How importent is self denial?

SkyWriting

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JohnTh

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It is crucial because in fact any virtue is just refraining from sin. We need to do virtues because otherwise we will be distorted and that's why God gave us time: in order to get concretely out from this existential pit in which Adam's fall thrown us. He gave us the possibility to be saved if we want but it is up to us to actually accomplish it.
And exactly this is self-denial or repentance: to deny your old man full of passions and desires. As I said, that's why God gave us time.
 
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bèlla

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There are three passages that have wedged this in my spirit. Christ’s words about the greatest being the least. This helps me maintain a healthy perspective regarding success.

And two by Paul that are my bedrocks. His acknowledgment of being a bondservant and practice of bringing his body under submission. All three reinforce the concept of servitude and captivity that I’ve willingly embraced.

The stronger the tether; the greater the denial that follows.
 
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Dave-W

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Dave-W

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How impotent is self denial in following the Master?
It depends on what you mean by self-denial.

Asceticism is forbidden in scripture. You are to love one another as you love yourself. If you deny yourself food water or sleep to the point of not being able to function, do you do the same to your christian brothers and sisters?
 
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timewerx

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How importent is self denial in following the Master?

A life of self denial isn't really a form of sacrifice or ritual.

Rather, it's the only right way to live in this fallen world. It's the only way to live in Truth.

If you knew where the world's wealth mainly comes from, you would know where to spend it, and definitely not to indulge yourself with it, nor mostly for your own benefit only.
 
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timewerx

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If you deny yourself food water or sleep to the point of not being able to function, do you do the same to your christian brothers and sisters?

Yes, you shouldn't deny yourself the basic needs - right food, shelter, clothing, and things needed for your job, trade, business.

You shouldn't shut down your business nor leave your job, unless it causes you to sin or God asks you to do something else.

It's really about where do you spend your money. This is mainly the concern of New Testament teachings in terms of lifestyle.
 
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quietbloke

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We are to practice self-denial by not being self-centred. Putting God first in our life and serving Him and others. We should be 'other-centred'. Jesus was the 'Servant King' and want us to serve too!
 
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Any focus on putting yourself first and any hint of egocentricity in any so called Christian message is from Lucifer, the Father of lies.

Self serving, self contentedness is absolutely never how Jesus lived His life in any way.

Too many have been lead astray by the "Me, Me, Me" psychology of this modern generation
 
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Anthony2019

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Any focus on putting yourself first and any hint of egocentricity in any so called Christian message is from Lucifer, the Father of lies.

Self serving, self contentedness is absolutely never how Jesus lived His life in any way.

Too many have been lead astray by the "Me, Me, Me" psychology of this modern generation

"If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all." (Mark 9:35 KJV)

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:12 KJV).

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." (Romans 12:10 KJV)

Putting others first is the heart of everything we do as followers of Jesus Christ.

Proverbs 18:13 states "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame". Very often we are quick to speak to others and slow to listen. May we be as effective in our listening as we are in our preaching.
 
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rocknanchor

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Any focus on putting yourself first and any hint of egocentricity in any so called Christian message is from Lucifer, the Father of lies.
That speaks of real danger to me. An ego trip is one thing and God knows where and when a fall is to occur and what mortal if any is to determine this. That is, if we can tell the difference between ego and Holy Spirit enablement such as here,

“To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom”

(1 Corinthians 12:8)​

In case someone misjudges the one questioned and calls out his acts, conduct or speech being derived from Lucifer, we obviously come far too close to committing the unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:32).

Not to say this isn’t possible, but this quite likely would take the gift of discernment of spirits to decipher such error.
 
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