What does the Bible say about letting go? Many struggle with “holding on” to what they have—finances, health, mind, job, relationships, home, and even their peace. We have all had times when it feels like we are losing something. When this happens, our natural instinct is to hold on to what we have. I know this struggle all too well. However, the Bible says that “you are not your own”…
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NKJV)
This Scripture is a great reminder that our lives belong to God our Father because Jesus bought us at a price. That price was His own death upon the bloody cross of Calvary. The Greek words for “you are not your own” are οὐκ ἐστὲ ἑαυτῶν (ouk este heautōn), which literally mean “you are not of yourselves.” This comes to the heart of the matter. God bought us and now is the rightful caretaker and overseer of our lives.
Scripture is clear that we are to let go of this life and all its worries and woes and hold on to God by faith and hope. Everything else we can let go of. We can let go of worry, fear, and anxiety and trust God for a good outcome.
What are you holding on to? Is it regret? Is it failures? Is it anger? Is it pride?
I want to encourage you to let go of things that are out of your control and put your faith in God who has bought you at a price. “You are not of yourself.” In other words, you have a helper, and His name is Jesus.
What the Bible Says We Should Hold On To
Proverbs 4:13 (NKJV)
“Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV)
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV)
“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”
Hebrews 6:18–19 (NKJV)
“That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.
This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.”
Hebrews 10:23 (NKJV)
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”
Revelation 3:11 (NKJV)
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown.”
What the Bible Says We Must Let Go Of
Ephesians 4:22–24 (NKJV)
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 Corinthians 5:15 (NKJV)
And He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
1 John 2:15–17 (NKJV)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
1 Peter 5:6–7 (NKJV)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
James 4:6–8 (NKJV)
6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble.”
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Luke 14:26–27, 33 (NKJV)
26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Devotional Questions
What is something you have been holding on to that God may be asking you to release to Him?
According to the Scriptures in this study, what are you called to hold fast to in your walk with Christ?
How does knowing that you “are not your own” change the way you trust God with your life and future?
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