The first question
should be, “How do we love ourselves?” For those who are psycho-therapeutically
oriented, loving ourselves is a matter of building our self-esteem, generally
through positive affirmations or accomplishments. However, according to the
Bible, building our self-esteem is the opposite of humbling ourselves (1 Peter
5:6; Matthew 23:12). Instead, building self-esteem is equated with flattery and
narcissism:
· Psalm 36:1-4 Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flatters himself in his own
eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. The words of his mouth are trouble and
deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets
himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil.”
Instead, loving
ourselves comes naturally. The evidence of this is that we take care of our needs.
Besides, self-flattery gives rise to evil, the opposite of humility and love.
Therefore, the Bible gives us the law in our conscience to humble us (Romans
3:19-20):
· Philippians 2:3–4 …in humility count others more
significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests,
but also to the interests of others.
Trying to do this is
very humbling. Jesus’ teachings accomplished the same:
· Matthew 10:37–39 “Whoever loves father or mother more
than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is
not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy
of me.
Quite humbling
words, right! However, after we are humbled, He will lift us up and grant us self-acceptance
by knowing His all-surpassing love:
· Ephesians 3:19 and to know the love of Christ that
surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
We are so blessed by his fullness that
He has made us a conduit of His blessing to those who bless us:
· Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and
him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth
shall be blessed.”
The same principle
had pertained to Isaac and all Israel:
· Genesis 27:29 Let peoples serve you, and nations
bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may your mother’s sons bow
down to you. Cursed be everyone who curses you, and blessed be everyone who
blesses you!” (Sodom; Gen. 18)
This promise also
pertains to us. We too are channels of God’s blessings and curses to those
associated with us
·
Mark 9:41 “For truly, I say to you,
whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by
no means lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:40-41)
· 1 Corinthians 7:14 For the unbelieving husband is made
holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her
husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
· 1
Corinthians 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that
God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone
destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you
are that temple.
Therefore, we need
not avenge ourselves, knowing that God will take care of the avenging. This
enables us to simply love others and pray even for our enemies. Besides, we do not
have to inflate our self-estimation or learn to love ourselves. Instead, our
Savior will do that for us.
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