"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'" Matthew 16:24

I am certain that we have all heard this verse of Scripture many times.
Let's see what God's word has to say concerning 'let him deny himself.' As we see in Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words"
it has a strong meaning. Vine defines APARNEOMAI, the Greek word for deny as used in this verse: "to deny utterly, to abjure (renounce, give up) to affirm that one has no connection with a person."

The Amplified Bible says,
"...let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests]..."

Jesus said that followers of His must utterly deny himself. No one can do it for us. This is self-denial! How is it expressed? Scripture tells us something here. It is:
By denying as in Titus 2:12,
"...denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age."
(What are the worldly lusts that take up our attention, time and resources?
It will be different for each of us.)

By a change in living as 1 Peter 4:2 tells us, "That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God."

By forsaking all as Jesus tells us in Luke 14:33, "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."

By taking up his cross, Jesus again speaking, "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of  Me." Matthew 10:33

By having crucified the flesh, Galatians 5:24, "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

By putting off the old man,
"That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts." Ephesians 5:22

By putting to death the things of wrath as in Colossians 3:5-6, "Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience."

The Apostle Paul also says in Romans 6:13, "And do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."

Denying self calls for self control (restraint)! Self control is a fruit of the Spirit. The precious gift of the Holy Spirit is the One who leads us and guides those who are Christ's. He also is the One who convicts and convinces those whose hearts are softened. Read Romans Chapter 8 and fall in love with the Holy Spirit of God! I will only share a few verses from Romans.

"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to the spiritually minded is life and peace." Vs.5-6

"So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. Vs.8-9

"Therefore, brethren, we are debtors--not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Vs. 12-14

I will close with Galatians 2:20,
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."

Since it is His life now living in Believers, living in the flesh is not an option!! Why? Because "...our old self was crucified with Him..." Romans 6:6 (Read all of Romans 6 and rejoice.)

Thank You Father for all Your provisions that we may now live righteous lives guided by the most precious Holy Spirit. We love and adore You. Amen