What Does It Mean to Deny Yourself?

Scripture:

“Then Yeshua told his talmidim, ‘If anyone wants to come after me, let him say no to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me.’”
Matthew 16:24 (CJB)

Reflection:

To deny yourself does not mean to hate yourself, ignore your worth, or pretend you do not matter. It means saying no to the flesh so you can say yes to God. It means laying down your own will, your own pride, your own desires, and your own way of doing things when they stand against the will of the Lord.

Denying yourself is choosing obedience over comfort. It is choosing humility over pride. It is choosing forgiveness when your flesh wants revenge. It is choosing purity when temptation is knocking. It is choosing faith when fear feels easier.

Jesus did not say to admire Him from a distance. He said to follow Him. And following Him will always cost us something. Sometimes it costs our pride. Sometimes it costs our habits. Sometimes it costs relationships, comfort, or the version of ourselves we have been clinging to. But whatever we lay down for Christ will never compare to what we gain in Him.

To deny yourself is to die daily to the old man so the life of Messiah can be seen in you.

Encouragement:

Ask yourself today: What part of me is fighting against what God wants to do in my life?

Whatever it is, lay it down. Denying yourself is not loss when you belong to Jesus. It is surrender that leads to life. The Lord is not trying to take something from you to harm you. He is shaping you, refining you, and drawing you closer to Him.

Say no to self, so you can fully say yes to the Savior.

—
-Rev Carlos Figueroa
TheFreeBible.Org