians 1:15–17). He boldly preached the gospel despite persecution, imprisonment, and opposition, declaring, “If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). Paul’s life shows that true independence is rooted in obedience to God above all human opinion.

📌 Jesus Christ

The perfect example of divine independence. He said:

“I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.”John 8:28

He didn’t follow the crowd—even His disciples sometimes didn’t understand Him. True independence means total dependence on the Father.

The independent mind is bold—not because it’s fearless, but because it’s full of faith.

Like the prophet Jeremiah:

“His word is in my heart like a fire… I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.”Jeremiah 20:9

This boldness comes when God’s Word burns in your spirit. It’s not noise or ego—it’s divine urgency.


🌿 Personal Testimony: My Bold Moment with Prophet TB Joshua

Let me share an experience that changed my life.

In 2008, I had the rare opportunity to take personal and group photos with Prophet TB Joshua, alongside the workers at the SCOAN.

While others were chatting and waiting casually, I was talking to God silently, praying from my heart:
“Lord, let me stand next to the Prophet.”

There was no particular order for the photo—only the unpredictability of a man led by the Holy Spirit. And yet, because my heart was fixed on God, He answered me.

📸 First Answered Prayer: The Group Photo
When Prophet TB Joshua came in, he walked directly to where I stood. He didn’t speak. He didn’t ask. He just stood there—exactly as I had hoped and prayed. He faced my direction, and in that moment, I knew: God had honoured my desire.

Figure 2: standing next to Prophet TB Joshua in the middle- SpiritWorshipGen

📸 Second Answered Prayer: The Personal Photo
I boldly approached him and said, “Man of God, can I wrap my right hand around your waist?”
He laughed warmly and agreed.

Looking back, I realize that moment was not just about a photo. It was a reminder that God honours boldness that is rooted in intimacy with Him. Today, that photo sits in an enlarged frame—a testimony of the power of spiritual confidence.

Standing with my right hand wrapped around Prophet TB Joshua in the middle- SpiritWorshipGen

That moment is captured forever in an enlarged photo—proof that boldness, when Spirit-led, opens doors.

I thank my younger self for daring to follow the Spirit, not the crowd. That’s the fruit of an independent mind.

Personally, I know i first knew I had an independent mind from Prophet TB Joshua. He mentioned it to my mum first saying “Do you know your son has an independent mind?”. From that moment, I started walking in that awareness as a teenager. Thank You Jesus Christ!


💡 Why You Must Develop an Independent Mind

  • To hear God clearly in a noisy world

  • To stand firm when others follow trends

  • To make prophetic decisions based on God’s voice, not public opinion

  • To be a vessel for divine encounters and heavenly assignments

You will never live a spiritual life of impact if your convictions are secondhand. The Kingdom of God demands men and women who will dare to think with God, act with God, and speak for God.


🌿 Lessons We Learn

  1. Seek God First
    Don’t imitate—meditate. Let prayer lead your steps.

  2. Guard Your Mind
    Romans 8:5–8 shows the mind can either submit to the Spirit or the flesh.

  3. Be Bold
    Don’t fear man when God has spoken. Obey promptly.

  4. Depend on God
    Independence from people should equal dependence on God.

  5. Master Your Mind
    As TB Joshua said, you can’t master life without mastering your mind.


🌿 Final Encouragement

Child of God, don’t conform—transform.

The world needs believers with independent minds—hearts that hear God and minds that obey Him. Like Romans 12:2 declares:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

You don’t need everyone to understand—just walk in what God has revealed.


🙏 Prayer

LORD, give me an independent mind that depends fully on You. Free me from fear, comparison, and imitation. Let my heart be a channel for Your Word and my mind a servant to Your Spirit. Take more of me and give me more of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


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Published by SpiritWorshipGen – A Generation of Spiritual Worshippers