How Does the Gospel Speak to Self-Hate? // Ask Pastor John

The Bible has a lot to say about the issue of self-hate. Where should we begin if we’re talking to a non-Christian who struggles in this area?

Self-hate is a topic that gets talked about a lot. So how would you go about sharing the gospel with an unbelieving friend who struggles here? “Hello, Pastor John. I’m Reynaldo from Jakarta. I listen to your podcast more than I read my Bible — and I should change that habit!” Yes, Reynaldo, you should change that ratio immediately! “My question: I have a friend, and she is a Buddhist. She struggles with self-hate, and I am confused about what I have to do about it. I listen to her, and I want to help. But what should I do?

“I could give her a self-help book, I suppose. I’m afraid if I get straight to the gospel (which I don’t have a problem saying to her), she will not listen to me. But if I gave her a self-help book, with tips about overcoming this anxiety, I’m afraid that she might improve without experiencing the forgiveness of Christ. So I guess I want to share the gospel sooner than later. If you had a non-Christian friend who struggled with self-hate, how would you proceed?”

Episode 1340: https://www.desiringgod.org/in....terviews/how-does-th

Related Resources:

“God’s Work in Your Depression” https://youtu.be/DM9l4es4GWg

“Will God Call Me to a Career I Don’t Enjoy?” https://youtu.be/jPN73lIHMbE

“Yes to Hating Sin, No to Hating Self” https://youtu.be/dWB_oqB53HA

“What Does It Mean to Live ‘in the Flesh’?” https://youtu.be/T_3SRITyNFw

Ask Pastor John Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKvMOJ1T8T4&list=PLFF7F6AE365DA3564

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