What Does It Mean to Deny Yourself?
From John Stott's The Cross of Christ, regarding Jesus' statement in Mark 8:34:
To deny ourselves is to behave towards ourselves as Peter did towards Jesus when he denied him three times. The verb is the same (aparneomai). He disowned him, repudiated him, turned his back on him. Self-denial is not denying to ourselves luxuries such as chocolates, cakes, cigarettes and cocktails (although it might include this); it is actually denying or disowning ourselves, renouncing our supposed right to go our own way. ‘To deny oneself is… to turn from the idolatry of self-centeredness.’
Thanks for these reflections on the deep significance of self-denial as called for by Christ--more than saying no to chocolate. Much appreciated! Would be interesting also to incorporate reflections on John Piper's perspective(influenced by Lewis) that Jesus only calls us to deny ourselves what is of lesser value so that we might gain and enjoy what is of greater value--that self-denial is never an end in itself.
Posted by: Peter K. Nelson | Sep 30, 2008 7:27:37 AM
The disciple must say to himself the same words Peter said of Christ when he denied him: “I know not this man.”
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Posted by: Matt | Sep 30, 2008 7:58:33 AM
thanks for this mike...good stuff.
Posted by: matt morgan | Sep 30, 2008 9:06:56 AM
Yes.. Thanks for this really.
Posted by: Joe Lee | Sep 30, 2008 11:42:19 AM