A key to overcoming our sins is learning when to deny ourselves. Christ plainly declares that those who desire to follow Him must deny themselves.

Has anyone, other than Jesus Christ, really exhibited self-control? In the end, however, this is the ultimate aim of growing in the character of God.

Though Paul's spiritual credentials outstripped all of his coworkers, Paul used none of his rights as an apostle, but gave his life as a sacrifice.

Protestant theology recognizes that Christian self-discipline presents a major logical difficulty in its keystone doctrine of 'by grace alone.'

This world in general touts self-confidence as a key indicator of capability and success, even if one has to 'fake it' until he makes it.

How do we, as modern Christians, bear our cross as Jesus commands? Christ meant far more than simply carrying a stake over our shoulders!

Jesus commands His followers to take our cross and follow Him. Does He mean to carry a pagan symbol, or is there a deeper meaning to His weighty words?

God intends that we give ourselves as living sacrifices, mortifying our carnal nature, allowing God to consume our abilities in service.

Producing fruit is not simply a matter of having Jesus Christ or being forgiven. He says we will not produce anything unless we go on growing in Him.

God does not do things uselessly, and certainly does not need our physical goods. Being a living sacrifice produces successful living.

Bearing our cross means our time on this earth is virtually finished, that we are willing to give up our lives, emulating the life of our Savior.

When Jesus gathered His disciples as He began His ministry, He needed principled and devout worshippers to teach and prepare for the work of spreading the gospel.

Following Jesus requires absolute commitment, often involving sacrifice and discomfort. We must be willing to give up family and societal ties for God's sake.

God has chosen the weak and base things of the world, yet we can still sacrifice our personal concerns for the greater good just as our Savior did.

Some equate abstinence with religious asceticism, but abstinence is broader. Christians may need to abstain from more than just sinful actions.

Casting takes place when a sheep falls over and its weight causes it to get stuck on its back until the shepherd intervenes.

Our lives parallel what Christ experienced: crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and glorification. The death of self must precede resurrection and glory.

For His Own reasons, God has chosen not to reveal His plan to those the world considers wise, but, instead, to work with the weaker sort of mankind.

Christ's sacrifice was not merely substitutionary, but representative, with Christ giving us a pattern for life - mortifying our flesh and putting out sin.

Solomon emphasized in Ecclesiastes 2 that we should enjoy and derive pleasure from our work. The way that we work is a visible witness of God before men.

We all have hungers, from a desire for certain foods to a yearning for success. Jesus teaches that we are blessed when we hunger for righteousness.

Like the marriage covenant, counting the cost is the most serious part of the baptismal agreement, not something to be taken lightly.

If we want to follow Christ, we must sacrifice, take up our cross, and follow His example of service to God and others.

Exposure to more than two hours per day on digital screens lowers scores on thinking and language tests. We must not abandon our children to smartphones.

The Gnostics criticized by Paul in Colossians 2:16-17 were guilty of bringing in ritualistic ascetic discipline to propitiate demons.

The 'Pierre De Coubertin Medal' is given out for sportsmanship, honoring generous behavior toward competing athletes—much harder to win than a gold medal.

When we mortify the flesh, refusing to feed the hungry beast of our carnal nature, we suffer. Suffering for righteousness' sake helps us to know Christ.

In taking undue attention off the self, sacrifice (as an act and as a way of life) creates peace, prosperity, cooperation, and most of all, character.