Violence, including assault and battery, is condemned in scripture. The Bible speaks against harming others and promotes peace, forgiveness, and justice. Let’s see how God’s word addresses these acts of violence and offers a path to healing.
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What Does The Bible Say About Assault And Battery
Exodus 21:12
“Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.”
This verse emphasizes the seriousness of the crime of assault resulting in death. It highlights the importance of valuing and preserving human life, and the severe consequences that can follow from taking someone’s life through an act of violence.
It serves as a reminder to society to cherish and respect the sanctity of life, and to refrain from participating in acts of violence that can lead to fatal outcomes.
Proverbs 3:31
“Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways.”
This verse advises against admiration or emulation of individuals who engage in violent behavior. It encourages us to distance ourselves from those who use aggression or force to achieve their goals.
By avoiding association with violent individuals, we can protect ourselves from being influenced by their harmful actions and promote a peaceful and harmonious society.
Matthew 5:39
“But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
This verse challenges our natural inclination to retaliate when we are the victims of assault or battery. Instead of responding with violence, Jesus teaches us to respond with grace, turning the other cheek.
By choosing non-violence and seeking reconciliation, we can break the cycle of violence and work towards a more compassionate and forgiving society.
Proverbs 16:32
“Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”
This verse highlights the strength and wisdom in controlling one’s temper and avoiding aggression. It emphasizes the importance of patience, self-control, and emotional restraint.
By mastering our emotions and responding to provocation with patience rather than violence, we can demonstrate true inner strength and contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious community.
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.”
This verse emphasizes the Christian principle of responding to wrongdoing with love and kindness rather than seeking revenge or retaliation.
By choosing forgiveness and extending blessings to those who harm us, we can break the cycle of violence and promote healing and reconciliation.
Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”
This verse encourages patience and trust in God’s justice rather than seeking vengeance on our own.
By relinquishing our desire for revenge and entrusting our grievances to God, we can find peace and allow Him to bring about justice in His own time and ways.
Romans 12:17-19
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.'”
These verses echo the teachings of Jesus to refrain from seeking retribution and instead prioritize peace and honorable conduct.
By leaving justice in God’s hands and striving for peaceful relationships, we can promote reconciliation, forgiveness, and a harmonious society.
Proverbs 14:29
“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of self-control and patience in dealing with situations that may provoke anger or aggression. It highlights the wisdom in approaching conflicts with a cool and level head.
By cultivating the virtue of patience and choosing to respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively, we can prevent unnecessary conflict and promote understanding and peace.
Ephesians 4:26
“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.”
This verse acknowledges that anger is a natural emotion, but it admonishes us not to let anger lead us into sin.
By addressing and resolving conflicts promptly, without harboring anger or letting it fester, we can prevent harmful actions and promote reconciliation and peace.
Proverbs 25:28
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of self-control in maintaining order and security in our lives. It compares a lack of self-control to a vulnerable city walls, easily breached by intruders.
By cultivating self-discipline and self-restraint, we can safeguard ourselves against being driven to violent or aggressive behavior and contribute to a stable and peaceful society.
Matthew 26:52
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.’
In this verse, Jesus rebukes Peter for attempting to use violence to defend Him. He teaches the principle that those who resort to violence often become victims of violence themselves.
By rejecting violence as a means of resolving conflicts, we can escape the destructive cycle of retaliation and contribute to a more peaceful and just society.
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse advises the use of gentle and kind words when faced with anger or conflict. It teaches that responding with harshness only fuels the flames of anger.
By choosing our words carefully and responding with kindness and understanding, we can defuse volatile situations and promote peaceful resolutions.
James 1:19-20
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
These verses encourage us to be active listeners, slow to speak, and slow to anger. They remind us that human anger often fails to produce the righteous outcomes desired by God.
By practicing patience, humility, and empathy, we can foster understanding, promote effective communication, and contribute to just and peaceful resolutions.
Proverbs 29:11
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
This verse contrasts the behavior of fools who express their anger without restraint, with the wisdom of those who exercise self-control and seek to bring about peace.
By choosing to respond to anger with calmness, wisdom, and a desire for resolution, we can contribute to a more peaceful and harmonious environment.
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.”
These verses describe the qualities produced by the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. They include attributes such as peace, patience, kindness, and self-control.
By allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us and manifest these virtues, we can promote a spirit of love, kindness, and non-violence in our interactions with others.
Proverbs 19:11
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
This verse extols the virtue of wisdom in controlling our emotions and choosing not to let offenses and insults provoke us to anger or retaliation.
By practicing forgiveness, overlooking minor offenses, and responding with wisdom and grace, we can promote peace and maintain healthy relationships.
Titus 3:2
“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
These verses exhort believers to refrain from speaking ill of others, to avoid quarrels, and to demonstrate gentleness and courtesy to all.
By promoting respectful and peaceful interactions, we can contribute to a culture of harmony and understanding.
Proverbs 17:14
“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of preventing conflicts before they escalate. It compares the start of a quarrel to water seeping through a small crack, which can quickly develop into a flood.
By proactively seeking resolutions and striving to maintain peace, we can prevent the widening of conflicts and contribute to a more harmonious society.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This verse instructs believers to conquer evil by responding with good and righteous actions rather than succumbing to evil’s influence in their own lives.
By choosing to respond to aggression and violence with acts of kindness, forgiveness, and love, we can break the cycle of evil and contribute to a transformational and redemptive society.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
This verse highlights the destructive nature of hatred and the power of love to bring healing and reconciliation. It encourages us to overlook and forgive offenses rather than allowing them to escalate into strife.
By choosing love over hatred and promoting forgiveness and understanding, we can foster unity and harmony in our relationships and communities.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”
These verses instruct believers to refrain from retaliating with evil but rather to actively seek opportunities to do good and demonstrate kindness to others.
By choosing to respond to aggression with acts of goodness and love, we can promote healing, reconciliation, and a society that values peace and justice.
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 advises against forming close relationships with individuals who are prone to anger and wrath. It warns of the potential negative influence and harm that can result from such associations.
By choosing our friends wisely and surrounding ourselves with individuals who prioritize peace and self-control, we can avoid being drawn into situations that may lead to conflicts or violence.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
This verse challenges us to extend love and prayers even to those who harm us or act as our enemies.
By choosing to respond to aggression with acts of love, forgiveness, and prayer, we can break the cycle of violence and foster reconciliation and transformation.
Proverbs 26:21
“As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.”
This verse uses the analogy of charcoal and wood igniting a fire to illustrate the role of a quarrelsome person in stirring up conflicts.
By actively avoiding quarrelling and refusing to engage in heated arguments, we can prevent conflicts from escalating and promote peace and understanding.
Romans 14:19
“So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”
These verses encourage believers to actively pursue peace and build one another up rather than engaging in arguments or conflicts that tear down and divide.
By promoting peace, cooperation, and mutual edification, we can contribute to a community characterized by harmony and growth.