The phrase “to thine own self be true” is a well-known saying that many attribute to the Bible. However, this exact phrase does not appear anywhere in the Bible. The saying comes from Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, where Polonius says to Laertes, “This above all: to thine own self be true.” So where does this idea of being true to oneself come from, if not the Bible? Let’s explore what the Bible does have to say about self-truth and authenticity.
The Bible emphasizes knowing and being true to your identity in Christ
While the Bible does not contain the phrase “to thine own self be true,” it does speak a lot about knowing one’s true identity in Christ and being true to that. As Christians, our core identity is found in being children of God. Verses like John 1:12 say “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Being a child of God gives us worth, value and purpose. The Bible exhorts believers to live in light of their identity in Christ.
Colossians 3:3 says “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” As Christians, our old self has died and our new self is found in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Living true to our redeemed identity in Christ means rejecting sin and living holy lives. Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs us to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Being true to our new selves in Christ means leaving behind our old ways and embracing God’s righteousness.
Furthermore, the Bible is clear that our identity is rooted in being made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27 reveals “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” To be true to ourselves as God designed us, we must live in a way that reflects His glory and character. We are set apart as God’s children called to honor Him. When we try to construct our identity apart from Christ, we end up living inauthentically and in ways that dishonor God.
The Bible warns against self-deception and living inconsistently
In contrast to discovering our true selves in Christ, the Bible also warns against self-deception and living in a way that is inconsistent with our professed faith. Scripture makes it clear that believers are called to live with integrity, speaking the truth and living truly. Hypocrisy is strongly condemned. Jesus criticized the Pharisees saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (Matthew 23:25). To be true to ourselves as followers of Christ, our actions must match our beliefs.
The Bible also warns against thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought to think. Romans 12:3 cautions, “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.” Self-deception about our own goodness and worth outside of our identity in Christ can lead us astray. 1 John 1:8 declares “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” To be true to ourselves means embracing an accurate view of ourselves as both saints and sinners redeemed by God’s grace.
The Bible calls Christians to pursue integrity, wisdom and discernment
Rather than chase after the world’s vision of finding one’s “true self”, the Bible calls Christians to pursue integrity and moral character. Proverbs 11:3 says “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.” As believers, we are instructed to pursue righteousness, godly discernment and wisdom. Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” True self-knowledge comes from seeking after God’s wisdom, not the faulty wisdom of the world.
The Bible also talks about exercising self-control and discernment. 1 Corinthians 6:12 warns, “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.” As Christians, we are called to carefully evaluate what is beneficial versus what might end up controlling us. 1 John 4:1 similarly instructs, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” Biblical self-knowledge requires discernment and recognizing what honors God versus what the world claims as “truth.”
True contentment is found in living for Christ, not self
While popular culture promotes finding your “true self” and self-realization, the Bible teaches that the key to contentment is finding our satisfaction in Christ. Philippians 4:11-12 describes being content in all circumstances and learning the secret of facing plenty and hunger alike. The secret is relying on Christ’s strength, not our own. Galatians 2:20 declares “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” True life and purpose is found not in self-fulfillment, but in living for Jesus and seeking to glorify God.
Furthermore, Jesus modeled living fully surrendered to the will of the Father, declaring, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). Dying to self and living for God brings the contentment and peace that the world falsely promises will be found through self-realization apart from God. True freedom comes through recognizing our identity in Christ and living accordingly. As Romans 8:1-2 proclaims, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Christians are called to renew their minds and think biblically
The Bible makes it clear that the key to living authentically is having a renewed mindset aligned with God’s truth. Romans 12:2 instructs, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Believers must turn from the world’s way of thinking and see themselves the way God sees them. Thinking biblically will lead to living a life that honors Christ.
Scripture teaches that natural human thinking is flawed and corrupted by sin. Romans 1:21-22 notes, “For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” Our human wisdom falls incredibly short of God’s perfect knowledge and truth. To live wisely and authentically, Christians need to look to the Bible rather than their own reasoning. As 2 Timothy 3:16 notes, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
Acting consistently with our identity in Christ honors God
While the exact phrase “to thine own self be true” does not come from the Bible, Scripture does speak to the importance of knowing ourselves in light of our identity in Christ. When we recognize we are made new in Jesus and called to live holy lives that bring glory to God, we can live authentically. Our actions, thoughts and beliefs should fully align with who we are as new creations called to honor God.
Living with wisdom, integrity, discernment and self-control demonstrates we are living consistently with our redeemed identities in Christ. As Ephesians 5:1-2 instructs, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” When we imitate our heavenly Father and walk in love as Christ did, we can rest assured we are being true to our core identity found in our Savior.
