He must deny himself – Thomas Brooks

“If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” Mark 8:34

He must deny sinful self, which takes in a man’s lusts.

He must deny natural self, which takes in a man’s arts, parts, gifts, and reason.

He must deny religious self, which takes in all a man’s religious duties and services.

He must deny moral self, which includes a freedom from gross, heinous, enormous wickednesses; and a fair, sweet, harmless behavior towards men.

He must deny relative self, which takes in our nearest and dearest relations in the flesh; as wife, children, father, mother, brothers, sisters, etc.