This is an appropriate verse to begin the journey of one who is walking as a dead man (but who is alive to God). We begin our journey by denying self.

There is a big difference between denying self, and what is sometimes called “self-denial.” One who practices self-denial is usually refusing something he would normally like to have. Self-denial is not necessarily something spiritual and could be something completely self-centered, as the denying of food in order to lose weight to impress people. This self-denial is not a spiritual act.

Denying of self on the other hand can be best understood if we take the case of Peter denying the Lord Jesus. He denied that he knew Him. He was removing himself from Jesus. He was saying that he had nothing to do with Jesus when he denied Him.

Likewise, when I deny myself, I am actually refusing to cater to self, refusing to acknowledge that self has any rights or any hold on me. I choose to walk away from that part of me that has had a hold on me, the old man, the ego, “self”.

If I am to be a follower of Christ, it is absolutely necessary that I quit following after the desires of my own self-centeredness. I cannot follow Jesus and follow self at the same time.

Admittedly it is not a simple mental exercise to deny myself. As a matter of fact, it is impossible unless we learn how.