Forgiveness and boundaries are key topics in the Bible when dealing with people who cause harm. Scripture offers insights into balancing kindness with protecting oneself from ongoing hurt. Discover how the Bible’s wisdom can help navigate difficult relationships while maintaining a heart of forgiveness.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About The Last Days
What Does The Bible Say About Someone Who Continually Hurts You
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
This verse reminds us to respond to those who continually hurt us with love and prayer. Instead of harboring bitterness or seeking revenge, we are called to show kindness and forgiveness, entrusting justice to God.
Through our prayers and acts of love, we can invite God to work in the hearts of those who hurt us and bring about reconciliation and healing.
Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Wisdom enables us to exercise patience and to overlook offenses. Rather than dwelling on the hurt caused by others, we can choose to focus on personal growth and maintaining a peaceful disposition.
By choosing to overlook offenses, we demonstrate humility and allow for the opportunity of restoration in our relationships.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This verse encourages us not to let evil actions or hurtful behavior from others consume us. Instead, we are called to respond with good, choosing to overcome the negative with acts of kindness and love.
By responding to hurt with good, we uphold our Christian values and create an environment that promotes healing and transformation.
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.”
God’s forgiveness of our own sins serves as a model for how we should forgive others. Regardless of the repeated hurt we experience, we are called to bear with one another and extend forgiveness.
Forgiveness frees us from the burden of resentment and allows us to cultivate genuine love and reconciliation in our relationships.
1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
This verse reminds us of the transformative power of love. Love has the ability to cover and overcome the hurts inflicted upon us by others.
By choosing to love deeply, we create an atmosphere of grace that can lead to healing and restoration in our relationships.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
As recipients of God’s boundless forgiveness, we are called to extend kindness and compassion to others, even those who continually hurt us.
Forgiveness allows us to break the cycle of hurt and bitterness and opens the door to reconciliation and healing.
Luke 6:27
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
Jesus challenges us to go beyond societal expectations and love even our enemies. In the face of continuous hurt, we are called to respond with acts of kindness and goodness.
By doing so, we demonstrate the transformative power of Christ’s love and create opportunities for reconciliation and redemption.
Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.'”
This verse cautions against seeking revenge and repaying evil for evil. Instead, we are called to rise above the hurt and respond with love and grace.
By letting go of the desire for vengeance, we allow God to work in our hearts and in the hearts of those who continually hurt us.
1 Corinthians 13:7
“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
This verse reminds us of the characteristics of love: bearing, believing, hoping, and enduring. In the face of continual hurt, love enables us to persevere and remain steadfast.
By living out these aspects of love, we reflect the love of Christ and create opportunities for healing and transformation.
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.”
Forgiveness is an essential aspect of the Christian faith. This verse highlights the importance of forgiving those who continually hurt us in order to receive God’s forgiveness.
Choosing forgiveness allows us to experience the freedom and restoration that comes from a reconciled relationship with God and others.
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Jesus teaches us to extend forgiveness to others without limitations. Forgiveness is not a one-time event but a continual choice to release the hurt caused by others.
By embracing a mindset of unlimited forgiveness, we create space for healing and reconciliation in our relationships.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
God’s faithfulness and compassion towards us are boundless. In the face of continuous hurt, we can find comfort in His unending love and mercy.
Knowing that God’s compassion is renewed every morning, we can approach each day with hope and extend the same grace to those who continually hurt us.
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.'”
Responding to hurt with acts of kindness and generosity can have a powerful impact. This verse encourages us to go above and beyond societal expectations by meeting the needs of those who continually hurt us.
By choosing to love and care for our enemies, we create opportunities for transformative change and reconciliation.
Luke 6:32-33
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that.”
Jesus challenges us to love and do good to those who continually hurt us, even when it is difficult. Our love should not be limited to those who love us back, but should extend to all, just as Christ’s love extends to us.
By embodying this radical love, we become a testament to the transformative power of Christ and set an example for others to follow.
Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Continually extending love and kindness to those who hurt us can be exhausting and discouraging. Nevertheless, this verse encourages us to persevere and not grow weary in doing good.
By remaining steadfast in our actions, we open the door for God’s blessings and the potential for transformation in our relationships.
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.”
Instead of seeking revenge, we are called to trust in God’s justice. This verse reminds us that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and He will ultimately deal with those who continually hurt us.
By relinquishing the desire for revenge, we allow God to work in our hearts and lives, bringing about healing and reconciliation in His timing.
Psalm 37:7-8
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
This verse encourages us to trust in God’s sovereignty and to refrain from becoming consumed by anger or bitterness towards those who continually hurt us.
By patiently waiting on the Lord and choosing not to fret or retaliate, we invite God to work in our situations and bring about His righteous purposes.
1 Peter 2:23
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
Jesus serves as the ultimate example of how to respond to continuous hurt. Despite the insults and suffering He endured, He did not retaliate or seek revenge.
By entrusting ourselves to God, who judges justly, we can find peace in knowing that He will bring about justice and redemption in due time.
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.”
In cases where there is a continual cycle of hurt in a relationship, it may be necessary to address the issue directly. This verse encourages us to approach the person privately and lovingly with the intention of restoring the relationship.
Open and honest communication, coupled with a spirit of grace and humility, can lead to growth, understanding, and reconciliation.
Luke 17:3-4
“So watch yourselves. ‘If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
Forgiveness should always be our response, regardless of the frequency or severity of the hurt inflicted upon us. This verse challenges us to extend forgiveness generously to those who continually hurt us, as long as they demonstrate genuine repentance.
Forgiveness offers the opportunity for healing and restoration in our relationships, reflecting the endless forgiveness we receive from God.
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.”
As followers of Christ, we are called to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, even in the face of continuous hurt. Love, peace, and kindness should characterize our actions and responses.
By relying on the Holy Spirit and cultivating these qualities, we can navigate challenging relationships with grace and contribute to their healing and transformation.
Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
When faced with continuous hurt and persecution due to our faith, we can find comfort in these words of Jesus. Our suffering is not in vain, but rather an opportunity for blessing and an assurance of our eternal reward.
By keeping our focus on the eternal, we can endure the hurt and find strength in knowing that we share in the experiences of those who came before us.
1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
Fear can often accompany continuous hurt, hindering our ability to respond with love and forgiveness. However, this verse assures us that perfect love casts out fear.
By embracing God’s perfect love for us and allowing it to flow through us, we can overcome fear and respond to hurt with grace and compassion.