Self-Love: Biblical Truth or Modern Lie?
We hear it everywhere:
- “Love yourself first.”
- “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”
- “Put yourself first.”
But is self-love a biblical truth or just a modern mindset wrapped in feel-good language?
The answer isn’t as simple as “yes” or “no”—because it depends on the definition of self-love.
What Does the World Say About Self-Love?
Modern self-love is often rooted in self-sufficiency and self-prioritization:
- “I don’t need anyone else—I am enough.”
- “Put yourself first, no matter what.”
- “Do what makes you happy.”
This kind of self-love places self at the center. It promotes love without accountability, boundaries without sacrifice, and happiness without holiness.
But the Bible teaches that we aren’t meant to be the center—God is.
Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
If self-love means trusting ourselves above God, we’ve stepped into dangerous territory.
What Does the Bible Say About Loving Yourself?
Biblical love is different. It isn’t about self-glorification—it’s about recognizing our worth in God and loving ourselves as He loves us.
Jesus gives us a key command:
Mark 12:31 – “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- This assumes that loving ourselves is natural, but it’s not the goal.
- The focus is outward—love others as you are loved by God.
The Balance: Healthy vs. Selfish Self-Love
The Bible never calls us to hate ourselves, but it warns against making ourselves the highest priority.
Healthy Self-Love – Seeing yourself as God sees you, as valuable and loved.
Psalm 139:14 – “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Selfish Self-Love – Prioritizing self above God and others.
2 Timothy 3:2 – “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.”
So, Should You Love Yourself?
Yes—but through God’s love, not apart from it.
- Love yourself as God does—with truth, grace, and purpose.
- Reject the lie that you are self-sufficient. You need Christ.
- Find your identity in God, not in self-made affirmations.
Self-love apart from God leads to emptiness. Self-love through God leads to wholeness.
Reflection Question:
Are you loving yourself in a way that glorifies God—or just serves yourself?
Let’s talk in the comments. What do you think?
