Submission Isn’t a Vibe. It’s a Choice.

What’s certain?

They say only two things in life are certain: death and taxes. But they left one out.

Submission is certain too. The only question is—who are you submitted to?

That’s been sitting with me heavy as I continue reading through 1 Samuel. David is still on the run from Saul. He’s been anointed but not yet appointed. Twice he had the opportunity to kill Saul, and twice he let him live. Then Samuel—the one who anointed him—dies. The man who confirmed the call is now gone, and David still isn’t king.

This part of David’s journey isn’t about skill. It’s not about winning battles. It’s about submission.

And the truth is, submission isn’t subjective. You either are, or you aren’t.

Good and Bad Are Subjective. Submission Is Not.

If you don’t believe that good and bad are subjective, consider this.

I’ve been thanked for destroying people in battle. I’ve been given discounts. I’ve had people thank me for my service and even celebrate me once a year in November.

But I’ve also seen others who’ve taken a life under different circumstances and are now serving life in prison.

Same act. Different context. Different judgment.

That’s how morality works in a fallen world. It’s filtered through culture, politics, and perception. It’s subjective.

But submission? That’s different. It’s not based on feelings or feedback. You either bow to Christ, or you bow to your flesh. There is no middle ground.

David Could Have Justified Revenge

In 1 Samuel 24, David has the perfect opportunity to take Saul out. Saul had been hunting him like an animal. And now, David finds Saul in a cave, alone and vulnerable.

His men whisper, “This is the day the Lord has made for you to strike.”

But David refuses.

He doesn’t act out of fear. He acts out of reverence.

This wasn’t about letting Saul off the hook. It was about staying submitted to God’s timing, not forcing his own.

David’s submission was clear. It wasn’t based on opportunity. It was based on obedience.

What Submission Really Looks Like

Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily.”

This isn’t poetic language. It’s instruction. It means every single day, we choose who leads.

Submission to Christ is not something you declare once. It’s something you live out in every decision.

You’re not just dying to lust or anger. You’re dying to ego. To entitlement. To your desire to be right. To your need to be seen. To your pride.

When Scripture says to die to your flesh, it means you are choosing, in real time, whether to live surrendered—or to live for self.

And let’s be honest. That’s not always easy.

I’ve had God-ordained projects that sat on my hard drive because I was afraid of how they’d be received. I’ve had messages in my spirit that I delayed sharing because I was worried about what people would think. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe God gave it to me. It was that I hadn’t fully submitted.

Submission means moving forward when fear tells you to stay put.

You Don’t Drift into Discipline

David didn’t stumble into obedience. He chose it. And not once—but repeatedly. When he had the chance to kill Saul again, in 1 Samuel 26, he spared him again.

That wasn’t weakness. That was will. That was restraint. That was the fruit of submission.

We often think of submission as passive. But it’s active. It’s aggressive. It’s choosing the hard thing when the easy thing is right in front of you. It’s holding your tongue. Saying no when your flesh says yes. Standing still when culture says, “Take it now.”

That’s real strength.

When You Follow Christ, You’re Not Following Your Flesh

Let’s simplify it.

When you’re submitted to Christ, you’re not following your sin nature. When you’re submitted to your sin nature, you’re not following Christ.

You can’t follow both.

You’re either one or the other. At any given moment, you’re surrendered or you’re not.

It’s not a vibe. It’s not based on how you feel that day. It’s not about perfection. It’s about posture.

David wasn’t perfect. But his posture was right. And because of that, he received the kingdom at the right time. Not by force, but by faith.

Almost done…

The world teaches us to act now, take control, and secure our own path. But the kingdom works differently.

In God’s kingdom, submission comes before promotion. Obedience comes before outcomes. Faithfulness comes before fruit.

You can be gifted and still collapse. You can be called and still disqualify yourself.

But you can’t be submitted and remain unchanged.

God doesn’t bless talent. He blesses obedience. And obedience starts with surrender.

That’s it for today

keep JOY, stay Disciplined

P.S. I just released my first gospel hip-hop album. Finishing it was the easy part. Releasing it? That was war.

The enemy attacked my confidence. My past whispered that I wasn’t qualified. I almost let the fear stop me.

But I remembered what submission really means.

This album is full of the same message as this article. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Every beat. Every bar. Every word.

Even if you don’t usually listen to rap, I’d love your prayers that it reaches the people it was made for. If you want to support or check it out, the link is right here: The Offering

Appreciate you either way.