Matt 22:39-
Jesus says in Matthew that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. But if we love ourselves first, before we love our neighbor, then this would be putting self before neighbor. Is Jesus teaching that we should be selfish?
Tell me your thoughts.
2006-09-01 14:10:14 · 30 answers · asked by SeeTheLight 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Buttefly...maybe you should go to the church more often?
2006-09-01 14:19:48 · update #1
Jesus is saying that we ought to love others as we ought to love ourselves, unselfishly.
However, there is nothing wrong with legitimate self-respect and self-care. Ephesians 5:29 tells us to care our bodies.."No one ever hated his own body,but he feeds and cares for it "
2006-09-02 14:02:41 · update #2
I think Jesus was just trying to say that you should do as much for your neighbor as you would do for yourself.
In other words, the amounts of affection should be equal.
2006-09-01 14:11:24 · answer #1 · answered by Adrian 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I belive that Jesus IS telling us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Never does Jesus ever say or teach us to be selfish. Try reading Matthew 22:39 again, and ask the Lord for wisdom and understanding before you read it. He is the only one who can bring truth to all of your questions. God Bless
2006-09-01 14:21:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is a artwork of fiction. The passages that depict Jesus Christ to have been the "Son of God" and a holy guy with divine powers are thoroughly unfounded and is no longer probable shown. the individuals who have self assurance those issues are hallucinating and be bothered by a mass myth. Agnosticism and Atheism are transforming into quicker than ever and Catholocism and Christianity are deteriorating in recognition, in basic terms like the masses of alternative now defunct religions that no-one believes in anymore and laughs off as mere fairytales. the comparable will take place with all the in demand religions which contain Islam and Christianity and Judaism. I also have a PhD in evolution and anthropology and became raised a strict Catholic. I even have come to have self assurance that the Bible is in basic terms a artwork of fiction created to regulate the inhabitants and shop human beings in line. Use some straightforward experience...that's amazingly embarrassing to stay in a rustic the place such numerous individuals have self assurance such nonsense that has been shown to be fake time and time back by ability of technological awareness and background.
2016-11-06 06:18:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, He is not teaching us to be selfish. If you do not understand that than you really need to go to Church more often. Love our neighbor as ourselves means, the way you love you is the way you should love your neighbor. You cant love your neighbor if you don't love yourself, that will be hard to do because if you don't love yourself, how could you love any one else, less long anyone else loving you?
2006-09-01 14:16:39 · answer #4 · answered by butterfly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are to love each other equally. I go to church every Wednesday and Sunday, we spent two Wednesdays nights on this lesson. My teacher said that we are to put ouselves and our neighbors second, as we put Jesus first. Read Matthew 22:37-40. This explains the first two commandments; 1- Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind, 2- Love your neighbor as yourself. Meaning, treat others like you are in their position, like you and your neighbor are one.
2006-09-01 14:22:15 · answer #5 · answered by roxy angel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask yourself : If I don't have love then can I give it? Love is a gift from God and if you don't even love yourself, then how can you love someone else to the full extent that God intended? The order is God first, yourself and family a close second. If you aren't able to take care of yourself then you can't expect to take care of others.
2006-09-01 14:18:03 · answer #6 · answered by spartacus c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I think it means not more or less, since we are all made in His image. It's not being selfish to love ourselves, but we should love others just as much.
2006-09-01 14:14:11 · answer #7 · answered by cj_justme 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In order to love others, we must first love ourselves.
Selfish- no. Loving yourself is not selfish.
the reason I believe this to be true is the saying, if you want a friend, you must be a friend.
2006-09-01 14:12:41 · answer #8 · answered by IN Atlanta 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus wants us to love ourselves and or neighbours, even if you dont like your neighbour.
For example my neighbour throws dog poop over the fence and his wife throws her used sanitary napkins on our porch. Do I have to love them? Hell yes.
Suffering is a part of life.
As is said in the Book of Job
"And Job asked the Lord, "why do you persecute me oh Lord?" And the Lord said "Stop whining, Job, you are making my ears sore." And he smote Jobs wife on the head with a polo mallet."
2006-09-01 14:17:10 · answer #9 · answered by Pastor Sauce 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Romans 12:10 says that we should honor one another above ourselves- I htink this is what it means to love your neighbor as yourself- slef love will motivate you to act for your own comfort and well being, but loving your neighbor as yourself means before seeking oyur own comfort and well being you will seek that for your neighbor- even if it means making a sacrifice for yourself.
Love your neighbor as if he were yourself- do for him what oyu would naturally do for yourself- treat him as you would want him to treat you.
2006-09-01 14:19:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋