Die to self

[altya]

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me .

With my walk with God I have found that there are many that wishes to ‘come after God’ but don’t know how. Maybe because of a lack of knowledge many tries but in their own power and it’s too difficult to follow Jesus and then backslide. Christians need the knowledge and practical advice about ‘how’ to deny themselves.

God’s goal for believers is to bring each one to the point of being like Christ. God expects us always to move in that direction and expects believers to grow continually toward the point of matching the standards of Christ. If our flesh rules our lives it’s impossible for us to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit

Wrong ideas of denying ourselves:

1) Think our flesh is a demon and go for deliverance;
2) Attempting to get rid of the works of the flesh by seeking the prayers of popular preachers;
3) Following some formula, like to fast and pray to become spiritual.

A person cannot simply quote scripture, “I deny myself”, and expect it to happen. There are no shortcuts to die to self, although God promises it if we are earnest and get right at the task. This will help us to deny ourselves.

Put off , this is an action – STOP with bringing forth works of the flesh. Make your choice.
Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

While you ‘put off’ start renew your mind with the word of God . This is where our strength to say no will come from and its also an action.
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

The song – You are the Potter and I am the clay; mould me and make me ……… is what happen with us here. You put off the old man and God create a new man for you. Is that not marvelous?
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

 

[Gerry]

This is an awesome teaching. I have been very busy of late to die to self. It cost me some things I did not want to give up. Some things I wanted all my life and I thought were to be a blessing to me.

But God has opened my eyes and has shown me the things you are teaching here. Now I know if I keep focused on Him, He will see me through to the end.

I have had to literally put myself at His Feet and say as you have suggested, that You, O Lord, are the potter and I am the clay. Yes, please mould me and make me a vessel fit for Your use and Glory!

 

[carmen]

Thanks Altya for the post.

 

[BigEd]

oh so true, so true...also so tough , so tough...

one scripture as come up for me again and again concering this:

Ro. 12:1,2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to
offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

[altya]

Originally posted by BigEd



Ro. 12:1,2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to
offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God —

The same scripture is on my mind, God is dealing with me to look after my body. Not to abuse it with all kind of junk food but to feed my body proper. I guess this is also an inspiration scripture for those who abuse alcohol and smoke. Our bodies is precious it’s the home of the Holy Spirit and I guess the Holy Spirit does not want to stay in a sick, alcohol, smoke and drug filled body.

 

[fieldmouse3]

Thanks for posting that! You always seem to have such inspirational things to say!

 

[sbbqb7n16]

Altya, good post but a question... you explained some wrong ideas about what denying yourself means, but you never really went into what it actually meant. Do you mind explaining for me, por favor? Thank you

 

[Gerry]

Originally posted by sbbqb7n16
Altya, good post but a question... you explained some wrong ideas about what denying yourself means, but you never really went into what it actually meant. Do you mind explaining for me, por favor? Thank you

Glad you addressed that question to her and not to me, because I could really get into that. There are two ways to answer that. One is to say what it IS, and the other is to say what it ISN'T. Either way you will see examples of both displayed right here in these forums.

 

[altya]

Originally posted by Gerry
Glad you addressed that question to her and not to me, because I could really get into that. There are two ways to answer that. One is to say what it IS, and the other is to say what it ISN'T. Either way you will see examples of both displayed right here in these forums.

Gerry feel free to help explaining 'denying yourself' I know you have been through a lot lately and its still fresh on your mind.