The Bible is clear when it comes to treating others with kindness and love. But what does it say about hurting others, whether intentionally or unintentionally? Scripture offers strong warnings against harming others physically, emotionally, or spiritually, and encourages believers to seek peace and reconciliation. Let’s explore how the Bible addresses the act of hurting others and the importance of forgiveness, healing, and living in harmony.
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What Does The Bible Say About Hurting Others
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness and generosity. It reminds us that hurting or despising our neighbors goes against God’s will and is considered a sinful act. Instead, we are called to be compassionate and generous, especially towards those who are less fortunate than us.
By choosing to be kind and generous, we not only bless others but also align ourselves with God’s heart, reflecting His love and mercy in our actions.
Ephesians 4:31-32
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
This verse encourages us to let go of negative emotions and instead foster kindness, compassion, and forgiveness towards one another. It reminds us that harboring bitterness, anger, and malice only leads to hurting others and fostering division.
By imitating God’s forgiveness and showing kindness, we can contribute to building healthy and harmonious relationships, promoting peace and reconciliation in our interactions with others.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse emphasizes the power of our words and the impact they can have on others. It reminds us that responding with gentleness and kindness can diffuse tense situations and prevent conflicts from escalating.
Choosing our words carefully, with a gentle and considerate tone, allows us to maintain healthy and respectful relationships, promoting understanding and peace rather than hurting others with harsh or hurtful words.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Jesus challenges us to love even those who hurt or mistreat us. This verse teaches us to respond to hostility with love and to pray for those who bring us harm.
Instead of seeking revenge or causing further harm, loving our enemies demonstrates a radical and transformative love that has the power to change hearts and bring about reconciliation.
Proverbs 22:24-25
“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”
This verse cautions against forming close relationships with individuals prone to anger or those who frequently engage in hurtful behavior. It warns that being closely associated with such people can lead to adopting their destructive ways and becoming ensnared in their harmful patterns.
Choosing healthy and positive relationships is essential for our own well-being and can help prevent us from inadvertently hurting others through negative influences.
Galatians 5:15
“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”
This verse serves as a warning against engaging in conflict and destructive behavior towards one another. It highlights the danger of allowing disagreements and hurtful actions to escalate, ultimately leading to the destruction of both individuals involved.
Choosing to foster unity, love, and understanding prevents us from hurting one another and ensures that we build each other up rather than tear each other down.
Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”
This verse advises against seeking vengeance or trying to repay evil ourselves. It encourages us to trust in the Lord and wait for His justice and deliverance.
By placing our trust in God and allowing Him to handle the consequences of wrongdoing, we avoid becoming agents of hurt and instead rely on His righteous judgment.
Romans 12:19
“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’”
This verse reiterates the instruction to refrain from seeking personal revenge. It reminds us that God is the ultimate judge and will bring justice in due time.
Trusting in God’s sovereignty enables us to let go of our desire to retaliate and allows us to focus on extending grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation towards others instead of hurting them.
Luke 6:31
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Known as the “Golden Rule,” this verse calls us to treat others the way we want to be treated. It is a reminder to approach our interactions with empathy, kindness, and respect.
By practicing this principle, we can avoid hurting others and instead contribute to creating a loving and compassionate environment based on mutual care and understanding.
James 4:11
“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.”
This verse warns against speaking negatively, slandering, or passing judgment on others. It reminds us that when we speak ill of others, we not only hurt them but also disrespect the principles of God’s law.
Instead, we are called to extend grace and refrain from passing judgment, focusing on building up one another rather than tearing each other down through hurtful words.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
According to this verse, we are called to respond to evil or insult with blessing instead of retaliation. Choosing to bless others rather than seeking revenge allows us to break the cycle of hurt and promote healing.
By responding with love and seeking the welfare of those who harm us, we become channels of God’s grace and open doors for reconciliation and transformation.
Proverbs 15:18
“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of self-control and a patient attitude when faced with conflict. It recognizes that a hot temper and quick anger only serve to fuel disagreements and tensions.
By remaining calm and responding with patience, we can diffuse volatile situations and promote understanding and peace, avoiding unnecessary harm to others.
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”
This passage highlights the significance of forgiveness in our relationships. Jesus instructs Peter to forgive not just seven times, but continuously, reinforcing the importance of extending grace and letting go of past hurts.
By choosing forgiveness, we actively release others from the burden of their wrongdoings and create opportunities for reconciliation and restored relationships.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
This verse encourages patience and forgiveness towards one another, even when we have been wronged. It reminds us of the mercy and forgiveness we have received from God.
By imitating God’s forgiveness, we demonstrate His love and extend second chances, fostering healing and reconciliation in our relationships.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
This verse contrasts the destructive nature of hatred with the redemptive power of love. It highlights that love has the ability to cover and overcome offenses, promoting unity and peace.
Choosing love instead of harboring hatred enables us to build bridges of understanding, promote healing, and avoid causing unnecessary harm to others.
Matthew 7:12
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”
Similar to the Golden Rule mentioned earlier, this verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with kindness, respect, and empathy. It reminds us that our actions should align with the principles of God’s law.
By considering how we would like to be treated and extending the same treatment to others, we foster an environment of mutual care and respect while avoiding inflicting harm upon them.
Titus 3:2
“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
This verse encourages us to practice kindness, avoidance of quarrels, and perfect courtesy in our interactions. It advises against speaking negatively about others and promotes a gentle and considerate attitude towards all people.
By following these principles, we can contribute to a peaceful and harmonious environment, devoid of hurtful words and actions.
Proverbs 24:17
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles.”
This verse warns against finding joy in the misfortune or downfall of others, even if they are considered enemies. It encourages us to resist the temptation to rejoice in someone else’s pain.
By maintaining a compassionate and empathetic mindset, we avoid causing additional harm to others and instead cultivate a spirit of love and understanding.
Romans 13:10
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of love in our relationships with others. It states that love does not harm or wrong our neighbors and is the essence of fulfilling God’s law.
By prioritizing love in our thoughts, words, and actions, we actively avoid hurting others, striving instead to build them up and promote their well-being.
Proverbs 26:20
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”
This verse highlights the role of gossip, rumors, and instigation in fueling conflicts and quarrels between people. It suggests that by eliminating these destructive behaviors, we can prevent discord and hurting others.
Choosing to abstain from spreading rumors or engaging in gossip minimizes the potential for harm and contributes to a peaceful and harmonious environment.
1 Corinthians 6:7
“To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?”
This verse challenges our tendency to seek legal action and retribution when wronged. Instead, it encourages us to consider bearing the injustice and choosing forgiveness over pursuing personal gain or revenge.
By letting go of our desire to harm others through legal means, we prioritize reconciliation and demonstrate the transformative power of forgiveness.
Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
This verse recognizes the importance of actively pursuing peace and resolving conflicts in our relationships. Peacemakers are blessed and recognized as children of God.
By actively seeking reconciliation, promoting understanding, and avoiding actions that cause harm, we reflect the character of God and participate in His work of bringing peace to the world.
James 5:9
“Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.”
This verse warns against harboring complaints or grievances against one another. It advises us to avoid negative attitudes towards others, as we are all accountable to God, the ultimate Judge.
By choosing to address conflicts with grace and humility instead of grumbling or criticizing, we create an environment that prioritizes understanding, resolution, and mutual respect.
Proverbs 13:10
“By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of humility and openness to wise counsel. It indicates that through prideful and arrogant behavior, we can only contribute to conflict and strife.
By humbly seeking guidance and considering the perspectives of others, we can gain wisdom and make choices that will prevent hurting others and promote peaceful resolutions.
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
In this passage, Jesus challenges the common belief of loving neighbors but hating enemies. He expands the scope of love to include our enemies as well, urging us to love and pray for those who mistreat us.
By choosing to love our enemies and extending grace towards them, we discover the transformative power of love and become instruments of reconciliation and healing.