We belong to a generation that embraces self-love and encourages us to follow our hearts and pursue happiness. A quick online search on self-love yields many websites that aim to help us find happiness through self-love. Initially, these messages seem appealing, but what does the Bible teach us? As Christians, the Bible instructs us to let go of our own desires as we die to self. We can see this clearly in the act of baptism, where we bury our old selves in water and rise as new creations in Christ. So, should we prioritize taking care of ourselves before caring for others?
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17, (ESV).
Die to Self Love
While researching for this blog, I came across Christian websites promoting self-care and self-love. One common theme I noticed was the idea of how can we pour into others when our cup is empty. It almost sounds biblical, right? The world’s concept is that we need to fill ourselves up in order to share with others. However, this kind of self-love shifts the focus away from loving God and pursuing Him, and instead puts emphasis on how we feel and how we identify ourselves.
Now, I believe God calls us to periods of rest. But God defines those times and they are not by our own desires. In the book of Matthew, an expert of the law asked Jesus about the greatest commandment. Jesus replied that the greatest commandment was to love God with all our hearts and soul and he also added that the second greatest commandment was to love our neighbor as ourselves. Nowhere did Jesus mention self-love as part of His message.
In accordance with the Bible, we are called to prioritize God and our neighbors above ourselves and our own needs, sacrificing our self-interests. By putting ourselves first and above others, we are going against what the Bible teaches.
Die to Self Sins
The self-love generation encourages us to follow our hearts, believing that it will lead us to happiness. They suggest that if something makes us happy, we should embrace it. For example, the world advises us to remove people who have wronged us from our lives, as they bring negativity. However, Jesus teaches us to forgive others not just seven times, but seventy times seven. Jesus calls us to die to self as we forgive others.
Similarly, in the realm of lust, the world argues that if something feels good, it can’t be harmful. Yet, Jesus urges us to deny ourselves and let go of our sinful desires, rather than embracing them. Again, we die to self instead of living with sin.
Live For Christ
Self-love means seeking happiness within ourselves, rather than seeking genuine joy in life through God. Instead of focusing on loving ourselves, we should focus on loving the God who created us. Although we will still sin, we can find forgiveness by turning back to Him, living according to His word, and dedicating our lives to Christ. The Bible is our most valuable resource for living a life that honors God, and we can rely on it to define sin, even when the world may not recognize certain actions as sinful. Dying to ourselves means we forego the selfish, physical, and egotistical desires of this world and instead we seek the kingdom of God.
“23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:23-24 (NLT).
Prayer to Die to Self
I trust you, Lord, despite my fear and weakness. Help me die to self as I let go of myself and live for you alone. You deserve my praise and trust. And you will show me mercy and take care of me when I take refuge in you. I know you will never let me go. Shower me with your faithful love, strengthen my weak faith, and fulfill your plans for me. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Grace & Truth Christian Link-Up
Welcome to Grace and Truth: A Weekly Christian Blog Link-Up! Our mission is simple: to spread Jesus’ message through the power of words. Join our community of writers and readers as we uplift and inspire one another.
Now Let’s Link-Up
Enter the Grace & Truth Christian Link-up | Sep 6-12, 2024
If you need the details and rules for our blog link-up, click here. Also, don’t forget to check our Pinterest board to see which posts our hosts featured.
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
Additional Resources:
I absolutely agree with much of this, although I do tend to agree also with the notion that we can’t pour out if we aren’t being poured into. Not that we should spend time just fulfilling our own desires and making ourselves feel good… but that we can’t be constantly giving, always self-sacrificing… and not taking time to soak in what God has for us, just as Jesus did when he went off to desolate places. Even He needed refilling at times.
And, in a sense, to “love our neighbors as ourselves” implies that we first do have to love ourselves… because if we don’t love ourselves, and we are loving our neighbors AS we love ourselves, we aren’t loving them at all! But we aren’t supposed to love ourselves in the flimsy, empty way the world experiences self-love. Rather, we are to be firm in our identity in Christ, know our value because of His sacrifice, and love ourselves as bearers of His image. If we aren’t grounded in that understanding of ourselves, we can’t truly love in the way God calls us to.
Just some thoughts. Thank you for this post!
Great words of wisdom in this message. Thank you Yvonne. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
Thanks Melissa and God bless
God gifted us with an amazing human body and I believe we show our love and appreciation to Him by taking care of this vessel in which the Holy Spirit resides. By making wise health choices and choosing a healthy lifestyle, we honor God’s gift to us, while at the same time, we keep our minds and bodies in the best possible condition to serve God and His people. I’m a strong believer in service and living by the Fruit of the Spirit, thus in many cases we are putting others above ourselves. In those situations, we are dying to self, but balance is important. We must love ourselves, take good care of ourselves, to be at our best in serving God and others. Thanks for this thought provoking message and the wisdom you have shared (and as always, I’m grateful for your prayer).
Thanks Katherine. We do need to care for ourselves but not at the detriment of others. The world calls us to always put ourselves first but Jesus’ example show us the importance of caring for others. If He had put Himself first, would He have gone to the cross? Caring for others includes sacrificing ourselves to help them even when tired, overwhelmed or just don’t feel like it. God bless
Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. Being a Christian is the most counter-cultural thing we could ever do. Holy Spirit, fill us afresh with the love of Christ and help us love like Jesus.
Amen Melissa and the world thinks we are crazy because of it. God bless.
Fantastic post, Yvonne. I grew so much closer to God when I started contemplating the meaning of die to self.
Thank you Priscilla. It really makes a difference once you contemplate the idea. I appreciate you commenting. God bless.
Yvonne, this is such a timely message. Thank you for giving an excellent explanation about why self-love is not the type of love God prescribes.
Thank you Annie. The world tries to teaches us things differently than God’s intended message. That’s also why it is so important for us to be in His word and with other people of faith. Gods bless.
Great insight and words that need to be said. Followers of Christ are called to die to ourselves, deny ourselves as we carry our cross. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 ESV
Great verse Karen. It is an important message because we forget that Christ needs to be first in life and not the things of the world. God bless.
Seeking self so often leads to dissatisfaction. Seeking good for others leads to fulfillment and joy. Looking outward is His invitation for us to act as He does in love and find true joy. Thanks, Yvonne. God bless!
Amen Nancy. Joy comes from helping others. Thanks for commenting and God bless