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Why do so many faiths recommend self-denial like fasting or shunning luxeries?

The Christian faith calls for self-denial.  Jesus made that clear when he said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). 

Your question asks for the reason behind this emphasis on self-denial.  So here’s a short summary of a distinctly Christian perspective on self-denial.

The Christian view of self-denial is not a denigration of the material world.  The Bible affirms that everything God created was “very good” (Genesis 1:31).  So when Jesus called his followers to fast (Matthew 6:16-18) or to avoid stockpiling earthy treasures (Matthew 6:19-21), he was not implying that food or material goods were inherently evil.

The Christian view of self-denial is not an attempt to earn God’s blessings.  Many religious people practice self-denial in hopes of winning God’s favour. They give up luxuries or go without food to gain God’s attention and assistance.  But the Bible is clear that the reason God acts on our behalf is due to His grace not because of our works.  We can’t earn His help or salvation; we can only receive His grace through faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9).

So from a Christian perspective, self-denial is a way of clearing the clutter in our souls and making room for God’s grace.  Our lives easily get wrapped up with ourselves and with the temporary treasures of earth.   And as John Piper notes, when our souls get “stuffed with small things…there is no room for the great.”

Jesus’ call to self-denial may seem like a call to sacrifice, but it’s actually an invitation to eternal satisfaction (Luke 9:24-27).  We set aside the lesser for the greater; we give up some of life’s good things (food, possessions, pleasures) because we believe that Jesus gives us what is infinitely better.

These questions and answers originally appeared in the Ottawa Citizen's "Ask the Religion Expert" Special Report.

Why do so many faiths recommend self-denial like fasting or shunning luxeries?...more

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