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Love Yourself It seems odd to speak of loving yourself when so often we think of the need for humility and the danger of pride; yet to be the person God desires us to be, there must be a healthy love for self. |
Love Yourself
It seems odd to speak of loving yourself when so often we think of the need for humility and the danger of pride; yet to be the person God desires us to be, there must be a healthy love for self.
- Healthy love for self is not egomania.
- Such is pictured in 2 Tim. 3:1-5 where we would put ourselves and our best interest above all else.
- Such is contrary to many passages of scripture (Matt. 5:1-8; Luke 9:23; Phil. 2:3ff; etc.).
- Healthy love for self is opposed self-hatred
- Self-hatred fails to appreciate that we are special in the sight of God (Prov. 11:17; Gen. 1:26-27; Ps. 8:4)
- Self-hatred seeks to destroy that which God sees as special.
- Healthy love for self is right and even necessary
- Allows us to see ourselves as God does; His special creation whom He loves (Gen. 1:26-27; John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 Pet. 1:18-19).
- Allows us to deal with others properly (Matt. 19:19; Eph. 5:28; Matt. 7:12).
- Allows us to view our responsibilities as stewards correctly (1 Cor. 4:1-2; Ps. 8:6; 1 Cor. 12:12ff; Matt. 25:14-30; 1 Tim. 1:12-16). Not worthless but entrusted servants of God!
- Allows us to appreciate who we are and what we have (James 2:5; Rom. 8:17; 2 Pet. 2:5, 9; Rev. 5:10; 7:9).
- Healthy love for self seeks our souls best interest by following God (James 1:21-22) thus bringing peace with God and man (Phil. 4:9; Matt. 22:27-40) and sets an example for others (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:15-16).
