Bible Dictionary
DENY
To deny means to disown, reject, refuse, or speak against. Scripture uses it both of rejecting a truth, as in denying the resurrection, and of denying oneself in order to follow Christ.
Biblical Usage
The New Testament uses deny of rejecting the resurrection, disowning Christ, and denying Him before others. Christ’s call to deny oneself and take up the cross has the sterner sense of renouncing oneself in order to follow Him.