Self-control is no match for Surrender…

When it comes to overcoming sin, self control is no match for surrender. 

Self-control is defined as the ability to manage your thoughts, actions, and emotions to achieve a goal or avoid temptation; It is restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires. 

This is a great skill to have. In fact it is one of the fruits of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22, which we ought to demonstrate. However surrender is the precursor of true transformation and obedience, which are necessary in overcoming sin and living in fellowship with God. 

Surrender is defined as yielding to the power, control, or possession of another upon compulsion or demand; the act of submitting to authority; or to cease resistance to and give oneself up to the power of another (especially as a prisoner).

It’s important to understand their distinct meanings because this will help us decipher how and when to exercise them in our lives. With self-control we notice words like “manage”  “restraint,” and “exercise.” In exercising self-control, dependance falls primarily on your own personal will, internal drive, and ability. On the contrary, when we look at the definition of surrender we see language such as “yield,” "submit,” and “to give oneself up to,” which demonstrates a posture of letting go of control and coming to the end of oneself, likely after exhausting all options. With surrender, there has to be a realization of one’s own limitations, inability, and weaknesses in order to willfully submit to the power or authority they’re surrendering to. 

Are we seeing the distinction? 

Think about it this way: Let’s say someone is struggling with gossip or fornication. Self-control says “I’m going to try my best to abstain from this thing; Mind over matter. I’m just going to work my hardest to not do this anymore. Even if I constantly think about it and long for it, as long as I don’t do it I’m good.” Surrender says “I am making the conscious decision to give these things up completely, because from my heart, I want to change. I do not want to desire this thing anymore. I submit myself to the leading of the spirit and trust that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in me, I just need to allow it to be exercised through me. I may not get it right, I may even pick it up again and have to repent, but truly from the depths of me I reject this thing not just with my behavior but in my heart.”

Are we hearing the difference? 

See, you can exercise self-control as a gossiper but in your mind and heart be thinking spiteful, hurtful things about a person and have no inner conviction or change. You can exercise self-control as a fornicator and still deal with lust in your heart or entertain perverse imaginations and not cast them down. Having Christ centered self-control is important, but without surrender you will not see the fruit of a life transformed through sincere repentance and reconciliation to the Father. Self-control alone presents a masquerade of holiness, instead of a genuinely transformed person and life. It’s like what Isaiah prophesied about in Isaiah 29:13 and what Jesus alluded to in Matthew 15:8, "These people draw near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” Depending on self-control over surrender is living a life of cutting off the hand that makes you sin, but not cutting the sin out of your own heart.

Why live “fake holy” when by the power of Jesus’ blood, He made you real holy? Why put His sacrifice to waste when He took your place? Why put the cross to shame when He already took your blame? 

When you surrender, you recognize that it is only by God’s grace and the power of the Holy Spirit in partnership with your faith and obedience that you can overcome sin. Do you know that it’s really God who works in you to help you do what is good and pleasing in His sight (Philippians 2:13)? When our faith is in His ability and power, and not our own, that is when we can do the things and be the things that are pleasing to Him (Hebrews 11:6). I’m telling you, the things you’ll overcome when you put your total dependence on Him will astound you!

In surrenderance, you become aware that the beliefs, behaviors, or patterns you want to cut out of your life are things that are outside of God’s will and are therefore not good for you. Soon enough, those things begin to become less appealing to you because as you walk with God, you begin to share His desires, His will, and you grow to love what He loves and hate what He hates. Eventually your disdain for sin and darkness and your newfound love for Christ’s righteousness become what fuels your desire to change, even if you don’t always get it right. It’s important to remember that surrender is not a one time decision. In this walk, you keep surrendering moment by moment, day by day. 

If you want to see lasting transformation and power over your struggle with sin, start with surrendering from your heart and mind. It is more effective to change your belief about sin through surrender and see your behavior change in accordance with your mind-shift than to try to manage your behavior in hopes that it will change your mind. True lasting change begins inwardly and manifests outwardly. This is why Romans 12:2 tells us, “...be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” It’s by surrendering to the process of mind renewal that we become transformed over time, not the other way around. 

The last thought I want to share with you is one of many Biblical formulas for overcoming the temptation to sin. You can find this tactic in James 4:7, which says, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

Notice the order: 

Submit (Surrender) → Resist (Actively push back, stand against, or refrain from– this can be demonstrated through self control) →  and he will flee (the devil will stop attacking you with temptations that will cause you to stumble). 

As you contemplate these truths about self control and surrender, I want to remind you that both are essential in the life of every disciple. We must exercise self control and live a daily life of surrender if we want to live in the freedom He came to give.

Thank you for reading. I hope you were blessed by this teaching!

Go with God. It’s the best decision you will ever make. 

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