What is Self-Love?
There are many different ideas as to what Self-Love really means. I’ve heard two distinct variations in the meaning of this compound word – one is a very positive outlook of oneself that brightens up who you are, and the other seems like an overarching negative outlook of oneself where avoidance of that person is the best option.
The negative meaning of Self-Love is one where the individual seems egotistical, considered vain, and where selfishness is the bold personality trait that comes out loud and clear; it is definitely not an attractive characteristic!
The positive meaning of the word Self-Love is more out of a necessity for life itself – for the well-being of oneself, virtually for overall health so that you can live a happy, fulfilling life filled with purpose. When you truly understand the need to take care of yourself for your overall wellness, which includes all aspects of life such as your physical, emotional, psychological, relational, nutritional, and spiritual needs, then Self-Love is no longer something to feel guilty about, but rather something to pursue with intentionality.
You might be asking yourself…
Are There Bible Verses About Loving Yourself?
Yes! And I would like to share some Bible Verses About Self-Love with you now which I find absolutely fascinating, as I know that Jesus looked after his physical needs, his emotional needs, his relational needs, his nutritional needs, and his spiritual needs. I hope this helps you find a balance in your life so that you can live out the purpose God has planned for your life!
The first verse that always pops into my mind is that Jesus tells us to Love our neighbor like ourselves, and that means we also need to Love ourselves!
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.
Mark 12:30-31 NIV
The second verse that quickly pops into my mind is that we must renew our minds. God tells us to be transformed by renewing our minds and one of the ways to do this is to meditate. This is definitely a great way, in my opinion, to practice Self-Love!
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
The third verse that quickly pops into my mind is about the fact that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. If our body is a temple, which we know to be true from scripture, then we must treat it with Self-Love and self-care like we would a temple!
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV
Other Bible Verses About Self Love
Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 2:4-5 ESV
We certainly need to look out for others, but this does not say to exclude ourselves – it says to ALSO look out for others!
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
Psalm 27:3
This speaks to the point of being confident – so how do we gain confidence in ourselves? By working on our self-talk, by renewing our mind, and by knowing who we are in Christ. This all requires Self-Love, learning and growing, and working on renewing our mindset, knowing that without fear we can fulfill the purpose God has for each one of us.
Extra Bible Verses About Self-Love
However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Ephesians 5:33 NIV
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 NIV
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:4 ESV
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14 ESV
As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.
Philippians 1:20 ESV
It is quite clear to me that we need to put on our own oxygen mask first before we begin to love and take care of others, just like the attendant on an airplane always says. I believe this is all in keeping with what the Bible says – to love our neighbor as ourselves.
When is the last time you have done something for yourself because you love who you are?
When we see that we are deeply loved by God, then we can forgive ourselves too and truly learn to love ourselves the way Christ would.
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.
John 3:16 NIV
God Loves You unconditionally, and He wants you to love yourself too.
Make sure to read some of our other posts:
28 Bible Verses About Resisting Temptation
Speak These Gratitude Affirmations To God
Remember, you are a Woman Chosen For Greatness so commit to loving yourself today.
Ruth Verbree
It took me a few years to learn, understand and change…. long and not easy process ! I’am doing much better. Why ? Because, finally, I am taking better care of myself. I learned that it has to happen on three levels on my life, spiritual, physical and mental… I also learned that it has to be consistent process. I am trying to do it this way, but it doesn’t mean I am always successful ! I am not looking for any perfection, because I won’t find it… what’s I am trying to do it’s: my, best. My consistent progress, it’s my WIN ! I, also understood that I can’t do it by myself and how important the support is. God, community, that’s what we all need….and I am so thankful for that !
Thanks Ruth….this is a very important component for self-care….. When we care and love ourselves as God wants us to do, we have more patience, more peace, discernment is not a grey zone! We are more capable of standing with our sisters, giving support and love. Also family and friends.
Grateful for this group of Christian women who together are walking on a path to take us to be the Women God created us to be.
Women Chosen For Greatness. We give God the Glory
The verse in Mark resonates with me. It is so easy for me to love others and be down on myself. I need to love myself too. This is a process I will endeavor to do in 2022.
I like all of those bible verses