What does it truly mean to “let go and let God”? While it is a common phrase spoken across Christian communities, the act of surrendering self-control, autonomy, and personal desires to a higher authority is often easier said than done. Real freedom and spiritual breakthrough begin not by taking control into our own hands, but by intentionally yielding our will to the King of Kings.
In a recent message delivered at LAMP Ministries, we explored the foundational steps needed to transition from mere religion into a dynamic, living relationship with Jesus Christ. To see God move in our personal lives, our families, and our communities, we must walk through critical steps of submission.
Below is a breakdown of four primary areas where we must submit our lives to experience God’s power and presence daily.
1. Submitting to the Word of God
Before we can act on God’s promises, we must establish a firm belief in the authority, inerrancy, and infallibility of the Scriptures. The Bible is not merely a collection of human ideas; as written in 2 Timothy 3:16–17, all Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."
— James 1:22
To truly submit to God’s Word, we must move beyond being passive listeners to becoming active doers.
- Avoid Self-Deception: It is easy to build beliefs around personal feelings or societal trends using phrases like “I think” or “I believe” without biblical backing. When faced with unanswered questions, a safer response is: “I don’t know yet, but I am going to find out what the Bible says”.
- Anchor in Scripture: Programs like the Topical Memory System help believers memorize foundational verses, giving them the confidence to pray effectively and share the Gospel boldly without shame.
- Promises of Blessing: Joshua 1:8 reminds us that meditating on the Word day and night yields wisdom, success, and spiritual prosperity over time.
2. Submitting to the Will of God
Discovering God’s will is impossible without consistently reading and engaging with His Word. Surrendering to His will requires an honest self-assessment to determine who holds ultimate authority over your decisions.
- Decreasing Self for Christ: Take a page from John the Baptist, who held immense influence yet humbly stated in John 3:30, “He must increase, but I must decrease”.
- Developing a Listening Ear: Like the young prophet Samuel, our daily prayer posture should be: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”. When God gives direction, we must write it down, meditate on it, and test it against Scripture alongside mature believers.
- Unconditional Obedience: If God calls you to move, act, or step into a challenging assignment, are your feet stuck in concrete? Like Isaiah, true submission willingly answers: “Here I am Lord, send me”.
3. Submitting Your Heart
Because of human nature, a spiritual transformation is necessary before we can fully walk in obedience. Naturally, our hearts can become hardened, selfish, or resistant to spiritual growth.
Through the new covenant, God offers a spiritual heart transplant:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
— Ezekiel 36:26
When our hearts are soft and supple, God writes His laws directly onto our inner being (Jeremiah 31:33). Our cleansed hearts become fit vessels to carry the Holy Spirit, much like the Ark of the Covenant held the presence of God in the Old Testament. Storing God’s Word deep within our hearts guards us against sin and aligns our passions with His priorities.
4. Submitting to the Name of Jesus
There is power, salvation, and authority bound in the name of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 16:16, Peter declared Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. Recognizing His divine identity means recognizing that all authority in heaven and on earth has been granted to Him.
As recorded in Acts 4:10–12, Peter boldly testified to religious leaders that healing and salvation exist under no other name given to humanity.
- Authority in Prayer: When we submit to the authority of Jesus, He delegates spiritual authority to His followers to pray, heal, and stand against spiritual darkness.
- Bold Faith for Miracles: When facing fear or spiritual warfare, calling on the name of Jesus causes the enemy to flee.
- The Power of Petition: Repeatedly throughout the Gospel of John (John 14–16), Jesus instructs His followers to ask the Father for anything in His name so that God may be glorified.
"If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
— John 15:7
Walking Out Your Submission
Seeing God move is not about manipulating Him to fulfill our personal agendas; it is about yielding every area of our lives—our thoughts, hearts, plans, and speech—to His divine authority. As we align ourselves with the Word, submit to His will, allow Him to transform our hearts, and pray in the authoritative name of Jesus, we make room for His miracles and presence to transform our lives.
Take time today to pause and ask yourself: What area of my life am I holding back from total submission to God? Step out in faith, yield that area to Him, and watch how He begins to move.
Full sermon may be viewed here.