In today’s world, we are constantly told to believe in ourselves, to love ourselves above all, and to put our desires first. This message is everywhere — in self-help books, social media, and even popular culture. However, as followers of Christ, we must ask: Is this the message that God teaches us? The Word of God provides a very different instruction — one of self-denial, trust in Him, and total devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
The First Commandment: Love God Above All
Jesus made it clear that our first and greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind:
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37, KJV)
This foundational commandment teaches us that our priority must always be God, not self. When we truly understand and experience His love, we learn how to love ourselves rightly — not in a selfish, prideful way, but in a manner that aligns with God’s purpose and truth.
Denying Self and Taking Up the Cross
The Bible explicitly warns against the philosophy of self-love and self-worship. Jesus Himself called His disciples to a life of self-denial:
“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matthew 16:24–25, KJV)
True fulfillment is found in surrendering our lives to Christ, not in pursuing our selfish ambitions. The world teaches that happiness comes from fulfilling personal desires, but Scripture teaches that true life begins when we crucify our fleshly desires and follow Christ.
Trust in the Lord, Not in Yourself
The world encourages us to “follow our hearts” and to trust in our own wisdom. Yet, the Bible warns us that our own understanding is flawed and that we must place our full trust in the Lord:
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” (Proverbs 3:5–7, KJV)
If we rely on our own reasoning and emotions, we will surely be led astray. Instead, we are called to submit to God in all things and let Him direct our paths.
Self-Love: A Sign of the Last Days
The Bible foretells that in the last days, people will become obsessed with themselves, placing personal desires above God:
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:1–5, KJV)
This passage serves as a warning: a self-centered life leads to pride, rebellion, and ultimately, separation from God. True godliness is found in humility, obedience, and surrender to the Lord’s will.
The Deceitfulness of the Human Heart
One of the greatest deceptions of our time is the belief that we can trust our hearts and emotions to guide us. However, the Bible gives us a sobering reality check:
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV)
Rather than trusting in ourselves, we must place our faith in the truth of God’s Word. Only He knows what is truly best for us.
The Call to Repentance
Jesus began His ministry with a powerful call: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2, KJV).
Without repentance, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. Jesus further emphasized this in Luke 13:3:
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3, KJV)
Repentance is not just about feeling sorry for our sins; it is about turning away from sin and surrendering completely to Christ. This includes rejecting the self-centered mindset that the world promotes and embracing the call to deny ourselves and follow Jesus.
Conclusion: Live for Christ, Not for Self
The modern culture of self-love and self-worship is a deception that leads people away from the truth of God’s Word. As Christians, we are called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.
Instead of seeking fulfillment in ourselves, we must seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Instead of trusting in our own hearts, we must trust in the Lord with all our hearts (Proverbs 3:5–6). Instead of loving ourselves above all, we must love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37).
The message is clear: Deny self. Trust in Christ. Repent and follow Him. For in Him alone, we find true life and eternal joy.