30 Bible verses about changing yourself for the better
There are many Bible verses about changing yourself for the better in the word of God. We find powerful messages about the transformative power of faith and the importance of embracing change as a path to spiritual maturity. Here are 30 life changing Bible verses.
Scriptures on growth (with commentary)
1. Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
We must not fashion ourselves according to the former lusts but be changed into another form, following a new course of life, for God’s will is the rule of our duty, and it is a good, acceptable, and perfect will.
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
*Commentary: A true Christian is a new creature; renewed in the spirit of his mind and changed into the same image of Christ’s glory. Old things are passed away; old thoughts, principles, and practices are gone.
3. Ephesians 4:22-24
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Putting off the old man signifies putting off the old nature, and putting on the new man means embracing a new nature, created after the image of God, in righteousness and true holiness.
4. Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
The apostle encourages us to fill our minds with the things of God, focusing on whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, seeking after virtues and praiseworthy things.*
5. Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
These are the fruits of the Spirit, produced in us by the Holy Ghost. They are opposed to the works of the flesh and are marks of the true Christian.
Also read: Bible verses about home
6. Colossians 3:9-10
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
Christians must discard all deceit and lies, for they have put off the old man and his deeds and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge and the image of God.
7. Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
The heart must be kept with all diligence, for it is the fountain from which all actions spring. We must keep a strict watch over our thoughts and affections.
8. Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
David prays for a clean heart and a right spirit, a heart purified by the blood of Christ and a spirit renewed by the grace of God.
9. 1 Peter 2:1-2
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.”
Christians must lay aside all sinful behaviors and, as new-born babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that they may grow thereby.
10. James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
It is not enough to hear the word, but we must also do it, we are deceiving ourselves if we think hearing alone is sufficient.
11. Romans 6:4
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Baptism signifies our burial with Christ into his death, and as Christ was raised from the dead, we too should walk in the newness of life.
12. Ezekiel 36:26
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
God promises to renew his people, giving them a new heart and a new spirit, transforming their stony hearts into hearts of flesh.
13. Titus 3:5
“He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
Salvation is not by our works but by God’s mercy.
14. Philippians 2:13
“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
God works in us both to desire and to do what is pleasing to Him, making our efforts in his service both possible and fruitful.
15. James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Draw near to God in repentance and faith, and He will draw near to you.
16. Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Being crucified with Christ signifies the death of the old self. We live by faith in Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us.
17. 2 Corinthians 3:18
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
As we behold the glory of the Lord, we are progressively transformed into His image, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord.
18. Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God assures His people that His plans for them are for their good, to give them a hopeful future, encouraging trust in His plans.
19. Isaiah 43:18-19
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
God calls His people to look forward to the new works He is about to perform, bringing refreshment and provision in the most barren places.
20. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Confession of sin brings the assurance of forgiveness and cleansing by God’s faithfulness.
21. Matthew 5:16
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Our good works, done in the light of God’s grace, should shine before others, leading them to glorify God.
22. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Complete trust in the Lord and submission to His guidance assures us of His direction and straightening of our paths.
23. 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.”
A plea for God’s thorough examination of our hearts and guidance away from harmful paths towards the eternal way.
24. Colossians 3:12-14
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
Christians are called to adorn themselves with virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, with love as the perfect bond of unity.
25. 1 Timothy 4:15
“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”
This Bible verse urges us to immerse ourselves in our duties and diligently progress in the calling of the Lord.
26. Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness ensures that our material needs will also be provided, as we trust in God’s care.
27. Ephesians 4:15
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
Speaking the truth in love is crucial for the growth and maturity of the body of Christ, leading us into deeper conformity with Him.
28. Romans 8:6
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”
A mind set on fleshly desires leads to spiritual death, whereas a mind controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.
29. 2 Peter 3:18
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
The word of God encourages us to continually grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ, glorifying Him now and eternally.
30. Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him, he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Encouraged by the examples of faith, we should cast off all hindrances and sins, running the race of faith with endurance, keeping our focus on Jesus, who endured the cross for our sake and is now glorified.
