Important Truth to Know About Loving Yourself And Others
You’ve heard people say about loving yourself…
“You can’t love others unless you love yourself.”
While there’s a morsel of truth in those words, they’ve also been exaggerated and abused. We are prone to treating people poorly on the days we feel insecure or self-annoyed. But it doesn’t take self-absorption or a large ego for us to love others well.
When we make self-care our primary focus, we take Jesus’ words…
“Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
… to the extreme.
The only way you and I can have a healthy love for ourselves is to focus on Jesus. Paul wrote…
For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
Romans 14:7–9
Jesus has always loved perfectly, and He showed us how to love others as God desires. When we KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Jesus, it becomes our goal to honor God by modeling His love.
Jesus said…
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
John 15:9
He goes on to tell His disciples to obey the Father’s commandments and abide in His love. And the commandment is to love the way Jesus loves…
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
John 15:11–12
God designed each of us for His plans and purposes. We were intentionally created for “such a time as this.”
Every decision and action has an impact on the lives of others, whether we intend for them to or not. And that may be why Paul went on to remind readers that we will all be accountable to God for the way we love, trust, and obey.
Why do you judge your brothers or sisters in Christ? And why do you think you are better than they are? We will all stand before God to be judged,
because it is written in the Scriptures:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘Everyone will bow before me;
everyone will say that I am God.’” Isaiah 45:23So each of us will have to answer to God.
Romans 14:10–12
So, stop worrying about what others are doing. Love them. Love them by telling them the truth about Jesus and by showing them His love. And enjoy the blessing of His peace and joy.
You and I can’t love well when we’re running from one person to another with a magnifying glass, trying to help them with the speck in their eye while our beams block our view.
We all will answer to the One who loves us perfectly. By His grace and with His help, let’s stop being self-absorbed and live with JOY. Let’s love like Jesus and let God take care of the rest.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer for God’s Help
with Loving Yourself and Others
Father God, the enemy says “loving yourself” is most important. He encourages us through worldly lies to make our wants and needs our primary focus. But You did not create us for selfish love. You made us to give and receive love from You and the people around us.
Please forgive me for misunderstanding the meaning of self-love in Your command. I have been guilty of loving myself selfishly and pridefully.
I understand loving myself physically means caring for the body You gave me. Loving myself mentally and emotionally means growing in wisdom and getting help when I need it. And spiritual love means growing in faith by SEEKing a closer relationship with You, my Lord and Savior.
I can’t and won’t do that well on my own. I need help. Through Your Spirit, please help me make focusing on and loving You the most important thing in my life. I want to anticipate with hope the day I will stand before You with faith and a heart full of love.
Help me love the people around me well. Make me caring, compassionate, and kind. And may I leave the role of judging to You. Help me remember that we are all sinners in need of Your grace and mercy. Please help me reflect that truth in everything I say and do.
I love You, Lord. I give myself to you. Help me focus on Your gracious love and share it with everyone around me. In the name of Perfect Love, my Savior, Jesus. Amen.
Jack Hyles wrote…
“I cannot love you as I love myself until I love God as I ought to love Him.”
Love wants the health and well-being of the one who is loved. It doesn’t worry about the response or the reaction; it simply cares for others with kindness and compassion.
Here are a few more verses to help you love your neighbor as you love yourself…
Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love.
1 Corinthians 16:13–14
And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
1 John 4:17
May you and I live to honor the Lord by loving as He commands. Then, whether we live or die, we can have peace knowing we belong to Jesus. We can live free of fear. No fear of death. No fear of judgment. Just filled with faith, hope, and love through Jesus.
By God’s grace, we are children of the King of kings, blessed to live in His love.
God bless you as you focus your heart and mind on Jesus. Enjoy His peace. And celebrate and share the joy of His love.
Here’s a list of 25 Ways to Love Yourself God’s Way.
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May we all love one another as Jesus loved us and loves us. We’ll leave judgment up to God. Blessings, Deb!
Amen, Martha! The enemy loves to tempt us to judge with self-righteousness. But God wants so much more for us. Loving like Jesus is a blessing for us and those with whom we interact. Blessings to you!
You always have such good things in your articles! Today’s is especially good – and needed around the world. Thank you for taking the time to write these things for us. I’m glad God gave me a loving heart to share His word with those around me. I used to be shy but not any more. God has given me a message for those I meet wherever. I thank Him every day. And I thank Him for you, too! Keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, Mary! I am blessed by your comment and your desire to share God’s love for His glory! I’m sure it’s a gift that blesses you and everyone around you. Have a wonderful day!