In a world that often measures our value by external standards, it’s crucial to turn to the Bible for guidance on self-love and worth. Discover how the Scriptures illuminate the importance of recognizing our inherent value and the love God has for each one of us.
From passages that remind us of our uniqueness to verses that encourage self-acceptance, this journey through the Bible will empower you to embrace your self-worth and develop a healthier self-love.
Also Read: 25 Encouraging Bible Verses About Strength (With Commentary)
Bible Verses About Self Love And Worth
1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.
This verse reminds us that our ability to love ourselves is rooted in God’s love for us. When we understand and receive His unconditional love, we can begin to see ourselves through His eyes and value ourselves as His beloved children.
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
We were created by God, fearfully and wonderfully. This verse speaks to the inherent worth and beauty we possess as His creation. We can find confidence and value in knowing that God intentionally crafted us with His love and care.
Matthew 10:31
So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
In this verse, Jesus assures us of our worth and value. He reminds us that we are of great importance to Him, and we should not allow fear or doubt to diminish our self-worth. We can find comfort in knowing that we are treasured by the Creator of the universe.
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.
This verse emphasizes our identity as chosen and special in God’s eyes. As His beloved possession, we have a unique purpose to declare His praises and share His light with others. Our self-worth is found in our deep connection to God and His purposes for our lives.
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.
As God’s handiwork, we have been uniquely designed and equipped to carry out good works. Our worth is not based on our achievements or comparison with others, but on the fact that God has a specific plan and purpose for our lives. We can find fulfillment and value in living out His intended path for us.
Luke 12:7
Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
This verse emphasizes the intimate care and attention that God has for us. He knows every detail of our lives, right down to the number of hairs on our head. It is a reminder that we are deeply known and valued by our Creator.
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.
We are called to have a balanced view of ourselves, neither thinking too highly nor too lowly of ourselves. This verse encourages us to have a humble and accurate assessment of our abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, recognizing that they are all gifts from God.
Psalm 23:1
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
When we acknowledge God as our shepherd, we can rest in the assurance that He will provide for all our needs. We do not need to strive for validation or worth in the world because we have everything we need in Him.
Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
We are all created in the image of God, which means we bear His likeness and reflect His character. This truth gives us inherent worth and dignity, regardless of our outward appearance or perceived flaws.
Romans 8:37-39
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing can separate us from the love of God. We can find security and value in knowing that His love for us is unwavering and constant. We are not defined by our shortcomings or failures but by the incredible love that God has for us.
Psalm 100:3
Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
This verse highlights our belonging to God. We are His people, and He is our shepherd. We can find comfort and worth in knowing that we are under His care and guidance.
1 Corinthians 3:16
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?
We have been made temples of the Holy Spirit. The presence of God resides within us, giving us a sacred and significant identity. Recognizing this truth helps us to see ourselves as vessels of His love and purpose.
Proverbs 3:15-16
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
Wisdom is highly esteemed in the Bible and here is portrayed as precious. When we seek wisdom and apply it to our lives, we are displaying self-love and recognizing our worth. Wisdom brings not only a longer and more fulfilling life but also honor and riches, both spiritual and material.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
As Christians, our identity is found in Christ. Our old self has been crucified, and we now live in the power of His resurrection. We can find self-love and worth in knowing that Christ lives within us and that He loved us enough to give Himself for us.
Psalm 46:5
God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.
This verse assures us that God is always with us. His presence and help are available to us at all times. We can find confidence and self-worth in knowing that with God by our side, we are secure and will not be easily shaken.
Colossians 3:12
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
As those who are chosen, holy, and loved by God, we are called to exhibit these qualities. When we embrace these virtues, we are valuing ourselves and others. Through our actions, we can demonstrate the self-love and respect that God has for us.
Psalm 139:17-18
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you.
God’s thoughts toward us are precious and numerous. He constantly thinks about us with love and care. This truth reminds us of our worth and significance in His eyes. We can find comfort and value in knowing that we are always on His mind.
Isaiah 49:16
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
In this verse, God uses powerful imagery to convey His deep love and care for us. To be engraved on the palms of His hands signifies that we are always close to His heart. We are continually on His mind and held securely in His love.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
God has good plans for our lives, plans that bring prosperity, hope, and a bright future. We can find self-confidence and worth in knowing that our lives are held in His loving hands. Even in times of difficulty, we can trust that His plans for us are ultimately for our good.
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 have become new creations. Our old self has passed away, and a new life has begun. We can find self-love and worth in embracing our identity as a new creation, leaving behind the mistakes and regrets of the past.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
This verse is a powerful reminder of God’s incredible love for us. He loved us before we even knew Him, and He demonstrated that love by sending His Son to die for our sins. We can find deep self-worth and value in the fact that we were worth the sacrifice of Jesus.
Psalm 8:4
What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
The psalmist contemplates the vastness of the universe and wonders why God would be mindful of mere humans. Recognizing God’s care and concern for us should cause us to value ourselves and understand our significance in His eyes.
John 15:9
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
Jesus’s love for us is not ordinary or conditional; it is the same love with which the Father loves Him. We are commanded to abide in His love, finding our security and self-worth in His constant and unwavering love.
Psalm 31:14-15
But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.
Placing our trust in God reminds us that our lives are in His hands. We can find self-love and worth in knowing that He will deliver us from our enemies and provide for us in every circumstance.
Matthew 11:28-29
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
In Jesus, we can find rest for our weary souls. We don’t have to strive for worth or prove ourselves. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. We can find self-love and worth in surrendering to His care and trusting in His gentle and humble heart.
Psalm 103:13-14
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.
God’s compassion toward us is analogous to a loving father’s compassion for his children. He knows our limitations and frailties, yet He still extends His loving care and compassion towards us. We can find self-love and worth in resting in His fatherly embrace.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This famous verse encapsulates the depth and extent of God’s love for us. He loved us so much that He sacrificed His only Son for our salvation. When we believe in Him, we receive the gift of eternal life and can find self-love and worth in being cherished by the Creator of all things.
2 Timothy 1:7
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity but one of power, love, and self-discipline. Through the Holy Spirit’s presence within us, we can find confidence, strength, and the ability to love ourselves as we were intended to.
Psalm 103:17
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children.
God’s love for us is endless, extending from generation to generation. When we fear and honor Him, we can find self-love and worth in knowing that His love and righteousness will continue to be with us and our future descendants.
John 14:23
Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
When we love and obey Jesus, we invite Him and the Father to make their home within us. This indwelling presence should remind us of our worth and value as we carry the divine within us and are intimately connected to God.
Romans 12:6-8
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Each of us has been given unique gifts and abilities by God. We can find self-love and worth in embracing and utilizing these gifts for His glory. Our worth is not based on comparison with others but on obediently using what God has entrusted to us.
What Does the Bible Say About Self Love and Worth?
In our search for guidance on self-love and self-worth in the Bible, we find several passages that offer valuable insights and principles. While the term “self-love” may not be explicitly mentioned, the Bible does provide wisdom that can help us understand our intrinsic value and how we should view ourselves.
1. Love Your Neighbor as Yourself (Mark 12:31): One of the most well-known verses related to self-love is found in the New Testament, where Jesus teaches us to love our neighbor as ourselves. This implies that we should have a healthy level of self-love and self-care, as it serves as the standard by which we love others.
2. We Are God’s Masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10): Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works. This verse underscores our intrinsic worth and purpose in God’s eyes, emphasizing that each of us is uniquely valuable.
3. The Greatest Commandment (Matthew 22:37-39): In these verses, Jesus teaches us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This implies that we must love and care for ourselves as part of fulfilling God’s commandment.
4. God’s Unconditional Love (Romans 8:38-39): The Apostle Paul assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Knowing that we are unconditionally loved by our Creator can boost our sense of self-worth and security.
5. Do Not Compare (Galatians 6:4-5): Galatians 6:4-5 advises against comparing ourselves to others. Recognizing our unique gifts and talents, rather than measuring ourselves against others, can help nurture a healthy sense of self-worth.
6. Renewing the Mind (Romans 12:2): This verse encourages us to renew our minds, transforming our thinking. By aligning our thoughts with God’s truth and love, we can overcome negative self-perceptions and cultivate a positive self-image.
7. Taking Care of the Temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20): These verses remind us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This emphasizes the importance of self-care, as we are entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining our physical and mental well-being.
In summary, while the Bible may not explicitly use the term “self-love” or “self-worth,” it does provide guidance on valuing ourselves, loving ourselves as God loves us, and caring for our well-being. By understanding and applying these principles, we can foster a healthy sense of self-love and self-worth as part of our faith journey.