Perfectionism Isn’t Biblical

June 30, 2025
Human Performance

Saying ‘perfectionism isn’t biblical’ might sound bold, especially when there’s a verse in the bible that literally says, ‘Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ But I’m standing by it. In fact, I’ll shout it from the rooftops.

Too many people I’ve spoken with (and yes, I’m adding you to the list because you’re reading this so I think it’s safe to assume) have stressed themselves out. You become overly scrupulous and strive so hard for perfection that it has produced the opposite of what God actually desires for His children.

“The false reality we live in is chasing the mythical status of “normal” and the never-ending battle of perfection. You are a human which means you are imperfect. You will make mistakes and errors, that is okay! It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress. Progress creates purpose.” – Chapter 14 of our Top-Selling Book, Hope Not Nope.

Perfectionism Isn’t Biblical

Looking at the origins of the scripture I mentioned above, “perfect” translation from Greek is teleios, meaning “complete” or “mature.” In no way is this suggesting that you should be sinless and flawless like God is, but rather that He invites you to be mature and complete in Him. This is why perfectionism isn’t biblical.

The perfectionist stigma impacts Christians of all denominations, interests, hobbies, sports, lifestyles, backgrounds, etc. It often leads many to become rigid in their practices and often so tunnel vision on “being perfect” that they lose sight of the bigger picture that God was trying to communicate from that bible verse. Being complete in God isn’t about perfectionism; it’s about living the life that He desires for you: freely, lovingly, and intentionally.

What The Bible Says

Reading the context of what comes before and after Matthew 5:48, the whole essence that Jesus is communicating is that God wants us to be like Him – but not in perfection, in love. He wants us to freely love others like He loves us. It’s not about righteousness or the law, it’s about loving and living as God intends.

I think when people get caught up in perfectionism or scrupulosity, they become so focused on the law that they often forget about love. AND I’m going to be bold in saying that they often act “in the name of love”, but the love they know has a misconstrued meaning. They’ve lost track of what love is, and really WHO love is.

Saint Paul tells the Romans (and I think it’s a great reminder for you too if you’re struggling with perfectionism or scrupulosity) that “Love does no wrong to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” If you want to fulfill God’s plan for your life, then love others. And while you’re at it, love yourself too. You’re someone’s neighbor and you are worthy of a life of love not a life of scrupulous, lifeless perfectionism.

Strive for Excellence, Not Perfectionism

Perfectionism often disguises itself as a noble pursuit, but in reality, it can be a heavy burden rooted in fear, control, and self-reliance. The Bible doesn’t call us to perfectionism—it calls us to faithfulness and excellence through God’s strength, not our own. Striving for excellence means doing our best with a humble heart, trusting God with the outcome, and embracing growth over flawlessness. Perfectionism, on the other hand, demands what only God can be: perfect. When we chase perfection, we lose sight of grace. But when we pursue excellence, we honor God with our efforts and rest in His sufficiency.

More Tips To Overcome Perfectionism:

The boldness in which I’m writing comes from a place of… dare I say “tough love”… because sometimes people need direct communication over soft indirect suggestions. It comes from a place knowing what it’s like to strive aimlessly for perfectionism, yet always coming up short. I’ve overcome, and you can too.

So, I don’t want to end this blog without giving you tips to overcome perfectionism and live with love:

Reflect on what it means to be “complete” and “mature” as opposed to “perfect”
Read & Meditate on Matthew Chapter 5
Write a love letter to yourself from God, and make sure it emphasizes WHO love is.