Intentional death is to act with purpose to die to self. When we die to self, we find life.
Targeted Step One – Believe
When we choose intentional death to self, we have to believe it is for a greater good – ours, someone else’s, or both.
- Intentional death benefits us when we choose to believe God can change our old man into a new creation, we find true life.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life].” ~2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
- Intentional death benefits others when we take the opportunity to prefer, honor, and serve others, they benefit from our selfless giving.
“Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.” ~Ephesians 4:32 AMP
- Intentional death benefits both us and others when the love of God flows to us, then through us to others, we all experience His lovingkindness, compassion, and grace.
“But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].” ~2 Corinthians 5:18-19 AMP
“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.” ~Colossians 3:12-13 NASB
Targeted Step Two – Surrender
Intentional death means we surrender our old life to Christ, He makes us a new creation. As new creations, we walk in surrender to Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Intentional surrender means we humble ourselves before the Living God.
“There are different levels of surrender, all of which affect our relationship with God. Initial surrender to the drawing of the Holy Spirit leads to salvation (John 6:44; Acts 2:21).” [GQ]
“When we let go of our own attempts to earn God’s favor and rely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ on our behalf, we become a child of God (John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21).” [GQ]
- Intentional surrender requires emptying out of self, and replenishing by the Holy Spirit.
“The more areas of our lives we surrender to Him, the more room there is for the filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). When we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we exhibit traits of His character (Galatians 5:22).” [GQ]
“The more we surrender to God, the more our self-worshiping nature is replaced with one that resembles Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).” [GQ]
Humility and surrender are key to living a life in Christ.
Targeted Step Three – Follow Him
The intentional choice to follow Christ means denial of self, but fulfillment in our God-given destiny of Christlikeness.
“And [Jesus] was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.” ~Luke 9:23-24 NASB
Intentional Death for Life
When we choose to intentionally follow Christ as Savior, humble ourselves in obedient surrender, allow Him to fill us with His Holy Spirit, and follow Him, we find true life.
If you are unsure of what it means to have intentional death to obtain true life, this animated resource may be helpful.
Recommendations:
5 Simple Ways to Use Intentional Waiting to Your Advantage – Strength with Dignity
How to Find God – Strength with Dignity
References:
100 Bible Verses about Follow Christ. Published by the Open Bible. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from What Does the Bible Say About Follow Christ? (openbible.info)
Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.
Spirit Soul & Body. Published on YouTube by Andrew Wommack on August 3, 2019. Spirit, Soul, & Body Animation by Andrew Wommack – YouTube
What does it mean to surrender to God? Published by Got Questions. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from What does it mean to surrender to God? | GotQuestions.org
Bible Gateway Blogger Grid Member #bgbg2 #BibleGateway
26 thoughts on “3 Targeted Steps for Intentional Death to Unlock Life”
What a wonderful Saviour is Jesus Christ my Lord. I loved your blog so relevant clear and wise. I will continue to read your site Blessings from Heatherdalzell777@gmail.com. https:/igh-t In -the -darknes.net
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Heather!
I had never heard dying-to-self referred to as intentional-death. It has a much more serious tone to it! IMM#27
It does have a much more serious tone to it, Barb! Since my One Word is Intentional, I had to use a little ingenuity. 🙂
For a moment the phrase ‘intentional death’ had me confused, Lisa. But on reading I understand what you meant. Dying to oneself daily is truly the best way to live!
Daily surrender to Him is truly the best way to live, Corinne!
I think you’re on to something here with using “intentional death”! It’s really hitting home with us readers. And that’s a good thing…whatever it takes to remind us that choosing what feels like death is actually life-giving to others and to ourselves if Christ is the source of it all.
So true, Lisa, intentional death to self is life-giving with Jesus Christ.
Lisa This quote, “Intentional death is to act with purpose to die to self. When we die to self, we find life.” Wow! Now that I think about this you are so right. I never thought about it like that. I was confused at first, but then your message became poignantly clear. Bless you for sharing this. ~Visiting today from IMM#2
I’m so glad you were encouraged, Paula! When we are crucified in Christ, we truly find life in Him.
How gracious of God to give us intentional choices, decisions to make, and an ability to say ‘yes’ to godliness.
He is so gracious and kind to us, Linda!
The title confused me at first, but as others readers have said, once I realized what you meant. I felt the impact. Dying to self is not a passive act but something we should actively be doing all throughout the day.
I’m so glad you were impacted, Barbara. You’re right, dying to self is an active and intentional decision we make throughout our day.
This is quite in-depth. The phrase “Intentional death” gives dying to self a much deeper perspective. Thank you for this.
I’m so glad you were encouraged!
I agree with many others here that using the phrase “intentional death” seems to hold more depth than just “dying to self.” It’s an every day commitment. Actually, it’s an every moment commitment. I love the simplicity of the three steps – easy to understand but sometimes hard to put into practice. But God will enable us to believe, surrender and follow.
Blessings to you, Lisa!
Dying to self really is an ‘every moment’ commitment, Gayl.
Love the simplicity here, Lisa-straightforward and encouraging too!
I’m so glad you were encouraged today, Donna!
Lisa, what a wonderful subject that is so important. I love the way how you explain and show us how to be intentional about dying to Christ in our lives. The video certainly helps too. Needed this encouragement today!
I thought the video did an excellent job explaining the principles of our spirit, soul, and body living for Christ, Deborah. I’m so glad you were encouraged! May the Lord strengthen you!
Interesting post, the video helped me understand it better. Thanks so much for linking up at the Unlimited Link Party 82. Shared.
Andrew did a great job on the video!
CONGRATS Lisa! Your post is FEATURED at the Unlimited Link Party 83!
Thank you, Dee!