What Does It Mean to Deny Self?
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus said, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” What was Jesus talking about when he said, “let him deny himself?” Am I supposed to deny my existence? Am I supposed to deny what is happening around me in my life? Jesus was not talking about either of those things. What is it that we are to deny?
Every single person has a desire for self-preservation. There is nothing wrong with this desire in and of itself. It is the primary motivation behind drinking water, eating food, wearing clothing, and seeking shelter. God wants us to have these things in our lives, but not to be anxious over them (Matthew 6:33-34). However, God does not want to take second place to earthly things, and desires for self-preservation may lead to our doing just that. When we put material concerns ahead of spiritual, we make self primary. This leads to selfishness, and we end up excluding God and everyone else who cares about us. Then, we turn to our own fleshly lusts and passions resulting in many sins. We go astray when we begin trusting in self instead of God.
To deny self means to trust God to provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19). It does not mean: 1) to live in denial of truth, 2) to neglect myself through asceticism (Colossians 2:20-23), 3) to regard myself with hatred and cripple myself psychologically, 4) to wait on others to the neglect of my dependents (1 Timothy 5:8). It means being a living sacrifice by trusting in God to guide my life no matter what comes my way. It means taking the gospel to others even though many will refuse it. It means loving God and loving my neighbor as myself.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley