What Does the Bible Say About Loving Yourself?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary is a devoted Bible student who loves sharing her knowledge, inspiring others with faith-filled insights, and deepening spiritual understanding through writing.

Loving yourself is a topic that sparks many different opinions.

Some say it’s selfish, while others say it’s necessary for a happy life.

But what does the Bible say?

Does God want people to love themselves, or does He call them to only focus on loving others?

The Bible offers a balanced view.

It teaches that loving yourself is not about arrogance or pride but about seeing yourself the way God sees you.

It is about understanding your worth and living in a way that honors Him.

The Greatest Commandment and Self-Love

One of the most well-known verses about love is found in Matthew 22:37-39.

Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

This is the first and greatest commandment.

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

The phrase “as yourself” is key.

Jesus assumed that people naturally care for themselves.

In order to love others well, a person must first understand how to love themselves in a healthy way.

If someone treats themselves with kindness, patience, and respect, they are more likely to extend the same love to others.

If they constantly criticize themselves and live in self-doubt, it becomes harder to show love outwardly.

Jesus was not promoting selfishness, but He was acknowledging that a person’s relationship with themselves affects their relationship with others.

Created in God’s Image

The Bible teaches that every human being is created in the image of God.

Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

This means that every person has value, not because of what they do, but because of who they are.

God designed each person with purpose, thought, and care.

Psalm 139:13-14 beautifully expresses this truth:

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Loving yourself begins with recognizing that you are God’s creation.

See also  What Does the Bible Say About Loving Your Neighbor?

He does not make mistakes.

Understanding this truth can help replace negative self-talk with gratitude for who God made you to be.

The Danger of Self-Hatred

Many people struggle with feelings of worthlessness and self-hatred.

They believe they are not good enough, not smart enough, or not lovable.

But these thoughts do not come from God.

They come from the enemy, who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).

God’s Word speaks directly against self-hatred.

Romans 8:1 reminds believers, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

This means that God does not want people to live in shame or guilt.

Instead, He offers forgiveness, grace, and a new identity in Christ.

When people view themselves through the lens of God’s love, they can let go of the lies that tell them they are unworthy.

Balancing Self-Love and Humility

Some people worry that loving themselves too much will lead to pride.

The Bible does warn against arrogance and self-importance.

Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

But there is a difference between godly self-love and sinful pride.

Loving yourself in a biblical way means recognizing your worth while staying humble.

Romans 12:3 advises, “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 means seeing yourself honestly—not as greater or lesser than you truly are.

Self-love should not lead to selfishness but to a healthy confidence in God’s purpose for your life.

Loving Yourself by Caring for Your Body

Taking care of yourself is another way to practice biblical self-love.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states, “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 shows that caring for your physical health is a way to honor God.

Eating well, exercising, resting, and avoiding harmful substances are not just good habits—they are ways to respect the body God has given you.

See also  What Does the Bible Say About Mountains?

Neglecting self-care can lead to exhaustion, stress, and even illness.

Taking care of yourself allows you to serve God and others more effectively.

Renewing Your Mind with God’s Truth

Loving yourself also means guarding your thoughts.

Many people struggle with negative thinking, which affects how they see themselves.

The Bible encourages believers to renew their minds with truth.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Replacing lies with God’s truth is a powerful way to grow in self-love.

Instead of thinking, “I am not good enough,” remember that God calls you His child (John 1:12).

Instead of believing, “I will never change,” hold onto the promise that God is transforming you (Philippians 1:6).

Your thoughts shape your identity.

Filling your mind with God’s truth will help you see yourself the way He does.

Forgiving Yourself

One of the hardest parts of loving yourself is forgiving yourself.

Many people carry guilt from past mistakes, unable to let go of their failures.

But the Bible teaches that God forgives completely.

1 John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

If God forgives, why should we hold onto what He has released?

Holding onto guilt and shame only keeps people stuck.

Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

True self-love means accepting God’s forgiveness and moving forward.

Serving Others from a Place of Wholeness

Loving yourself is not about focusing only on yourself.

It is about being healthy enough to love others well.

When Jesus commanded us to “love your neighbor as yourself,” He implied that we must first understand love for ourselves.

See also  What Does the Bible Say About Piercings?

People who are broken, exhausted, and filled with self-doubt often struggle to love others fully.

When you accept God’s love for you, take care of yourself, and live in His truth, you are better able to serve, encourage, and uplift those around you.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Loving yourself equips you to be a blessing to others.

The Ultimate Source of Self-Worth

At the core of biblical self-love is this truth: Your worth is not based on your achievements, appearance, or other people’s opinions.

Your worth comes from God alone.

Isaiah 43:4 says, “You are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you.”

No mistake, failure, or weakness can change how much God loves you.

Ephesians 2:10 calls believers “God’s handiwork,” created for a purpose.

When you embrace this truth, self-love is no longer about proving yourself—it is about accepting the love God has already given.

Final Thoughts

The Bible does not teach selfishness, but it does teach self-love rooted in God’s truth.

Loving yourself means seeing yourself as God sees you—valuable, loved, and created with purpose.

It means forgiving yourself, caring for yourself, and renewing your mind with His truth.

It means loving yourself enough to live in a way that honors God.

When you understand this, you can love others better, live with confidence, and walk in the fullness of God’s plan for your life.

True self-love is not about pride—it is about embracing the love that God freely gives.