For The Love of Self

For The Love of Self

Within each of us, there is a struggle for supremacy. To paraphrase George Lucas, Will we yield to the power of “the force” or to the “dark side?”[1] The cure for the dark side of self-centered tendencies is found our relationship with God. Jesus declared, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”[2]  Love of God and love of self are tied together. Our ability to love self is determined by our capacity to understand and accept God’s love for us. [3]

This is important because the love of self is a benchmark that defines healthy relationships with others, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[4] As we continue to yield to God, our love of self becomes healthy, enabling us to adjust and meet the needs of others.[5]  With a healthy love of self we endeavor to live by the golden rule, treating others as we would like to be treated.[6] With determination we honor others, resist being critical, pursue harmony, accepting others, patiently make allowances for other’s faults, etc. [7]

Imagine a marriage where husbands obey God’s instruction to love their wives as they love themselves. Envision the joy of a woman who knows she is tenderly cared for, protected, and cherished![8] I can hear the accolades now, “Thank God for a husband who loves me as himself!”

Conquering narcissistic tendencies is not an easy task. Perhaps the apostle Paul said it best, “It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up.”[9] In this struggle for supremacy, we must believe that we have access to the “true force”, God’s divine nature and trust that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.[10]  This marvelous transformation is a lifelong process admittedly with its ups and downs. To those of you who may have grown weary or discouraged, do not loose heart. You will reap a good harvest if you do not give up.[11]

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[1] 1977 film, Star Wars

[2] Matthew 22:37

[3] Ephesians 3:16-21

[4] Matthew 22:39b (Comp. Lev19:18, Rom 13:9, Gal 5:14, James 2:8)

[5] Romans 12:16 AMP

[6] Matthew 7:12

[7] Romans 12:10b; 14:13,19; 15:7; Ephesians 4:2 AMP

[8] Ephesians 5:28, 33

[9] Romans 7:21 The Message

[10] Philippians 4:13; 2 Peter 1: 1-10

[11] Galatians 6:9