The call to forsake all other things in favor of God is not easy, but it is central to the life of faith.
It’s not simply about leaving behind possessions or relationships—it’s about reordering our priorities and placing God above all else.
This surrender isn’t rooted in loss but in gain, as we align ourselves with the eternal rather than the temporary.
Forsaking doesn’t mean abandonment without purpose; it’s an intentional choice to seek God’s kingdom first, trusting that everything else will follow in His perfect order.
These 34 verses are a roadmap for those seeking to commit their hearts, minds fully, and lives to God.
Each Scripture challenges us to examine what we hold most dear and to consider what it means to choose God above all.
Let these words guide you toward a life of undivided devotion and profound trust in the One who is worth forsaking everything for.
Bible Verses About Forsaking All Other Things
1. Luke 14:33
“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
This verse sets a high standard for discipleship, requiring the surrender of all we hold onto in favor of following Christ.
Forsaking all other things isn’t about losing; it’s about gaining the fullness of life in Christ. This verse reminds us that true discipleship demands a willingness to release anything that competes with God for our hearts.
2. Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
This verse emphasizes the impossibility of divided loyalty, urging us to choose God over material wealth.
Forsaking other things means deciding who or what we will serve. This verse challenges us to place God as the ultimate priority, recognizing that divided allegiance leads to spiritual instability.
3. Mark 10:29-30
“‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.’”
This verse reassures believers that forsaking earthly relationships or possessions for Christ brings eternal rewards.
Forsaking doesn’t mean losing forever; it means gaining something greater. This verse reminds us that God honors those who prioritize Him above all, repaying them with blessings beyond measure.
4. Philippians 3:8
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”
Paul’s words illustrate the ultimate value of knowing Christ, deeming all else insignificant in comparison.
Forsaking all others stems from recognizing Christ’s incomparable worth. This verse inspires us to re-evaluate our priorities, placing our relationship with Him above everything else.
5. Matthew 19:21
“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’”
This verse challenges us to let go of earthly wealth to fully follow Christ.
Forsaking possessions is a tangible expression of spiritual surrender. This verse encourages us to trust that treasures in heaven far outweigh the temporary riches of this world.
6. Colossians 3:2
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
This verse calls us to focus on eternal priorities rather than temporary distractions.
Forsaking all others requires a shift in perspective. This verse challenges us to align our thoughts with God’s kingdom, letting go of what hinders our spiritual growth.
7. Luke 9:62
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”
This verse warns against looking back after committing to God’s work, emphasizing total dedication.
Forsaking means leaving the past behind without regret. This verse reminds us that forward-focused faith is essential for serving God wholeheartedly.
8. Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
This commandment establishes God’s expectation of exclusive worship and loyalty.
Forsaking other gods means putting God first in every aspect of life. This verse reminds us that anything competing for His place in our hearts must be set aside.
9. 1 John 2:15
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”
This verse contrasts love for the world with love for God, calling for complete devotion to the Father.
Forsaking the world involves detaching from its values and desires. This verse challenges us to live with hearts wholly devoted to God, untainted by worldly distractions.
10. Matthew 16:24
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”
This verse defines discipleship as self-denial and a willingness to embrace Christ’s path.
Forsaking all others requires daily surrender. This verse encourages us to deny our own desires, trusting that following Christ leads to true life and purpose.
11. Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
This verse reveals the depth of surrender required to live a life centered on Christ.
Forsaking all others means living not for ourselves but for Christ. This verse reminds us that surrendering our identity allows Christ’s presence to shine through us, guiding every aspect of our lives.
12. Hebrews 12:1
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
This verse urges us to cast aside anything that weighs us down spiritually.
Forsaking distractions and sins allows us to run life’s race with purpose. This verse challenges us to focus fully on God’s path, shedding anything that holds us back from His will.
13. Luke 18:29-30
“‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus said to them, ‘no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.’”
This verse highlights the rewards of prioritizing God’s kingdom above earthly ties.
Forsaking earthly connections for God’s kingdom brings eternal blessings. This verse reassures us that God honors those who make sacrifices for His glory.
14. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
This verse celebrates the transformation that comes from forsaking the old life for a new identity in Christ.
Forsaking the past means embracing the new creation God has made us to be. This verse encourages us to let go of old ways and step confidently into the life God has prepared.
15. Matthew 13:44
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”
This parable illustrates the surpassing value of God’s kingdom, worth forsaking everything else to obtain.
Forsaking all for the kingdom reflects its unmatched worth. This verse challenges us to recognize that nothing compares to the joy of possessing the treasure of God’s promises.
16. John 3:30
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
John the Baptist’s declaration emphasizes the necessity of diminishing self for God’s glory to increase.
Forsaking all others includes setting aside our pride and ego. This verse inspires us to prioritize God’s greatness, allowing Him to take center stage in our lives.
17. Mark 8:35
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
This verse presents the paradox of finding true life through surrendering our own.
Forsaking personal ambitions leads to eternal gain. This verse reminds us that surrendering to God’s will brings a life that far surpasses anything we could achieve on our own.
18. Deuteronomy 6:5
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
This verse calls for complete devotion to God, leaving no room for divided allegiance.
Forsaking all others is an act of wholehearted love for God. This verse challenges us to give every part of ourselves to Him, holding nothing back.
19. Philippians 1:21
“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
Paul’s words express the ultimate surrender of living entirely for Christ.
Forsaking all others means making Christ the very purpose of our lives. This verse inspires us to see both life and death as opportunities to glorify Him fully.
20. Colossians 3:3
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
This verse emphasizes the spiritual reality of dying to self and living in Christ.
Forsaking all others involves embracing a new identity hidden in Christ. This verse reminds us that true life begins when we relinquish our old selves and fully surrender to Him.
21. Matthew 22:37
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
This verse encapsulates the essence of forsaking all others by commanding complete love and devotion to God.
Forsaking all others means placing God at the very center of our affections and priorities. This verse challenges us to love Him with every part of our being, ensuring that no rival competes for His rightful place in our hearts.
22. James 4:4
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
This verse warns against divided loyalty, emphasizing the incompatibility of worldly attachment with devotion to God.
Forsaking the world is essential for aligning fully with God’s kingdom. This verse reminds us that friendship with the world leads to spiritual conflict, urging us to choose God over fleeting earthly pleasures.
23. Exodus 33:15
“Then Moses said to him, ‘If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.’”
Moses’ plea reflects a deep dependence on God’s presence above all else.
Forsaking all others involves prioritizing God’s presence as indispensable. This verse inspires us to recognize that without Him, no earthly gain can truly satisfy or sustain us.
24. 1 Timothy 6:7-8
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”
This verse calls for contentment and a detachment from material possessions.
Forsaking a fixation on material wealth allows us to embrace simplicity and gratitude. This verse challenges us to find satisfaction in God’s provision, focusing on what truly matters.
25. Psalm 73:25
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.”
This verse expresses an undivided longing for God, surpassing all earthly desires.
Forsaking all others means finding our deepest satisfaction in God alone. This verse reminds us that nothing on earth can compare to the joy and fulfillment of knowing Him intimately.
26. Luke 14:26
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
This verse uses hyperbole to stress the need for prioritizing Jesus above all earthly relationships.
Forsaking all others requires placing Christ above even the closest human connections. This verse challenges us to ensure that our love for Him eclipses all other attachments.
27. Proverbs 3:9
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”
This verse highlights the importance of surrendering material resources to God as an act of worship.
Forsaking the hold of materialism involves dedicating our possessions to God’s glory. This verse encourages us to honor Him with our wealth, reflecting a heart that prioritizes Him over financial security.
28. Psalm 62:10
“Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them.”
This verse warns against placing trust or hope in material wealth, urging dependence on God instead.
Forsaking worldly riches means placing our trust in God rather than material gain. This verse challenges us to resist the temptation to find security in wealth, reminding us of the fleeting nature of earthly treasures.
29. Revelation 2:4
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”
This verse calls for a return to a passionate, undivided love for God.
Forsaking all others includes rekindling our first love for God. This verse reminds us to prioritize Him above all distractions, renewing the devotion we had at the beginning of our faith journey.
30. Isaiah 55:6-7
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
This verse emphasizes the need to forsake sinful ways and turn to God for mercy.
Forsaking sin is a foundational step in pursuing God wholeheartedly. This verse assures us that surrendering our wrongs and seeking Him leads to forgiveness and a renewed relationship.
31. Genesis 12:1
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.’”
God’s command to Abram demonstrates the faith required to leave the familiar for His promises.
Forsaking comfort and familiarity allows us to follow God’s call. This verse inspires us to trust His direction, even when it means stepping into the unknown.
32. Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This verse calls for a rejection of worldly values in favor of transformation through God’s truth.
Forsaking worldly patterns leads to spiritual renewal. This verse encourages us to embrace God’s will, allowing His Word to shape our thoughts and actions.
33. Matthew 10:39
“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
This verse highlights the paradox of surrendering life to gain true life in Christ.
Forsaking personal control leads to discovering life’s deeper purpose. This verse reminds us that losing ourselves in God’s will brings fulfillment and eternal significance.
34. John 6:68
“Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’”
Peter’s declaration affirms that only Christ offers what truly satisfies and endures.
Forsaking all others means recognizing that only Jesus has the answers we seek. This verse challenges us to place our trust and hope in Him, knowing He alone offers eternal life.
Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Forsaking All Other Things
Forsaking all others isn’t about loss—it’s about aligning our hearts with what truly matters.
These 34 verses challenge us to reorder our priorities, placing God at the center of our lives.
Letting go allows us to grasp the fullness of what He offers, whether it’s relationships, possessions, or worldly desires.
The act of forsaking requires faith, courage, and trust in God’s promises.
It’s an intentional step toward a life of purpose, joy, and eternal rewards.
As you reflect on these Scriptures, may you be inspired to let go of anything competing with your devotion to God and embrace the abundant life He has prepared for you.