“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’ ” (Matthew 16:24).

This doesn’t mean Christians are to be down-in-the-mouth. Far from it. The New Testament says God gives us “richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). Jesus was accused of going to parties and had such a pleasant demeanor that children flocked to Him. Rather, self-denial is denying the attitudes, emotions and values Jesus resisted. Self-denial doesn’t mean making ourselves miserable. It is simply another way of describing conversion. It is living for Christ and not just for ourselves.

There comes a time for most of us when we realize that our “self” is broken apart from Christ. Even religion when originating from “self” is harmful. Self-righteousness is dangerous. Did you ever think, “I can handle this myself?” That is so wrong! It takes humility to depend on Jesus and what He’s done for us.
Baseball announcer Harry Kalas once introduced Gary Maddox of the Phillies with, “He has turned his life around. He used to be depressed and miserable. Now he’s miserable and depressed.” That’s the best any of us can do without Jesus’ intervention in our lives.

Self-denial means that I literally say “No” to my “self” and “Yes” to God. God takes the throne of my life when I deny myself. The benefit is that I no longer have to strive to establish my identity. The Holy Spirit transforms me into the person God created me to be. That is a blessing that defies description.