Already WholeSample

Christian Self Love

“We love because he first loved us.” —1 John 4:19

You’ve likely heard the term self-love at some point in the last few years. Cultural self-love tells you that:

• you are perfect just as you are;
• you can boost your confidence by comparing yourself to those around you that you perceive as failing;
• and that you should love yourself without ever changing.

But this narrative goes against what the Bible says. The truth is that:

• you are made whole in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23);
• you can only truly be fulfilled when you seek the approval of God, not of man (Galatians 1:10);
• and you will sin and fail, but you are redeemed by the grace of the Lord (Romans 3:23–24).

The foundation of self-love from a Christian perspective lies in the truth that we are created in the image of God, and we are defined by His unending love and grace toward us. Christian self-love roots itself in God’s love for you, His creation. His love is so great that when you love yourself, you delight God—He sees that you get a glimpse of how He feels about you. God loves you so much, and He is honored when you love yourself, even as you grow and change throughout your life (see 1 John 4:19, 1 Timothy 4:12).

There may be things about yourself that you find hard to love, and that’s okay. He understands. It’s an act of care to look at yourself and acknowledge that you are far from perfect, but that none of your faults or failures separate you from God and His love for you. Embracing self-love in this way means extending the same love and grace to yourself that the Lord extends to you.

We can acknowledge that we are imperfect while knowing that we are loved by a perfect God. Self-love is not self-centeredness—putting your desires above others and thinking of yourself as better than everyone else (see Romans 12:3). Self-love is believing the truths of what God says about you and applying these truths to your life. It is possible to appreciate who you are even while fostering physical, spiritual, or mental growth. Christian self-love is not only possible; it presents the opportunity to connect more deeply to your Creator.

Embracing Wholeness: I accept who I am right now without judgment. I am immeasurably loved by God.