As we already said, we naturally love ourselves in a good way because we are created in the image of God. But when we begin to love our old, sinful self so that we gratify our own lusts, and we make provision for them, then our self-love turns evil (turns into selfishness). And even a Christian can fall into this evil. And what is even more confusing is that we may go back and forth, sometimes having a natural, good self-love, and at other times falling into an evil self-love. Here are three examples of how we fall into this evil.

1. Narcissism is to have excessive love or admiration of oneself. In younger people this is especially true as they see their bodies develop; and they spend way too much time looking in the mirror. And these days, with social media, we just love to get plenty of “likes” and comments to validate ourselves. This is plain self-worship.

2. Having a “me first” mentality, or thinking that I am more important than anyone else. Being a loner would definitely tend to foster this attitude, since you aren’t around other people very much and you end up thinking mainly of just yourself. It is always good to try to be around people as much as possible. Leaders may also have a problem in this area if they let themselves think that they are greater and more important than others. Paul, in Philippians 2:3-8, tells us how to act with humility as Jesus did—taking the form of a bond-servant.

3. Having an entitlement mentality. These people are always thinking of their personal rights, and they get upset when they think their rights have been violated. They tend to be self-centered in their thinking and they will cling to political groups or gangs to give them what they think they are entitled to.