Dying to Self
Every time you say, “Not my will be done, but the Will of the Father” you die to self (Matt. 26:39). Every time you resist an evil thought, an evil impulse or an evil action, you die to self (1 Peter 5:8-9). Every time you do something kind for someone else, for God, you die to self (Rom. 12:21; Gal. 6:9).
When you are tested by God with a severe trial and you accept it, persevere, and continue to do what is right, you die to self (Luke 21:19; 1 Peter 4:12-13). When you have the courage to speak what is right and expose what is evil, you die to self (Eph. 5:10-11).
Every time you correct a fool in his folly in a loving manner, you die to self (Prov. 26:4-5). When you discipline yourself continually for the purpose of godliness, you are dying to self (1 Tim. 4:7). Every time you give in secret, you are dying to self (Matt. 6:1) Every time you practice righteousness for God, you are dying to self (1 John 3:7). Every time you do good for God, you are dying to self and entering the kingdom within (Luke 17:21).
Overcoming evil by doing good and pleasing God is dying to self (Rom. 12:21). You cannot be converted unless you die to self daily by serving others (Mark 10:45). Dying to self is repentance (Acts 26:20). Are you dying to self by living only to the Spirit, which is what pleases God (Gal. 5:16)? If you, like the Apostle Paul, are conscious of nothing against yourself, then you are dying to self (1 Cor. 4:4).
If Jesus should come back tomorrow, would you be ready? Or, will you shrink away from Him in shame when He comes (1 John 2:28)? Are you abiding in Christ by putting all of His words and all of His sayings into daily practice in your life? Then you are truly dying to self and are becoming a new creature (2 Cor. 5:17).
These are the words of Jesus Christ: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done for you. Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciple” (John 15:7-8).