Imago Dei: What It Means to Be Made in the Image of God and How to See Yourself the Way God Does
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” — Genesis 1:27 (KJV)
What do you see when you look in the mirror? Many people see their flaws, failures, past mistakes, or the harsh words others have spoken over them. Some see someone unwanted, unworthy or unlovable. But God sees something very different. He sees His own image.
This truth is known as the Imago Dei, Latin for “the image of God.” It is one of the most foundational and life-changing truths in the whole Bible. Understanding the Imago Dei changes how you see yourself, how you treat others, and how you live out God’s purpose for your life.
In this article, we’ll explore the meaning of Imago Dei, what Scripture says about being made in the image of God, how sin marred that image, how Jesus restores it, and practical ways to start seeing yourself the way God does.
What Does Imago Dei Mean?
Imago Dei (pronounced ee-MAH-go DAY-ee) is a Latin phrase meaning “image of God.” It refers to the biblical teaching that human beings, unlike any other part of creation, were made in the image and likeness of God.
The idea comes straight from the creation account:
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” — Genesis 1:26 (KJV)
Two Hebrew words appear in this verse:
Tselem (image) suggests a representation or reflection, like a statue that represents a king.
Demut (likeness) suggests resemblance or similarity.
Together they tell us that human beings were created to reflect God’s nature and represent His rule on earth. In the ancient world, kings set up images of themselves across their territory to show where their authority reached. God placed living images of Himself, men and women, throughout His creation to show His glory and carry out His purposes.
To be made in the image of God doesn’t mean we are God or physically look like Him, since “God is a Spirit” (John 4:24, KJV). It means we share, in a limited way, in qualities that reflect Him: the ability to love, reason, create, make moral choices, communicate, have relationships, and, above all, know and have fellowship with our Creator.
What the Bible Says About Being Made in the Image of God
The Imago Dei isn’t confined to one verse. It runs throughout Scripture.
1. You Were Created With Intention
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” — Genesis 2:7 (KJV)
God spoke the stars, seas and animals into being, but He formed man with His own hands and breathed His own breath into him. No other creature received that personal touch. You are not an accident. You were made on purpose, by hand, with the breath of God.
2. You Were Declared “Very Good”
After God created mankind in His image, He looked at all He had made:
“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” — Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
Before you accomplished anything, earned anything or proved anything, God called His image-bearers “very good.” Your worth wasn’t something you achieved. It was given to you at creation.
3. You Are Crowned With Glory and Honour
“What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.” — Psalm 8:4–5 (KJV)
David was amazed that the God of the universe would think about man at all. Yet God didn’t just think about us. He crowned us with glory and honour.
4. You Are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
“For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” — Psalm 139:13–14 (KJV)
Every detail of your being was woven together by God. The psalmist didn’t just believe this in his head. “My soul knoweth right well.” The goal is for this truth to move from your head into your soul.
5. Every Human Life Carries Sacred Worth
The image of God is the reason human life is sacred. After the flood, God declared:
“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” — Genesis 9:6 (KJV)
James also warns against cursing people “which are made after the similitude of God” (James 3:9, KJV). Every person you meet, whatever their race, tribe, status, ability, age or background, bears the image of God and deserves dignity and respect.
How Sin Marred the Image of God
If we are made in God’s image, why do so many of us struggle with shame, insecurity, broken relationships and destructive patterns?
The answer is sin. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, the image of God in humanity was damaged. It was not destroyed, since Genesis 9:6 and James 3:9 still speak of humans bearing God’s image after the fall, but it was deeply marred. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, KJV).
Notice what happened right after the fall. Adam and Eve hid from God and covered themselves with fig leaves (Genesis 3:7–10). For the first time, shame entered the human heart. Genesis 5:3 says Adam “begat a son in his own likeness, after his image” (KJV). Humanity now passed down a damaged likeness.
Sin also brought lies into the human heart. The enemy’s first strategy in the garden was to question God’s Word and distort Eve’s view of herself and of God (Genesis 3:1–5). He still works the same way. He whispers lies such as:
“You are not enough.”
“You are unlovable.”
“God has forgotten you.”
“You are defined by your past.”
“You will never change.”
When we believe these lies, we start living below the identity God gave us.
Jesus Christ: The Perfect Image of God, Restoring Ours
The good news is that God didn’t leave His image-bearers broken. He sent Jesus Christ, who is Himself the perfect image of God:
“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” — Colossians 1:15 (KJV)
“Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person...” — Hebrews 1:3 (KJV)
Jesus came to show us exactly what God is like and to restore what sin had damaged. Through His death and resurrection, everyone who believes in Him becomes a new creation:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
God’s goal is to restore His image in us fully, conforming us to the likeness of His Son: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29, KJV).
This restoration is a process. Paul describes it as an ongoing transformation:
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)
“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” — Colossians 3:10 (KJV)
Notice the phrase “renewed in knowledge.” We are transformed as we come to know the truth about God and about who we are in Him. And one day the restoration will be complete: “we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2, KJV).
Why Understanding the Imago Dei Matters for Your Life
It Heals Your Identity
Many believers love God but still see themselves through the lens of rejection, failure or trauma. The Imago Dei reminds you that your identity was set by God before anyone else had a say. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee” (Jeremiah 1:5, KJV).
Gideon saw himself as “the least in my father’s house” (Judges 6:15, KJV), but God called him “thou mighty man of valour” (Judges 6:12, KJV). Simon saw himself as an ordinary fisherman, but Jesus renamed him Cephas, “a stone” (John 1:42, KJV). God sees who you truly are, not who you think you are.
It Gives You Unshakeable Worth
Your worth doesn’t depend on your job title, bank balance, appearance, relationship status or social media following. “For man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV). You are valuable because you bear God’s image and because Christ shed His blood for you.
It Reveals Your Purpose
God made mankind in His image so we could “have dominion” (Genesis 1:26) as His representatives and stewards on earth. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10, KJV). You were made to reflect His glory in your family, work, community and nation.
It Transforms How You Treat Others
When you truly understand that every person bears God’s image, you can’t despise, mock, exploit or ignore anyone. The Imago Dei calls us to show honour, kindness and justice to everyone: the poor, the disabled, the unborn, the elderly, the stranger and even our enemies.
It Calls You to Give Yourself to God
When the Pharisees showed Jesus a coin, He asked, “Whose is this image and superscription?” They answered, “Caesar’s.” Jesus replied, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:20–21, KJV). The coin bore Caesar’s image, so it belonged to Caesar. You bear God’s image, so you belong to God.
How to See Yourself the Way God Does: 5 Practical Steps
Knowing the truth of the Imago Dei is one thing. Living it is another. The lies we believe about ourselves are often deeply rooted and have been reinforced for years. Here is a practical, Scripture-based way to uproot them.
Step 1: Identify the Lie
You can’t defeat a lie you haven’t recognised. Pay attention to the recurring thoughts you have about yourself, such as “I’m a failure,” “I’m not wanted,” or “God is disappointed in me.” Write them down. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV).
Step 2: Trace Its Source and Dismantle It
Ask where the belief came from. Was it a parent’s harsh words, a teacher’s criticism, a betrayal, a painful failure, rejection, or abuse? Understanding the root helps you see that the lie came from wounds and from the enemy, not from God. Then tear it down: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5, KJV).
Step 3: Replace It With Scripture
It isn’t enough to remove a lie. You must replace it with God’s truth. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2, KJV). For example:
The Lie | God’s Truth |
“I am alone.” | “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5, KJV) |
“I am too weak.” | “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9, KJV) |
“I am my past.” | “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV) |
“I will never change.” | “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, KJV) |
“I am worthless.” | “We have this treasure in earthen vessels.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, KJV) |
“Nobody really knows me.” | “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.” (Psalm 139:1, KJV) |
“I am stuck as I am.” | “We... are changed into the same image from glory to glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, KJV) |
Step 4: Declare the Truth Daily
Speak God’s truth over yourself aloud every day: “I am made in the image of God. I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am accepted in the Beloved. I am a new creation in Christ.” Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17), and the voice you hear most often is your own.
Step 5: Reflect and Track Your Growth
Transformation happens “from glory to glory,” one step at a time. Set aside time each week to reflect on what God has shown you, give thanks for progress, and notice where old lies are losing their grip. Writing it down helps you remember God’s faithfulness and see how far you’ve come.
A Tool to Help You on the Journey: The Imago Dei Journal
Disclosure: The Imago Dei Journal is available from RichPete, our partner store. LoveFaithandMiracles.com and RichPete are connected, and we recommend this journal because we believe it will help you grow in your identity in Christ.
Many people find that writing is one of the most powerful ways to renew the mind. Journaling slows you down, brings hidden thoughts into the light, and helps God’s truth take root. If you’ve struggled to stay consistent with open-ended journaling, a guided journal can give you the structure you need.
The Imago Dei Journal: Seeing Yourself the Way God Does was created for exactly this. It follows a four-step cycle: Identify → Dismantle → Replace → Reflect. It helps you recognise the false beliefs you hold about yourself, take them apart, replace them with biblical truth, and build a lasting habit of seeing yourself the way God sees you.
It’s designed for:
Christians who want a structured, Scripture-based daily practice
Anyone struggling with false beliefs about their worth, identity or future
People recovering from criticism, rejection, trauma or failure
Anyone who finds open-ended journaling hard to keep up
The journal comes in three formats, so you can choose the one that suits you best.
📱 Imago Dei Journal: Digital Version
Ideal if you prefer typing to handwriting, or want to journal on your phone, tablet or computer. It’s an instant download that includes:
A 173-page fillable PDF journal with 766 fillable fields, structured as a 90-day guided journey
60 daily pages, each with three sections: the lie, the counter and an affirmation
3 monthly identity audits to track your growth
12 weekly deep-dives, including Kintsugi Moments, Unlearning and The Father’s Gaze
12 weekend reflections focused on gratitude and intention
A Truth vs. Feeling cheat sheet and 7 scripture-based affirmations
A bonus 30-page Lite Edition in Microsoft Word format
You can fill it in on any device with no pen needed, and print a personal copy on US Letter paper.
📖 Imago Dei Journal: Colour Hardcover
A beautiful, durable full-colour hardcover edition you’ll treasure for years. It’s perfect for your quiet time, and it makes a meaningful gift for a friend, family member, church member or anyone going through a season of healing. It includes daily guided journaling pages on identity and mindset, scripture-based affirmations, truth-replacement exercises, reflective prompts for emotional healing, weekly check-ins, and sections for gratitude and spiritual growth.
📒 Imago Dei Journal: Colour Paperback
The same full-colour guided journal in a lighter, more affordable paperback. It’s easy to carry in your bag to church, Bible study or retreats, or to keep on your bedside table.
Which format is right for you?
Choose the Digital Version if you want instant access, like to type, or want to start today.
Choose the Hardcover for a lasting keepsake or a special gift.
Choose the Paperback for an affordable, portable printed journal.
Whichever you choose, commit to the process. As you identify lies, dismantle them, replace them with God’s Word and reflect on His faithfulness, you’ll begin to see yourself more and more as God sees you.
Kintsugi: Beauty From Brokenness
One of the weekly themes in the Imago Dei Journal is Kintsugi Moments. Kintsugi is a Japanese art form in which broken pottery is repaired with gold, so the cracks become the most beautiful part of the piece.
It is a powerful picture of what God does with His image-bearers. Sin and life’s wounds may have cracked us, but God doesn’t throw us away. He restores us, and the places where we were broken become testimonies of His grace. “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7, KJV). “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3, KJV).
Frequently Asked Questions About Imago Dei
What does Imago Dei mean?Imago Dei is Latin for “image of God.” It refers to the biblical teaching in Genesis 1:26–27 that human beings were created in the image and likeness of God, to reflect His nature and represent Him on earth.
Where is Imago Dei found in the Bible?The main passages are Genesis 1:26–27, Genesis 5:1, Genesis 9:6 and James 3:9. The New Testament presents Jesus as the perfect image of God (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3) and describes believers being renewed into His image (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Colossians 3:10).
Did humans lose the image of God after the fall?No. The image of God was marred by sin but not lost. Even after the fall, Scripture speaks of all people as bearing God’s image (Genesis 9:6; James 3:9). Through Jesus Christ, that image is being restored in believers.
Why is the Imago Dei important?It is the basis of human dignity and worth, the foundation of our identity and purpose, and the reason every human life is sacred. It shapes how we see ourselves and how we treat others.
How can I see myself the way God sees me?Identify the lies you believe about yourself, trace them to their source, replace them with what Scripture says, declare God’s truth daily, and reflect on your growth. A guided tool such as the Imago Dei Journal can help you build this habit consistently.
A Prayer to See Yourself the Way God Does
Father, thank You for creating me in Your image. Thank You that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Forgive me for believing lies about myself that contradict Your Word. Today I reject every lie of rejection, worthlessness and shame. I receive the truth that I am Your workmanship, accepted in the Beloved, and a new creation in Christ. Holy Spirit, renew my mind and transform me from glory to glory into the image of Jesus. Help me to see myself, and others, the way You do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Call to Surrender
The image of God in you can only be fully restored through Jesus Christ. Without Him, we remain separated from God, carrying the damaged likeness of Adam. But when you receive Jesus, you become a new creation, and the Holy Spirit begins renewing you into His image.
“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God” (1 John 3:1, KJV).
If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, you can begin your journey of restoration today. Pray the Salvation Prayer here and become a true child of God.
If you prayed that prayer for the first time, we would love to hear from you. Email us at newlife@lovefaithandmiracles.com
About the Author
Edikan Uko is the Editor of LoveFaithandMiracles.com, where she oversees a growing library of Bible-based articles, devotionals and resources that help people come to know Jesus and grow in Him. She is also a regular contributor to Rooted Daily: A Daily Devotional, which offers believers daily nourishment from God’s Word.
A Bible teacher and devoted servant of God, Edikan writes on faith, prayer, spiritual growth and practical Christian living. Her teaching is grounded in Scripture and applied to everyday life, helping believers move beyond head knowledge into a deeper, more intimate walk with Jesus.
Edikan is passionate about reaching the lost with the Gospel and helping people become committed disciples of Jesus Christ. She preaches, teaches and evangelises in person in her city, across her nation and around the world.
She also uses digital tools and platforms to carry the message of Christ to people wherever they are. Whether face to face or online, her desire is that people everywhere will encounter God’s love, surrender their lives to Jesus, and be equipped to follow Him faithfully. Her heart echoes the Great Commission: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20, KJV).
Email: edikan@lovefaithandmiracles.com
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