February is the “love” month, so my posts this month will be related to that theme.
“…To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.”Proverbs 19:8 (NLT)
Western culture is all about loving yourself. But does our culture really know how to do this? The world seems to think self-indulgence is one way to love yourself. Indulging yourself might bring a moment of pleasure, but that’s not loving yourself.
So, how do we learn to love ourselves in a better way? God says acquiring wisdom is one way to love yourself.
How do you gain wisdom? The Book of Proverbs is an excellent place to start. Proverbs 1:7 says that wisdom, or knowledge, begins with the “fear of the Lord,” and it ends with loving Him.
Wisdom not just a matter of the intellect; it’s also a matter of the heart. The fear of the Lord is meant to cultivate a healthy respect for God—He is holy, He is powerful, and He is love. This is how you have the “fear of the Lord.”
Proverbs is full of instruction on how to live in this world yet “not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Rom. 12:2). Proverbs can help transform your mind to gain God’s wisdom.
The Proverbs were not written as promises to claim but rather as principles to live by. The book of Proverbs records observations of life: truth, wisdom, and things we can expect of God. The verbs used in many proverbs depict repeated actions, indicating that the Proverbs should be used as guidelines to good living practices. This is all about gaining wisdom, which is a better way to love yourself.
Think Divinely: Love yourself by gaining wisdom
through God’s Word.
I love the way you put this so it’s good to know I’m loving myself.
I love you
Hey Kim! Thanks for your comment. I love you, too, my friend. May God bless you with even more wisdom and insight into loving yourself the way He wants you to love. Blessings! Lisa Q
Lisa, thank you for this scripture-based post on self-love. This kind of truth against a background of society’s self-indulgence, is like a breath of fresh air. May we fear, revere and love the Lord Jesus and the scriptures that testify of His holiness, truth, grace and love. Blessings and love to you!
Thanks, Melissa. We are such a confused culture that the basic of love and what it means to love yourself and to love others is all messed up. So, let’s help them by sharing truth. Amen? Amen. Bless you, Lisa Q
It’s been quite some time since I spent time in the Proverbs. I love your point that the Proverbs aren’t promises to claim but are principles to live by. And that wisdom and fear of the Lord goes hand in hand with loving God and experiencing His love. Lots to think about here, thank you!
Thanks, Elaine!
Wow! I absolutely love when a verse that you’ve read so many times before suddenly becomes bright and flaming because of it’s timely presentation in your life. Thank you for illuminating me on how to love myself, Lisa!
Thanks, Stephanie!
There are many valuable lessons in Proverbs. I need to read Proverbs again.:-) Thanks for the reminder.
I have been working on gaining wisdom for quite some time now. I just recently added something else. Every time I start thinking about the past, I pray Lord, help me to let go of the things that do not further your kingdom.
It is quite simplistic, but it is helpful.
Hi Wanda! Thanks for sharing. I think sometimes the best things are the most simple.
Great advice from God’s Word for truly loving ourselves with good living practices, walking in Christ’s steps, following God’s ways! I look forward to your theme of love this month.
What fresh insight, Lisa! This, “Wisdom not just a matter of the intellect; it’s also a matter of the heart.” Yes! I like your thought about loving ourselves and what it really means. Just like self-care must be wise and intentional and birthed in the truth, self-love needs to be all those things too. Thanks for this reminder!
I remember preaching to our high school group decades ago starting off by saying: “I’m a good lover.” Um, that got their attention. In a message about loving others, I continued to say I didn’t have to learn how to love myself. But, of course, I was a bit off. Looking back, I’d say I had in mind a more indulgent kind of self-love just like you referenced in your opening paragraph. Doing what is good for ourselves is a much harder prospect, one in which we learn to rely on the Holy Spirit to provide wisdom and direction. I love the Proverbs. It is definitely chock full of ‘principles to live by.’
Ha! I can see you saying this to a bunch of teenagers. Good for you! Gotta grab those teens’ attention, sometimes. Thanks for your comments, Stephen. We’re all learning how to love better!