"Giving up something one likes."
This was the gist of the response of a group of young people when questioned, "What is self-denial?" Most of them answered by giving an example—referring to an act they would have to perform so as to be forgiven for some misdeed or self-indulgence. But should we regard self-denial only as a penance?
We dislike admitting that we have misbehaved and often find it hard to repent. False theology depicts God as knowing good and evil, rewarding or punishing according to our conduct, and self-abasement is expected to make one a better person.
