Let Go and Let God?
Many groups—including Christians—take the phrase “Let go and let God” to heart. The idea of getting out of the way and letting God take over is appealing and has a spiritual sound to it.
In that spirit, many people believe that God calls them to surrender with the hope that this surrendering will allow God to clean them up.. I can remember as a child regularly singing “I surrender all.” The problem with “surrendering” is that it is not a Biblical concept. How exactly would we do this? Without doubt, we must submit, humble ourselves before God and be obedient to Him. Submitting is not easy because it is not passive. It is active. It is echoing the attitude of Jesus, “not my will but yours be done.”
So then, does the Bible teach “Let go and let God”?
Not exactly—look for yourself. You could start with this sermon by John MacArthur. Here’s a quote: “In fact—you see—if you take the view that it’s all just let go and let God, what are you going to do with all of the New Testament exhortations? What do they mean then?”
“Put off and Put on”
We would do well to set aside the exhortation “Let go and let God,” in favor of “Put off and put on” as in “put off the old man” and “put on the new man.” (Ephesians 4:17-24 and Colossians 3:5-11).
Overcoming lust is a good example of how this works. Merely putting off or letting go of sinful behaviors associated with lust and even attempts to purge it out of our hearts are not enough. Unless we faithfully fill the void in our lives with God’s love and new habits of righteousness the success we achieve will be temporary. Old sins or new ones will rush in.
Here are fourteen biblically mandated things that you—not God—can start doing right now to overcome lust. Some of these actions involve putting off bad behavior and some involve putting on godly behavior. There is no easy shortcut in how this works.
What about God?
If we aggressively take action, heeding Paul’s teaching to put off and put on, does that in some way leave God out of the mix? Are we moving to a “works” based system? Not at all!
You can look to Paul, who vigorously fought the good fight as an example. Like him, you too can fully trust God to work “powerfully” in you even as you exert maximum effort to please Him (Colossians 1:28-29).
Indeed, without God working powerfully in us we could not let go, put off or put on. It is His life living in us that makes this all possible. He is the one who has provided the way and the one who empowers us so that we can attain victory.
Do not underestimate what this will require from you. If you have fallen deeply into lust you have your work cut out for you.
The problem with making “Let God” the focus is that it pushes the burden back on Him. If things don’t work out, will you blame Him? Overcoming lust is within reach. God is looking for you to step out in faith and obedience.
Note: Previously, the following paragraph was included in this post. As you can see by the comments, it caused offense, which was not the intent.
Those who seek to overcome compulsive behavior are often exposed to this thinking. For example, imbedded in the 12 steps in the form that most recovery groups follow are the powerful assertions that one who is overcome by sin is “powerless” and needs to “turn their will and lives” over to God. This letting go allows God to “restore their sanity” and “remove their defects in character.”
AA methods might not be working as well as many have thought-
http://www.psmag.com/navigation/books-and-culture/75-years-alcoholics-anonymous-time-admit-problem-74268/
Jim, good post. I didn’t, however, find it very convincing. Why? Because you never actually address the idea of “letting go and letting God.” You summarize it, but you don’t refute it. Instead, you move on to quote a preacher who uses words that sound different from “let go and let God” and then assume that the 12 step approach is refuted.
Besides the fact that you don’t actually address head on why “let go and let God” is bad (aside from maybe just asserting that YOU don’t see it anywhere in the Bible, which lets be honest, isn’t much of an argument), you also seem to demonstrate again that you don’t understand the principles of the 12 steps, probably because you have never actually (I would guess) read the book Alcoholics Anonymous.
“Let go and let God” is one slogan among many. It is not the entire foundation of everything. It is not the ultimate principle of the universe. It is not the bedrock of all things 12 step.
Do you know what is? Action. And what kind of action? Actions like: praying and asking God what His will for you is and asking for the power to carry that out (Obedience is Biblical, right?), asking God for the grace to overcome the defects that hurt others, asking God and others for forgiveness (repentance), asking God for faith in Him and His plan, and choosing to hope in the goodness and love of God. And of course actions of love and selflessness towards others. Funny how so many of these things sound a lot like what Paul tells us to do in the scripture you referenced.
If you are going to continue referencing the 12 step programs and maintain a website where you claim authority on this issue, you need to do your homework and understand the “other” approaches which you are refuting (but not after turning them into straw-men).
Just the thoughts of someone who was addicted to sex and was saved by Christ through the 12 steps of sexaholics anonymous.
Matthew: I appreciate again your forceful defense of Sexaholics Anonymous (Read Matthew’s story here: https://overcoming-lust.com/articles/emails-sexaholic/ ). Your comments support the point that I was trying to make: that we need to do more than merely let God act. Submitting to God’s will means that we strive to do His will, not our own. Unfortunately, many who use the phrase “Let go and let God” have used it as an excuse for not taking aggressive action against sin. Passivity is a strategy that will not work.
Jim, once again a good post; I to have been concerned about this phrase and how many Christians use it to support their lack of godly conduct. You did a good job of
showing how there is a better Biblical approach, in the “putting on” and “putting
off”. However I agree with Matthew that you continue to show your lack of
understanding of 12 step groups and you continue to imply that 12 step programs
and Christianity are in conflict, when they are not. I agree with Matthew, you
should do your homework on 12 step groups, and if there is conflict: prove it.
The phrase “let go and let God” is a saying which many people find some meaning in; whether Christian, non-Christian, or a member of the Lions Club. It is completely
subjective and means different things to different people. You have done a good
job showing how what the Bible teaches is superior to a philosophical phrase.
I challenge you to read the AA big book, and the Sexaholics Anonymous White Book and then compare what is written with the Bible. If you continue to promote a conflict
between 12 step teachings and Christianity: prove it in writing.
Just some thoughts from a Christian who was held in bondage to lust (Jn. 8:34), who
found loving support in Sexaholics Anonymous as well as “The Most Excellent Way”(a Christian 12 step program). And who found Biblical principles to total victory
over lust in your 14 weapons to overcoming lust. Victory is not achieved unless one is in a fight. I fight this battle everyday and I find victory thru Christ.
Please see the changes made in the post in response to the concerns that you and Matthew both raised. Thank you for sharing your views.
Jim,
I would like to clarify myself with a further word on 12-step programs. I am an
advocate of, and participant in, 12-step programs. I believe there is no conflict between the 12-step programs and Christianity; however I believe that 12-step programs are LIMITED, they are ONLY mutual support groups. If one was to rely only on a 12-step group, they may be able to find a degree of success over their character defects, but they would be missing the total victory over them through Jesus Christ. This is why the 12 steps encourage us to pursue our own personal faith. (Step 11)
Christianity offers not only support now; but a life of liberty over our character defects
beginning now; then later we have eternal life with joy and love as we
spend eternity in the arms of our loving Father.
Jesus Christ death on the cross has set us free from the bondage of our sin. (John
8:34, 36) Through establishing a relationship with Jesus (Rom. 10:4-13) He gives us His Holy Spirit; that if we will live in the Spirit, then we will not fulfill our lusts. (Gal. 5:16) And through His Spirit we are given ALL we need to walk in victory. (2 Peter 1:3)
The 14 Weapons to Overcoming Lust are 14 solid Biblical principles that will give
you support now, liberty from your old bondage, and a life of victory now and
forever. If anyone wants to truly be free of the bondage of lust then take
advantage of all the tools you find helpful.
I have always understood the phrase, “Let go and let God” to mean “accept the things you can’t control and trust that God is in control.” That doesn’t, however, take away our responsibility in the things we can control (our own emotions and actions). As sinful human beings we cause stress for ourselves in two ways: 1) by trying to control things that we cannot control and 2) by not taking responsibility for the things we can control. I understand your article to be an exhortation to avoid the latter.
I actually just wrote an article about “control” on my blog. If you have a chance, check it out: http://364daysofthanksgiving.com/control/
I would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
Thanks for your comment, Andy. I like your article and your site. Also, hang in there with that book you are writing. Considering it “done” is the hardest part.