Loving yourself in a healthy, biblical sense means recognizing your value as a creation of God, embracing the dignity He has given you, and fostering self-compassion. The Bible provides numerous insights into self-love, which reflect not only God’s love for us but also encourage us to respect and care for ourselves as God’s beloved creations. Here are the top 20 Bible verses that encourage and guide us to love ourselves as God does:
Bible Verses About Loving Yourself
1. Mark 12:31
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
This verse underscores that loving others is directly connected to how we view and love ourselves. We are called to extend the same kindness, patience, and compassion to ourselves as we do to our neighbors.
2. Psalm 139:14
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:14 serves as a reminder of the wonder of God’s craftsmanship. Recognizing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made helps us to appreciate our unique value.
3. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
This verse encourages us to honor and care for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. By loving ourselves, we respect God’s presence within us and value the life He’s given us.
4. Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Our self-worth is rooted in knowing we are God’s handiwork. Embracing our worth is part of embracing the purpose He has for our lives.
5. Matthew 10:30-31
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
In this verse, Jesus reassures us of our worth. If God cares about the smallest details of our lives, we too should honor the worth He places on us.
6. Song of Solomon 4:7
“You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.”
Song of Solomon expresses the beauty of God’s love for us. Seeing ourselves through God’s eyes can empower us to embrace our inherent beauty and worth.
7. Romans 8:1
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
This verse reminds us to release guilt and shame. In Christ, we are forgiven and free, allowing us to love ourselves without holding onto past mistakes.
8. Matthew 22:39
“And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Self-love is foundational in the biblical commandment to love others. We are encouraged to love ourselves as a part of fulfilling God’s commandment to love.
9. Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Recognizing that we have strength through Christ encourages self-confidence and a healthy self-esteem, rooted in God’s power within us.
10. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
In Christ, we are made new. Embracing this new identity in Christ encourages us to view ourselves with respect, knowing we are transformed by His love.
11. 1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us.”
God’s love is the source of our ability to love ourselves. When we understand the depth of His love, we are better equipped to view ourselves with grace.
12. Romans 12:3
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.”
This verse teaches us to see ourselves realistically, balancing humility with a genuine appreciation of our worth in God’s eyes.
13. Jeremiah 31:3
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’”
God’s love is eternal, unfailing, and personal. Embracing His love allows us to love ourselves without fear or doubt.
14. Isaiah 43:4
“Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.”
This verse from Isaiah emphasizes our preciousness to God. Knowing that we are valued and honored by God can inspire a healthy sense of self-worth.
15. Proverbs 19:8
“The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.”
Loving ourselves involves seeking wisdom and understanding. As we grow in wisdom, we gain a deeper appreciation for our own lives and purpose.
16. Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God’s sacrificial love affirms our worth to Him. By understanding the extent of His love, we learn to value ourselves as individuals worth redeeming.
17. 1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Peter reminds us of our special status as God’s chosen people. Recognizing ourselves as His “special possession” empowers us to cherish who we are in Christ.
18. Isaiah 49:15-16
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
God’s remembrance and love for us are constant. Embracing this truth helps us recognize our worth, even when we feel insignificant.
19. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
By applying the principles of love in 1 Corinthians 13 to ourselves, we learn to be patient, kind, and forgiving toward ourselves as God calls us to be.
20. Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
This verse offers an image of God’s joy over us. When we accept that God delights in us, we can begin to love ourselves and rejoice in the person He created us to be.
Conclusion
Each of these 20 verses brings unique insight into the topic of self-love. The Bible encourages us to love ourselves by recognizing our inherent worth, viewing ourselves as God’s beloved creations, and extending grace to ourselves. Loving ourselves is not only about accepting who we are but also about honoring the dignity, purpose, and divine value that God has placed upon us. By embracing these truths, we reflect God’s love to others, enrich our relationships, and grow in the joyful, fulfilling life He desires for us.