Deny. Decline. Refuse. When we deny ourselves, we are declining our natural desires in favor of someone else or refusing sinful lusts. To do this, we must walk in self-control.
Jesus said, “If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].”1
Jesus denied Himself out of love for His Father. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves out of love for Him and His Father, but Jesus acknowledges that we are unable to do this in our own power, so He sent the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers us to refuse selfish ambition and to live a surrendered life of obedience to Him.
God calls us to “walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.”2
A life of love for God is a surrendered life of obedience. Yet, our obedient denial of self becomes a sweet fragrant aroma to Him because it is our love responding to His great love.
Recommendations:
The Great I AM – 8 Truths of Jesus The Great I AM – 8 Truths of Jesus – Strength with Dignity
Cultivating Hope in Our Hearts with 15 Psalms Cultivating Hope in Our Hearts with 15 Psalms – Strength with Dignity
References:
1 Luke 9:23 AMPC
2 Ephesians 5:2 WEB
Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.
World English Bible (WEB) by Public Domain. The name “World English Bible” is trademarked.
Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one-word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is deny.
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
14 thoughts on “Deny Becomes Surrender a Fragrant Aroma”
Thank you for this powerful reminder! Becoming christlike means learning to deny ourselves. And it is always more than worth it when we grow in depth of knowing His perfect love.
So true, Anna, Christlikeness is growing in deeper depths of His love. May you and your family have a wonderful Easter!
What an awesome and inspiring post! Thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 75. Pinned.
I’m so glad you were encouraged and inspired, Dee!
Lisa, your last paragraph is beautiful! May you and your family have a blessed Easter!
Thank you, Joanne! May you and your family have a wonderful Easter!
I broke my arm this morning
in an emergency,
but this is not a turning
in life God’s given me.
I would not surrender,
and the result is pain,
but always I’ll remember
that honour’s price is gain,
and that I am a fashioned tool
of barely-hid aggression,
and my high and guiding rule
when Hell comes into session
is to fight, to drink the cup,
and never ever to give up.
I appreciate your tenacity in life, Andrew! And I appreciate your expressions of humor about your life’s journey.
10,000 Reasons is the perfect song for this post!
It is a wonderful song of praise, isn’t it?
Thank you for your reminder that to deny ourselves is to accept Jesus
Just stopped by from FMF #17
So true, Heather, we are transformed into His likeness!
Jesus died for the joy of his people as well. See that joy within his love. Let it transform you.
Amen, Annette! May you and your family have a wonderful Easter!