Hatred can harm us and others, and the Bible speaks strongly against it. Today, we’ll see what God’s Word says about overcoming hatred and choosing forgiveness and love instead.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Burdens
What Does The Bible Say About Hating Someone
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 our natural inclination to hate those who wrong us and instead encourages us to love our enemies. It reminds us that as Christians, we are called to display a love that transcends our personal feelings.
This verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness and extending grace to those who have hurt us. It teaches us that our response to hatred should be love and prayer, seeking reconciliation rather than revenge.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
This verse highlights the destructive power of hatred and how it can lead to conflict and strife. In contrast, love has the ability to bring healing and reconciliation.
It reminds us that instead of harboring hatred in our hearts, we should choose to love and forgive, allowing the power of love to restore broken relationships and bring peace.
1 John 4:20-21
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
This verse highlights the inseparable link between our love for God and our love for others. It challenges us to examine our hearts and motives, reminding us that if we claim to love God yet harbor hatred towards others, we are contradicting ourselves.
It serves as a reminder that true love for God requires us to love and show kindness to our fellow human beings, regardless of any differences or conflicts that may exist between us.
Proverbs 29:22
“An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.”
This verse warns us about the destructive consequences of anger and a hot temper. It acknowledges that when we allow hatred to govern our emotions, it often leads to sinful actions and a perpetuation of conflict.
It serves as a reminder to practice self-control and choose love over anger, knowing that a calm and gentle response has the power to diffuse tension and promote peace.
Leviticus 19:17
“Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.”
This verse reminds us of our responsibility to confront wrongdoing and address conflicts in a loving and respectful manner. It emphasizes the importance of open communication and honest rebuke rather than harboring hatred silently.
It encourages us to seek resolution and restoration rather than allowing hatred and resentment to grow in our hearts, reminding us that by doing so, we avoid becoming participants in the guilt of others.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse cautions against despising or looking down upon our neighbors, realizing that such an attitude is sinful. It emphasizes the importance of treating everyone with kindness and generosity, especially those who are less fortunate.
It reminds us that a heart filled with love and compassion for others brings blessings not only to us but also to those around us.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
This popular passage from Corinthians provides a beautiful description of love. It serves as a reminder that love encompasses qualities such as patience, kindness, forgiveness, and selflessness.
It challenges us to examine our attitudes and actions, reminding us that love should be the foundation on which we build our relationships, and it should be our motivation in all that we do.
Romans 12:20-21
“On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This verse encourages us to respond to hatred and mistreatment with acts of kindness and love. It teaches us that by responding to our enemies with generosity and compassion, we have the opportunity to influence them positively and potentially bring about a change of heart.
It emphasizes the power of love to overcome evil and serves as a reminder that our response to hatred should always be guided by goodness and grace.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in our relationships with others. It reminds us that just as we have received forgiveness from the Lord, we are called to extend the same forgiveness to those who have wronged us.
It challenges us to let go of our resentments and grievances, knowing that forgiveness is a powerful act that can bring healing and restoration to broken relationships.
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of deep and unconditional love in our relationships. It reminds us that love has the power to overlook offenses and extend grace, bringing about reconciliation and healing.
It encourages us to prioritize love in all our interactions, recognizing its transformative power to overcome the mistakes and shortcomings of others.
Luke 6:27-28
“But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
This verse challenges us to go beyond our natural instincts and respond to hatred with acts of love and kindness. It urges us to break the cycle of animosity and instead show compassion and grace.
It reminds us that loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us reflects the character of Christ within us and can lead to transformative change in both our lives and the lives of those who oppose us.
James 4:11
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”
This verse warns against speaking ill of others and perpetuating hatred through slander or judgment. It reminds us that when we engage in such behavior, we are not honoring the law of love that God has commanded.
It challenges us to be mindful of our words and actions, choosing to build up others rather than tear them down, and to reflect the love of Christ in all our interactions.
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.”
This verse exhorts us to let go of negative emotions such as bitterness, rage, and anger, which often lead to hatred. Instead, it calls us to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving towards one another.
It provides a practical reminder that as recipients of God’s forgiveness, we are called to extend that same forgiveness to others and cultivate a heart of love and reconciliation.
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
This verse emphasizes that love is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s law. It reminds us that when we choose to love others, we are living out the essence of what it means to follow Christ.
It challenges us to evaluate our actions and ensure that everything we do is rooted in love, both to honor God’s commandments and to promote the well-being of those around us.
Psalm 97:10
“Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”
This verse encourages us to hate evil while loving and serving the Lord. It reminds us of God’s promise to protect and deliver His faithful ones from the harm caused by wickedness.
It serves as a reminder that while we are called to love all people, we must also hate sin and evil, aligning our hearts and actions with God’s righteousness.
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.”
This verse presents the characteristics that are produced in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that when we are filled with the Spirit, love becomes a natural outpouring of our lives.
It challenges us to live in accordance with the Spirit’s influence, nurturing qualities such as kindness, gentleness, and self-control, which are essential in loving others unconditionally.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
This verse highlights the vital connection between forgiveness and being forgiven by God. It reminds us that extending forgiveness to others is not only an act of obedience but also reflects our understanding of the forgiveness we have received from God.
It challenges us to examine our hearts and release any grudges or hatred we may be holding onto, knowing that forgiving others is crucial for our own spiritual well-being and reconciliation with God.
1 John 3:15
“Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.”
This verse underscores the gravity of harboring hatred towards others. It equates the hatred in our hearts with the act of murder, emphasizing the need to purge hatred from our lives if we truly desire eternal life with God.
It calls us to examine the condition of our hearts and invites us to choose love and forgiveness over hatred, recognizing that true followers of Christ are marked by their love for one another.
Proverbs 15:17
“Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.”
This verse reminds us that a simple meal shared with love holds greater value than an extravagant feast tainted by hatred. It emphasizes the importance of genuine, caring relationships over material possessions.
It challenges us to prioritize love and harmony in our relationships, recognizing that true satisfaction and fulfillment come from the depth of our connections rather than the abundance of worldly possessions.
Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger, do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
This verse acknowledges the presence of anger but cautions against allowing it to lead to sin. It encourages us to address and resolve conflicts in a timely manner, preventing the growth of hatred and bitterness.
It reminds us of the importance of open communication, forgiveness, and reconciliation, ensuring that our relationships are not fractured by unresolved anger.
Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
This verse warns against the destructive nature of gossip and spreading discord. It highlights the impact of our words on our relationships and emphasizes the importance of speaking words of love and peace.
It reminds us to guard our tongues and be intentional in our speech, choosing to build up others rather than tearing them down with rumors or malicious talk.
Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
This verse serves as a reminder to relinquish our desire for revenge and instead trust in God’s justice. It assures us that God promises to right wrongs and bring justice to those who have been hurt.
It challenges us to surrender our anger and hatred, knowing that God is ultimately in control and will deal with every injustice according to His wise and righteous judgment.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
This verse encourages us to break the cycle of retaliation and respond to evil with acts of kindness and blessing. It reminds us that as followers of Christ, we are called to imitate His example of love and grace.
It challenges us to rise above the natural urge to seek revenge and instead demonstrate the transformative power of love through our words and actions.