That bowl full of chocolates and denying ourselves sometimes don’t go together, do they?

Or, how about the inner thrust to simply do things our way versus waiting on God?

Or maybe it’s simply fear in the driver’s seat. Stepping out in faith sounds fabulous, but rejection or failure loom larger.

 

This week on WORD17 we’re diving into the first part of Luke 9:23 – denying self.

 

What does that mean? What does denying self look like in our individual lives? What did it resemble yesterday? How will it be fulfilled today?

The Amplified version is one of my favorites for deeper understanding. Let’s take a look:

 

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. Luke 9:23 AMP

 

Do we want to be His disciple, an honest-to-goodness, right-behind-you, in-your-footsteps follower of Jesus? If you’re nodding yes along with me, then our first step is denying those pesky and often quite persistent selfish desires.

It’s not what I want, but what You want, Jesus.

 

It's not what I want, but what You want, Jesus. #WORD17 scriputre memory program. Luke 9:23 Click To Tweet

 

Strong’s Concordance correlates that to disowning or abstaining from self. Sometimes we have to disown our own ideas or approach to life.

I was a strong-willed child who has morphed into a sometimes-strong-willed woman. The thought of disowning my own ideas clangs in my selfish ears.

But wouldn’t those ideas be better set at the foot of the cross?

Think Jesus.

He set self-will aside. “Only what my Father wills” seemed His daily motto.

Let’s inhale those words ’til they go deep and consider how the Lord is calling us to a deeper walk.

If you’re ready to release and follow, if you long to be a disciple who daily denies self, here’s a prayer for the journey:

 

Lord, I want to follow You wholly – to be Your disciple. Show me where self-will is replacing You on the throne. Bring to light an area in me in which the battle rages. Forgive me, Lord. I don’t want anything to come between You and me. I’m yours, and I’m willing to deny myself. In Jesus’ name, amen.