"Love Your Neighbor as Yourself" Doesn’t Mean What You Think

In this episode of Rooted & Reason, we dive deep into one of the most misunderstood teachings in the Bible: "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). Does this mean we need to prioritize loving ourselves first? How does this align with Jesus' call to deny ourselves and follow Him?

Join us as we contrast the cultural emphasis on self-love with the biblical command to love God and others. From popular teachings like Joyce Meyer’s devotional to the modern church's views, we explore how self-love has influenced Christianity today and whether it aligns with scripture.

📖 Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:30 - "[God] wants you to love and respect yourself" - Joyce Meyer devotional
04:13 - The focus should be on God and not us
11:09 - What does Matthew 22 actually say?
16:21 - What about people who hate themselves?
24:41 - Do you have to love yourself so you can love others?
30:20 - Why does the modern church believe in loving yourself first (did culture influence the church)?
35:13 - What does it mean to deny yourself?
41:50 - Final thoughts

🔗 Related Scripture:
- Matthew 22:34-40
- Matthew 7:12
- Ephesians 5:28-29
- Romans 7:21-25

💬 Let’s Discuss:
What do you think about the idea of self-love in Christianity? How do you understand Jesus’ command to “deny yourself”? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

🙌 Connect With Us:
Subscribe for more faith-based discussions on culture, scripture, and life’s big questions.