In his ministry, Jesus taught, “Whoever want to be my disciple must DENY THEMSELVES and take up their cross and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24). If Jesus is our example in denying ourselves, what does this look like as an authentic Christ-follower?

 

Denying ourselves is giving up our rights to things we might deserve or perhaps feel entitled to, such as our opinions, our words, and even our interests and our attitudes  and giving them up in the interest of others. It may be to meet needs or show Jesus’s love to others. It may be to honor God and for discipleship, or for our own spiritual growth.

 

Whatever thing we must deny ourselves always points back to the cross. Here are a few examples of self-denial, based on Scripture:

 

I give up the right to self-indulgence. You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. (Galatians 5:13)

 

I give up my right to ignore someone else’s problem. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

 

I give up my right to do whatever I want to do. Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:16-17

 

I give up my right to say whatever I want: cursing, swearing, gossiping, manipulating, suggesting, slandering, lying, and mocking. Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. James 1:26

 

I give up my right to spend or hoard money how I choose. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

 

I give up my right to make excuses to sin. Abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. 1 Peter 2:11

 

I give up my right for revenge. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:9

 

I give up my right to be harsh with someone else about their sin. If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1

 

I give up my right to judge someone else. Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1

 

I give up my right to be comfortable in my Christianity. Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1-2

 

I give up my right not to actively pursue a holy life. What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives. 2 Peter 3:11

 

I give up my right to over indulge. The greedy nor drunkards nor … will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:10-11

 

I give up my right to seek my own good. “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

 

I give up my right to hold a grudge. Love … keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5 and Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13

 

I give up my right to be stingy. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 1 Corinthians 9:6-7

 

I give up my right to live my own life. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

 

I give up my right to be racist or sexist. So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28

 

I give up my right to be impatient and indignant. I give up my right to be correct. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:2-3

 

I give up my right to complain. Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure. Philippians 2:14-15

 

I give up my right to sleep in every day and not get up to pray. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

 

I give up my right to secretly sin. If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened (Psalm 66:18) and Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Romans 14:12

 

I give up my right to willfully sin. “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:19) and We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin. 1 John 5:18

 

I give up my right to be careless and lazy in studying and memorizing God’s word. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

 

I give up my right to be a taker. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Romans 15:2

 

I give up my right to let my good works be self-serving. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

 

I give up my right to be self-sufficient. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. John 15:4

 

I give up my right to indulge in pointless pleasure and entertainment, since Jesus gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. Galatians 1:4

 

I give up my right to be persuaded by temptation. We have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12-13

 

I give up my right to look the other way from people's hardships. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. Isaiah 1:17

 

I give up my right to take my frustrations and negative emotions out on someone else. As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12 and Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

 

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:25

 

For further reading: Philippians 1 & 2