Dying to Self Daily

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

This isn't the kind of teaching that gets popular on social media. It doesn't promise easy success or immediate results.

But it's the path Jesus laid out. And I've learned: when we actually walk this path, our work—and our lives—bear fruit we could never produce on our own.

What It Means

Dying to self doesn't mean hating yourself or thinking you're worthless. It means letting go of self-centered living.

It's saying no to ego, pride, self-promotion, self-protection, and self-seeking. It's choosing God's way over your way, others' good over your comfort, His glory over your recognition.

And Jesus said to do this daily. Not once at conversion, but every single day.

Why It's Necessary

As long as self is on the throne, Christ can't be. As long as we're living for our own agenda, we can't fully live for His.

Self wants credit, recognition, control, comfort. Self wants to build its own kingdom.

But Christ calls us to die to all that so He can live through us.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." This isn't just theological truth—it's meant to be practical reality.

In Your Work

What does dying to self look like in daily work?

When you want recognition but someone else gets it: You rejoice with them instead of feeling slighted. You've died to the need for credit.

When you have to do the unglamorous task: You do it excellently, as unto the Lord, even though no one will notice. You've died to the need to be impressive.

When your idea gets rejected: You let it go without bitterness. You've died to the need to be right or to have your way.

When serving others is inconvenient: You serve anyway. You've died to the priority of your own comfort.

When you could promote yourself but choose humility: You let your work speak and trust God to lift you up in His time. You've died to self-promotion.

The Promise

This sounds like loss. And it is—it's losing your self-centered life.

But Jesus promised: "Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

When you die to self:

Christ lives through you: Your work isn't just human effort anymore. His life flows through you, producing fruit you couldn't create on your own.

You're free from the tyranny of self: No more constant worry about whether you're getting enough credit, whether you're protected, whether you're advancing. You're free.

Your work bears lasting fruit: What comes from Christ's life in you lasts. What comes from self-effort is temporary.

You experience His peace: There's a deep peace that comes from not living for yourself anymore.

How to Die Daily

This isn't something you do once and check off. It's daily. Moment by moment.

Each morning, surrender your agenda to God. Tell Him you want His will, not yours, to be done today.

Throughout the day, when self rises up—wanting its way, wanting recognition, wanting comfort—recognize it. Choose to say no to it. Choose Christ instead.

When you fail (and you will), don't despair. Confess it, receive His forgiveness, and keep walking the path of death to self.

Today

Where is self demanding its way in your life right now?

What would it look like to die to that today? To choose God's way, others' good, His glory instead?

It's not easy. Death never is.

But it's the path to life—real, abundant, fruitful life in Christ.

Take up your cross today. Die to self. And watch Christ live through you.