Hatred is a strong emotion, and the Bible has much to say about it, especially when it comes to relationships with others. What does Scripture teach about harboring hatred toward a brother or sister, and how can we learn to love and forgive as God commands?
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Helping Yourself First
What Does The Bible Say About Hating Your Brother
Matthew 5:22
“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”
This verse highlights the importance of not harboring anger or hatred towards our brothers and sisters. It cautions against insults and degrading language, emphasizing the need for love and respect in our relationships. It reminds us that reckless words can have severe consequences, urging us to strive for peace and reconciliation instead.
Matthew 18:15
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
This verse teaches us the importance of addressing conflicts or sins in a loving and direct manner. Instead of harboring hatred, we are encouraged to approach our brothers and sisters privately, seeking restoration and reconciliation. It emphasizes that the goal should be to win them over by helping them recognize their wrongs, rather than fostering bitterness or animosity towards them.
1 John 2:9
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”
This verse reminds us that if we claim to walk in the light and yet harbor hatred towards our brothers and sisters, we are deceiving ourselves. It emphasizes the inconsistency of claiming to follow Christ while nurturing hatred in our hearts. It calls us to examine our attitudes and align them with God’s command to love one another.
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 emphasizes the severity of harboring hatred towards our brothers and sisters. It equates such hatred with the act of murder, highlighting the destructive nature of unforgiving and vengeful attitudes. It serves as a stark reminder that genuine followers of Christ should exhibit love and forgiveness, rooted in the gift of eternal life.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
This verse contrasts the negative effects of hatred with the positive impact of love. It warns that hatred only escalates conflicts and leads to further division and strife. On the other hand, love possesses the power to forgive and reconcile, covering over wrongs and fostering unity among brothers and sisters.
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 emphasizes the importance of addressing issues of conflict and hatred directly. It encourages open communication and rebuke when necessary, promoting personal accountability and preventing the spreading of guilt. It discourages harboring hatred in our hearts and instead encourages us to seek resolution and reconciliation.
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 highlights the detestable actions and attitudes that God hates. Among them, we find those who stir up conflict within the community. Hatred towards a brother or sister can breed strife and discord, running contrary to the desire for unity and peace. This verse serves as a reminder to avoid actions that lead to hatred and division.
Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
This verse acknowledges that anger can arise in our relationships, but it warns against allowing anger to lead to sin, including harboring hatred. It encourages us to resolve conflicts promptly and seek reconciliation before the day ends, reminding us of the importance of forgiveness and the destructive nature of prolonged anger.
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 love even those who hate us, reminding us of the radical nature of Christ’s commandments. It calls us to respond to hatred with acts of love, kindness, and prayer. By responding in this way, we strive to break the cycle of hatred and foster an atmosphere of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Colossians 3:8
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
This verse encourages us to eliminate hatred and other negative emotions from our lives. It calls us to rid ourselves of anger, malice, and slander, which can contribute to a hateful disposition. By aligning our hearts and words with the teachings of Christ, we create space for love, kindness, and forgiveness to thrive.
Romans 12:17-18
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of living peaceably with others. It encourages us not to retaliate with evil when faced with hatred or mistreatment but to act with integrity and pursue what promotes peace in the eyes of all. It acknowledges that peace may not always be within our control but urges us to play our part in fostering harmony.
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 echoes Christ’s teaching to respond to hatred and evil with blessings rather than returning insult for insult. By choosing to bless those who hate us, we align ourselves with the call to inherit blessings, practicing forgiveness and mercy rather than perpetuating hatred and revenge.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises their neighbor sins, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.”
This verse emphasizes the sinfulness of despising our neighbors, including our brothers and sisters. It presents kindness to the needy as the virtue to be embraced, highlighting the importance of showing love and compassion rather than harboring a hateful attitude.
Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
This verse reminds us that love is the fulfillment of the law and the ultimate expression of righteousness. Love seeks to do no harm to our neighbors, calling us to reject hatred and instead demonstrate love towards all, including our brothers and sisters. By embodying love, we align ourselves with God’s desires and purposes.
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 our brothers and sisters. It reminds us that when we slander or judge them, we are not acting in accordance with God’s law. Instead, it calls us to hold our tongues and demonstrate love, recognizing that to speak against a brother or sister is to act against God’s instructions.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“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.”
This verse describes the characteristics of love, including patience, kindness, humility, and the refusal to keep records of wrongs. By embodying these qualities, we guard ourselves against harboring hatred towards our brothers and sisters. Love motivates us to forgive, forget, and pursue reconciliation rather than holding onto past grievances.
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 reminds us that as believers, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, producing the fruit of love. Hatred towards our brothers and sisters contradicts the evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work. Instead, we are called to exemplify the fruit of the Spirit – love, kindness, and self-control – in our relationships with others.
Proverbs 15:17
“Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.”
This verse emphasizes the value of love over material possessions. It demonstrates that even a humble meal shared in love holds greater significance than a lavish feast consumed with hatred. It reminds us that the quality of our relationships and the presence of love are far more important than superficial displays of wealth or status.
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
This verse, often referred to as the “Golden Rule,” instructs us to treat others with the same love, respect, and kindness that we desire for ourselves. When faced with hatred from our brothers and sisters, we are reminded to respond with love rather than perpetuating the cycle of animosity.
Romans 12:20
“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.’”
This verse encourages us to respond to hatred with acts of kindness and care, even towards our enemies. By extending mercy and compassion, we may help to bring about transformation and understanding in their hearts. It challenges us to overcome hatred with love, seeking the ultimate good of all involved.
Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
This verse highlights the importance of forgiveness and the power of love to cover over offenses. Hatred seeks to reveal and magnify wrongs committed, while love seeks to reconcile and restore. It warns against repeating matters that cause division, encouraging us to foster love and unity instead.
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 revolutionizes the way we approach relationships by calling us to love even our enemies. It challenges the tendency to justify hatred towards those who harm or mistreat us. By praying for them and choosing love over hatred, we mirror the character of Christ and invite the transformative power of God into our lives.
1 John 4:20
“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 makes it clear that claiming to love God while harboring hatred towards our brothers and sisters is contradictory and deceitful. It emphasizes the inseparable connection between loving God and loving others. By actively pursuing love and rejecting hatred, we demonstrate our genuine love for God and our desire to honor His commandments.
Romans 13:8
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of loving one another as a continuing obligation. It encourages us to see love as a debt that should always be paid, highlighting the significance of love in fulfilling God’s law. By striving to love without ceasing, we abide by the divine command and witness to the transformational power of Christ’s love within us.
Galatians 5:14
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
This verse summarizes the essence of God’s law by affirming that all its demands are met in the command to love our neighbors. In light of this truth, we are exhorted to reject hatred and embrace love as the guiding principle in our relationships. By consciously seeking to love others, we demonstrate obedience to God and fulfill His purposes.