Love Thyself:
 

What do you think about this statement?

One cannot properly, "love thy neighbour as thyself"... if they have not learned how to truly, "love thyself".

Thoughts?

Re: Love Thyself:
 

if you are impatient and unkind towards yourself
if you are envious, boastful, and proud,
if you dishonor yourself
if you are self seeking
angry with yourself
can't forgive yourself
if you don't guard your self
don't trust yourself
don't have any hope in yourself
and give up on yourself easily,

you are likely not going to be able to show love towards others.

Re: Love Thyself:
 

Amen.

:thumbsup

Re: Love Thyself:
 

So... would it be safe to say that a proper understanding of self, the sinful condition, and the abundance of God's grace is necessary to properly frame how we treat others and demonstrate love towards them?

Re: Love Thyself:
 

bonding in a loving relationship with family & God is the starting ground for loving relationships with others . . . knowing that we are loved and accepted gives us the emotionally stabilty to extend love and acceptance to others.

Re: Love Thyself:
 

:thumbsup

Re: Love Thyself:
 

Would it therefore stand to reason that people who are hurtful, boastful, proud, dishonoring, self-seeking, angry, unforgiving, guarded, distrustful, and generally negative are in truth projecting their inner reality onto others? Are hurtful actions and/or words cries for help? Do they reflect the reality of a soul that is sinking?

My first pastor used to always say, "Hurting people hurt people."

Perhaps the most hurtful, bitter and hateful people we know are those who need our unconditional love and acceptance the most....

Just a thought.

Re: Love Thyself:
 

yes, unless we (the church) extend ourselves to others in loving relationships, there can be areas in people's lives where they are stunted in their growth and maturity. That is why, in addition to church meetings, people need to flesh out relationships in a small group settings.

Re: Love Thyself:
 

Great posts from both of you!