Introduction
Ever questioned your worth or battled with low self-esteem? Well, you’re not alone. In a world that often measures value by societal standards, it’s easy to forget the incredible truth: we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of an extraordinary Creator. Bible verses for low self esteem are a powerful way to boost your self worth and self acceptance.
In this blog, we’ll explore inspiring Bible verses, meet remarkable individuals who faced their own self-doubt, and uncover the transformative power of God’s grace. It’s time to trade self-criticism for self-love and embark on a journey toward embracing the radiant, confident individual you are created to be.
So, grab a cozy blanket, settle in with your favorite drink, and dive into the heart of self-esteem, as defined by the Bible. We will look at various translations of the Bible to get a better understanding of our self-worth in Christ. Making this a thorough Bible study on self esteem.
Are you ready? Dive into the encouragement of the 50 best Bible verses for low self-esteem. I pray these self esteem verses will help you grasp and embrace your value in Christ.
What is self-esteem according to the Bible?
The dictionary defines self-esteem as “confidence in one’s own worth or abilities; self-respect.” I’d say that what the dictionary describes is high self-esteem, and not self-esteem in itself. Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It’s based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves.
Your mental well-being improves when you have a positive self-image. Self-esteem and self-acceptance are two parts of your self-worth, but they’re not the same. Your self-esteem can fluctuate because social interaction, outside validation, hormones, and even stress influence how you feel about yourself.
The term ‘self-esteem’ only became popular because of the rise of psychology in the sixties—that’s why we won’t find the exact term in the Bible itself. However, based on God’s Word, we can get a good sense of what the Bible says about self-esteem. Our self-esteem is undeniably linked to our relationship with God the Father.
The Scriptures teach us about understanding our worth and value in a relationship with God. The Bible guides how we should view ourselves and our identity in relation to God.
Here are some key principles related to self-esteem according to the Bible:
In the Bible, we can see we are created in God’s image. Being created in the image of God Himself alone makes us worthy! Think of it. If we weren’t important in God’s sight, would He have created us like Him? No! In God’s sight we are precious, worthy, loved, and valuable.
If you ever feel defeated and have negative thoughts about yourself, just recall this Scripture and let your self-esteem blossom up:
#1 NLT: Genesis 1:27 – “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Furthermore, God loves us unconditionally (Romans 5:8), we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and chosen and precious in God’s sight (1 Peter 2:9). He bought us with the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-19).
This determines our self-esteem according to the Bible. Not our view of ourselves, the world’s view of us, or our friends’ opinion about us.
What does God say about low self-esteem?
The most important thing to be aware of is that God knows how we feel. He knows when we doubt ourselves, think negatively about ourselves, have a lack of confidence, and feel down. And He isn’t shocked by it and doesn’t condemn it. He is a good Father—He cares.
God knows we are human beings and that we will feel as if we don’t matter and aren’t worthy—we aren’t perfect, and He knows it. He loves us. He cares about how we feel, whether we have high self-esteem or low self esteem, that changes nothing in His great love for us.
We shouldn’t feel guilty when we have low self-esteem and trouble believing we have worth. It is okay. God knows.
But God also wants you to be happy and live in your God-given identity—His daughter, a powerful woman of God. Yes, you are! Great value is in you; you may need help to see it and draw it out. There are many amazing Bible verses about the power of a woman. God gave them to help you believe in yourself and overcome low self-esteem as a child of God.
Despite our flaws and imperfections, God sees our true worth and value. He calls us to have a humble and realistic view of ourselves (sober judgement), recognizing that our worth comes from Him and not from worldly standards or achievements (Ephesians 2:8-9). But he also wants us, Christian women, to recognize our worth as daughters of God.
The good news is that because God knows we will experience feelings of low self esteem, he has provided in His Word. The same as He provided 365 “fear nots” because He knows we will be afraid. He knows!
When we struggle with low self-worth, the Bible offers us comfort and encouragement. The Word of God reminds us we can find our confidence and identity in Christ. We are forgiven and redeemed through His sacrifice (Ephesians 1:7) and we are beloved children of God (1 John 3:1).
Bible verses for low self image
With God’s help, through the Spirit of God, we can increase our self-esteem and get a more positive image of ourselves. The way we see ourselves affects everything else in life. It is worth working on your self-esteem.
The following Bible verses can help uplift and strengthen our self-esteem. It helps to read them over and over, filling you with His Spirit and gradually believing in yourself.
#2 NLT: Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
ESV: Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
This verse is my ultimate Bible verse about self-esteem. We are God’s masterpiece, not God’s failure!
#3 NKJV: Romans 8:37-39 – “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
God gives us all we need to have a positive self esteem. These verses in Romans 8 are powerful to build up a healthy self-esteem, based on biblical principles.
#4 NIV: 1 Peter 2:9 – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
You are chosen! Wow!
Our self-worth is not determined by our own accomplishments or the opinions of others. It is rooted in God’s love for us and our identity as His children. By meditating on these powerful Bible verses and seeking God’s truth, we can find healing and restoration for our low self-esteem.
Another powerful way to declare God’s truth over your life is by using biblical affirmations for confidence.
Who had a low self-esteem in the Bible?
To help you boost your self-image, it can be of great value to look at examples of low self esteem in the Bible. Why? First, even though they lacked self-confidence, the Bible mentions them. God doesn’t see them as less worthy. Second, all of them gained strong confidence through God’s power in and through them.
Here is an overview of Bible characters with low self esteem:
- Leah (Genesis 29:17): Leah is the best example of a woman in the Bible with low self-esteem. She felt unloved by her husband Jacob, and struggled with her self-esteem. Her father Laban tricked Jacob into marrying her instead of her sister Rachel, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
- Moses (Exodus 3:11): When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses initially expressed doubts about his ability and qualifications. He felt inadequate for the task and questioned why God chose him.
- Rahab (Joshua 2:9-11): Rahab, a prostitute in Jericho, initially expressed fear and unworthiness when she encountered the Israelite spies. However, her faith and actions later played a crucial role in the salvation of her family.
- Gideon (Judges 6:15): Gideon, chosen by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites, doubted his own strength and capability. He saw himself as the least in his family and from the weakest clan, expressing insecurity about his ability to fulfill the mission.
- Saul (1 Samuel 9, 10, 15, 18): struggled with deep-seated insecurities and low self-esteem. Despite being anointed by Samuel and chosen by God, Saul hesitated to embrace his role as king. He sought approval from others, feared rejection, and exhibited jealousy. He never got past his low self-esteem and never had confidence in his worth, abilities, and God’s power.
- Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9:8): Mephibosheth, the grandson of Saul and son of Jonathan, referred to himself as a “dead dog” when David showed him kindness by restoring to him all the land that belonged to his grandfather Saul. Mephibosheth, lame in both feet, felt marginalized and unworthy of the favor shown to him by King David. This expression reflects his own perception of low worth and humility in the king’s presence.
- Elijah (1 Kings 19:4): After a glorious victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah faced a moment of low self-esteem. Fearing for his life, he retreated into the wilderness and asked God to take his life. He felt alone and discouraged. He expressed a sense of failure and believed he was the only faithful one left.
- Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6-8): When God called Jeremiah to be a prophet, Jeremiah felt too young and inexperienced for the task. He doubted his own abilities and questioned whether he could effectively communicate God’s messages.
- Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8): Before his encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus was a tax collector and likely faced rejection from his community. He couldn’t believe that Jesus wanted to come to his house! Jesus tells Him that He rather came for people like him. Zacchaeus response to Jesus’ acceptance and love suggests a transformation in his self-worth.
- Woman with the issue of blood (Matthew 9:20-21): This woman needed a miracle from God. She was an outcast in her society—according to Jewish law, her condition made her ceremonially unclean and socially isolated. She didn’t approach our Lord Jesus Christ visibly from the front. Instead, she tried to quietly touch Him without being noticed by anyone. Even though she had a low self-esteem, she didn’t allow that to prevent her from getting the healing she needed.
- Peter (Matthew 26:69-75): Peter struggled with self-doubt and dread. Out of fear, he goes against Jesus’ prediction and denies him three times. Afterward, he wept bitterly, overwhelmed by guilt and a sense of personal failure, reflecting a temporary loss of confidence in himself.
- Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:4-42): she came to the well to draw water at an unusual time of day, to avoid the judgment and criticism of others (she had been married many times and was now living with a man she wasn’t married with). When Christ Jesus spoke to her, she expressed she wasn’t worthy to be talked to as she was ‘just a Samaritan woman’.
- Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12): Paul encourages him not to let others look down on him because he is young. Timothy, being a young leader in the early Christian church, may have faced challenges and feelings of inadequacy because of his age. Paul advises him to set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, demonstrating that confidence and leadership are not determined solely by age, but by your character and commitment to God.
It’s important to note that God used mightily these individuals, despite their moments of low self-esteem. Their stories show God can work through imperfect and flawed individuals, highlighting the transformative power of God’s grace and guidance.
It is Christ’s power in us that makes us strong.
How can I improve my self-esteem biblically?
Having low self esteem doesn’t mean you are unworthy. It also doesn’t mean you will feel that way for the rest of your life. It is possible to work on your self-esteem and improve it with the Power of the Holy Spirit in you.
Through spiritual growth, you will experience the power of God in your life. Building self esteem through the bible will help you improve the way you look at yourself.
There are several ways to work on your spiritual growth. The first step is to desire to work on your self-image, as that will be the drive to change your life for the better, the biblical way. Next, have a look at the below suggestions and start with the one that feels easy and okay to do. Then, when you have applied that tip for some time, continue with any of the other suggestions. You can apply one at a time, or several simultaneously—just how best suits you.
10 tips to improve your self-esteem biblically:
- Read the Bible each day. The general teachings in the Bible will help you know how valuable you are. The more you study the Bible for yourself, the more you will drink in the truth of His Word over your life. Even one verse or section per day will go a long way!
- Read Bible verses about courage and confidence. Reading specific Bible verses about courage and confidence will unleash God’s promises in your life concerning your self-esteem level. These verses are given by God to help you improve.
- Meditate on Scriptures. Apart from reading and studying God’s Word, Christian meditation on inspirational Bible verses is one of the best ways to engage with the Word of God.
- Pray in the Name of the Lord. Confide in God—tell Him exactly how you feel. Then ask Him to help you see who you are in Him. This way, you cast your burdens on Him and He will take care of you. For example, prayers for courage and confidence and prayers for endurance.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. We are all different and unique. The way I improve myself may not be how works for you. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you along your journey to self-improvement.
- Worship God for who He is. Worship is directed to God, our Heavenly Father, but it also positively impacts us. It helps us embrace our identity in Him and so boosts our confidence.
- Use positive and powerful morning declarations based on God’s Word will enable the manifestation of God’s power in your life. God’s Word is alive and powerful—declaring it over your life will change you for the better.
- Read godly inspirational quotes for women. Read them, memorize them, write them down, etc. Those can boost your self-esteem level.
- Know who you are in Christ, by studying specific Scriptures about your identity in Him.
- Change your mindset into a biblically sound and positive mindset. Renew your mind with God’s help.
Self-esteem Bible verses
There are plenty amazing Bible verses to help us increase our self-esteem. Studying those Scriptures will go a long way in our journey to live the new creation we are through the power of Christ in us.
Before we explore the best Bible verses that will improve your self-esteem, I’d first want to touch on two Bible verses many people use to justify thinking lowly about themselves.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
“For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.” Romans 12:3 (ESV)
This verse is not about having a negative perception of oneself. It is to prevent pride and to encourage us to esteem others as well. It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t appreciate ourselves. We can. And must. We can appreciate ourselves how we have been created according to the will of God, with His perfect love.
To achieve this, you can speak Bible verses for low self esteem aloud and declare them over your life—thus replacing negative self-talk! Do it during the good times and during the tough times. Just start and see good things unfold in your life.
In the below overview you’ll find Bible verses self acceptance, Bible verses about self respect, and Bible verses about being worthy enough. Together they form the ultimate list of low self esteem Bible verses.
Here is a list of 47 additional Bible verses about self-esteem.
#5 NLT: Psalm 139:14 – “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.”
#6 NLT: Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
#7 ESV: Psalm 139:13 – “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”
#8 NIV: Ephesians 1:4 – “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.”
#9 NLT: Zephaniah 3:17 – “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
#10 ESV: Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
#11 NIV: Psalm 46:5 – “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.”
#12 ESV: Isaiah 41:10 – “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
#13 ESV: Psalm 139:16 – “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”
#14 NIV: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “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.”
#15 NLT: Philippians 4:13 – “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”
#16 ESV: Psalm 27:10 – “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.”
#17 NIV: Psalm 139:17 – “How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!”
#18 NIV: 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 – “But, ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’ For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
#19 NLT: Psalm 34:5 – “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”
#20 ESV: Matthew 10:29-31 – “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
#21 NIV: Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”
#22 NLT: 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
#23 ESV: Romans 15:13 – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
#24 NIV: Isaiah 43:1 – “But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.”
#25 NLT: Psalm 27:14 – “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
#26 ESV: Ephesians 3:17-19 – “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”
#27 NIV: Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
#28 NLT: Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
#29 ESV: Psalm 34:17-18 – “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
#30 NIV: Romans 15:7 – “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”
#31 NLT: Romans 5:8 – “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”
#32 ESV: Psalm 34:8 – “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
#33 NIV: Psalm 143:8 – “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you, I entrust my life.”
#34 NLT: Jeremiah 29:13 – “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
#35 ESV: 1 Peter 5:7 – “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
#36 NIV: Psalm 34:15 – “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.”
#37 ESV: Psalm 103:13-14 – “As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”
#38 NIV: Proverbs 3:25-26 – “Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.”
#39 NLT: 1 John 3:1 – “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”
#40 NLT Romans 8:31 – “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
#41 ESV: Psalm 42:11 – “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
#42 ESV: Song of Songs 4:7 – “You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.”
#43 NKJV: Proverbs 29:23 – “23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”
#44 NKJV: 1 Samuel 16:7 – “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
#45 NLT: Jeremiah 31:3 – “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself.”
#46ESV: 1 Chronicles 16:34 – “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”
#47 ESV: 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
#48 ESV: Isaiah 64:8 – “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.”
#49 NLT: 1 Peter 3:4 – “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”
#50 NKJV: Hebrews 10:35-36 – “Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.”
Another way to to help boost your self-esteem is by reading encourage yourself in the Lord quotes in the Bible. Those verses will remind you of God’s love, provision, and protection for you.
Bible verses for low self esteem KJV
The King James version (KJV) is one of the authentic translations that gets close to the original text of the Bible. When doing a self worth Bible study, it is good to look at different translations of God’s Word.
The KJV is accurate and inspiring. However, when you are new in reading Scriptures for yourself, I’d advise using one of the best Bible translations for new believers.
The following Bible verses are all taken from the KJV and have the power to transform your life!
7 Bible verses about self-worth KJV
- Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”
- Psalm 139:14 – “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.”
- Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
- Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
- Psalm 8:4-6 – “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.”
- Romans 8:37-39 – “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
6 Bible verses self acceptance KJV
- Psalm 139:17-18 – “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”
- Colossians 2:10 – “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”
- Galatians 2:20 – “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
- Ephesians 1:4-6 – “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”
- 1 Peter 2:9 – “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
- Hebrews 13:6 – “So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Short prayer for low self-esteem
Lord God, I love You and I thank You I am wonderfully made. Help me not to just know this with my head, but also accept in my whole being. Guide me. Speak to me through Bible verses for low self esteem and help me accept myself, love myself, and step out in my precious identity in Christ.
My self worth is in You and You alone. Whenever I deviate from this knowledge, let Your Holy Spirit remind me how precious I am. Thank You for making me Your own possession. I am Yours.
Heavenly Father, You created me perfect. Help me not to think lowly of myself and neither to think too much about myself. Lead me into Your truth. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Christel Owoo is a professional Life Coach with ACC-credentials from ICF.
She is passionate about helping women gain confidence.
Do you want to gain confidence in life and live fully in your God-given potential?
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