What does submitting to God entail?

Definition of Submitting to God

Submitting to God involves recognizing His sovereign authority, aligning one’s will with His, and embracing the relationship He offers through faith. As written: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Here, the biblical concept of “submission” entails a wholehearted trust in God’s character, commands, and plans, alongside a willing choice to follow His guidance rather than our own inclinations.

This commitment is not robotic compliance but a humble and loving surrender that acknowledges God’s rightful place as Creator and our place as finite human beings. Throughout Scripture, individuals who submitted themselves to God were marked by a renewed mind and life transformation, underscoring the intimate connection between submission and spiritual growth.

Biblical Foundations of Submission

Submissiveness to God is woven throughout the Old and New Testaments:

1. Old Testament Examples

- Abraham’s Obedience: Abraham left his homeland upon God’s call (Genesis 12:1–4), setting an example of submissive faith. Later, his willingness to offer Isaac (Genesis 22:1–18) illustrated the depth of trust that true submission fosters.

- Moses and the Law: Receiving the Law on Mount Sinai (Exodus 19–20) demonstrated God’s standard of holiness and the people’s calling to submit. When the Israelites obeyed, it brought blessing; when they turned away, they experienced misfortune.

2. New Testament Teachings

- Teaching of Christ: Jesus modeled submission by doing “the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). His prayer in Gethsemane—“Yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39)—perfectly portrays yielding to the Father.

- Apostolic Guidance: Paul exhorted believers “to offer your bodies as living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1), highlighting that true worship and spiritual growth involve yielding every part of life to God’s authority. Similarly, Peter reminded Christians to humble themselves under God’s mighty hand (1 Peter 5:6).

Submission is never presented in Scripture as oppressive; it is always tied to God’s love, wisdom, and redemptive plan.

Heart Attitude and Humility

At its core, submitting to God requires humility. Pride rejects dependence on God, whereas humility gladly relies on Him. This is why James 4:6 states, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Submission includes repentance—a change of heart that turns from sin toward God (Acts 3:19). This involves admitting our need for forgiveness. When hearts are open and humble, believers can receive God’s guidance, becoming more receptive to the Holy Spirit’s leading (John 16:13).

Practical Expressions of Submission

1. Obedience to Scripture

- Knowing the Word: Intake of Scripture through personal study (Psalm 119:105) and practical application fosters alignment with God’s will. Archaeological discoveries, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran, have confirmed the remarkable preservation of biblical texts, underscoring Scripture’s reliability for guiding belief and practice.

- Living the Word: Submission is shown not merely by study but by doing what the Word says (James 1:22).

2. Prayerful Dependence

- Intentional Communication: Through prayer, believers express their dependence, request guidance, and submit their concerns (Philippians 4:6–7).

- Intercessory Support: Praying for others reflects a heart aligned with God’s love and the humility to recognize our need for His intervention.

3. Fellowship with Other Believers

- Accountability: Submitting to God is facilitated in community, where believers encourage one another (Hebrews 10:24–25).

- Mutual Edification: By serving in the Church and participating in corporate worship, individuals model a mutual submission that honors the Lord (Ephesians 5:21).

4. Seeking God’s Will in Daily Decisions

- Work and Vocation: Prayerfully considering career and life choices indicates reliance on God’s leading rather than self-reliance (Proverbs 3:5–6).

- Relationships: Submitting to God includes how one treats family, friends, and neighbors (Ephesians 5–6), reflecting Jesus’ instruction to love others as He has loved us (John 13:34).

Submitting to God Amid Challenges

1. Trials and Testing

- Biblical Perspective: James taught that trials produce perseverance (James 1:2–4). Submitting to God in hardship means trusting His purpose and remaining steadfast under pressure.

- Historical Proofs of Perseverance: Early Christian martyrs, attested by various historical records and cited in works like Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, demonstrate unwavering commitment to Christ, trusting God’s faithfulness even unto death.

2. Spiritual Warfare

- Resisting the Devil: James 4:7 pairs submission to God with resisting the devil, implying spiritual opposition. The armor of God passage (Ephesians 6:10–18) further shows the active stance required.

- Victory in Submission: Throughout Scripture, reliance on God’s strength brings victory, exemplified by King David, whose battles and the subsequent archaeological evidence (including inscriptions referencing the House of David) confirm the historical setting in which trusting God led to triumph.

Jesus Christ: The Perfect Example

Jesus is the unblemished model of submission: “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8). Through His resurrection, believers are offered eternal life and the power to submit faithfully (Romans 8:11).

Evidence supporting Jesus’ resurrection—such as historical documentation from first-century witnesses (as in Acts 2:22–24, 32), external references from Tacitus and Josephus, and the reliability of the New Testament manuscripts bolstered by discoveries like the John Rylands papyrus—validates the foundation upon which we place our trust. Submitting to God, therefore, stands on the bedrock of a verified historical event.

Submitting and the Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit empowers believers to walk in submissiveness. Romans 8:14 states, “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” This leading shifts the direction of our hearts and minds, enabling true obedience beyond human strength. Miracles and healing—documented experiences from the early Church in Acts, continuing testimonies of healing today, and historical missionary records—testify to the Spirit’s work in aligning us with God’s will.

Intelligent Design and the Creator’s Authority

In recognizing God as the all-powerful Creator, believers acknowledge His authority to define right and wrong. Scientific findings that reveal complexity in DNA, the fine-tuning of the universe, and geological evidence consistent with a young earth perspective underscore the order, wisdom, and intentionality of a Designer.

This divine intentionality points to purposeful creation rather than mere chance. Living in submission aligns with creation’s intended design, promoting harmony with the order God established “in the beginning” (Genesis 1:1).

Eternal Perspective

Submission encompasses the realization that life on earth is temporary but eternity is forever (2 Corinthians 4:17–18). It reminds believers that their chief purpose is to glorify God and live in anticipation of Christ’s return. Those who submit to God receive eternal salvation through Christ (John 3:16), which fulfills the ultimate plan for redemption repeated across the canon of Scripture.

Conclusion

Submitting to God entails a posture of humility, trust, and obedience, anchored in faith and fueled by the Holy Spirit. It involves embracing the truth of Scripture’s authority—supported by manuscript evidence, archaeological discoveries, and a consistent historical record. It recognizes God the Creator’s sovereign design, sees Christ’s resurrection as the ultimate act demonstrating His Lordship, and yields daily to the Spirit’s guidance.

This submission brings profound transformation and eternal hope, fulfilling the purpose for which humanity was created: to glorify God and display His kingdom in every aspect of life. As evidenced throughout the biblical narrative, when we willingly submit, we cooperate with God’s redemptive work and experience the abundant life promised by Jesus (John 10:10).