Bullying is a form of mistreatment that the Bible speaks against, urging kindness and respect for all. It teaches that everyone deserves dignity and encourages standing up for the vulnerable. Learn how these principles provide strength and guidance in facing or confronting bullying.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Integrity
What Does The Bible Say About Bullies
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse reminds us that mistreating others, including bullies, is sinful in the eyes of God. Instead, we are encouraged to be generous and kind to those who are in need.
Bullying is a form of despising one’s neighbor, and this verse clearly states that such behavior goes against God’s will. We are called to show compassion and love, even to those who may mistreat us.
Proverbs 22:24-25
“Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways and find a snare for yourself.”
This verse cautions against associating with individuals who have a tendency to anger and display hot-tempered behavior. It warns that being in their company may lead to adopting similar ways and becoming trapped in negative patterns.
In the context of bullying, it is important to distance ourselves from those who engage in such behavior. Associating with bullies can negatively influence our own attitudes and actions, potentially leading us down a destructive path.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
In this verse, Jesus teaches us to respond to those who mistreat us with love and prayer. Instead of seeking revenge or harboring hatred, we are called to show compassion and mercy to our enemies.
When faced with bullies, it can be challenging to respond with love. However, this verse challenges us to see bullies as individuals who are also in need of God’s love and grace. Praying for them helps us cultivate a heart of forgiveness.
Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”
This passage continues the theme of responding to enemies with kindness and generosity. By providing for the needs of our enemies, we not only demonstrate God’s love but also hold the potential to evoke conviction in their hearts.
When dealing with bullies, showing them kindness, and meeting their physical or emotional needs may help promote a change within them. Our actions can be a powerful testimony of God’s transformative love.
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.”
This well-known passage lists the fruit of the Holy Spirit, qualities that should be evident in the lives of believers. Kindness and goodness are two of these qualities, which counteract the cruelty and harm caused by bullies.
As Christians, we are called to reflect the character of Christ in our attitudes and actions. By displaying the fruit of the Spirit, we can combat the negative effects of bullying and demonstrate the transformative power of God’s love in our lives.
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 teaches us to resist the temptation to seek revenge or retaliate when faced with mistreatment. Instead, we are encouraged to bless our adversaries, trusting in God’s promise of blessing to those who follow His ways.
When confronted with bullies, it is essential to respond with grace and mercy, rather than stooping to their level. By doing so, we align ourselves with God’s will and experience His blessings in our lives.
Romans 12:18
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of pursuing peace in our relationships with others. While it may not always be possible to reconcile with bullies, we are encouraged to do our part in promoting peace and harmony.
Although we cannot control the actions of bullies, we can strive to maintain a peaceful disposition and seek resolution whenever possible. Our commitment to peace may help diffuse hostility and create opportunities for reconciliation.
Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.”
This verse instructs us to trust in the Lord for justice instead of taking matters into our own hands. Rather than seeking revenge on bullies, we are called to patiently wait for God’s deliverance.
Bullies may cause us pain and suffering, but we can find solace in knowing that God sees all and will ultimately bring justice. Our role is to maintain faith and trust in His perfect timing and plan.
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.’
Jesus teaches us the importance of extending forgiveness to those who wrong us. In response to Peter’s inquiry about forgiveness, Jesus emphasizes the need for unlimited grace and mercy.
When facing bullies, forgiveness may seem challenging or undeserving. However, this verse reminds us that forgiveness is not limited by a set number of offenses but should be extended generously, just as God has forgiven us.
Proverbs 29:11
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
This proverb highlights the contrast between wisdom and foolishness in how anger is expressed. Rather than allowing anger to control our actions, we are called to exercise self-control and seek resolutions peacefully.
Dealing with bullies can often provoke anger and frustration. However, this verse encourages us to respond with wisdom, seeking peaceful resolutions rather than allowing anger to escalate the situation further.
Psalm 37:8
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.”
This psalmist reminds us of the dangers associated with harboring anger and wrath. Dwelling on negative emotions can lead to destructive outcomes and hinder our ability to respond with love and grace.
When faced with bullies, it is important to guard our hearts against anger and let go of any desire for revenge. Trusting in God’s justice and seeking His guidance allows us to respond in a way that promotes peace and healing.
Proverbs 17:14
“The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.”
This proverb reminds us to avoid unnecessary conflicts and disputes. It encourages us to be proactive in preventing arguments or confrontations from escalating and causing further harm.
When confronted with bullies, it is wise to assess the situation and seek peaceful resolutions right from the start. Choosing not to engage in quarrels or retaliatory actions can help diffuse tensions and protect our own well-being.
Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of our words and encourages us to speak in ways that edify and bring grace to others. Instead of resorting to hurtful words when facing bullies, we are called to respond with grace and kindness.
Our words have the power to uplift or tear down others. Choosing to speak in a manner that builds up and reflects God’s love can potentially soften the hearts of bullies and bring about positive change.
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This proverb highlights the power of gentle and calm responses in diffusing conflicts. Instead of responding to aggression with aggression, we are encouraged to choose our words carefully and seek peaceful resolutions.
When faced with bullies, responding in a gentle and respectful manner can help neutralize their hostility and deescalate the situation. A soft answer has the potential to turn away their anger and pave the way for reconciliation.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
In this famous passage on the nature of love, we are presented with a model for how to respond to others, including bullies. Love, characterized by patience, kindness, and humility, is the antidote to the harm caused by bullying.
When we encounter bullies, we are called to respond with genuine love, which goes beyond temporary feelings or circumstances. By demonstrating love in our actions, we can begin to break down walls and bring about healing and restoration.
Luke 6:31
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
This verse, often referred to as the Golden Rule, encourages us to treat others as we would like to be treated. It serves as a powerful reminder to respond to bullies with the same respect and kindness we desire for ourselves.
When faced with mistreatment, it can be easy to retaliate or treat others poorly in return. However, this verse challenges us to rise above that instinct and treat bullies with love and dignity, even in difficult circumstances.
Colossians 3:12-13
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
These verses remind us of the virtues that should characterize our lives as followers of Christ. Among them are compassion, kindness, humility, and forgiveness. When dealing with bullies, it is essential to clothe ourselves with these qualities.
Forgiving those who have wronged us, even bullies, mirrors the forgiveness God has extended to us. By showing compassion and exercising forgiveness, we demonstrate the transformative power of Christ in our lives.
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.”
In this verse, known as the Golden Rule, Jesus reiterates the principle of treating others as we would like to be treated. It serves as a concise guide for our interactions with bullies, calling us to respond with compassion, respect, and fairness.
When faced with bullies, we have a choice to either perpetuate the cycle of harm or break it through an intentional commitment to treating others the way we desire to be treated. By extending grace and kindness, we contribute to a more loving and harmonious world.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Paul’s exhortation in this verse encourages us to rise above evil and respond with goodness. Rather than allowing the actions of bullies to entice us into engaging in harmful behavior, we are called to combat evil with acts of kindness and love.
In the face of bullying, it can be tempting to retaliate or seek revenge. However, this verse challenges us to overcome such temptations and respond in a way that breaks free from the cycle of evil.
Proverbs 24:17-18
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.”
This proverb warns against finding joy or satisfaction in the downfall of our enemies, including bullies. Taking pleasure in their misfortune goes against the character of God and can lead to His disapproval.
We should strive to maintain a compassionate and forgiving attitude even when bullies face consequences for their actions. Instead of rejoicing, we should earnestly desire their repentance and transformation.
Proverbs 16:7
“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”
This verse offers hope and encouragement to those who seek to please the Lord in all aspects of their lives. It suggests that by living in alignment with God’s will, we can experience reconciliation even with our enemies, including bullies.
When our conduct reflects the character of Christ, it has the potential to soften the hearts of bullies and foster an environment of peace and understanding. Ultimately, God’s transforming power can bring about reconciliation and healing.
John 13:34-35
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”
In these verses, Jesus institutes a new commandment for His followers: to love one another as He has loved us. The love we demonstrate towards others, even those who mistreat us, serves as a powerful testimony of our identity as disciples of Christ.
Responding to bullies with love and compassion testifies to the transformative power of Christ’s love in our lives. By emulating Jesus’ love, we can impact the lives of bullies and reveal the true nature of our faith.
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.'”
These words from the Apostle Paul remind us that seeking vengeance and taking matters into our own hands is not our responsibility as believers. Instead, we are called to trust in God’s ultimate justice and allow Him to address any wrongdoings.
When we face bullying or mistreatment, it can be tempting to retaliate or seek retribution. However, this verse encourages us to surrender our desire for revenge and rely on God’s perfect judgment and timing for resolution.