The Narrow Path Ministries

I’m in a men’s group where we pray and encourage each other to pursue Holiness and be men of integrity. Repeatedly, as one of us suggests that we are struggling in an area of sin, the canned response is “you haven’t given it over to God.” Of late I really struggled with this phrase wondering what they think it means. I’m of the opinion that in my group, everyone thinks that if you give up, trust God, the desire either be removed from you, or you’ll find new found strength to overcome it. Verses that come to mind are…

1 Cor 10:12-13

12 So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (esv)
1 Cor 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27But I discipline my body and keep it under control (I pummel my body and make it a slave footnote), lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. (ESV)

What do you think???

I'm not sure what that phrase means either. The bible clearly tells us to resist temtation. Part of resisting means we pray for strength but every biblical writer confirms that we are to fight and not give in. Since that's the case, giving it over to God can simply mean that we trust God. For example, if I have a strong desire to sleep with a woman that is not my wife then a struggle takes place. If I trust God I can fight more valiently because I know it displeases him. If I tell myself, "I know the bible says God hates adultery, but does he really care all that much?" I've just been deceived.

There is always a way to resist evil, it's just a matter of motivation. Sometimes we are more motivated to sin than to resist. This happens because we allow ourselves to be deceived into not trusting God. It's the oldest line in the book. "Did God indeed say...."

Brian, Just giving it to God can be be one of those catch phrases that someone says when they have been delivered or they do not have that struggle. It involves more than just giving it to God. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. That is the reason we have to get into and stay in the word. By the transforming of your mind. Let it become active and living in your life and then the temptation becomes less attractive. Then when you give it to God, you are less likely to take it up again.