Denial

CONSIDER
When we deny ourselves and turn from our selfish ways, we are to give up anything that pulls us away from God. If we find ourselves caught in the dilemma of deciding between God’s ways and anything contrary to God’s guidelines, then we are to oppose whatever is tempting us to choose a different path. Remember, God is not trying to hide His plan from you. You can follow step by step what He has revealed in His Word. As we learn to pay attention to the established truths, we can more readily hear what His Spirit whispers to our souls.

BIBLE TRUTH

Matthew, Mark, and Luke recount what Jesus had to say about becoming a follower of Christ. “Then he said to the crowd, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me’” (Luke 9:23 NLT; see also Matt. 16:24; Mark 8:34).

HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME?
To follow Him, we are required to make the necessary sacrifices. We cannot continue to counterfeit the fruit of the Spirit while rejecting God’s design for love, joy, and peace. God created us. We cannot conjure up anything better than what He knows we need. We must offer up all our self-contrived dreams that are not His desires for us.

PRAYER

Lord, I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in You to those You have chosen. I know this is a trustworthy saying: If we die with You we will also live with You. If we endure hardship, we will reign with You. If we deny You, You will deny us. If we are unfaithful, You remain faithful, for You cannot deny who You are. . . . (2 Tim. 2:10–13)

(excerpts from Desperate Dependency by J. Kirk & Melanie D. Lewis)

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