The preachers quoted here say self-denial is more than giving up certain things. It is giving up the rule of self: admitting one has tried to be king of one's own life, and following Christ instead. They call it the foundation of godliness and say it must be practised daily.
Jesus made it a condition of following him. "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23). The verb is the one used of Peter denying Christ:1 to deny oneself is to say of oneself what Peter said of his Lord, "I know not the man" (Matthew 26:72). It is disowning self as master.
That is why it is more than going without things. Calvin built his account of the Christian life on it: "Since we are not our own, we must seek the glory of God, and obey his will."2 Paul states the same exchange: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20).
Jesus joined a paradox to the command. "Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it" (Luke 9:24).
It has practical shape. Grace teaches believers that, "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:12). Paul disciplined himself: "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection" (1 Corinthians 9:27). It governs relations with others: "even Christ pleased not himself" (Romans 15:3).
Scripture distinguishes it from self-punishment. Paul says that harsh treatment of the body has "a shew of wisdom" but no value against the flesh (Colossians 2:23), and that "every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:4). The aim is not pain but obedience.
Christ is the pattern and the motive. He "made himself of no reputation" and "became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Philippians 2:7-8), and he did so "for the joy that was set before him" (Hebrews 12:2). Self-denial in the New Testament is always for the sake of something better.
- Strong's Greek 533, aparnéomai: "to deny utterly, i.e. disown, abstain".
- John Calvin, The Institutes Of The Christian Religion, "Chapter 7. a summary of the christian life. of self-denial".
In their own words
Each line below is quoted exactly from a sermon on this site. Follow the link to hear or read it where it was said.
To deny oneself is not simply to deny oneself certain things.
John Murray
in Self-Denial and Discipleship
Listen at 6:21
Self-denial is the foundation of godliness, and if this foundation is not well-laid, the whole building will fall.
Thomas Watson
in The Beatitudes
Read in context
To deny yourself is the same thing as to take up your cross.
David Guzik
in Mark 8:34-9:13 - the Cross & the Glory
Listen at 7:55
Self-denial is following Christ and desiring to be like Christ, having this attitude in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
Paul Washer
in Regeneration & Self-Denial
Listen at 51:11
Self-denial is a real sacrifice of self-interest, from disinterested motives; that is, from a singleness of eye, to glorify God, and do good to others.
Charles Finney
in Self Denial
Read in context
Self-denial is not a matter already and completely accomplished; this we must experience daily.
Watchman Nee
in The Cross and the Soul
Read in context
Denying self means, Lord, Lord, I admit that I have tried to be the king of my life.
Phil Beach Jr.
in Denying Self - Eph. 4, Col. 3
Listen at 33:53
Self-denial means denying any human relationship that would come between you and your relationship with the Lord.
Aaron Hurst
in Who Are You Denying--self or Christ?
Listen at 33:26
And self-denial is at the heart of true religion.
Don Wilkerson
in The Yoke the Cross the Crown
Listen at 55:36
What Scripture says
- Luke 9:23 deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me
- Luke 9:24 whoever will lose his life for my sake shall save it
- Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; yet not I, but Christ lives in me
- Titus 2:12 denying ungodliness and worldly lusts
- Romans 15:3 even Christ pleased not himself
How this page is made: the quotes are taken word for word from sermons on SermonIndex and checked against them by program before the page is published. The transcripts of audio and video sermons are machine-made, so follow the link to hear the words as they were spoken. The answer above the quotes is an overview with its sources listed; it is not a statement of doctrine by SermonIndex.