20 Encouraging Bible Verses for Weight Loss and Self-Care

Use these 20 Bible Verses for weight loss to keep God at the center of your journey to lose weight.

Are there times when you feel like giving up or need encouragement when it comes to dropping pounds? God cares about your health and weight.

Use these Scripture passages on losing weight to help you rely on God’s guidance as you eat in a healthy way and take care of the body God has given you.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for a free printable of these Bible verses.

Losing Weight God’s Way: My 100+ Pound Weight Loss Story

For 20 years, I’ve been maintaining a 100-pound weight loss. I know about the struggles that come while losing weight and maintaining that loss. You can learn more about my journey in my post about how to find weight loss motivation.

If you feel tired, overwhelmed, or defeated about your weight, please know that weight loss is possible. Don’t let the lies of the enemy beat you down or make you feel like giving up. God is working a new thing in your life, and he can bring healing and restoration to you.

How Can I Use Bible Verses to Lose Weight?

Using Scripture for weight loss has been an important part of my weight loss process.

I admit that at first, I didn’t think to include God in my weight loss process. I’ve been a Christian all my life, but somehow, I thought my weight was my problem.

My thinking was that I’d gotten myself into this mess, and I needed to fix it myself.

But as the journey went on, I realized just how much I needed God at the center of my weight loss. I understood His grace and compassion for me as I learned to extend it to myself.

Bible Verses On Losing Weight

I love what my friend Becky from So Very Blessed says here about using Bible Verses for weight loss:

“Let’s face it – losing weight is hard. It’s usually a much slower process than you want it to be, and it’s so easy to get discouraged, disheartened, and believe that it’s just not worth all the work when you don’t see the progress that you feel like you should.

The good news is, you don’t have to just give in to the discouragement. You have all the tools you need to fight back and the best tool of all is the double-edged sword of God’s Word!”

What Does the Bible Say about Losing Weight?

The Bible does not specifically mention “losing weight,” but it does give us clear guidance for how to live, including how to care for the bodies God has created.

Read on for more specific verses that give us instructions.

How To Use Scripture To Help You Lose Weight

I used scripture in various ways during my weight loss process, and I still use these verses today.

Find Encouragement and Hope

When you feel like quitting or a failure, turn to the truth of God’s Word for peace and encouragement.

The weight loss journey is a long one. (I often say it’s a marathon and not a sprint.) Remember that whatever you do to lose the weight is what you need to do to maintain, so these aren’t quick changes but instead adjustments in habits that will be for the long haul.

After I had lost about 80 pounds, I hit a long plateau. I didn’t lose any weight for over a year. Discouragement hit me hard. During this time, I turned to God’s Word for guidance.

Wherever you are in your weight loss journey, God is ready to meet you there.

Copy Bible Verses onto Note Cards

I copied the best weight-loss Bible verses and wrote them on note cards. I carried them in my car, put them in my mirror, and stuck the cards in my calendar.

I did all I could to see the truth of God’s Word everywhere I looked, combating the lies of the enemy that I had incorrectly believed for so long.

I encourage you to write out these scriptures and put them somewhere you will see them daily. The bathroom mirror and the refrigerator are great places to hang a scripture on weight loss.

You can even use scripture as your background image on your phone and computer. 

Use the 3Ps to Conquer Food Cravings

When you are triggered to eat outside your meal plan, practice the 3 P’s. Pause, Pray, and Plan. This is especially helpful if you struggle with emotional eating.

Pause. Take a deep breath and recognize why you are being triggered to eat outside your plan for the day. Note what is wrong or what is triggering you.

Pray. Read over these Bible verses on weight loss and pray them over yourself. Ask God to help you at this moment. Pray these scriptures about weight loss over your whole journey and mindset on weight loss. 

Plan. Decide the next right step. If you must eat, have one of your healthy snacks or raw veggies. Plan out your next meal or your next day of meals. 

To get your own printable Bible verses cards, click here: 7 Christian Weight Loss Affirmations

20 Bible Verses for Weight Loss and Healthy Eating

Use the 20 powerful Bible verses below to guide your weight loss journey. Choose the Bible verses that are most meaningful to you. Write them in your journal, use them for Bible Journaling, or write them on note cards to put up around your house.

The important thing is that you read these verses regularly so that the truth of God’s word sinks deep into your heart.

1. 1 Peter 3:3-4

Your adornment must not be merely external-braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 1 Peter 3:3-4

When it comes to losing weight, focus on the heartwork involved. God doesn’t care about your body shape or clothing size. Yet He cares deeply about your heart, including giving Him your food choices and following in obedience. Are you developing a gentle spirit when it comes to food? This is what God desires for you.

2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Sometimes, you might wonder if a Christian shouldn’t focus on losing weight. Don’t we have more important, spiritual things to give our time and attention to? Yet this passage tells us that our bodies matter. As human beings, we are body, mind, and spirit. We can’t ignore one for the sake of the other.

3. 1 Corinthians 10:31

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  1 Corinthians 10:31

Your food choices are important because God wants you to care for the body He’s given you. Can you reflect on the day’s eating and say that you gave God glory with what you put into your body?

4. Ephesians 2:10

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

I used to put down my body and say mean things to myself about my fat rolls and chubby thighs often. For years, I didn’t even realize how cruel I was in the way I spoke to myself. I figured I deserved it. This Ephesian passage reminds me that I am God’s treasured work of art.

5. 2 Chronicles 20:12

For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. 2 Chronicles 20:12

There was no possible way I could lose weight by my power. I tried countless times. I went on every type of diet. I read all the weight loss books and tried endless recipes. It wasn’t until I took my thoughts captive to obey Christ and accepted the Lord’s grace and compassion for me that I was able to lose weight and keep it off.

6. Hebrews 12:11

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

To lose and maintain the extra weight I carried, one of the skills I had to learn was delayed gratification. I needed to develop the fruit of self-control when it came to food. I had great control in other areas of my life, but when it came to food, I had fallen into the habit of eating anything I wanted, anytime I wanted it. I had to turn from that behavior and learn to plan and choose foods that were healthy for my body.

7. Galatians 1:10

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10

There will be times during your weight loss journey when people won’t be happy with your choices. They may encourage you to indulge in junk food or dessert because “just one bite won’t hurt.” They may be upset that you won’t eat something they prepared. Remember to follow God’s will and stay firm in your decisions. (Read more about how to handle food pushers here.)

8. 1 Samuel 17:47

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands. 1 Samuel 17:47

If you feel like it’s a battle to make healthy choices around food, I get it. I felt that way, too. You ARE in a battle, but it’s not with ice cream or your body. You are in a spiritual battle, and God will give you victory.

9. Psalm 145:15-16

The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. Psalm 145:15-16

One of the important lessons I’ve learned during my weight loss journey is that I have food addictions.

Certain foods do not satisfy me, no matter how much I eat them. Instead, they trigger me to want more and more. Limiting or avoiding these foods has brought me food freedom in a way I didn’t expect.

I wanted God to heal my food addiction by making it so I could eat any food I wanted in any amount I wanted, but God brought release differently. (Read more about healing food’s addiction by God’s power here.)

10. Matthew 6:25

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Matthew 6:25

When it comes to losing weight, there’s plenty to worry about. Which diet should I choose? Should I use Weight Watchers or Keto or do a round of Whole 30? This passage from Matthew is a reminder that God will guide you in the decisions you must make. There’s no need to worry.

11. Isaiah 55:1-2

Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink even if you have no money! Take your choice of wine or milk-it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen and I will tell you where to get food that is good for the soul! Isaiah 55:1-2

This passage comforts me because it reminds me that God is the giver of all good gifts, including what I will eat and drink. I take time each day to thank God for the delicious, healthy foods He’s given me to enjoy. Rather than focus on what I should avoid, I focus on what I can have and how delicious it tastes.

12. 1 Timothy 4:8

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8

This passage is a great reminder that while yes I want to take care of my body, in the long run, it’s not what matters most. Exercise and physical activities are of some value, but developing a heart for the Lord is what matters most.

13. Colossians 3:2

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:2

Many times during my weight loss (and still today), I’ve given in to vain thinking. Whether it was focusing too much on external appearance or jealousy over what other women had that I didn’t, I’ve been too focused on earthly things. This passage reminds me to focus on heaven and what counts for eternity.

14. Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

In our Faithful Finish Lines program, we spent an entire month guiding our members through how the fruits of the spirit impact weight loss. We learn how to be more patient when the journey gets long. We talk about eating gently and treating ourselves kindly. We learn about how the Holy Spirit will develop self-control inside of us.

As you grow in fruits of the spirit, you will have the strength to make healthy choices and release weight.

15. Psalm 63:5

You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. Psalm 63:5

I’m incredibly blessed to have lived a life in which I have never gone hungry, unlike many people in the world. I’ve not had to struggle to locate, grow, or afford food. So why did I used to have such a fear of hunger? I’ve learned that hunger is not an emergency. God will supply all my needs when I trust Him, both with food and, most of all, with my relationship with Him.

16. Psalm 119:143

Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight. Psalm 119:143

Do you delight in following your healthy eating plan? For years, I sure didn’t. I didn’t want the salad, beans, and whole grains. I wanted ice cream, chips, and Cheetos. When we grow in faith, we learn to delight in God’s will for us. This didn’t come all at once but has been a learning process.

It’s not that I don’t still have moments of temptation, but these days, I enjoy healthy foods almost all the time and rarely miss the processed junk foods I used to crave and binge on.

17. Lamentations 3:22-23

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

When I started losing weight, each day’s pattern looked like this. I would be “good” all day by eating a very low-calorie breakfast and a low-calorie lunch and save all of my WW points and calories for dinner and bedtime. Then, I would snack the night away. Often this led to overeating and binging.

I used the same patterns for weekends. I was “good” all week only to overindulge all weekend long. These days, I’ve learned to stop overeating at night and on the weekend, which helped me get to my goal weight.

But there are still times I slip up and overeat at night. When I do, I use this verse from Lamentations to help me get back on track and remember that God loves and forgives me. Each day is a fresh, new start.

18. Nehemiah 8:10

Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

You can’t lose weight on your own. (If you are like me, you have probably tried countless times only to feel stuck.) But you can lose weight by the power of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside of you because of your baptism. You have the strength of the Lord within you! You have all you need to accomplish this task.

19. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

For most of my life, food freedom felt like an impossible goal. Food was my best friend and my worst enemy. I craved it, gave in to it, binged on it, and yet hated my cravings and addiction. If you can relate to this, know that food freedom is possible for you by the power of God.

20. Ephesians 6:11

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11

Sometimes, you are tempted to overeat, hit the drive-through, and buy unhealthy junk foods. You’ll see other people eating high-calorie foods, and you’ll want some, too. You might feel sorry for yourself or feel like there’s no way you can resist. Yet you can resist temptation because you have the full armor of God. God promises that when tempted, He will provide a way out. Look for the way out during these times, and it will always be there.

If you feel lonely in this weight loss journey, know you aren’t alone. I understand the struggle. Never forget that God is there to guide you.

These encouraging Bible verses will remind you that God loves you, values who you are, and will not leave you during this journey toward a healthier body.

Free Printable Weight Loss Bible Verses PDF

Get a free printable of these encouraging Bible verses to guide your weight loss journey.

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What are your most powerful Bible verses for weight loss? Share in the comments below.

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