10 Bible Verses About Not Being Perfect
I was in middle school when I set out on a quest to be perfect. I couldn’t stand getting anything less than an A on every test, and I wanted to be the best artist, the fastest runner, and the best writer in my class. Meanwhile, the Bible offers a different suggestion: We are to do our best and leave the outcomes to God. Today, we’ll explore a list of Bible verses about not being perfect.
My hope is that these words will release you from the unrealistic expectation of perfection.
Years ago, a friend offered advice about perfectionism that changed my life. She said, “Don’t try to be perfect. Only God is perfect. Instead, aim for excellence.”
Let’s now turn to God’s Word as we see how these Bible verses about not being perfect align with truth.
Also, be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you exchange perfectionism for excellence.
Bible Verses About Not Being Perfect
Here are God’s words about perfectionism.
10 Bible Verses About Not Being Perfect
1. Matthew 5:48, ESV
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
At first glance, this verse appears to be the mantra for all the perfectionists of the world!
But a closer look at the original language of this verse offers a vastly different translation. The Greek word for perfect here is teleois. This word does not mean “perfect” as in, “flawless.” A better translation is, “mature and full-grown.”
God is not telling us to be without fault. He knows this is an impossible human standard. Rather, he is telling us to grow in spiritual maturity.
We are to become increasingly more like Jesus. This happens as we allow the struggles of life to shape us, helping us grow in love and compassion. We become more like Jesus as we spend time in the Word, allow it to transform us and as we seek God in prayer, growing closer to him over time.
2. Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
We are to put our whole hearts into everything we do. We are to give excellent effort, remembering we are working for God.
But this is where we need to draw a hard line. Perfectionism chases perfect outcomes. Excellence gives a superior effort and leaves the outcomes in God’s hands.
3. 1 Peter 4:10
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
One of the most helpful ways to exchange perfectionism for excellence is by remembering we are stewards of God’s gifts.
Nothing in our lives belongs to us. We are stewards of our jobs, children, finances, homes, and relationships. Rather than aiming to be perfect, we are to be good stewards, trusting that our Master is pleased when we give our best.
4. 1 Corinthians 4:2
Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
As stewards, an admirable trait is faithfulness.
God does not ask us to be perfect; he asks us to be faithful in his work.
God does not ask us to be perfect; he asks us to be faithful in his work. #faith #service #stewardship Share on X
More Bible Verses About Not Being Perfect
5. Romans 3:23
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
This verse reminds us that we are all sinful. We all fall short of God’s glory and perfection.
Keep reading, and we’ll talk about the solution to this problem shortly.
6. Philippians 3:12-15
Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
Paul offers an example for us to follow as we realize we are all imperfect. We are to press on toward Jesus, leaving the past behind and aiming to share the love of Christ with the world around us.
7. 2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
What is the solution to our inherent sinfulness?
God sent Jesus to dwell among us and pay the price for our sins. Through him, we are washed clean and made right with God. This happens when we receive Jesus as the Savior and Leader of our lives.
8. John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Again, we are made perfect by the blood of Christ, shed to wash away our sins.
9. Romans 12:2
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.
Because we are imperfect, with sinful minds, God calls us to turn to his Word as we renew our minds with his truth.
10. 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.
As we stay connected to God, he transforms us. He works in our lives so that we bear good fruit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23.
This fruit is not something we produce on our own. We only produce it when we stay connected to God. He does the work in our hearts, and we bear the fruit of his hands.
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Let’s now take a moment to apply these Bible verses about not being perfect to our lives.
Applications of These Bible Verses About Not Being Perfect
Perfection is an unattainable goal because only God is perfect. If the pursuit of perfection has you stressed out and feeling defeated, change your motto. Stop striving for perfection and strive for excellence instead.
Over the past few years, as I aim to exchange perfectionism for excellence, I’ve found a few strategies for changing this way of living. I still wrestle with perfectionism often, but these tips have helped in the process:
1. Intentionally embrace the imperfect.
A friend once suggested that we inadvertently train ourselves to be perfect when we keep our houses, as well as other parts of our lives, pristine and flawless.
She encouraged me to leave something out of place at least once a day.
Whether it’s a miscellaneous piece of paper on the counter, dirt on the floor, or some random piece of children’s clothing in the backseat of the car, practice leaving it.
For the perfectionist, this can be very difficult; however, it trains the brain that it really is okay to let little things go every now and then. It’s possible to leave the paper, the dirt, or the miscellaneous piece of clothing out of place, and life goes on, often in a more balanced way.
2. Take a day off from perfectionistic tasks.
What parts of your life feed perfectionism?
For me, this includes writing work, cleaning the house, keeping up with laundry, and keeping clutter at a minimum.
Once a week, I take a day off. I don’t wash clothes, clean beyond basic maintenance, write, or organize. This is refreshing and reminds me that I don’t need to be perfect.
3. Put people ahead of tasks as often as possible.
Some perfectionists struggle to put relationships over tasks.
I struggled with this throughout my career as a high school teacher. At the end of a long workday, I often typed lesson plans and progress reports on the computer. I wanted nothing more than to complete the task so that I could leave work.
When a talkative custodian walked into the room, I knew that every minute spent in friendly small talk would result in another minute finishing my work and delaying my departure.
It’s not easy to put people ahead of tasks, especially when completing a task means I get to leave work, relax, or rest.
Jesus set a good example in his ministry. Many of his ministry opportunities arose as interruptions. Again and again, he stopped and tended to the needs of the people before he carried on down the road to his destination.
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If these Bible verses about not being perfect blessed you, I invite you to explore our family devotional books and free online devotionals below. Be blessed as you exchange perfectionism for excellence.
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
Learn Why Willpower Doesn’t Work and Experience God’s Deliverance and Healing
God wants to work in your life to accomplish what you’ve been unable to do through willpower alone. Lean Into Grace: Let God’s Grace Heal Your Heart, Refresh Your Soul, and Set You Free shares practical ways to experience God’s freedom, healing, power, and presence in your life. Find this life-changing book as a free eBook on Kindle Unlimited or for 12.99 in print right here. (If you do not have Kindle Unlimited, you can try it out with a free three-month trial!) This book will transform your life and revitalize your relationship with the Lord!
A Free Devotional to Help You Connect With God
God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment. Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us. I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here! 
