What does the Bible say about talking to yourself?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible shows that speaking to oneself can be a faithful practice when it means preaching God’s truth to one’s own heart, rather than trusting self-centered desires. In Psalm 42:5, the psalmist asks his downcast soul why it is troubled and commands himself to hope in God. Psalm 103:1-22 likewise calls the soul to bless the Lord by remembering His forgiveness, compassion, and steadfast love. When David was distressed, 1 Samuel 30:6 says he strengthened himself in the Lord. Yet passages such as Matthew 9:21, Luke 12:18, and Ecclesiastes 11:9 warn that inward speech may reveal either humble faith or proud self-reliance. Christians should therefore address their hearts with Scripture, repentance, gratitude, and confidence in God’s grace.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 42:5 20 votes
Why are you in despair, my soul? Why are you disturbed within me? Hope in God! For I shall still praise him for the saving help of his presence.
- 1 Samuel 30:6 14 votes
David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the souls of all the people were grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David strengthened himself in Yahweh his God.
- Psalms 103:1-22 12 votes
Praise Yahweh, my soul! All that is within me, praise his holy name! Praise Yahweh, my soul, and don’t forget all his benefits, who forgives all your sins, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your desire with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Yahweh executes righteous acts, and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the children of Israel. Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness. He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him. For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone. Its place remembers it no more. But Yahweh’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting with those who fear him, his righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep his covenant, to those who remember to obey his precepts. Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word. Praise Yahweh, all you armies of his, you servants of his, who do his pleasure. Praise Yahweh, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion. Praise Yahweh, my soul!
- Matthew 9:21 7 votes
for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.”
- Luke 12:18 6 votes
He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
- Ecclesiastes 11:9 5 votes
Rejoice, young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth, and walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
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