Bible Verses About Surrendering to God

Surrendering to God is an extremely important part of our walk with Him. You don’t just do it once either! It is something we need to continually do throughout our journey with Him.

But what does it mean to surrender?

According to Google’s dictionary, to the Oxford Language, surrender means to stop resisting and to submit. This is exactly how we are to surrender to God.

We are to resist our human trait of wanting to be in control and give ourselves to Him. Not only that, we need to resist the enemy, temptation, fleshly desires, and sin.

What does the Bible say about all this?

Bible Verses on Surrendering to God: What?

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Romans 8:7

Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

We are to resist the Devil (the enemy) so we can give ourselves to God. This means resisting temptations and anything the Devil may be whispering to you.

This can sometimes be hard to decipher. Sometimes it’s obvious when He’s trying to tempt us but other times it no so easy to discern. These thoughts/voices we perceive as our own can actually be from a number of people/ places:

From ourselves
From other people (parents, family, friends, anyone else!)
From God
From the Devil

But by fully submitting to God and knowing Him we can learn to recognize what thoughts come from where.

As the verse says above, if we don’t submit we aren’t or can’t fully follow in God’s law and by submitting to Him we are able to abide by His law. This is because of the word of God and the Holy Spirit in us, as well as that when we submit we become less of ourselves and more like Jesus. Which is something we all need to be aiming for.

Keep in mind that we are in fact human beings and we are all sinners. We will never be perfect, as Jesus is, but by submitting we can know that we have been forgiven, we are saved by grace and we are loved exactly how we are. By submitting to God, as it tells us in these verses we can go on this journey on earth how God would like us to. For our own sakes and for His glory.

Then the last verse above, explains that by submitting we are letting go of any control we may like to have and handing it over to Him. Doing so, allows God’s will to be done in our lives. Which is much better than our own will and plans!

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Bible Verses on Surrendering to God, pt 2, Why?

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:25
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 1 Peter 5:6

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrew 11:6

The first two verses are intense, but we can’t decide which ones we will listen to. All of the Holy Bible is God-breathed and true, so let’s not shy away from it! If we give up our self (selfishness/ control/ what our mind is focusing on) and become His Child and serve Him we will end up finding a much better life!

I can give you an example of this.

I was born again 17 years ago but resubmitted & surrendered to Him again two years ago. I was done making the same mistakes and feeling the way I was, I was done trying to be in control of things that were out of my control (my health) and so I decided to turn my focus to Him, give up trying and to let go of all of those things and dedicated myself fully to Him.

There were areas I already had done this in but He wanted ALL of me.

Guess what, He wants all of you too!

If we humble ourselves, step away from self and recognize who we are (His child) He will lift us up. Not for our own glory but for His.

Imagine that; absolutely incredible!

Works are also important, we are to work, and we are meant to serve Him. Again Ask, Ask God how He wants you to serve in this world, and wait for His response. As we saw earlier; He has plans to prosper you!

Faith plays a huge part in this. Faith is what gets tested when life becomes difficult and we go through storms. But the more we surrender to Him the easier this gets. Have a read of Hebrews 11. This is a chapter that shows the faith of a whole lot of people in the Bible and how their faith was tested but how they persevered with their faith. Let these people encourage you in your faith.

Bible Verses on Surrendering to God, pt 3, How?

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7

Surrendering to God is a matter of your mind. It’s a choice that we all need to make. Surrendering is your own responsibility, no one else can do it for you. But With God’s help, we can act on these decisions, you just need to ask! Prayer is key here. Pray straight from the heart, ask Him for His help, ask Him for guidance and be filled with the Holy Spirit and this is our guide. We can, literally, be transformed through our minds!

What decision are you making today?

Final Thoughts on Surrendering to God

In Proverbs, we are reminded we don’t have to do it alone! There are things we may or may not understand, but as long as we acknowledge Him ( the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit) He can help and guide each of us.

Then again, ask! We are told that when we ask for anything, in His name (as long as it aligns with or doesn’t go against His word) He will open that door. Ask Him, Jesus, into your heart, He is waiting to go or come in!

As you can see, we are all on a journey, but God would love for you to submit, and to keep submitting to Him each day. As you do this you will become stronger in your faith, your relationship with Him will grow, and you will recognize your true identity in Him and will be able to resist the enemy and ultimately live a much more contented and purposeful life.
For additional ready on the subject of surrendering to God and submitting check out: 5 Steps of Transformation and Keep the Faith