What Does It Mean to Deny Self?
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.