SELF-DENIAL

     The line of things set forth in the preceding chapter are so apt to be misconstrued that it will be well to further discuss the question, giving a few rules for self-denial which will perhaps commend themselves to every person who earnestly desires God and His glory. Do you really want to glorify God? Do you really desire that you shall be of some use in advancing His cause? If so, you will honestly search and see if you can discover anything in your life that will hinder you in thus glorifying Him, or if you can find some way in which you can be made a greater means of blessing. In order that you may thus increase:

     1. Cut off every useless luxury. Luxuries are not always purchased with money; some are obtained at the expense of soul health and enjoyment. He is a poor Christian indeed who will willingly sacrifice soul good for any fleshly luxury, no matter how cheap and lawful that luxury may be. Some persons load their tables with dainties and knickknacks, fill their houses with unnecessarily expensive furniture, lace curtains, bric-a-brac, and what not? On these they are lavish in their bounties, but they give grudgingly to the cause of God. Not only in such things must we deny ourselves, but also the luxuries of sensual pleasures must be denied at the command of the Spirit of God or the soul will become dwarfed and weakly.

     2. Cut off every superfluous indulgence. The Bible says, "Laying aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness." Some that may have a claim on you may be lacking even necessities while you are wasting your substance on superfluities. Worse than that, if possible, you are losing the joys that come to the cheerful giver, for "it is more blessed to give than to receive." Lay up treasures in heaven and put stars in your crown with the things that you have heretofore used in pampering your inordinate desires, and even here you will begin to reap the reward in ease of conscience and joy of soul that you can obtain in no other way.

     3. Use lawful things sparingly or you will be betrayed into unlawful use of them. Some things are used because of their assistance to grace -- such as prayer and searching the Scriptures -- and should be employed constantly, except when they interfere with other more pressing duties; but those things which are necessary to meet the demands of our natures should be used only to such an extent as will properly satisfy these demands. But notice, this means the genuine, rightful demands of our natures, not those clamoring demands which arise from perverted, unsanctified desires, or from some physical bias that warps the appetites to an unwonted degree in the direction of some particular thing. What is more trying than a person whose likes and dislikes, and especially dislikes, are so prominent that it is almost impossible to set him down to a table but what he will pick around and, if he says nothing, will make you feel that your food does not satisfy his over-nice taste. Such persons need to learn the first principles of self-denial to keep their perverted appetites from being so prominent and unmannerly.

     Some persons are forced, because of ill-health, to abstain from certain foods; but where this is true, out of respect for your host or hostess, you should conceal the fact as much as possible and avoid speaking of your troubles, and, if spoken to concerning them (as some persons will persist in doing), dispose of the matter in as few words as possible. Again, there are some foods that to some persons are unpalatable. If you cannot eat them, leave them alone, but do not make everybody miserable by parading, either in words or actions, your tastes and preferences, and be sure it is not your petted appetite that is asserting itself instead of proper taste. Where do you deny yourself on this line if you always eat what you want and all you want? Jeremy Taylor, in "Holy Living," says, "It is lawful in all senses to comply with a weak and nice stomach, but not with a nice and curious palate. When our health requires it, that ought to be provided for, but not so with our sensuality and intemperate longings."

     4. Be careful or you will be betrayed into the unlawful use of lawful things. God gave us certain appetites and desires as a safeguard and intends that we shall keep them within the bounds of reason and the performance of their intended functions, not that they should control, leading us about as they please, thus bringing us into subjection to the lowest elements of our fallen natures. Self-control is a positive necessity for the retention and increase of the grace of God.

     5. This brings us to this idea: Use good things to the glory of God. Even religious duties must be performed to His glory or they will become insipid and lacking in power. If your soul is sanctified this is your momentary aim, your constant inquiry: Will this action, this pleasure of sense, be to the glory of God? Will it help me to know more of Him? If not, it is an intruder and should be cut off as a cumberer of the ground.