The best way to bask in self-love is to realize how amazing God created us to be. The Bible says that in the beginning, God made us in His image; see Genesis 1:26-28.
If the Lord thought so highly of us to create us in His image, should we not use that as the standard by which we value ourselves?
The psalmist in Psalms 139:14 recognized God’s handiwork when he said, “I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well.”
Yet, we often feel our value is lowered when others we care for don't see it or treat us in a not-so-wonderful way. Maybe as a child, we went through years of being put down and told what little value we have.
However, when we love ourselves, we don't relinquish the value meter of our lives over to those who refuse to see it. But we become comfortable in our own skin and surround ourselves with others who enhance our lives rather than those who take away from it.
What is Self-Love?
Self-love reflects the thoughts we feel about ourselves and how we treat ourselves. When you have self-love, you give great thought to how you talk to yourself, and all the reflections you have concerning yourself are from a place of concern and love.
In other words, your view of yourself is overall positive.
However, it doesn't mean you don't have periods of disappointment, frustration, or anger with yourself. For example, if you have a daughter, you can love her while being disappointed or let down by her actions.
The same goes for loving yourself. Those feelings show how you relate to yourself or others and expect better because you hold them and yourself in high regard.
Self-love sees the best in ourselves, allows us to forgive ourselves, and do things that support our well-being while looking at ourselves in a realistic way. When we love ourselves the right way, we can love others in the way they deserve to be loved.
Ways to Practice Self-Love
Practicing self-love may be uncomfortable for many of you because you try not to focus on yourselves but on others in your life. However, you need to love yourself and take care of “YOU” so that you can be there for those that mean the most to you.
So, one might say that practicing self-love is vital… and here are some tips for getting started.
Embrace compliments.
Many of us avoid or shy away from them because we question the motives of the person giving the praise. Or we may feel they are saying what they are from an ill-informed place, and if they knew more about us, they wouldn't say what they are saying.
So instead of tossing them away like 10-day-old bananas, embrace them, internalize them, own them, and show gratitude for them.
Spend time getting to know yourself.
Everyone feels loved and cared for in different ways. Spend time alone with yourself, getting to know what you enjoy and value. It's like dating yourself instead of others.
You will realize things about yourself and what brings you joy. Then you can focus on doing those things, creating those new habits, daily reminders, and setting aside the me-time you need to feel refreshed.
Develop a self-loving routine.
Once you have developed the habits of showing self-love, it's time to start turning those habits into a regular routine. For example, if curling up with a good book is self-love to you, schedule a normal time to do it.
If a relaxing bubble bath with candles and music brings you ecstasy, plan routine times for yourself to do so.
In addition to reading bible verses about self love, these things will help you recharge, be a happier person, and support your overall well-being and mindset.
35 Bible Verses About the Importance of Self-Love
1. 1st John 3:1
“See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so, we are! For this reason, the world does not know us because it did not know Him.”
2. Genesis 1:31
“God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good, and He validated it completely. And there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day.”
3. Matthew 22:37-39
“And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall 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. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].”
4. 2nd Timothy 3:2-5
“For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them.”
5. 1st Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1st Samuel 16:7
6. Ephesians 5:28-29
“Even so, husbands should and are morally obligated to love their own wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own body, but [instead] he nourishes and protects and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church.”
7. Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a Warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with joy; He will be quiet in His love [making no mention of your past sins], He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”
8. Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].”
9. 1st Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen generaton, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
10. Ephesians 5:8
“For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light].”
11. Deuteronomy 7:7-8
“The Lord did not love you and choose you because you were greater in number than any of the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
But because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath which, He swore to your fathers, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed (bought) you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.”
12. 2nd Timothy 1:7
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind, and self-control].”
13. Isaiah 43:4
“Because you are precious in My sight, you are honored, and I love you. I will give other men in return for you and other peoples in exchange for your life.”
14. John 1:16
“For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth], we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift].”
15. Deuteronomy 33:12
“May the beloved of the Lord dwell in safety by Him; He shields and covers him all the day long, and He dwells between His shoulders.”
May the beloved of the Lord dwell in safety by Him; He shields and covers him all the day long, and He dwells between His shoulders.” – Deuteronomy 33:12
16. 1st Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking, it is not provoked [nor overly sensitive and easily angered]; it does not take into account a wrong endured.
It does not rejoice at injustice, but rejoices with the truth [when right and truth prevail]. Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].”
17. Matthew 6:26
“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow [seed] nor reap [the harvest] nor gather [the crops] into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they?”
18. Isaiah 54:10
“For the mountains may be removed, and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, nor will My covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord who has compassion on you.”
19. Ephesians 3:11-12
“This is in accordance with [the terms of] the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him [that is, our faith gives us sufficient courage to freely and openly approach God through Christ].”
20. Song of Solomon 6:3
“I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine, He who feeds his flock among the lilies.”
21. Philippians 1:6
“I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus [the time of His return].”
22. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].”
23. Philippians 2:13
“For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.”
24. 1st Corinthians 12:31
“But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].”
25. 2nd Corinthians 4:2
“But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.”
But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” – 2nd Corinthians 4:2
26. Matthew 10:29-31
“Are not two little sparrows sold for a copper coin? And yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered [for the Father is sovereign and has complete knowledge]. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.”
27. 1st John 4:16
“We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him.”
28. 1st John 3:18
“Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words].”
29. 1st Corinthians 6:19-20
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God and that you are not your own [property]? You were bought with a price [you were actually purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.”
30. Romans 5:8
“But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
31. Colossians 3:14-15
“Beyond all these things, put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].
Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed, you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].”
32. Leviticus 19:18
“You shall not take revenge nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor (acquaintance, associate, companion) as yourself; I am the Lord.”
33. James 2:8
“If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]” you are doing well.”
34. John 3:16-17
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.
For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him.”
35. Romans 8:37-39
“Yet in all these things, we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us].
For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Final Thoughts on Bible Verses About the Importance of Self-Love
I prayerfully hope you feel empowered and valued by these few bible verses. I desire that you also see the value God places on your life and allow that to become the lens through which you see yourself. Then begin to enjoy yourself and bless the world with the uniqueness that you bring to it.
I admit I have been one to struggle with self-love and self-worth. I dodged compliments like they were harmful to me and had trouble seeing the value I brought to the world.
But I eventually found acceptance, encouragement, purpose, and new life through verses of scripture that turned my life around, and I hope it does the same for you.
