SELF-DENIAL

Posted on May 28, 2018 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

Well that’s a term we don’t hear very often these days. We hear more about our rights and what we are entitled to vs. anything that has to do with self-denial.

Biblegateway.org defines self-denial this way: The willingness to deny oneself possessions or status, in order to grow in holiness and commitment to God. This practice is commended and illustrated by Jesus Christ himself, and underlies Christian fellowship within the church.

Jesus said it this way: “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'” — Luke 9:23 (NKJV)

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. (NLT)

Then he spoke to them all. “If anyone wants to follow in my footsteps, he must give up all right to himself, carry his cross every day and keep close behind me. (Phillips Translation)

And He was saying to all, Assuming that anyone desires to come after me as a follower of mine, let him disregard his own interests, and let him at once and for all pick up and carry his cross day after day, and let him take the same road with me that I take as a habit of life. (Wuest Expanded Translation)

My friend and brother, Pastor Harold Vaughn, President of Christ Life Ministries  recently posted this alphabet for self-denial:

🔻Abolish your ARROGANCE.

🔻Blast your BIGOTRY.

🔻Crucify your CONCEIT.

🔻Destroy your DECEIT.

🔻Exorcize you EGO.

🔻Forbid your FLESH.

🔻Get beyond your GUILT.

🔻Hammer your HARSHNESS.

🔻Incinerate your INCONSISTENCIES.

🔻Judge your JUDGMENTALISM.

🔻Kill your UNKINDNESS.

🔻Lose your LAZINESS.

🔻Master your MELANCHOLY.

🔻Negate your NEGATIVITY.

🔻Overcome your OBSTINANCE.

🔻Pulverize your PRIDE.

🔻Quiet your QUARRELING.

🔻Repudiate your RUDENESS.

🔻Slaughter your STINGINESS.

🔻Tame your TOUCHINESS.

🔻Undo your UNFRIENDLINESS.

🔻Void your VENGEANCE.

🔻Wither your WEAKNESS.

🔻X-out your XENOPHOPIA.

🔻Yield your YEARNINGS.

🔻Zap your lack of ZEAL.

So there you have it. How are you doing on the 26 indicators of self-denial? Just think what an impact we would have in the world, in our marriages and families, and in the work place if we put these into practice.

Is there one or two that stand out that you want to work on this week?

Overflowing and abounding with hope,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 111-118 |You can download our 2017 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here

Think About This: “When one tries to increase his knowledge by doing mental gymnastics over books without waiting upon God and looking to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, his soul is plainly in full swing. This will deplete his spiritual life. Because the fall of man was occasioned by seeking knowledge, God uses the foolishness of the cross to “destroy the wisdom of the wise.” ― Watchman Nee

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:

Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope. Psalm 119:116