What does God say about self-love and self-worth?
Are you struggling to see your value in this moment?
Is life experiences chipping away at your self-esteem while the harmful words of others play on repeat in your mind? Maybe your feelings of failure have kept you company for far too long.
Whatever the reason, you’ve come to God’s word for healing, hope, and restoration.
I know. I was there. Some days, I am there.
But, God’s word is the perfect place to find refuge.
However, in some Christian teachings, when self-love and self-worth are mentioned, you’re met with scriptures like Mark 12:31 and Philippians 2:3.
While one scripture tells you to love your neighbor as yourself, the other tells you to “value others above yourself.”
I don’t know if it’s the keyword love that brings these scriptures up, but I’m sure they aren’t exactly what you wanted to hear at the moment.
It sure wasn’t what I wanted or needed. Does this make us selfish or self-centered?
I think not, but it does beg the next question.
Is Self-Love Biblical?
The Dove Global Beauty and Confidence Report was a project that interviewed 10,500 females from 13 countries. This study found that 85% of women will avoid major life activities due to a lack of confidence in their appearance.
This is a direct spiritual attack on the queens and kings of God’s kingdom. You have an enemy out there that would love nothing more than to destroy you and your God-given purpose.
And let me tell you, he doesn’t fight fair.
In a world where the unattainable goal of perfection is held in high esteem, Satan is on the prowl. He is the ultimate deceiver and it’s his job to help you see yourself in every light besides the one that God meant for you to stand in.
If you pay close attention, he will commonly use weapons of comparison and hyper criticism.
He uses comparison so that when you’re strolling through your social feed, someone else’s physical beauty, accomplishments, and/or possessions make what you have seem so little.
When you feel that you’ve messed up, he is your cheerleader when you’re hyper-critical of yourself. He does this so much that when someone gives you a compliment, it’s very difficult for you to accept it.
You shine the brightest light on what you perceive are the worst parts of you, but never highlight the good.
If you lack self-love, it’s going to be really hard for you to fulfill God’s command of loving your neighbor as you love yourself. Because how can you give love when you don’t know how to receive it?
Now don’t get me wrong.
I’m not talking about the egocentric, prideful, selfish, worldly view of self-love and self-esteem. We want no part of that.
Self-love becomes biblical when we approach it through the lens of Jesus. With Him, there is no room for pridefulness and selfishness. You think and move as Jesus would. So I want to introduce you to the kingdom perspective of self-love.
With a kingdom perspective, you understand and appreciate the masterpiece that you are. You know that you weren’t made on some assembly line but born at a specific time, at a specific place for a specific purpose. You know that you’re so valuable that Jesus gave His life for you.
When you know and understand this, you’re able to love yourself as God intended all while loving others as He commanded.
So how exactly do we get this kingdom perspective?
You can check out my article on having a kingdom mindset for the modern-day Christian.
But, the short answer is God has given us ALL the answers in His word.
Today we’ll explore scriptures about loving yourself and use them to combat the spirit of low self-esteem. We are going to use these scriptures to demolish every argument and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God (2 Corinthians 10:5).
So are you ready to dive in? I hope so because as the bible states, the truth will set you free.
Bible verses about Self-Love and Self-Worth
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.” NIV
This verse is commonly given to newlyweds on their wedding day. But, have you ever thought about this verse in the context of yourself? Are you patient and kind to yourself? What do you say to yourself with your thoughts?
God gave me this visual. Imagine someone in a fight with multiple people. And then a version of themselves jumps in and starts hitting them too.
As if the world isn’t beating up on you enough, you’re doing it to yourself with your thoughts.
It takes time and patience, but learn to be aware of what you’re thinking about. Because you are listening.
Be patient with yourself and learn how to make mistakes without beating yourself up. Let mistakes be as God intended and allowed them to be…learning opportunities. He expects progress, not perfection.
1 Corinthians 3:16
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” NIV
We are the temple of God. Looking back at the older Testament and the building of a physical temple pre-Jesus, God took great pride in explaining how the temple was to be built. He even went down to specific details regarding the numerous luxury assets that would go in it. He wanted to make sure that they got every detail right.
And when Solomon and all who participated had finished it, it was one like no other. And guess what my friend? That temple is now YOU. He took great pride and care in creating you. He smiled and was proud as He created your innermost being.
Thus, he expects you to care for it. This means taking care of what I call the 3 pillars that makes you…you. Your spiritual, physical, and mental health are God’s priority and they should be yours as well.
Mark 6:31
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” NIV
Going along with the above, self-love involves taking care of yourself. This means knowing when to say no. You were never meant to carry all the burdens of this world on your shoulders. It’s physically impossible to help everyone in need. Instead, say yes to the things that the Holy Spirit places on your heart and no to the ones that he doesn’t.
This is not mean and it’s not being selfish. It’s recognizing that you’re little Jesus, not Jesus himself.
I’ve been there.
Running around stressed and fatigued helps no one. When you and God are on the same page, you’re more efficient. The Proverbs 31 woman knew how to do this well. Hence, her success.
Listen to the Holy Spirit as he guides you. God will never give you more than you can bear.
Ephesians 5:29
“After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.” NIV
I touched on this above when we spoke about our bodies being God’s temple. And anything the Bible makes a point of reiterating, it’s worth taking a second look at.
Remember, being a good steward of what God has given you includes properly taking care of your mental, physical, and spiritual health.
1 John 4:19
“We love because he first loved us” NIV
Born in a fallen world, at our core human beings are flawed. It is the love and grace of God that shows us right from wrong.
This scripture is so high-yield. In order for us to truly understand how to love ourselves and one another, we must learn from the one who created it all.
The way that Jesus loves us is a love like no other. His love is able to fill us in such a way that it overflows onto other people.
And our enemy knows this and will stop at nothing to confuse and steal what God so freely gives.
Know God’s truth about who you are, how loved you are, and how valuable you are. Stand in it, bask in it, and never forget it.
Isaiah 43:7
“I will give up whole nations to save your life, because you are precious to me and because I love you and give you honor.”
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
Need He say more? God loves you with a love beyond human comprehension. He is for you and not against you.
Know that you’re so precious and so valuable to God that He is willing to give up nations just for you.
And it doesn’t stop there. He gave you His all when He sent Jesus to pay the ransom for your sins. If you were the only one on this earth, He would still leave the glory of Heaven and give His life.
That’s how much you and I are loved by our Father.
Make it a point to walk in that love and freedom each and every day of your life. In doing so, you honor Him.
Psalm 139:14
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”
God knows every trick and every lie that Satan will tell you in order to confuse you about who you are. This scripture is the sword of truth to cut down his lies.
When the enemy says you’re unworthy, unqualified, and unloved, you respond with the power and might of God’s words.
You say “I am fearfully and wonderfully made and wonderful are His works!”
Prayer against low self-esteem
Dear God,
I come to humbly admit that I have been a victim of low-self esteem and low self-worth for far too long. It has stolen my joy and seized opportunities from me.
In Jesus’s name, I declare and decree that the stronghold is destroyed and I am set free. I believe your every word. I believe that you died on the cross to save me…to grant my freedom.
Now I choose to walk in that freedom. Teach me how to love myself and others as you commanded. Guard my thoughts so I do not succumb to the flaming arrows of the enemy.
Thank you for loving me like no other.
This I pray in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Final thoughts on bible verses related to self-love and self-worth.
God’s word is your greatest weapon in spiritual warfare. Because that’s what this is. If Satan can attack your self-esteem, then he feels that He can accomplish his mission of stealing your joy, killing your peace, and destroying your calling.
Use these bible verses about self-love as your armor and the scriptures on self-worth as your shield.
You are now prepared for battle, my friend.
Until next time. Be blessed
-Dr. Jay
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