Biblical Answer

The question of whether it's selfish to want to keep fighting when everyone else tells you to give up is a complex one. On one hand, it's understandable that others may see your desire to continue fighting as selfish, especially if it's motivated by personal gain or a desire to prove a point. However, the Bible teaches us that true surrender is not about giving up, but about giving ourselves completely to God. When we surrender to God, we are not giving up on our relationships or our lives, but rather, we are giving up our own selfish desires and ambitions to follow God's plan.

In the context of relationships, surrendering to God means being willing to submit to one another, even when it's difficult or uncomfortable. This means being willing to listen, to compromise, and to put the needs of others before our own. As Andy Stanley says, "mutual submission is a race to the back of the line." It's a "you first" posture that fosters a climate of selflessness. This selflessness preserves and protects the relationship, even in the midst of conflict or difficulty.

So, is it selfish to want to keep fighting when everyone else tells you to give up? Not necessarily. In fact, the Bible teaches us that perseverance is what we need in prolonged wars. Paul says to Timothy, "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:3). This means that we should be willing to fight for our relationships, but not in a selfish or prideful way. Rather, we should fight with the mindset of a soldier of Christ, who is willing to submit to God's plan and to put the needs of others before our own. When we do this, we are not being selfish, but rather, we are being obedient to God's call to surrender and to follow Him.