Simeon Stylites lived approximately 1600 years ago. He gave himself up to a life of extreme austerity- disciplined spiritual practice of getting rid of any obstacles that could hinder your communication with God. As a result, people believed he would have inspired wisdom and they sought him out. As people were seen as an obstacle, he took to living on a small platform on a column above the spectators for more than 30 years. As the crowds increased, he moved to higher columns, the last of which being 50 ft. high. The instructions he was willing to give were to refrain from profanity and usury (bad loans) and other common sense practices. He ended up dying up there as he refused medical attention for his ailments and was buried nearby. For his years spent in deprivation in search for holiness, he was sainted by multiple branches of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.

Simeon believed he was living out Luke 9:23, “And he [Jesus] said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” By depriving himself of shelter, fellowship, family, home, and everything else, he thought he could be closer to God. If deprivation isn’t the idea, what is? Denial of oneself is intentionally turning away, not from things, but from sin and selfishness. It is living for God and his glory, not for personal ambitions and gains. We have a new master that guides and directs our lives. NonChristians can deprive themselves, but they cannot deny themselves as that takes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
We must daily take our personal cross (suffering and/or hardship for the cause of Christ, not just unpleasant circumstances we’re going through) by daily choosing to follow His way instead of our own. A commentator on this passage said there are two important questions in your life – the first you answer once – Heaven or Hell? As you’re here, I’m assuming you got that one right. The second question must be answered daily – Heaven or Earth? Are you going to live trying to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20) our live for the day and please yourself?
Following Jesus is literally falling in step behind and going his direction much like my toddler imitated her brother (Ephesians 5:1-2). Walking in Jesus footsteps means following his example toward God (“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”
‭Matthew‬ ‭22:37‬-38), to the world (“And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:39) and each toward other (“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John‬ ‭13:34-35‬).

Simeon may have done something amazing, but how much love for others did he show through separation? How many people did he reach with the Gospel? He was like King Saul in 1 Samuel 15 who let the people do something that with human eyes would be commendable, but it’s not what God desired/commanded (“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭15:22‬b). So, rather than depriving ourselves of every good thing God provides (James 1:17), let us put ourselves out and follow Christ instead.

P.S. This doesn’t meant that you should never deprive yourself of something. There is a time to give things up that are hindering you (Hebrews 12:1) and a time to fast and pray so we can focus on God and seek his face (Joel 2:12). But to outwardly show you’re giving things up is it’s own reward (Matthew 6:16-18).

P.S.S. This also doesn’t mean that because we are living in the age of grace, we can indulge in every whim and pleasure this world affords (Romans 6). As we follow closely with Christ, we will know what we can and cannot partake in.

On a very small scale, depriving yourself is saying, “No, I can’t eat cake because I’m a Christian.” Denying yourself is serving everyone else a piece of cake before taking one for yourself. The first is an outward show TO others. The second is an outward service FOR others.