Acts of cruelty can cause deep pain and division, but the Bible calls us to a life of kindness and compassion. God’s Word shows us how to respond to cruelty and live as agents of His love. Today, we’ll discover what scripture teaches about rejecting cruelty in all its forms.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Crude Language
What Does The Bible Say About Cruelty
Proverbs 12:10
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of treating animals with kindness and compassion. It reminds us that even acts that may appear kind from a worldly perspective can still be cruel if they are motivated by wickedness or harm.
Isaiah 59:6
“Their cobwebs are useless for clothing; they cannot cover themselves with what they make. Their deeds are evil deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.”
In this verse, it is conveyed that those who engage in evil deeds and acts of violence will ultimately be unable to find lasting satisfaction or fulfillment. It serves as a reminder that cruelty and violence ultimately have no positive outcome and lead to emptiness.
Psalm 37:8
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
This verse calls for individuals to control their anger and avoid engaging in acts of cruelty driven by wrath. It teaches that allowing anger to guide our actions can lead to further harm and evil rather than resolution or righteousness.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
Here, the verse indicates that cruelty towards our neighbors through acts of disdain or mistreatment is a sinful behavior. Conversely, it suggests that blessings come to those who show kindness and generosity to the poor.
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
This verse highlights the essential virtue of mercy, emphasizing that those who show mercy to others will themselves receive mercy. It serves as a reminder that cruelty has no place in a life characterized by the blessings of God.
Proverbs 11:17
“Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”
The verse proclaims that acts of kindness ultimately lead to personal benefits and blessings, while cruelty brings about destruction and ruin. It encourages choosing kindness over cruelty for the well-being of oneself and others.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This verse urges believers to rise above evil by responding with acts of goodness and kindness. It indicates that cruelty cannot be justified or countered with more cruelty, but rather with the transformative power of goodness.
Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
This verse highlights the significance of showing kindness to the poor, emphasizing that such acts are viewed as lending to the Lord. It assures believers of divine reward for their compassion and generosity.
Ephesians 4:31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
In this verse, believers are encouraged to let go of negative emotions and behaviors, instead focusing on kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. It emphasizes that cruelty has no place in the life of a follower of Christ.
Proverbs 17:5
“Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of treating the poor with respect and compassion, as mistreating them is seen as showing contempt for the Creator. It also warns against finding pleasure in the misfortune of others, as it carries consequences.
Colossians 3:12
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Believers are called to embody qualities such as compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Cruelty stands in direct opposition to these virtues, making it incompatible with the calling of God’s chosen people.
Proverbs 22:16
“One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.”
This verse warns against cruel acts of oppression and exploitation of the poor for the sake of personal gain. It reminds us that cruelty directed towards others, irrespective of social status, leads to negative consequences.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”
These verses emphasize the nurturing and manifestation of the fruits of the Spirit, which include kindness and goodness. Cruelty is contrary to the Spirit’s promptings and stands in stark contrast to these virtues.
Psalm 28:3
“Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.”
This verse calls for protection from the deceitful and malicious actions of the wicked. It reminds us that cruelty can be masked by false kindness and highlights the importance of discerning hearts and intentions.
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Often referred to as the Golden Rule, this verse encourages treating others with the same kindness and respect that we desire for ourselves. It serves as a reminder that cruel actions are inconsistent with this fundamental principle of love.
Proverbs 28:27
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.”
Here, the verse emphasizes that acts of generosity toward the poor lead to abundance, while indifference and cruelty towards them result in curses. It reinforces the importance of kindness and compassion towards those in need.
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Similar to Luke 6:31, this verse reiterates the principle of treating others in the same way we want to be treated. It emphasizes that cruelty has no place in fulfilling the teachings of the Law and the Prophets.
Proverbs 21:10
“The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.”
This verse highlights that those who indulge in wickedness have no inclination towards mercy or kindness towards their neighbors. It serves as a reminder that cruelty stems from a wicked heart and leads to a lack of mercy.
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
This verse declares that love, which encompasses kindness and mercy, does not inflict harm upon others. It affirms that cruelty violates the essence of love and stands in contrast to fulfilling the law of God.
Galatians 6:10
“Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
This verse encourages believers to seize every opportunity to do good to all people, demonstrating kindness and compassion towards everyone. It emphasizes that cruelty should have no place in our interactions, particularly among fellow believers.
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Here, the verse highlights the destructive power of cruel and reckless words, comparing them to piercing swords. It serves as a reminder of the importance of using our words to bring healing and kindness to others.
Romans 12:14
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
These verses instruct believers to respond to persecution and mistreatment with blessings rather than curses. This principle discourages responding to cruelty with more cruelty, promoting a compassionate and merciful approach instead.
Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”
This verse encourages responding to cruelty and enmity with acts of kindness and generosity. Doing so not only confounds the enemy but also invokes divine reward from the Lord for the compassionate actions taken.
James 2:13
“Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
These verses stress the importance of showing mercy rather than cruel judgment towards others. It emphasizes that mercy prevails over judgment and warns against the consequences of lacking mercy towards others.