Chapter 65: Self-Denial
Self-denial
Defined
Self-denial is a
Christian virtue, granted by God to His children, whereby they - out
of love for God's will - neither give heed to nor yield to their
intellect, will, and inclinations insofar as they are in opposition
to the will of God - and oppose and suppress them instead. They do so
by a voluntary forsaking and rejection of all that pertains to their
natural well-being, if God's cause demands such from them - this to
the honor of God and the welfare of their neighbours (III: 397).
Self-denial is, first of
all, a
Christian
virtue.
Pagans have observed that their inner peace has been disturbed by
their lusts. Some therefore sought to extinguish them by way of
reason and appeared to practice self-denial in regard to some things.
However, it did not issue forth from the right motive--love for the
will of God. They did not have the right objective in view, but
rather it was a seeking of self (be it in a different manner than
others), resting in this as their peace and seeking to be honoured by
men. Their self-denial was thus a splendid sin which had a
counterfeit lustre, and was not accompanied by deeds (III: 397-398).
Secondly,
the moving
cause of
self-denial is the Lord and not man himself. Man is too deeply
immersed in self-love to be able to rid himself there from. And even
if he could divorce himself from this, he would then not be able to
bring himself into the opposite virtuous disposition. Self-denial
does not consist in a negation, but is rather a propensity (III:
398).
Thirdly,
the
subjects of
self denial are the
children of God.
The unconverted are void of all spiritual life and therefore the
motions and operation of life cannot come forth from them. Rather, it
is a gift to God's children as presently being in a converted and
believing state. They are those who are Christ's disciples and follow
Him (Mat. 16:24). Self-denial does not consist in a few deeds, but is
rather a propensity and disposition of the heart. Their heart has
been turned away from self-love and a seeking of self--albeit
imperfectly (III: 398).
What Self-Denial
Is NOT
One
must not deny his spiritual
self,
that is, one's regenerated self, which Paul refers to as I
in
Romans 7:20. This is the sin of many true - but nevertheless weak -
believers: Upon falling into a sin, upon the arising of a sinful
thought, and upon an assault by the devil, they immediately reject
their spiritual state and think, "I have no grace; I have
deceived myself and it has been nothing more than imagination."
To do this is to deny received benefits and in some measure a
grieving of the Holy Ghost. This is a manifestation of pride, for it
suggests that we are naturally much more virtuous than others, as
well as that the former good spiritual frames, motions, and deeds had
come about by our own strength. Therefore, refrain from rejecting
your spiritual state; preserve what you have, and render honour to
God (III: 399).
We
must also not deny the desire for the
well-being of our soul,
the fear of hell, the desire for faith, hope, and love, and a desire
for communion with God and felicity. This was one of the erroneous
arguments of the Labbadists
whose
activities the Lord has overturned (III: 399-400).
The Specific
Aspects of Self-Denial
Instead
one must deny his sinful
self,
that is, the old Adam, in a general sense, with all his motions and
desires - whatever the nature and contrary to whatever commandment
these motions may be, and whatever the faculty of the soul and of the
body may be by which such motions are executed.
Specifically,
one must, first of all, deny his natural
and darkened intellect;
that is, to refuse to make this a rule of doctrine and life.
Secondly,
we must deny our
own will.
Thirdly,
we must deny our
inclinations.
Fourthly,
we must deny our
own honour.
There is no sin more common to man and is more deeply rooted in the
heart than a desire to be honoured.
Fifthly,
we must deny our desire for possessions.
Man's corrupt nature focuses on the physical. He desires to posses
much, puts his trust in it, and determines to live from it.
Sixthly,
we must deny our friends.
Seventhly,
we must deny our life
(III:
400-402).
The Motivation for
Self-Denial: Love for the Will of God
The essence of
self-denial is that its acts ensue out of love for the will of God.
It is the believer's desire neither to give heed to nor yield to his
desires concerning the aforementioned matters, insofar as they are
contrary to the will of God, but rather to oppose and purge himself
of them (III: 402).
The Objective of
Self-Denial: The Glory of God and the Welfare of the Neighbour
The objective of
self-denial is to glorify God and to promote the welfare of the
neighbour (III: 403).
The Unconverted
and Unconverted Distinguished
A person who does
not deny self
(1) is a slave of his
lusts, makes that which is of the world his portion, and insists that
his lusts be satisfied at any cost.
(2) entertains great
thoughts about himself.
(3) has this proud
disposition of the heart engendering a desire to be honoured and
perceived as such.
(4) has himself in mind
when he is or intends to be in presence of people.
(5) takes careful notice
of what everyone says of him.
(6) will immediately be
displeased at heart if, in his estimation, he is not loved, served,
and revered according to his wishes.
(7) is envious of others
if they receive more love and honour, and do more business than he
does.
(8) becomes sorrowful
and despondent if others do not fulfil his desires.
(9) will be a zealous
Christian in the realm of religion, as long as he can gain love,
honour, and profit--yes, he even wants to be counted among the most
orthodox (III: 404-405).
Over against this we
shall present a person who practices a great measure of self-denial -
as is generally true for a godly person - so that everyone may
perceive how it ought to be, may be enamoured with that condition,
and endeavour to increase in it.
(1) A person who denies
self desires no honour of men.
(2)
The person who denies self does not desire love.
(3)
The person who denies self also does not desire to
be revered.
(4)
A person who denies self also does not wish to
be served.
(5)
The person who denies self also does not desire riches
(III:
406-408).
The Need for
Self-Examination
The godly can also
perceive hereby how much or how little of such self-denial they have.
How much their heart still yearns for honour, love, respect, service,
and the possessions of this world! Here their ulterior motives
originate which at times pollute their very best works, cause them
much grief, and rob them of all joy in their work (III: 409).
Oh, you who are godly,
examine yourself closely. Seek to ascertain what it is that your
heart still cleaves to and consider the abominableness of being
self-focused and of such seeking of self (III: 409).
Exhortation to
Self-Denial
It is thus necessary
that we courageously resist our sinful self and endeavour to arrive
at a disposition and propensity of inward self-denial, as well as the
manifestation of self-denial in all circumstances which occur. Take
the following to heart:
First, consider your own
state. Who are you that you would pride yourself in anything and seek
anything for yourself?
Secondly, what is it
that you desire and cleave to?
Thirdly, believers, has
not the Lord granted and laid away better things for you? The Lord
has granted you that steadfast and durable benefit, consisting in the
enjoyment of God, communion with Christ, the experience of peace and
joy, and eternal glory.
Fourthly, it is a
righteous thing to deny self as far as the things of the world are
concerned, for all honor, reverence, service, and possessions are the
Lord's; you are not entitled to them.
Fifthly, self-denial
engenders great peace. All your restlessness is the result of a
seeking of yourself.
Sixthly, a person who
denies self has freedom, for he has nothing to lose. He fears neither
shame, hatred, nor damage to his possessions, for he has renounced
all this - and whatever the Lord has loaned to him he will readily
return to Him if He requires this.
Seventhly, continually
hold before you the example of the Lord Jesus and His saints. The
Lord Jesus has denied Himself for your sake. Would you then not
renounce self for His sake?
Eighthly, even though
all that we possess is not ours, and even though all that pertains to
the body is not worthy of attention, God nevertheless wants to reward
abundantly for whatever one has renounced and relinquished upon His
command out of loving obedience toward Him, and for His Name or for
His cause (III: 409-412).
Final Advice for
Those who Desire to Deny Self
If
you are desirous to be in such a holy condition and have such
liberty, and to be weaned from all and whatever the Lord wants us to
be weaned from, then…do not imagine, however, that all has been
accomplished if you have lively desires for that condition and
activity, and now fully want to commit yourself to this, for your
own "I"
is strong. It was the first to reside in you and it does not readily
want to depart. It is not so easy to deny self. Therefore, be aware
of the strength of the old man and the weakness of the new man, and
call upon the Lord for help and strength (III:412).
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