Denying the Self

I list just a few mechanisms, gained in my own spiritual sojourn through life, failure and obedience. But even when I am obeying God in all areas of my life I have learnt that the capacity for obedience is not there within me. And this is the only thing that continues to keep me humble, human, sensitive and less judgmental of others.



Certainly the act of self-denial, though multiform, varies from individual to individual. And each of us must chart out our own road-map and inspection points along the way to make sure we amplify God, especially during those times when his will comes into conflict with ours.

So, here are a few directly personal observations on how to deny the self. You might either resonate with them, you may differ or you may glean something from them:

• When you forgive and pay the cost for forgiving and let the offender go unpunished - you deny yourself.
• When you refuse to turn stone into bread and refuse the oppurtunity to satisfy your legitimate needs - you deny yourself.
• When you take all you have, like the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17), and give it to meet the need of a servant of God - you deny yourself.
• When you refuse to take another person's vulnerable moment and convert it into an advantage for yourself - you deny yourself.
• When you refuse to use any political mileage to subdue your enemies - you deny yourself.
• When you refuse to feel morally superior and reject the inclination to gossip - you deny yourself.
• When you live with unanswered prayer and still will not let go of your trust in God - you deny yourself.
• When you set time apart, no matter how pressing or urgent the need, for God each day - you deny yourself.
• When you refuse to let your feelings overcome your sense of scriptural rightness - you deny yourself.
• When you refuse to let your eyes to wander with unhealthy desires - you deny yourself.

It is paradoxically true that whenever you deny yourself in any form, and at any time, the reward that God gives us is disproportionately greater than our self-denial. In the end you will realize that you have made no sacrifice, but God did. For no one can ever make any sacrifice greater than God. God, is no man's debtor. So, let us cheerfully deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him.