The sanctity of human life and the imperative to protect the vulnerable lie at the core of ethical and moral principles. In the face of injustice and oppression, the Bible speaks out against the harm inflicted upon the innocent, calling for compassion, justice, and advocacy. Let’s explore some verses that condemn violence and oppression while championing the cause of righteousness and solidarity with those who suffer unjustly.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Roads
Bible Verses About Harming The Innocent
Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
This verse in Proverbs highlights that God hates the shedding of innocent blood. It is detestable to Him and goes against His righteous nature. This verse serves as a reminder that harming the innocent is a serious sin and something that God will judge harshly. It calls for us to have pure intentions and avoid violence or harm towards those who are defenseless or without fault. It also condemns those who plot evil schemes and cause discord among others, emphasizing the importance of seeking peace and justice rather than causing harm to the innocent.
Psalm 72:4
May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.
This verse from Psalm 72 speaks of God’s desire to defend and save the afflicted and needy, particularly children. It reveals God’s heart for justice and His willingness to intervene on behalf of the innocent. It portrays God as a protector and advocate for those who are vulnerable and oppressed. This verse serves as a reminder of our responsibility to stand against injustice and protect the innocent, following God’s example of defending those who cannot defend themselves.
Proverbs 17:15
Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both.
This verse in Proverbs condemns the act of acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent. It highlights the importance of justice and fairness in our society. God detests such injustice and calls His people to seek truth and righteousness. This verse serves as a reminder of our responsibility to stand against any form of corruption or perversion of justice that may harm the innocent. It calls us to advocate for just and fair systems that protect the well-being of all, particularly those who are innocent and oppressed.
Proverbs 31:8-9
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
This verse in Proverbs urges us to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and defend the rights of the poor and needy. It is a call to action, emphasizing our responsibility to advocate for justice and protect the rights of those who are unable to defend themselves. It serves as a reminder that harming the innocent includes failing to protect and provide for those in need. This verse challenges us to actively seek justice and stand against any form of oppression or harm inflicted upon the innocent.
Isaiah 1:17
Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
This verse from Isaiah calls us to learn to do what is right and actively seek justice. It emphasizes the importance of defending and advocating for the oppressed, orphans, and widows. It highlights our duty to protect those who are vulnerable and in need. Harming the innocent goes against the call to seek justice and love our neighbors as ourselves. This verse serves as a reminder to actively engage in acts of compassion and justice, standing against any form of harm or injustice inflicted upon the innocent.
Jeremiah 7:6
Stop oppressing the widow and the fatherless, the foreigner and the poor. Stop shedding innocent blood in this place.
In this verse, God directly addresses the people, calling on them to cease their oppression of the vulnerable, including widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor. It also commands them to stop shedding innocent blood. God’s desire is for His people to live compassionately and refrain from causing harm to those who are innocent and defenseless. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that harming the innocent is not only detestable to God but also an act of disobedience towards His command to love others and treat them with dignity and fairness.
Isaiah 59:7
Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.
This verse in Isaiah describes those who rush into sin and swiftly shed innocent blood. It portrays a picture of individuals who are consumed by evil schemes and engage in acts of violence. It highlights the dangerous consequences of harming the innocent and engaging in malicious activities. This verse serves as a warning against the destructive path of violence and the importance of choosing righteousness and justice instead. It calls us to examine our actions and motives, ensuring that we do not cause harm to the innocent or engage in acts of violence.
Proverbs 24:11-12
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it?
These verses in Proverbs call us to rescue those who are being led away to death and hold back those who are staggering toward slaughter. It challenges us to take an active role in protecting the lives of the innocent and standing against any form of harm. The verse also reminds us that God sees beyond our outward actions and can perceive the intentions of our hearts. It encourages us to be aware of the suffering and oppression around us and to act with compassion and justice. Harming the innocent becomes an act of willful ignorance, which God will surely hold accountable.
Proverbs 6:17
A heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil…
This verse in Proverbs highlights the heart that devises wicked schemes and the feet that are quick to rush into evil. It serves as a reminder that harming the innocent often stems from wicked intentions and a quickness to engage in evil actions. It calls us to examine our hearts and motivations, seeking to align them with God’s love and righteousness. This verse challenges us to resist the temptation to harm others and to instead pursue actions that promote peace, justice, and the well-being of all, especially the innocent.
Isaiah 10:1-2
Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.
This passage in Isaiah issues a stern warning to those who make unjust laws and issue oppressive decrees. It condemns those who deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed, exploiting widows and robbing the fatherless. Harming the innocent is seen here as a result of oppressive systems and unjust practices. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of creating just laws and structures that protect the innocent and ensure fair treatment for all. It calls us to examine societal structures and work towards dismantling systems that harm and exploit the innocent.
Isaiah 33:15-16
Those who walk righteously and speak what is right, who reject gain from extortion and keep their hands from accepting bribes, who stop their ears against plots of murder and shut their eyes against contemplating evil— they are the ones who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.
These verses in Isaiah describe the characteristics of those who walk righteously and reject harmful actions. They speak what is right, resist extortion, refuse to accept bribes, and avoid contemplating evil. The innocent are protected by individuals who choose righteousness over harm. These verses serve as an encouragement to live with integrity, speaking truth, and resisting the temptation to engage in actions that harm the innocent. It promises the refuge and security that comes from dwelling on the heights and abiding in God’s presence when we prioritize righteousness and justice.
Psalm 106:38
They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.
Psalm 106 recounts the disobedience of the Israelites, including the shedding of innocent blood through the sacrifice of their own children to idols. It highlights the gravity of harming the innocent and the consequences that result from such actions. This verse serves as a reminder of the profound evil that arises from sacrificing the lives of the innocent for selfish gain or misguided worship. It calls us to reject any form of idolatry or selfishness that may lead to harm and to instead prioritize the well-being and protection of the innocent.
Proverbs 28:17
A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him.
In this verse, Proverbs warns that a person who is tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive until death. It emphasizes the severe consequences that come with harming the innocent. This verse serves as a reminder that guilt and shame follow those who have caused harm and that justice demands that they face the consequences of their actions. It calls us to support justice and not to protect or enable those who have committed acts of violence against the innocent. Ultimately, it highlights the importance of valuing and protecting the sanctity of life.
Ezekiel 13:19
You have profaned me among my people for a few handfuls of barley and scraps of bread. By lying to my people, who listen to lies, you have killed those who should not have died and have spared those who should not live.
In this verse, Ezekiel reveals the tragic consequences of lying to the people and causing harm to the innocent. It addresses the deception and falsehoods that lead to the wrongful death of the innocent and the unjust survival of the guilty. It serves as a warning against the misuse of power and influence, and the responsibility to speak truth and protect the lives of the innocent. This verse challenges us to prioritize integrity and honesty, seeking to preserve life rather than causing harm or permitting injustice.
2 Kings 21:16
Moreover, Manasseh also shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end—besides the sin that he had caused Judah to commit, so that they did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
This verse speaks of the wickedness of King Manasseh, who shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem from end to end. It portrays the devastating consequences of harming the innocent and the widespread evil that resulted from such actions. This verse serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the destructive path that follows the shedding of innocent blood. It calls us to learn from history and prioritize the protection and well-being of the innocent, ensuring that our actions promote life, justice, and righteousness.
Matthew 2:16
When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.
In this verse, the cruel actions of King Herod are described, as he ordered the killing of all the boys in Bethlehem who were two years old and under. It portrays the profound evil and devastation that results from harming the innocent. This verse serves as a reminder of the brokenness and darkness present in the world, highlighting the desperate need for justice, protection, and the compassion that God calls us to uphold. It underscores the importance of actively standing against any form of harm towards the innocent and working towards a world where every child is safe and cherished.
Deuteronomy 19:10
Do this so that innocent blood will not be shed in your land, which the Lord your God is giving you as your inheritance, and so that you will not be guilty of bloodshed.
These verses in Deuteronomy call us to take responsibility for preventing the shedding of innocent blood in the land that God has given us. It emphasizes our role in fostering a just and safe society where the lives of the innocent are protected. This verse serves as a reminder that harming the innocent is not only a sin but also a burden of guilt that we carry. It calls us to actively work towards peace, justice, and the protection of the innocent, ensuring that future generations inherit a land where life is valued and respected.
Matthew 27:24-26
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!” All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!” Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
In this passage, Pontius Pilate declares his innocence regarding the crucifixion of Jesus. However, the people willingly take responsibility, stating that Jesus’ blood is on them and future generations. This verse highlights the complexity of causing harm to the innocent and the long-lasting consequences that can result. It serves as a sobering reminder of our individual and collective responsibilities to protect the innocent and to consider the impact of our actions on future generations. May we learn from the mistakes of the past and actively work towards justice and compassion in all areas of our lives.
What Does the Bible Say About Harming The Innocent?
As Christians, we believe that harming the innocent is a sin and goes against the teachings of the Bible. The Bible emphasizes the sanctity of life and the protection of those who are vulnerable and innocent. In Proverbs 6:16-19, it speaks against “hands that shed innocent blood” as one of the things the Lord hates. This shows us that harming the innocent is detestable in the eyes of God.
Moreover, in Matthew 18:6, Jesus speaks about the severity of causing harm to the little ones, saying that it would be better for the person to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. This demonstrates the gravity of harming the innocent in the eyes of God.
We are also reminded in Psalm 82:3-4 to “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” This calls us to actively protect and defend those who are innocent and vulnerable.
As followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His love and compassion. This includes standing up for the innocent and protecting them from harm. Our actions should reflect the love and justice of God, advocating for those who cannot defend themselves and seeking justice on their behalf.
In conclusion, the Bible is clear in its stance against harming the innocent. As Christians, it is our responsibility to uphold the sanctity of life and protect those who are vulnerable, just as God has called us to do.