Dealing with Denial

Mark Twain is quoted as once saying “Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.”  Though this play on words between “denial” and “the Nile” often brings chuckles when heard, the seriousness of denial can’t be “denied” when we search the New Testament.

A number of times the Bible speaks of denying Christ and the consequences that follow.  For example, we find in the gospel of Matthew “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Mt. 10:32-33; see also Lk. 12:8-9 and 2 Tim. 2:12).  And the denial of Jesus is also the denial of God (1 Jn. 2:22-23).

We also read in the pages of the Bible of the Sadducees who denied the resurrection (Lk. 20:27: Acts 23:6-8).  The apostle Paul clearly stated the consequences of such a belief in 1 Corinthians 15.  If there is no resurrection, “Christ is not risen” (vs. 13, 16), that our faith is “empty” (vs. 14) and “futile” (vs. 17), and we’re still in our sins (vs. 17).  However, Paul assures us in verse 20, “But now Christ is risen from the dead . . .” and goes on in the chapter to defend the reality of the resurrection.

In addition, we find instruction for those who would follow the Lord and live the lives He wants us to live through denial.  Jesus tells His disciples in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (see also Mk. 8:34 and Lk. 9:23).  Likewise, in Titus 2 we find instructions on denial:  “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (vs. 11-12).

For those who would deny the Lord and His resurrection, eternal separation will be their end result, but to those who would live faithful and godly lives, everlasting life awaits them.