36 Powerful Bible Verses About Surrendering to God
In this article, we will cover powerful Bible verses about surrendering to God. Surrendering means to give up or yield to someone or something, often in a situation where resistance or opposition is no longer considered desirable. Synonyms of surrender include relinquish, hand over or forfeit. When we consider the character and promises of God, why would we hang onto our own ways, will and desires. What God has for His children is abundantly better in everyway. Yet, the way of man is to hold tightly to our own ways, will and desires. I am certainly guilty of this!
What does it mean to surrender to God?
Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Matthew 16:26 – For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
The word surrender generally refers to the act of yielding or giving up control or authority. It involves voluntarily relinquishing one’s power, rights, or desires to another entity (or in this case God). The cost of true surrender is too high by the world’s standards. Surrendering to God means surrendering one’s own desires, ambitions, and self-centeredness to follow God and His will for our lives. True surrender means aligning our values and actions with His best for us. It involves crucifying the old self, self-centered nature and allowing God to shape a new creation in the image of Christ.
Why Surrender to God?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
In the life of a believer, a surrendered life is the best life. Jesus Christ surrendered everything for us and He is our greatest example of a surrendered life. He left the Throne Room of God to walk this fallen world and ultimately bring salvation to all who believe in Him. He died a brutal death to pay the debt of our sin. This was God’s will for His life and Jesus surrendered to God’s will with no concern for what it would cost Him. He laid down His life for our life. This reality is proof of His great love. If He is willing to hold nothing back for us, how much more should we surrender it all to Him. If He is willing to die for us, we can trust Him with every fiber of our being.
How do we surrender to God?
Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Recognize that surrendering to God is an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to grow and deepen in your surrender over time. Be in prayer, asking God to help you surrender to Him. Surrender is not something that comes naturally to my flesh. I have to be intentional to yield to my Heavenly Father; I find my default is usually my will, my ways and my desires. Dependence on the work of the Holy Spirit is necessary in order to surrender to God. Prayerfully release your own desires, plans, and expectations, and submit them to God’s will. This can involve surrendering worries, fears, and uncertainties to God, trusting that He knows what is best for you.
Example of Surrendering to God
When Christ Jesus took up His cross, He was demonstrating the ultimate act of surrender. He said in verse John 12:27- Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name. Jesus is our greatest example of submitting to the Father’s will in humility and complete surrender. Jesus asked that the cup pass, but only if it was in His Father’s will. He surrendered to the plan God had for His time on earth.
This decision to surrender to God is done in a single moment when we resolve to live for Christ. And it’s done day by day and moment by moment. We face seasons in our lives when this may come easier and seasons when this may come harder. When do you find it most challenging to surrender to God?
I’ll go first- I hold on very tightly to my time. Really, I have a white knuckle grip on it! I often say my time belongs to God- but I say it as a reminder to myself. Because I often want to hoard my time and keep it all for myself in order to do the things I want to do. Surrendering to God’s plans for my time day by day is something I have to do in His strength. I often find myself confessing that my heart is not aligned with His and then asking Him to help me align my heart to His in this area. He is faithful to do that work in me and through me. Additionally, He is faithful to do that work in and through you as well.
The True Vine: Bible Verses About Surrendering to God
John 15:1-11 – I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
This passage of Scripture highlights dependence of the branches on the vine for sustenance and life. Surrendering to Jesus involves acknowledging our dependence on him for spiritual nourishment and thriving. Jesus urges his disciples to remain in Him, just as a branch remains connected to the vine. This involves a continual state of closeness, intimacy, and obedience to Jesus. Surrendering to Jesus means staying connected to Him, allowing his life and teachings to permeate our own. Jesus promises that those who abide in Him will bear much fruit. This fruitfulness is not achieved through human effort or striving, but through surrendering to Jesus and allowing his life to flow through us. Surrendering involves relinquishing our own desires, agendas, and ambitions, and aligning ourselves with God’s purposes.
Living a life of true surrender leads to a life that is fulfilling and fruitful!
Bible Verses About Surrendering to God in Humility
Surrendering requires humility because it necessitates acknowledging our need, weaknesses, and dependency on God. By surrendering, we admit that we do not have all the answers, control, or power over every aspect of our lives. Humility allows us to let go of our pride which allows us to receive guidance, grace, and support from our Heavenly Father. Humility leads to a posture of openness, teachability, and receptivity, which are essential qualities for surrendering to the will of God. Check out these Bible verses about surrendering to God in humility.
1 Peter 5:6 – Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you.
Matthew 23:12 – Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Proverbs 22:4 – The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
Colossians 3:12 – Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
Micah 6:8 – He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Psalm 25:9 – He leads the humble in what is right and teaches the humble his way.
Zephaniah 2:3 – Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.
Matthew 18:4 – Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
1 Peter 5:10 – And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
James 4:10 – Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Bible Verses About Surrendering to God in Obedience
Surrendering to God in obedience involves wholeheartedly recognizing God’s authority as written in His Word. It also means aligning with God’s will, which is demonstrated through responding to God’s best for us with obedience. Let’s dive into Bible verses about surrendering to God in obedience.
John 14:15 – If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
1 Samuel 15:22 – And Samuel said, ‘Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.’
Romans 6:16 – Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Hebrews 5:9 – And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Matthew 7:21 – Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Deuteronomy 5:33 – You shall walk in all the way that the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live, and that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land that you shall possess.
1 John 5:3 – For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Luke 11:28 – But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’
Bible Verses About Surrendering to God in Faith
Surrendering to God produces faith. Consider any time you “let go and let God”…He shows Himself faithful. He is unable to be anything else because that is part of His character. When we entrust our circumstances, will, desires and ways to the Lord, our faith will grow. It builds that trust muscle. Let’s see what the powerful Scriptures say about surrendering in faith…
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:6 – 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.
Matthew 21:22 – And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Ephesians 2:8-9 – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
James 1:6 – But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
1 Peter 1:8-9 – Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Romans 12:2 -I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.
Proverbs 3:5-6 – 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.
Benefits of Surrendering to God
Surrendering to God yields various spiritual, emotional, and practical benefits for believers.
- Peace of Mind- Surrendering to God allows believers to hand it all over to God- yielding to Him and trusting He has it all in His hands.
- Joy and Contentment- Trusting in God’s plan and provision brings a sense of joy and contentment, recognizing that God’s ways are higher and His love is steadfast.
- Strength in Weakness- Surrendering to God acknowledges our deep need. When we are weak, He is strong.
- Guidance and Direction- Surrender opens the door to seeking God’s guidance, rather than relying on our own ideas.
- Freedom from Sin- Surrendering to God involves repentance and turning away from sin receiving God’s forgiveness.
- Personal Transformation- Surrender is a transformative process that moves us toward increasing Christlikeness.
- Comfort in Trials- Surrendering to God provides comfort during difficult times. Knowing that God is in control and cares for His children is the best comfort we can receive.
- Deepened Relationship with God- Surrender is the foundation of a close relationship with God.
- Fulfillment of Purpose- Surrendering to God leads to a fulfilling and fruitful life.
- Victory over Spiritual Battles- Surrender is key in spiritual warfare. Afterall, the battle belongs to the Lord (2 Chronicles20:15)
Final Thoughts on Bible Verses About Surrendering to God
A life of surrender to the Lord is a fulfilling and fruitful life. It’s a life that is marked by peace that surpasses understanding and the joy of the Lord. All of the Scripture references in this article point to a true heart of surrender being a heart that experience an abundant life. Attempting to surrender to God in our own strength is hard work- do it in dependence on God. Trusting God more requires His work in us and through us. Which of these powerful verses spoke to your heart? When is it most challenging to surrender to God?
Uplifting and inspiring article indeed! Much needed at a time like this where insecurities, hardships, betrayals seem to rock so hard to shake our faith and confidence in God. Thanks alot!
Absolutely inspiring a d uplifting and encouraging. THANKS SUNSYHNE
This is an excellent lesson. It is right on time for me. The enemy has been toying with me and I need to surrender it to God and not fight in my flesh. Holy Spirit have your way with me. Thank you for this and I will keep it with me as I put on the whole armor of God! God Bless you and your ministry.
A great eye opener….thank you.