“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”
— Luke 9:23, ESV

We live in a time where self is celebrated almost like a god. “Believe in yourself.” “Put yourself first.” “Live your truth.” These phrases sound empowering, but if we’re not careful, they can subtly encourage a dangerous shift—from Christ-centered living to self-centered living.

I’ve seen this not just in the world, but even among believers. We follow Jesus, but we want Him to be our consultant, not our King. We ask for His blessing, but we keep the throne of our hearts for ourselves—our plans, our preferences, our pride.

But here’s the hard truth: there’s no room for Jesus to reign if we’re still sitting on the throne.

It’s time to dethrone self at the core of our hearts—and let Jesus take His rightful place.

Self Wants Control—Jesus Demands Lordship

Jesus doesn’t invite us to follow Him casually. His call is clear:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” — Luke 9:23, ESV

That’s not a feel-good verse. It’s a call to die—to deny self daily. Not just sinful behaviors, but the very identity we build apart from God.

Self wants comfort.
Self wants applause.
Self wants control.

But Jesus calls us to something better—to surrender, to trust, and to obey. That’s where real peace and purpose are found.

Where Pride Thrives, Jesus Is Pushed Aside

Pride is one of the clearest signs that self is on the throne. We see it in our unwillingness to admit fault, to receive correction, or to surrender our plans. Pride is spiritual idolatry—it says, “I’ll take it from here, Lord.”

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” — James 4:6, ESV

This applies to every area of life: our work, our finances, our relationships. When we let pride call the shots, we’re essentially telling Jesus, “I’ll follow You—but only when it makes sense to me.”

That’s not discipleship—that’s negotiation.

Dethroning Self in Daily Life

So what does it look like to remove self from the throne?

• In decisions: Asking, “What does God want?” before “What do I want?”
• In relationships: Choosing forgiveness over being right.
• In finances: Giving even when it’s uncomfortable, because it’s obedience.
• In leadership: Serving others instead of seeking recognition.

This doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a daily surrender. That’s why Jesus said “take up your cross daily.”

When Jesus Reigns, Everything Changes

Let me be clear: Jesus doesn’t just want to be part of your life. He wants to be Lord of your life.

And when He sits on the throne, everything aligns:

• Purpose becomes clear.
• Peace becomes deeper.
• Identity becomes secure.
• Joy becomes lasting.

It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.

Reflection

We can’t say Jesus is Lord and still live like we are in charge.
We can’t pursue discipleship while clinging to the illusion of control.
Either He sits on the throne—or we do. There is no middle ground.

Today, let’s choose surrender.
Let’s step down from the throne.
Let’s let Jesus take His rightful place—not just in theory, but in how we live.

Prayer:

Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve made life about myself. I surrender my need for control, recognition, and comfort. Help me to deny myself daily, take up my cross, and follow You—not just in word, but in action. Take Your rightful place on the throne of my heart. Reign in me. In Jesus’ name, amen.