“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
— Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
The Most Misunderstood Command in Scripture
When Jesus said, “Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23), He wasn’t offering a spiritual suggestion.
He was issuing a radical call to death.
Not physical death—but something far more profound:
The death of you.
Your ego.
Your plans.
Your need to be right, seen, comfortable, in control.
This is what it means to die to yourself.
And it’s not optional.
It’s the very heartbeat of discipleship.
What “Dying to Self” Is Not
Let’s clear the fog first:
| Myth | Truth |
|---|---|
| “I have to hate myself.” | No—God loves you. This is about loving Him more. |
| “I lose my personality.” | No—you become more truly you, free from sin’s distortion. |
| “It’s a one-time prayer.” | No—it’s a daily choice, renewed every morning. |
| “It means never having desires.” | No—your desires are redirected toward God’s glory. |
The Biblical Foundation: Crucified With Christ
The Apostle Paul didn’t invent this idea. He lived it.
“We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.”
— Romans 6:6
Here’s what actually happened at the cross:
- Your sin was nailed to the cross with Jesus.
- Your old nature—the one addicted to pride, fear, and self—justification—died with Him.
- When He rose, you rose too—but now alive to God, not to self.
You are not trying to kill your flesh.
It’s already dead.
Now, you live out that truth by faith.
Jewish Roots: The Echo of Abraham and the Akedah
This concept didn’t begin with Jesus.
It began on Mount Moriah.
When God commanded Abraham:
“Take your son, your only son, whom you love… and offer him as a burnt offering.” (Genesis 22:2)
Abraham didn’t argue.
He didn’t negotiate.
He rose early, saddled his donkey, and walked in obedience.
In that moment, Abraham died to himself:
- To his dreams of legacy
- To his love for Isaac
- To his understanding of God’s promise
And in that surrender, God spoke:
“Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” (Genesis 22:12)
Jesus is the fulfillment.
He is the Son who was offered.
He is the Lamb who did not open His mouth.
And now, He calls us to walk the same path of surrender.
7 Practical Ways to Die to Self Today
Dying to self isn’t abstract theology.
It’s lived in the trenches of daily life.
| Area of Life | Old Self | Dying to Self |
|---|---|---|
| Speech | Defending yourself when criticized | “Let no unwholesome talk come out…” – Stay silent. Bless. |
| Time | “I’m too busy” for prayer or service | Wake up 15 minutes early. Pray first. |
| Money | “I earned this. It’s mine.” | Give the first 10%—and more—cheerfully. |
| Relationships | Holding grudges, demanding apologies | Forgive before they ask. |
| Comfort | Scrolling when you’re tired | Open your Bible. Let the Spirit comfort. |
| Reputation | Needing likes, praise, recognition | Serve anonymously. Let God see. |
| Temptation | “Just this once…” | Flee. Say: “I’m dead to this.” (Romans 6:11) |
Every “yes” to God is a “no” to self.
Every “no” to self is a “yes” to freedom.
The Paradox: Lose Your Life to Find It
Jesus said:
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
— Matthew 16:25
This is the great exchange:
| You Give Up | You Gain |
|---|---|
| Control | Peace |
| Pride | Humility |
| Comfort | Purpose |
| Reputation | Eternal reward |
| Self | Christ |
You don’t lose your life.
You find it—hidden with Christ in God.
A Prayer to Die to Self (Pray This Daily)
Heavenly Father,
I come before You in the name of Jesus.
I confess: I have lived for myself too long.
Today, I choose to die.Crucify my pride.
Kill my need to be right.
Bury my love of comfort.Let my plans burn on Your altar.
Let my desires bow to Your will.I no longer live—but Christ lives in me.
Fill me with Your Spirit.
Lead me where my flesh fears to go.
Use me for Your glory, not mine.In the name of the One who died for me,
Amen.
Your Turn: Live Crucified
- Pick one area this week to die to self.
→ Write it down. Tell a friend. - Memorize Galatians 2:20—let it be your anthem.
- Share your story in the Community Testimonies below.
How has dying to self changed your faith?
When was the last time you said “no” to self and “yes” to Jesus?
Let’s encourage one another to live crucified.
“He must become greater; I must become less.”
— John 3:30
Will you let Him increase today?