Self Denial
Self Denial the forbearing to follow one's inclinations or desires. In the scriptural sense it is the renouncing of all those pleasures, profits, views, connections, or practices that are prejudicial to the true interests of the soul. The understanding must be so far denied as not to lean upon it independent of divine instruction (Pr 3:5-6). The will must be denied so far as it opposes the will of God (Eph 5:17). The affections must be denied when they become inordinate (Col 3:5). The gratification of the members of the body must be denied when out of their due course (Ro 6:12-13). The honors of the world and praise of men must be foregone when they become a snare (Heb 11:24-26); also worldly emoluments, when to be obtained in an unlawful way or when standing in opposition to religion and usefulness (Mt 4:20-22). Friends and relatives must be renounced, so far as they oppose the truth and would influence us to oppose it too (Ge 12:1). Our own righteousness must be relinquished, so as not to depend upon it (Php 3:8-9). Life itself must be laid down if called for in the cause of Christ (Mt 16:24-25). In fine, everything that is sinful must be denied, however pleasant and apparently advantageous, since, without holiness, no man shall see the Lord (Heb 12:14).
