Why Trying Harder to Stop Sinning Doesn’t Work: The Power of Surrender
You kneel in peaceful prayer amidst a serene forest, bathed in soft sunlight, symbolizing your call to surrender your struggles to God's strength, trust in His presence, and find peace in letting go of self-reliance.
As Christian men, we’ve all faced that moment of frustration, feeling like no matter how hard we try, we keep tripping over the same sins. Maybe it's anger, lust, pride, or even something that seems small but keeps resurfacing. Our natural response is to try harder—tighten our grip, make stricter promises to ourselves, and grind our way to holiness. But here’s the hard truth: trying harder doesn't work. The more we strive in our own strength to defeat sin, the more we feel like we’re sinking in quicksand. This is because we’re fighting a spiritual battle with worldly tools—our own effort and willpower. What God invites us to do instead is something radically different: surrender.
Surrender goes against everything we’ve been taught as men. We’re told to be strong, independent, and in control. But in God’s kingdom, true strength is found in weakness, and the way to victory is through giving up—not in defeat, but in surrendering to God’s loving authority. Instead of wearing ourselves out trying to fix our sin problem on our own, we need to trust in His power to transform us from the inside out. And this begins with being in His Word, connecting with the body of Christ, and committing to spiritual habits. When we surrender to these things, our heart changes, and sin loses its grip.
One of the keys to this transformation is learning to live in the present, to be fully engaged with where God has you today. Too often, we’re fixated on our past mistakes or future fears, missing out on what God is doing right now. The Bible tells us that His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23), which means that today is a gift. If we want to grow as godly men, we need to focus less on our sin and more on how God is moving in our daily struggles and victories. As we fix our eyes on Him, the power of sin starts to break naturally.
It’s in this daily surrender where real change happens. Instead of relying on willpower to stop sinning, we let the Holy Spirit guide us, reshape our desires, and strengthen our resolve. This doesn’t mean we don’t take action, but it means our actions flow from a place of trust, not striving. As we lean into God’s Word, seek fellowship with other believers, and cultivate spiritual practices like prayer and confession, we find that God is doing the heavy lifting. The less we focus on the sin and the more we focus on Christ, the more sin loses its appeal.
So here’s the encouragement: stop trying harder, and start surrendering more. The Christian life isn’t about doing everything perfectly but about letting the perfect God transform us day by day. As you grow in trust and connection with Him, you’ll notice that your sin struggle begins to loosen its grip—not because you fought harder, but because you leaned into the One who has already won the battle. Remember, growth isn’t instant, but God is patient and committed to seeing you become the man He designed you to be.
Questions to Consider:
What area of your life are you trying to control rather than surrendering to God's authority?
How can you intentionally create space for God's Word and spiritual community in your daily routine?
In what ways can you celebrate the victories God is bringing into your life, even in the midst of your struggles?