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.
The wisdom of self-denial
Proverbs 23:20–21 See also Proverbs 25:16
Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat. For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags.
Examples of self-denial in order to put God first
Daniel 1:8; Hebrews 11:25 See also Leviticus 23:29; Jeremiah 35:6; Daniel 10:3; Luke 1:15, Luke 7:33 parallel Matthew 11:18
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.
He chose to suffer oppression with God’s people rather than to experience the fleeting enjoyment of sin.
Self-denial is a requirement of following Jesus Christ
Matthew 16:24 parallels Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23Acts 21:13; Philippians 3:7; 1 Peter 2:11 See also Matthew 5:29, Matthew 6:10, Matthew 9:9 parallels Mark 2:13–14, Luke 5:27–28 the calling of Matthew; Matthew 10:37–38 parallel Luke 14:26–27 the cost of being a disciple; Matthew 18:8 parallel Mark 9:43; Matthew 19:21 parallel Luke 18:22 the rich young man; Matthew 19:27 parallels Mark 10:28, Luke 18:28 Peter left everything to follow Jesus Christ; Matthew 19:29 parallels Mark 10:29–30, Luke 18:29–30 the rewards of self-denial for the sake of the gospel; Luke 5:11, Luke 14:33, Luke 21:34; Acts 20:24; Romans 6:2, Romans 6:6, Romans 6:11, Romans 8:13, Romans 12:1, Romans 13:14; 1 Corinthians 6:12, 1 Corinthians 9:25–27; 2 Corinthians 8:5 the example of the Macedonian churches; Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:16, Galatians 5:23; Colossians 3:3, Colossians 3:5; 2 Timothy 2:21; Titus 2:12–13; James 4:7; 1 Peter 4:2
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.
Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ.
Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.
Self-denial for the sake of others
Ruth 2:11; Philippians 2:4 Esther put her own life at risk for the sake of her people See also Exodus 32:32; Esther 4:16ROM Esther 14:21, Romans 15:1; 1 Corinthians 8:13, 1 Corinthians 9:23 1 Corinthians 10:24, 1 Corinthians 10:33, 1 Corinthians 12:15; Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 5:21; Philippians 2:17, Philippians 2:20–21 the example of Timothy; Colossians 1:24; 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 3:2; 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 5:5
Boaz replied, “I have been made fully aware of all you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband, how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth, and how you came to a people you did not know before.
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Self-denial and the example of Jesus Christ
Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:422 Corinthians 8:9 See also Psalm 40:7; Isaiah 53:7; Matthew 11:29; John 13:1–17; Romans 15:3; Ephesians 5:1–2; Philippians 2:5–8
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.