Self-culture (Christianity)

The self-love which it is proper for a Christian to feel, to love one's self as one is loved by God, implies care for body, mind and spirit and thus self culture as a moral duty. One is thus a suitable instrument for service of God and of mankind.

Physically, this implies; temperance; proper balance between work and recreation; cultivation of endurance.

Intellectually and imaginatively one should open the mind to humanity and its highest interests. One-sidedness in the spiritual nature should be corrected and the faculty of judgement encouraged, with a wide knowledge of many subjects and of the different methods employed balanced by realistic awareness of one's own limitations. The gifts of nature and civilization, of culture and the arts are all for mankind's use but the individual should be used for spiritual ends under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. In particular, since emotions and conduct are so influenced by imagination, the imaginative faculty should be cultivated with care.

The will should be harnessed by self control so that character may be complete, growing by acts of moral decision. By dedicating the will to goodness, character is restrained and inspired by this one aim, becoming fixed and stable.

The singleness of purpose which is the aim of self-culture results in body, soul and spirit all acting in obedience to the love of God.