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The Importance of Denying Self
The Importance of Denying Self
I wouldn’t blame you for seeing the title of this week’s Exhorter and perhaps
thinking to yourself, “Maybe I’ll just wait and pick up next week’s article.” The
idea of self-denial doesn’t exactly have the same appeal as some of the other
virtues we read about in scripture. If I’m being candid, I’d prefer to write about
something seemingly more positive and uplifting such as joy, kindness,
faithfulness or love. Self-denial by contrast doesn’t evoke the same warm and
fuzzy feelings, but more likely makes us squirm uncomfortably in our seats. Sort
of like a trip to the dentist or the DMV. We know it’s important and even
necessary, but ideally we’d like to postpone it for as long as possible.
There, we’ve said it – ‘self-denial probably isn’t our favorite subject’. At least we
can say we’re not in denial about self-denial. So, now that we’ve put that out there,
let’s consider why it’s nevertheless important to examine and understand the
significance of self-denial, and even more meaningfully, evaluate how to apply it
in our lives for the glory of God’s kingdom. Perhaps in doing so, we can also
rehabilitate our image of self-denial and come to view it not only as something
that’s merely necessary, but also something immensely valuable and even positive
in our lives as modern 21st century disciples of Christ.
First, we must acknowledge the unavoidable truth - self-denial is not optional. It’s
not a bonus, nice-to-have, extra credit assignment for over-eager Christians. Self-
denial is essential in the life of a Christian. Self-denial is a command. In Matthew
16:24, Jesus tells his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny
himself and take up his cross and follow me.” By this statement alone, it’s clear that we must practice self-denial if we wish to be genuine followers of Jesus and
true children of God. But why? Why does God require self-denial of his people?
The world does not commend self-denial. This of course, is not a new thing
(Ecclesiastes 1:9) Arguably, no culture or society born of men has ever embraced
self-denial. What’s happened throughout human history is the same as what’s
happening all around us today. From every corner and across every channel –
from our movies, music and media to our teachers, leaders and politicians, we’re
observing something quite different from the idea of self-denial. Often subtlety,
even imperceptibly, the message being promoted is a message of self-love, self-
gratification, and self-promotion. The world we live in practices works of the flesh,
such as this brand of self-centered aggrandizement. We should be neither
surprised nor offended because this world we live in is physical. It’s carnal. It’s
common. We can’t expect our unconverted neighbors to be spiritually minded.
Like us, they are being inundated and relentlessly harassed by the influences of
our culture (Matt 9:36). Unlike us, they lack the knowledge and training to
effectively cope with the sway of society.
Self-denial is not an arbitrary commandment from God. There is a reason He
requires us to practice this important virtue. Self-denial is the close cousin to self-
discipline and self-control and is one of the many ways He has asked us to
demonstrate our commitment to Him. It is an expression of humility,
underscoring an intentional submission of our own will and a suppression of the
‘desires of the flesh’ in view of something loftier and nobler, namely the fruit of the
spirit (Gal 5:16-26). We are to do this zealously with our hearts and minds set on
glorifying our Creator.
When we practice humility, self-control and self-denial, our neighbors,
classmates, colleagues and peers are bound to notice. They’re likely to see
something different, unique and uncommon about us. As Christians, we are called
to be set apart, sanctified, uncommon, holy (1 Pet 1:16). This commitment to
holiness is intended to glorify God, but is also a positive way to ‘shine our lights’
and serves as a powerful tool for influencing others (Matt 5:16).
We noted Matthew 16:24 earlier, but if we revisit that passage and consider the
subsequent verses, we see there’s more to this message from Jesus. He goes on to teach beginning in verse 25 – “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he
gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for
his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his
Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”
In a world that constantly promotes and preaches self-fulfillment, let us each be
committed to a different brand of fulfilment. The pure kind that can only be
achieved through self-denial, and a ‘losing of our self’, acknowledging that we can
only be truly filled when we allow ourselves to be filled with the love of God (Eph
3:19).
- Jeff Clark
