Self-restraint or Self-indulgence?

"In his 'Treatise Concerning Religious Affections', Jonathan Edwards suggested that true growth in Christian discipleship is not finally mere excitement, increasing use of religious language, or a growing knowledge of Scripture. It is not even an evident increase in joy or in love or concern for the church. Even increases in zeal and praise to God and confidence of one’s own faith are not infallible evidences of true Christian growth. What, then, is evidence of true Christian growth? According to Edwards, while all these things may be evidences of true Christian growth, the only certain observable sign of such growth is a life of increasing holiness, rooted in Christian self-denial. The church should be marked by a vital concern for this kind of increasing godliness in the lives of its members." ~ Mark Dever, from "Nine Marks of a Healthy Church", Crossway, 2000, p. 201.

Self-denial: a restraint or limitation of one's own desires or interests. Outward "spiritual" actions, speech, or increased knowledge cannot be a true barometer for spiritual maturity. Is self-denial evident in your life? If things don't go your way, do you accept it; do you pout; do you create a "stink"? Can you let go of your preferences for the sake of another? Can you submit to others' stricter standards for the cause of Christ? John the Baptist "got" it: He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30). We get in the way of the furtherance of the Gospel when we refuse to push aside our desires. You may talk the talk, but do you walk the walk through a life of self-denial?

Galatians 5:16-17; 24-26 ~ This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. ... And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.