Self-Pleasure: A Sin Or Natural Human Behavior?

The Bible does not explicitly mention self-love, but it is a topic that has been widely discussed and debated among Christians. While some Christians believe that self-love is a sin, others argue that it is a natural and necessary part of our lives. The Bible mentions that we are created in the image of God, and that gives us great worth. However, it is important to recognize that our worth comes from Christ and not from ourselves. True self-love, according to the Bible, is accepting ourselves as redeemed people through Christ. While it is important to have self-compassion and self-kindness, the Bible emphasizes that our main pursuit in life should be to serve God and others, rather than seeking our own pleasure. The Bible also warns against selfishness and putting our interests above those of God and others.

Self-love is not a sin, but selfishness is

The Bible does not command us to love ourselves, but it does assume that we do. In fact, it is our default position. The Bible also does not forbid self-love. However, selfishness is a sin.

Self-love is having a healthy regard for your well-being. It is unreasonable not to love yourself as you are a valuable person. If God loves us and has a regard for our well-being, shouldn't we love ourselves as we are commanded to be imitators of Him?

The Bible says that in the last days, people will be "lovers of self" and that this is a sin. But this is referring to selfishness, when you love yourself above your neighbour and above God. Biblical love is selfless and unconditional, whereas the world's love is characterised by selfishness.

Jesus told us to love others as we love ourselves. But self-love carried too far becomes a narcissistic denial of truth. Too much focus on ourselves is not a good thing. It obscures Christ in us, the hope of glory.

So, self-love is not a sin, but selfishness is.

Loving yourself is natural and normal

Loving yourself is a natural and normal part of being human. It is not a sin to make love to yourself. In fact, self-love is an important aspect of our overall well-being and can have a positive impact on our mental health and confidence. While it may be confusing to hear conflicting views on this topic, it is essential to understand that self-love does not equate to narcissism or self-absorption.

Self-love means having a positive regard for yourself, appreciating your strengths and weaknesses, and treating yourself with kindness and compassion. It is closely related to self-esteem and self-compassion. When you love yourself, you understand your value and worth, which in turn allows you to build healthy relationships with others.

Benefits of Self-Love

Self-love has numerous benefits, including lower stress levels and increased resilience. It empowers us to take risks, make positive changes, and set healthy boundaries in our lives. By loving ourselves, we can also better care for ourselves, reduce stress, and strive for success without pushing ourselves too far.

How to Practice Self-Love

Practicing self-love involves various activities and mindset shifts. Here are some ways to cultivate self-love:

• Embrace your authenticity and uniqueness: Accept and celebrate your imperfections and what makes you unique.
• Challenge negative self-talk: Identify critical thoughts and replace them with positive affirmations that focus on your strengths.
• Practice self-compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would a friend.
• Build a supportive environment: Surround yourself with positive influences, both online and offline, that promote body positivity and self-acceptance.
• Adopt healthy habits: Engage in activities that make you feel good, such as exercising, eating well, or pursuing hobbies.
• Seek professional support: If negative thoughts or body image issues are affecting your mental health, consider therapy to improve your relationship with yourself.

A Balanced Approach

While self-love is important, it's crucial to find a healthy balance. Excessive focus on oneself, whether positive or negative, can obscure our ability to connect with others and live a life of service. As humans, we are inherently flawed, and recognizing our sins or shortcomings is an essential aspect of spiritual growth for some. However, this does not mean we should hate ourselves or engage in self-destructive behaviors.

In conclusion, loving yourself is a natural and normal part of life. By embracing who you are, challenging negative perceptions, and practicing self-compassion, you can build a strong foundation of self-love, which will positively impact your overall well-being and your relationships with others.

God's love for us frees us from the conditions we put on loving ourselves

The Bible teaches that God's love is unconditional and selfless. It is a love that initiates, and is never a response. God's love is not dependent on our actions, but rather stems from His inherent nature to love. This means that God's love for us is not based on any conditions we set or fulfil. Instead, it is a reflection of His character and who He is.

In contrast, the world's love is often characterised by selfishness and vanity. The Bible warns against loving ourselves too much, which can lead to a focus on our interests and ambitions rather than on God and others. This type of self-love can become a form of self-worship and obscure our view of God.

However, it is important to note that the Bible does not command us to hate ourselves. In fact, having a healthy sense of self-worth is essential for our well-being. We are created in the image of God, and this alone gives us great worth. Recognising our value in Christ allows us to love others effectively.

The key distinction is that our love for ourselves should not be the primary focus of our lives. Instead, we are called to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). This means prioritising God and loving others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39).

Ultimately, God's love for us frees us from the conditions we put on loving ourselves because His love is not dependent on our performance or self-worth. His love is a gift, given freely and unconditionally, which in turn empowers us to love Him and others.

Self-love is a secular movement that is not biblical

The self-love movement, which originated in the 1960s Hippie Era, is a secular movement that is not biblical. The Bible does not command us to love ourselves; it assumes we already do. In fact, people in their unregenerate condition love themselves too much. The Bible instead tells us to take our eyes off ourselves and care for others.

The Bible addresses "self-love" both negatively and positively. In 2 Timothy, Paul says, "In the last days...people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive...without self-control...swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Tim. 3:2-5). Here, "lovers of self" are described as selfish, fond of self, and too intent on their self-interest.

The self-love movement tells us to be fond of ourselves and seek our well-being over the well-being of others. It preaches that if we love ourselves better, we'll find more fulfillment in life. That's simply not true.

The Bible talks about glorifying God and humbling ourselves, yet self-love glorifies self. The Bible tells us to consider other people as more significant than ourselves. The self-love movement tells us to have a high regard for ourselves.

The Bible gives permission to focus on things that nourish, cherish, and build up our own lives. It is about setting boundaries in our lives that help us to live healthy and peaceful lives. It is about aspiring "to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one" (1 Thess. 4:11).

While the self-love movement has some positive aspects, such as self-compassion and self-kindness, it is not a biblical concept as a whole. It offers a means to an end that can only be achieved through Christ.

The Bible teaches self-sacrifice and prioritising others

While the Bible does not explicitly mention self-love, it is assumed that people love themselves. The Bible teaches that putting others before oneself is a key aspect of living a life of love and service. This is demonstrated in the concept of "love your neighbour as yourself", which is found in the Bible in Matthew 22:39. By prioritising the needs and well-being of others above our own desires and interests, we show the love and kindness that God calls us to show towards one another.

Jesus himself set the ultimate example of selflessness by sacrificing his life for the salvation of humanity. He demonstrated servant leadership, emphasising the idea of leading by serving and prioritising the well-being of others over personal gain or recognition. In Matthew 20:27–28, he said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

The Bible provides several verses that encourage self-sacrifice and prioritising others:

• Philippians 2:3–4 – "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
• Romans 12:10 – "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another."
• Galatians 5:13 – "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another."
• Ephesians 4:2 – "With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love."
• 1 Peter 4:10 – "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
• Luke 6:31 – "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
• Matthew 20:26 – "But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister."
• Mark 9:35 – "And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."
• John 13:14 – "If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet."
• Romans 15:1 – "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves."
• 1 Corinthians 10:24 – "Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth."

These verses emphasise the importance of humility, compassion, and selflessness in our relationships with others. By following Jesus' example of self-sacrifice, we can learn to prioritise the needs and well-being of others above our own desires, reflecting the love that God has for us.

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