🆂🅴🅻🅵 — 🅳🅴🅽🅸🅰🅻 :— 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴/𝘖𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 ?

 🆂🅴🅻🅵 — 🅳🅴🅽🅸🅰🅻 :— 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴/𝘖𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 ?

I would say “NO”

Apart from saying “no” to our desires, self denial also involves deepening and widening our love and commitment to Jesus.

Like fasting for spiritual purposes, it too is often viewed as an act of humility.

I) The above mentioned passage underscores the necessity of self-denial as a prerequisite for true discipleship.

II) The “daily” aspect in the above verse, highlights the ongoing commitment required in the Christian life, where self-denial is a recurrent rather than an isolated practice.

Self Denial is a central tenet in Christian discipleship but as an act of faith it has simply been lost, in a world where excess is not only tolerated but often celebrated. Churches often ban drunkards but the gluttonous are not. Yet scripture states:

“Be not among winebibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.” [Proverbs 23:20–21; KJV]

Those who live for physical appetites are described as enemies of the cross. Both Gluttony and drunkenness is equated with idolatry, a worship of physical desires that leads one away from spiritual focus and godliness.

Self-control, is an important component of the fruit of the Spirit. It also is the key to Temperance. This virtue directly opposes Gluttony and is crucial for a life led by the Spirit.

Self Denial is linked to the concept of dying to self (ref Galatians 2:20). Again, in another epistle self-denial is presented as an act of worship (ref Romans 12:1).

At its zenith, the believer's identity is reshaped by the indwelling presence of Christ. Thus, it is not merely an ascetic practice but one that leads the adherent to have a Christ like mindset 👇

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” [Philippians 2:5; KJV]

Self-denial is a way in which we can embrace a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ. It challenges believers to prioritize God's kingdom over personal gain (ref Matthew 6:33).

1. However, it is accompanied by the promise of spiritual growth and eternal reward (ref Matthew 16:25).
2. It fosters a deeper intimacy with God, as believers learn to trust in His provision and guidance (ref 2 Corinthians 12:9)

Our Lord said “… for without me ye can do nothing.” (ref John 15:5). It just means that if we are more Christ like, we will not lack anything that the Lord wants us to have in this world.