Matt Black Biblical Counseling
Spiritual Growth & Biblical Foundations

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A Biblical View of Self

A Scripture-based chart for replacing distorted self-perceptions with a God-centered understanding of identity.

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What Does Not Define Us

An accurate self-image begins with a biblical view of who we are. Our core identity is not determined by changing circumstances, personal achievements, or the opinions of others.

  • Our emotions and feelings
  • What other people think about us
  • Our actions, history, or morality
  • Our family, relatives, or heritage
  • Our ethnicity, culture, or nationality
  • Our education, occupation, or politics
  • Our abilities or gender
  • Our physical build or appearance

Created in God’s Image

Every person—including you—has been created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27). You have been fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14–15). Your dignity begins with your Creator, not with human approval or personal performance.

The Reality of Sin

Although people bear God’s image, everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23). Life apart from God is spiritually barren (Romans 3:12) and follows the desires of the flesh (Ephesians 2:1–3). Sin enslaves (John 8:34), and apart from Christ we are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 2:13).

Made New in Christ

God, however, is rich in mercy. By grace through faith in Christ, whose death paid for our sin, we are made alive (Ephesians 2:4–5). In him we become new people (2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4) whose lives are valuable to God (Matthew 6:26).

Christ sets believers free from slavery to sin (Romans 6:17–22; John 8:36). God now calls his people holy (Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 2:9) and servants of righteousness (Romans 6:18).

Who You Are in Christ

For those who belong to Christ, identity is rooted in what God has done and what he says is true.

  • You are chosen and loved (1 Peter 2:9; Colossians 3:12).
  • You are a child of God (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1–3; Galatians 4:5).
  • You are forgiven, have received mercy, and are counted righteous in Christ (Ephesians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
  • Your lasting citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).
  • You are complete in Christ and belong to God (Colossians 2:9–10; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; 1 Peter 2:9).
  • You are light in the Lord (Ephesians 5:8).
  • You belong to Christ’s body and are part of God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9; 12:27; Colossians 3:15).
  • You are a branch who depends on Christ (John 15:5).
  • You are God’s temple (1 Corinthians 3:16).
  • Because you belong to the King, you are part of his royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9).

An Identity That Produces Humility

These truths should not make us proud. A biblical understanding of identity produces humility because everything we have is a gift of grace.

  1. We recognize that we are unworthy servants (Luke 17:10). We are who we are by God’s undeserved grace, so we boast in what God has done rather than in ourselves (1 Corinthians 15:10; 1:26–31).
  2. We honor Jesus as our worthy Lord. We deny ourselves, surrender the priority of our own lives, and follow his direction (Mark 8:34–35; John 12:25–26).
  3. We remember that we are still capable of temptation and sin against the One who sacrificed his life for us (1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 7:14–25; 1 John 2:1–2).
  4. We live as the new creation God has made us to be (Ephesians 5:8). Our conduct should increasingly reflect our identity and bring honor to Christ.