How To Submit To God: What Does Total Submission Look Like?

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Published by Shannon Jacobs

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The appearances of the term “submit” in the Holy Bible originate from the Greek word hupotasso. The word hupo means “under,” and tasso translates to “to arrange.” This original term and its variations are also presented as “subject” and “subjection.” The full meaning of this phrase encompasses ideas such as “to submit, place under, yield oneself to, come under the authority of, ensure compliance with, or obey.”

The Bible instructs every person to submit fully to the Lord. Complete submission to Him, however, is a way of life, not something that happens occasionally.

When we don’t take time to open our Bibles, praise God, and give everything in our lives to His hands constantly, it is easy to fall for the lies and deception of the world.

Key Takeaways

  • Total submission to God involves surrendering our mind, heart, and soul, as well as relinquishing egotistical desires and aims, in accordance with biblical teachings.
  • Submission to God is a continuous, daily act of obedience and humility, not a sporadic or superficial gesture.
  • True submission manifests in all aspects of life, reflecting Christ’s love and authority through our actions, decisions, and relationships with others.

What Is The Biblical Concept Of Submission?

The Holy Scripture has a lot to say about obedience[1] and submitting to a “higher being.” James 4:7 tells us to submit ourselves to God. Additionally, 1 Peter 2:13–14, Romans 13:1–7, Titus 3:1, and Hebrews 13:17 are verses that also demonstrate this idea. Simply put, the Lord is the highest authority, and He delegated authority to others. Therefore, to fully submit to God, we must surrender to the authority that God has bestowed over us.

According to Ephesians, the husband must “love” his wife, and she must be submissive to her loving husband as unto God (Ephesians 5:22–25). In the same way, Apostle Peter advises, “Young men, be subservient to the ones who are older. Everyone of you, dress yourself in humility, since God condemns the arrogant but grants grace to the meek” (1 Peter 5:5). God means that without humility, we can’t follow Jesus and submit to Him.

What Does It Mean To Submit Ourselves To God?

We recognize God as the God of our lives when we surrender to and fear Him. We need to decide to obey and follow Jesus everywhere He goes by letting go of our own aspirations, ambitions, and interests. As Proverbs 3:5–7 reads, “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. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear God, and turn away from evil.”

It is simpler to give in to and pursue our sinful nature than it is to submit to Jesus and obey God for his name’s sake. Though submission to God is more burdensome and requires a lot of self-control, it is the proper thing to do. The Holy Spirit could assist Christians in submission to God. The Spirit is God because He is the Third Person of the Trinity.

A person contemplating under a starry night sky and submit to god

How Are We To Submit To God?

We should be entrusting everything to God. As Jesus once said to us, “Anyone who aspires to be my follower must give up their own will, take up their daily cross, and obey me” (Luke 9:23). To submit to God, both sacrificing ourselves and pursuing Him are required. We are not genuinely submitting to God unless these two things are done.

Let us cast off all of our fears and resist the devil and resist the temptations that so easily entrap us. And let us remain focused on Jesus, the founder and source of our faith, as we undertake the challenge that has been laid out for us.

In What Ways Can We Submit Ourselves To God?

Salvation is one way to submit to God. By accepting Christ as our Savior, God’s Son, and the right hand of the Father, who resurrected from the grave to grant us eternal life, or salvation, we start the process of surrendering to God. According to Romans 10:9, if we openly acknowledge Christ as our Lord and firmly hold to the notion that God actually did resurrect Him from the grave, we will be redeemed.

How we interact with others is another way we submit to God and Jesus. Ephesians 5:21, for instance, urges “submitting to one another out of reverence for Jesus Christ.” Our acts should demonstrate Christ’s love and mercy to others, whether as a wife or husband or in how we treat others. Jesus further stated in Matthew 25:40 that what we do to the least is what we do to God: “Indeed, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

2 Steps To Fully Submit To God

1. Submit Our Mind, Heart, And Soul

Submit Our Mind

The Lord examines all the matter of our world views, opinions, and beliefs through our minds. Thus, in order to become His disciples and followers, we must surrender our minds to the living and abiding Word of God as well as to the Holy Spirit.

We should unceasingly pray to our Father in Heaven that we will never be swayed by the lies of new teachings here on earth but rather that they teach us hope, wisdom and values with respect to Him. As Romans 8:6–7 reads, “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 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.”

Submit Our Heart

Our motivation point for making life decisions comes from our hearts, and if we want our perverse hearts changed to “a good conscience and a genuine faith,” we must submit them to God for restoration. As Proverbs 28:14 proclaimed, “Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” The Lord searches for the pure truth in our full submission through what’s inside our hearts.

Submit Our Soul

Our soul is what gives us our identities as humans and gives us our individuality. The Bible warns that if we die and we don’t cleanse our souls of sin and have a “new birth,” our souls will perish. Peter taught us, “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart since you have been born again…” (1 Peter 1:22–23)

2. Submit Our Egotistical Desires And Aims

Humans all have a need to be liked, but after being born again, we must now fight to focus solely on honoring Him. This “law waging war against the law of our minds” (Romans 7:23) is the daily human battle that we should all struggle to win for the glory because “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof…” (Psalm 24:1).

person standing by the edge of a cliff over an ocean during sunset and submit to god

Summary

All aspects of our lives should belong to and be brought under God’s complete control through worship and submission. By honoring God’s Word and Him with our sincere faith, deeds, decisions, and lives, we show the world that Christ is the real ruler of our destinies. Through this, God will give us peace, joy, and a new spirit within us because he has the authority to do so.

In order to progress spiritually, we must choose to listen and submit to God while we are learning His word. It is a daily task of humble obedience that must be completed. It is not enough to submit to God occasionally or just because we “feel like doing it.” Instead, we have to submit to Him each day with all of our might and desire.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does It Mean To Submit To God?

To submit to God means to fully surrender one’s will, thoughts, and actions to God’s authority and guidance, living a life in accordance with His teachings and principles.

Why Is Submission To God Important In Christianity?

Submission to God is important in Christianity because it reflects obedience to God’s will, fosters a deeper relationship with Him, and aligns one’s life with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

How Can One Submit Their Mind To God?

One can submit their mind to God by focusing on God’s teachings, embracing His wisdom, and letting go of worldly views and beliefs that contradict biblical principles.

What Role Does Humility Play In Submitting To God?

Humility plays a crucial role in submitting to God, as it involves acknowledging one’s dependence on God and recognizing His supreme authority and grace.

How Does Submitting To God Impact Daily Life?

Submitting to God impacts daily life by guiding one’s decisions, behaviors, and interactions with others in a way that honors God and reflects Christian values.

Can Submission To God Change Personal Desires And Goals?

Yes, submission to God can change personal desires and goals, as it often leads to prioritizing spiritual growth and God’s plans above personal ambitions and worldly pursuits.

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