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What Does the Bible Say About Loving Yourself?Bible Questions Answered
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The second greatest commandment is: “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”—Mark 12:31; Leviticus 19:18.
Although the Bible does not include a specific command to love yourself, the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” indicates that a reasonable degree of self-love and self-respect is normal and beneficial.
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What Does the Bible Say About Loving Yourself?Bible Questions Answered
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Will loving others ahead of yourself reduce your happiness or self-respect?
No, because we are created in the image of God, whose primary quality is unselfish love. (Genesis 1:27; 1 John 4:8) This means that we are designed to show love for others. Self-love has its place, yet we are happiest when we love God above all and focus on doing good things for others. As the Bible says, “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.”—Acts 20:35.
Today a number of people claim that happiness comes from putting yourself first. For them, “love thyself” has replaced “love thy neighbor.” However, modern experience confirms that improved health and happiness come to those who follow the Bible’s wise advice: “Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.”—1 Corinthians 10:24.
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