We cannot hold on to our sins or desires thinking we can have Jesus as well. This thought is not about one sin or desire over another. It is about our heart and adhering to the totality of Scripture. Today’s thought is our reality check that we cannot hold on to anything plus Jesus because in His economy, it’s not “Jesus And”. It’s just Jesus!!!!
In Luke chapter 9 verses 23 and 24 highlights that following Jesus requires self-denial. Denying oneself means letting go of the selfish desires, comfort, and worldly pursuits that conflict with God’s will. This involves choosing daily to prioritize God’s purposes over our own, even when it’s uncomfortable or requires sacrifice. (“And He 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)
Matthew 6:24 reminds us, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Jesus makes it clear that our hearts cannot be divided. In order for us not to live by a “Jesus And” mentality, we must recognize that we cannot hold onto both our sinful desires (like materialism or greed) and our devotion to Christ. Denying ourselves means making a conscious choice to seek first God’s kingdom, choosing Him above all earthly pursuits and distractions.
How do we practically deny ourselves in a world that constantly bombards us with worldly images, a mirage of photoshopped lives, and a cesspool of pride? Paul instructs us in Romans chapter 12 to stop yielding to sin’s temptations and to actively present ourselves to God as instruments, living sacrifices of righteousness. Denying ourselves means intentionally rejecting sinful desires and surrendering every area of our lives to God’s will. It’s not just about resisting sin in moments of temptation, but proactively living a life that is bent towards holiness and a love for God’s will to be done more than our own. (“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” Romans 6:12-13)
Each day, we face challenges in denying ourselves—whether prioritizing comfort over sacrifice, yielding to worldly desires, holding onto unforgiveness, or seeking approval from others. To follow Jesus, we must choose His will, reject our idols, and surrender every part of our lives to Him. This requires the Holy Spirit’s help for a committed, intentional walk with Jesus.