What does the Bible say about self-denial?
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Asked October 07 2021
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Jack Gutknecht
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Tim Maas
The verse that comes most readily to mind is Matthew 16:24 (as well as its synoptic counterparts in Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23), in which Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me," making self-denial a necessary condition of discipleship. Other verses from both the Old and New Testaments include: Proverbs 25:16 Daniel 1:8 Matthew 5:29 Matthew 19:21 Matthew 19:29 Mark 9:43 Mark 10:29-30 Luke 14:33 Acts 20:24 Romans 6:2 Romans 8:13 Romans 13:14 1 Corinthians 6:12 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 1 Corinthians 10:24 Galatians 5:16 Philippians 2:4 Philippians 3:7 Titus 2:12-13 Hebrews 11:25 1 Peter 2:11 (Typographical errors in the above listing that I could not correct affected Romans 6:2 and Romans 8:13.)
Jack Gutknecht
An instance of self-denial is Paul, in not counting even his life dear to himself, Acts 20:24; Phil. 3:7, 8. It was a repudiation of the old self-righteousness in Phil. 3:7-11. (A good example for us to follow, too, by the way!) Another implication of self-denial (and this is a far-reaching topic, surely, follows: (2) Repudiation of the old life of sin (Titus 2:12-- "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world"-- Romans 6:6; 8:12-13; Galatians 5:16-17, 24. That's why Paul tells Titus, "my true child" as he calls him, in Titus 2:15 NASB, "These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you." A prayer challenge from OneCry Movement/Gal 5:16: “Pray that every member of your congregation will find victory over the desires of the flesh by walking according to the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Repudiation of the old life of sin is further delineated in Colossians 3:5-9; and 1 Peter 2:11 which says, "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul." WBE
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