Harassment, whether verbal, emotional, or physical, goes against the core principles of love and kindness that the Bible teaches. Today, we’ll uncover what Scripture says about treating others with respect and how to stand against harmful behavior in a Christlike way.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Forgiveness And Reconciliation
What Does The Bible Say About Harassing Others
Matthew 5:43-44
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
This verse challenges us to respond to harassment with love and prayer, regardless of the motives or actions of our harassers. It reminds us that as Christians, our response should be one of compassion instead of retaliation.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
Harassing others stems from a heart of contempt and disregard for our neighbors. This verse emphasizes the importance of treating others with generosity and kindness, rather than harboring animosity that leads to harassment.
Proverbs 16:28
“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
Harassment often involves spreading rumors, gossip, or engaging in deceptive tactics. This verse warns against the destructive nature of such behavior, highlighting the importance of maintaining trust and unity in our relationships.
Leviticus 19:18
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
This verse instructs us not to seek revenge or hold grudges against others, but to love them as we love ourselves. Harassment goes against this commandment, as it seeks to harm and belittle others instead of treating them with love and respect.
Proverbs 3:29-30
“Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.”
Harassment often involves scheming and planning harm against others without any just cause. This verse urges us to avoid engaging in such behavior and to instead live peacefully and harmoniously with our neighbors.
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.”
Harassment is contrary to the characteristics of the Holy Spirit, which include kindness, gentleness, and self-control. This verse encourages us to cultivate these qualities in our lives, reflecting Christ’s love to others instead of engaging in harmful behavior.
Proverbs 12:18
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
Harassment often involves hurtful and cutting words that wound others deeply. This verse highlights the power of our words and encourages us to use them wisely, bringing healing and reconciliation instead of inflicting pain.
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 calls us to reject all forms of malicious behavior, including harassment, and instead to treat one another with kindness, forgiveness, and compassion. We are reminded to emulate God’s forgiveness and extend grace to others, even when facing difficult circumstances.
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.”
In the face of harassment, we are called to respond with blessings and not to repay evil with evil. This verse reminds us that by choosing to bless and show kindness, we align ourselves with God’s purposes and open ourselves up to receiving His blessings in return.
Colossians 3:8
“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
Harassment often involves expressing anger, malice, and slanderous words towards others. This verse instructs us to rid ourselves of these negative and harmful behaviors, urging us to speak words that build up and encourage instead.
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 verse challenges us to respond to our enemies, including those who harass us, with acts of kindness and generosity. By doing so, we bring conviction upon them and allow God to work in their hearts, while also opening ourselves to receive rewards from the Lord.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”
Harassment involves various components that are detestable to the Lord, such as lies, wicked plans, and sowing discord among people. This verse serves as a reminder that God despises such behaviors and calls us to live in a manner that fosters unity, truth, and righteousness instead.
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.”
Harassment often involves speaking evil and passing judgments on others. This verse cautions us against engaging in such behavior, reminding us that when we speak against or judge others, we are acting against God’s law and failing to live as true followers of Christ.
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.”
Harassment often perpetuates a cycle of harm, where evil is met with evil. This verse encourages us to break this cycle by seeking to do good to one another, not only to those who harass us but to everyone we encounter.
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.”
The Golden Rule applies to how we treat others, including those who harass us. This verse teaches us to treat others with kindness, compassion, and respect, regardless of how they may treat us.
Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
Our words play a significant role in how we respond to harassment. This verse encourages us to speak with grace, exercising wisdom in our responses to those who harass us, seeking to bring healing and understanding rather than further conflict.
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.’”
This verse commands us not to retaliate or seek revenge for the harassment we may experience. Instead, we are called to pursue honorable actions, living in peace with all, and trusting in God’s justice to ultimately address any wrongdoing.
Colossians 3:12-14
“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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”
As followers of Christ, we are called to embody compassion, kindness, and forgiveness towards others, even those who harass us. This verse urges us to put on love as the overarching virtue, promoting unity, and harmony in all our interactions.
Proverbs 22:10
“Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.”
Harassment often involves individuals who scoff and engage in abusive behavior. This verse provides wisdom in recognizing the importance of removing such individuals from our lives, as their presence only fuels strife and contention.
1 Peter 2:23
“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Jesus serves as the ultimate example of responding to harassment with grace and trust in God’s justice. This verse reminds us to follow His example, resisting the urge to retaliate or respond with threats, but rather entrusting our situation to God’s righteous judgment.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
In the face of harassment, responding with gentleness and kindness can defuse tension and anger. This verse emphasizes the power of our words and encourages us to choose our responses carefully, seeking to bring about reconciliation instead of escalating the conflict.
1 Timothy 5:1-2
“Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.”
Harassment can occur across different age groups and relationships. This verse teaches us to treat others with respect, honor, and purity, regardless of their age or gender, recognizing the importance of fostering healthy and godly interactions.
Romans 13:10
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Harassment inflicts harm on our neighbors, going against the law of love. This verse emphasizes that love should guide our actions towards others, motivating us to treat them with kindness, respect, and empathy, rather than subjecting them to harassment.
Matthew 7:1-2
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
Harassment often involves passing judgment and condemning others. This verse reminds us not to engage in a judgmental attitude, as it may lead to our own judgment. Instead, we are called to show mercy and grace, leaving the final judgment to God.
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.”
Harassment often includes the use of derogatory and hurtful language. This verse exhorts us to use words that build others up and edify them, bringing grace and healing through our speech instead of causing harm.