Submitting to God is an essential part of the Christian walk. It means surrendering our own will, desires, and plans to His perfect purpose. True submission is an act of trust, demonstrating our faith that God’s ways are higher than ours. Below are seven aspects of submission to God, along with relevant Bible verses that guide us in understanding what it means to fully yield to Him.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Giving it All to God
Trusting in God’s Plan
When we submit to God, we trust His plans above our own. Even when we do not understand His ways, we acknowledge that He is in control and working for our good. Submission means surrendering our doubts and fears, believing that God’s wisdom far exceeds our own.
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Psalm 37:5
“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”
Obeying God’s Commands
Submission to God requires obedience to His commands. True love for God is demonstrated through our willingness to follow His instructions, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. His commands are for our benefit, guiding us toward righteousness and blessing.
John 14:15
“If you love me, obey my commandments.”
Deuteronomy 11:1
“You must love the Lord your God and always obey his requirements, decrees, regulations, and commands.”
James 1:22
“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”
1 Samuel 15:22
“But Samuel replied, ‘What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.'”
Luke 11:28
“Jesus replied, ‘But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.'”
Humble Yourself Before God
Humility is a crucial part of submission to God. Recognizing our dependence on Him and surrendering our pride allows Him to work powerfully in our lives. When we humble ourselves, we make room for God’s grace and guidance.
James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
1 Peter 5:6
“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.”
Micah 6:8
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Philippians 2:3
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Proverbs 22:4
“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”
Resisting the Devil
Submitting to God also means resisting the temptations of the enemy. When we align our hearts with God’s truth, we gain the strength to resist sin and stand firm against the devil’s schemes.
James 4:7
“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”
Ephesians 6:11
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
1 Peter 5:8-9
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.”
Romans 12:21
“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About God Shaping Our Lives
Living by Faith
Submission to God requires living by faith, trusting in His promises even when circumstances seem uncertain. Faith enables us to walk in obedience, knowing that He is always with us and will provide for our needs.
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by believing and not by seeing.”
Hebrews 11:6
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
Mark 11:24
“I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Romans 10:17
“So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.”
Galatians 2:20
“My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Denying Yourself
Submitting to God means putting aside our own desires and choosing to follow Him. Self-denial is not about deprivation but about aligning our hearts with God’s will, allowing Him to lead us in the right direction.
Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.'”
Galatians 5:24
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.”
Luke 9:23
“Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.'”
Colossians 3:5
“So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.”
Philippians 3:8
“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”
Seeking God’s Will in Everything
True submission to God means seeking His will in every aspect of life. Whether in decisions big or small, we should look to Him for guidance, knowing that His way leads to blessing and peace.
Matthew 6:33
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Psalm 143:10
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.”
Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Colossians 1:9
“So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.”
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
Submission to God is a lifelong journey of trust, obedience, and faith. When we choose to yield to Him in all things, we experience His peace, guidance, and abundant blessings. May these verses encourage you to surrender fully to the Lord and walk confidently in His ways.