23 And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].
24 For whoever would preserve his life and save it will lose and destroy it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he will preserve and save it [from the penalty of eternal death].
Luke 9:23 AMPC
you must deny yourself
Praise God! This command of Jesus is one of the most important commands because it will help us be obedient to the rest of the commands. Denying ourselves is very tough. Dying to our own wants and desires is tough as well. Jesus says that if anyone wants to be His disciple they MUST DENY themselves and pick up their cross daily.
This was very difficult for me because I loved playing football and I wanted to play at least 5-10 years in the NFL. When I got injured it was difficult for me to move on. I even prayed asking the Lord to just give me one full season in the NFL. After I prayed, I heard, "no." I remember crying like a child because I was hurt. Football was an idol because I used to put it before God. But God also had a different plan for my life. 10 years ago I couldn't see myself getting ready to produce the 1st ever Christian Sports T.V Series. When we deny ourselves and trust God we will be walking in His will.
We must also deny our flesh daily. Paul talks about walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh. We will reap whatever we sow. If we sow to the flesh we will reap destruction. If we sow to the Spirit, we will reap eternal life.
16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites anddesires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
Galatians 5:16-25 AMPC
7 Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.
8 For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8 AMPC
We must deny ourselves. We can't live how we want and follow God. Following God requires us to deny our will and submit to His!
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