Jesus said to "love your neighbor as you love yourself." What does it mean to "love yourself?"?

Question

Jesus said to "love your neighbor as you love yourself." What does it mean to "love yourself?"?

Answer 1

We are to love ourselves in the sense of caring for ourselves, respecting ourselves, having a sense of our self-worth. To be able to do this we must measure up to what we know to be right in God’s eyes, to what our properly trained and sensitive conscience expects of us. If we fail we are displeased with ourselves and feel guilt and blame. Unhappy with this state of affairs, we try to shift this blame to others, and it spoils our relationships with others.

Answer 2

It means to love yourself and to see yourself so God sees you: a precious person who is worthy of love and respect

Answer 3

You wouldn't do anything to hurt yourself, so therefore you shouldn't do anything to hurt your neighbor (unless you are in some sadomasochistic relationship, but that it beside the point)

Answer 4

to be happy with the body and brain you have and to not want to change it.

Usually means no boob jobs and no liposuction to remove the fat. If you have to lose weight - just eat less, drink water  and exercise more.

And to be happy with the decisions you have made in your life and not have too many regrets. If you do have regrets, then do something about them.

That is loving yourself.

It has nothing whatsoever to do with s*x or masturbation.

Answer 5

Jesus premise was that everybody love himself/herself.  So he taught to extend the same love to others.  You don't want to starve, therefore we should give food others.  We don't want pain, so don't strike anybody or utter an insult to your fellow.

The more excellent thing that apostle Paul taught is to love.  He followed Jesus command.

Answer 6

ITS QUITE SIMPLE! WOULD YOU EVER DO ANYTHING TO HURT YOURSELF???? IF NO THEN THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS TO LOVE YOURSELF. IM SURE YOU WOULDNT DENY YOURSELF OF ANYTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE ENOUGH COMMON SENSE TO KNOW THAT IT WILL HURT YOU LATER!

IN OTHER WORDS, TREAT OTHERS HOW YOU WANT TO BE TREATED!

Answer 7

Most people go out of their way to make sure they are taken care of.  They make sure they eat, are clothes, sheltered and generally try to avoid pain.

Loving someone as you love yourself simply means make sure everyone else around you is treated as well.

There are some very giving and altruistic people who live their lives this way.  Many of these people, are also atheists.  

Answer 8

It means to treat others the way you want to be treated.

Answer 9

I don't know because pride is harshly looked upon as well.

Anyways, I treat my neighbors to waffles, as I would myself.

Answer 10

Maybe love on yourself?

Answer 11

To love yourself means to have self-respect and taking care of yourself. Respect and love your neighbors as would yourself of different race, background, and culture.

Answer 12

Be as narcissist as God is!

Answer 13

Try being mean to yourself and see how long it lasts. If you are normal you want good food, fun, nice things. If you love your neighbor you want these for them too.

Answer 14

To rub yourself in special places, that is what it means to love yourself.

So technically you have to do the same to your neighbor. Hopefully she's good looking.

Enjoy loving yourself ^ ^

Answer 15

To love yourself means to be selfish, and to care about yourself.

But you should always love your neighbor as you love yourself because that is what Jesus said.

Answer 16

Before I answer the question, I need to explain the background to this statement. Please be patient!

Matthew 19:16 to 30 is about the rich young man who asked Jesus what good thing he needed to do to get eternal life. Jesus said "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." His point was that God alone is good and all other goodness comes from him - even to the keeping of the commandments. Obeying the commandments of God does not establish one's merits (because only Jesus could keep God's commandments perfectly), but is an expression of true faith. Salvation cannot be earned - it is a gift of God's grace received through faith (Ephesians 2:8).

Jesus then listed all the commands except the command not to covet. Jesus knew that the rich young man's problem was his inability to sell all his posessions and give them to the poor.

Jesus famously said that all of the law could be summed up by the new command - to love your neighbour as yourself. Just as God so loved the world he sent his only Son so that those who believe on him will have eternal life, and just as Jesus laid down his life as an atoning sacrifice to save sinful humanity and was obedient to his Father unto death, so Christians show this Godly love by sharing the gospel message with others.

Answer 17

You wouldn't hurt yourself? Would you?

You wouldn't be racist against yourself...would you?

If you love yourself and respect yourself, do that to others.  

Answer 18

Hey, thanks for asking!

We basically will do anything for ourselves; that's how we are called to love others.

First, let me put here the context in which Jesus made that statement.  It's found in Luke 10:25-37...

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"

He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."

Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

The Apostle Paul echoes this statement when he talks about how husbands are supposed to love their wives, in Colossians and Ephesians.

He puts it briefly in Colossians 3:19:

"Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them."

And he expands it in Ephesians 5:25-30:

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body."

Think about this... how difficult is it?  Can it be done?  Remember, we are not only called to honor our wives, whom we already love, in this way, but also our enemies!  The Samaritan and the wounded Jewish man in the parable were enemies. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  For us to be challenged to live this way is mind-boggling.  

I believe, therefore, that we we are incapable of doing this on our own.  The type of sacrificial love Jesus described in the parable of the Good Samaritan is incredibly difficult.   Why not be like the priest or Levite?  Why stop and sacrifice your time, money, strength, and pride to help the wounded enemy lying on the road?  That's why we need God's Spirit and grace to love others in a way that pleases God.

May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you.

Answer 19

Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

To love our neighbour as ourselves is the second great commandment (Mat_22:39); It is like unto that first; it is inclusive of all the precepts of the second table, as that is of the first. It is like it, for it is founded upon it, and flows from it; and a right love to our brother, whom we have seen, is both an instance and an evidence of our love to God, whom we have not seen, 1Jo_4:20.

[1.] It is implied, that we do, and should, love ourselves. There is a self-love which is corrupt, and the root of the greatest sins, and it must be put off and mortified: but there is a self-love which is natural, and the rule of the greatest duty, and it must be preserved and sanctified. We must love ourselves, that is, we must have a due regard to the dignity of our own natures, and a due concern for the welfare of our own souls and bodies.

[2.] It is prescribed, that we love our neighbour as ourselves. We must honour and esteem all men, and must wrong and injure none; must have a good will to all, and good wishes for all, and, as we have opportunity, must do good to all. We must love our neighbour as ourselves, as truly and sincerely as we love ourselves, and in the same instances; nay, in many cases we must deny ourselves for the good of our neighbour, and must make ourselves servants to the true welfare of others, and be willing to spend and be spent for them, to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Answer 20

It really means dot look at your neighbors as a kinda tv show for your point of view in your life!

Answer 21

I believe Jesus goes on to say what this means. We take care of our bodies. We buy clothing, we have favorite things to eat and drink, and we have favorite modes of education.  Some football games,  for myself, the Bible. So we favor ourselves in treatment...we love ourselves. We are then to take care of our neighbors in an unselfish way.  

Answer 22

To KNOW yourself.

Answer 23

It goes without saying that this is a a world of people who, for the most part, are looking out for numero uno. It is that kind of love we should have for all. If this was the case you wouldn't have to look out for #1, because while you were showing a little brotherly/sisterly love maybe to the point of, heaven forbid, placing yourself 2nd......you'd still be number 1, thanks to those around you ,,,,, making you #1.

Hope that makes sense.

Answer 24

Acceptance and value of yourself.  Accept who you are and where improvements are needed, please give yourself that improvements.  Know that you are valuable.  In this world and Universe I and you are here.  Why?  God sees us to be valuable, more precious than gold and gems.  We are here not because of our parents but because of God.  This is important for the ones that was abused by parents to know this.  God loves you no matter what and your parents are just humans in this world as you are a human.  We are all humans.

Forgiveness.  It is very important for us to forgive ourself.  We can be our worst enemy.  Forgive your faults and shortcomings.  Forgive yourself is the true art of loving yourself.  Try this; every morning when you wake up say , "Thank you Divine Father I love you.  I love you to Kidd my best buddy in the world."  When you are going to the bathroom and you look in the mirror say "Good morning Kidd, and you sure look great today.  This is what you and I will do today (and plan out your day).  I love you Kidd and you love me.  We are a great team helping each other to improve ourself."

Be it known when you look in the mirror at yourself, you are truly looking at the person inside of you because all what you hold inside of you is shown from the outside.  Love your own inner spirit inside of you that God placed there and that inner spirit will do wonders for you and your life around you.  Remember be good and love your inner spirit first of all because that is your life and your driving force.  That is your connection to your Divine Father God.

Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  Once you know how to love yourself, it will be so easy to love everyone else.  It will be hard after that to see faults in others.  This is sooo true.  Start loving yourself right now.

Answer 25

people usually look out for #1......