What does self-denial mean?

Answer 1

Self-denial is when you can no longer look into the mirror and look directly into your own soul. Self-denial is when you can no longer control your own thoughts.

Self-denial is when you can no longer look into the mirror and look directly into your own soul. Self-denial is when you can no longer control your own thoughts.

Answer

Self-denial is not accepting what your gut feeling is saying to you. Or letting someone else cajole you into doing something that you know will not be at your vibrational level and letting someone bring you down to their level of acceptance of who they want you to be in their life and not who you really are. I have been there and done that.

A Christian perspective:Jesus called for those who would be His followers to exercise self-denial:

Matthew 16:24 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Parallel passages at Mark 8:34 and Luke 9:23.)

Human nature calls for self-gratification ("If it feels good, do it"). Jesus challenged his disciples to completely reverse that tendency; to understand that there are more important things in life than bellies, libidos and selfish pride; to deny those and "take up his cross." That is, to do the hard things that human nature rebels against, and to put Jesus first in life, others next, and ourselves last. That is self-denial.

John 12:25 - "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

[Quotes from NKJV]

Answer 2

It is also known as self-abnegation which is a form of altruistic abstinence. Self-Denial is putting aside your personal pleasures in pursuit of something greater. Asscoiated with many religious and cultural groups it can be seen as either a good or bad trait depending on the group.

Answer 3

always putting gods interests and his kingdom first before our own. mathew 6.33