In moments of anger or hurt, it can be tempting to wish ill upon others. However, the Bible offers guidance on how to respond with love and forgiveness, even in difficult situations.
Through verses that address the desire for revenge or harm, we can gain insight into the power of grace and compassion.
Join me as we explore these verses, discovering the transformative message that encourages us to overcome our natural inclinations and choose love over hatred.
Bible Verses about Wishing Bad to People
Psalm 35:4
“Let them be put to shame and dishonor who seek after my life! Let them be turned back and disappointed who devise evil against me!”
In this verse, the psalmist expresses his frustration and desire for justice against those who wish harm upon him. However, it’s important to note that as followers of God, we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
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.”
This verse reminds us not to take pleasure in the misfortune of others, even if they are our enemies. Instead, we should demonstrate compassion and forgiveness, leaving judgment to the Lord.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Jesus teaches us to respond to those who wish us harm with love and prayer. This challenges our natural inclination to retaliate and reminds us of the transformative power of love and forgiveness.
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.'”
This verse encourages believers to trust in God’s justice and refrain from seeking revenge. Instead, we should focus on maintaining a heart of love and leaving matters of judgment to the Lord.
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 this verse, we are reminded of our calling to bless and respond to evil with good. By doing so, we align ourselves with God’s nature and invite His blessings into our lives.
Luke 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Jesus challenges us to demonstrate radical love by responding to our enemies with kindness, blessings, and prayers. Through these actions, we break the cycle of hatred and invite God’s transformative power into the situation.
Proverbs 11:17
“A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.”
This proverb reminds us that our actions towards others, even those who may wish us harm, ultimately affect ourselves. Choosing kindness over cruelty brings blessings and preserves our own well-being.
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Instead of succumbing to the negative influence of wishing bad upon others, this verse encourages us to overcome evil through acts of goodness, thereby transforming the situation for the better.
Galatians 6:10
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
As believers, we are called to extend goodness, kindness, and love to all people, regardless of their intentions towards us. By doing good, we reflect God’s character and bring glory to His name.
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.”
These verses remind us to cultivate a heart of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion towards others. By letting go of bitterness and embracing forgiveness, we break free from the desire to wish harm upon others.
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 proverb emphasizes the transformative power of kindness. Rather than seeking revenge, we are encouraged to respond with acts of generosity, allowing God to work in the hearts of our enemies.
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 others. Rather than harboring ill will or wishing bad upon them, we are called to forgive repeatedly, reflecting God’s abundant mercy and grace.
Luke 23:34
“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Even in the midst of His crucifixion, Jesus exemplifies forgiveness by interceding on behalf of those who crucified Him. His words remind us of the power of forgiveness and its potential to transform hearts.
Colossians 3:13
“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.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of forgiveness within the body of believers. As we have received forgiveness from the Lord, we are called to extend the same forgiveness to others, releasing any desire to wish them harm.
1 John 4:20-21
“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
These verses challenge us to examine the authenticity of our love for God by observing how we treat others. Hating or wishing harm upon others contradicts the love we claim to have for God and calls us to introspection and change.
Matthew 5:46-47
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?”
Jesus encourages us to love beyond our comfort zones. Merely loving those who love us back is insufficient. Instead, we are called to love our enemies and extend goodwill to all, reflecting the boundless love of God.
Romans 13:10
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
When we operate from a place of love, we naturally refrain from wishing harm upon others. Love fulfills the requirements of God’s law and enables us to treat others with kindness and respect.
James 3:9-10
“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
These verses serve as a reminder to guard our words and avoid cursing or wishing harm upon others. Since every person is made in the image of God, we are called to honor and bless them instead of speaking ill of them.
Luke 6:35
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
This verse urges us to exhibit radical love by extending kindness and generosity to our enemies, without expecting anything in return. By doing so, we align ourselves with the character of God and experience His abundant blessings.
Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.'”
These words caution against seeking revenge or repaying others for the harm they have caused. Instead, we should trust in God’s justice and focus on responding with love and forgiveness.
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.”
This verse encapsulates the essence of treating others well. It prompts us to consider how we would like to be treated and then extends the same treatment to others, regardless of their actions or intentions.
Also Read: 27 Bible Verses about Surrounding Yourself with Good (With Commentary)
Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”
When confronted with the temptation to seek revenge or wish harm upon others, this proverb advises us to wait upon the Lord and trust in His deliverance. God is the ultimate judge, and He will bring about justice in due time.
Romans 12:14
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.”
Instead of wishing ill or cursing those who persecute us, this verse calls us to bless them. It challenges us to rise above our natural inclinations and respond with kindness, reflecting the transformative power of God’s love.
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.”
As followers of Christ, we are instructed to break the cycle of evil by responding with goodness. Even when faced with hostility, we are to seek opportunities to do good to others, demonstrating the transformative power of God’s love.
Luke 6:28
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”
Jesus teaches us to respond to curses and abuse with blessings and prayers. This counterintuitive approach challenges our human nature but reflects the character of Christ and invites God’s redemptive work in difficult situations.
Matthew 5:39
“But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
This verse encourages us to respond to evil with non-resistance and humility. It calls us to rise above the desire for revenge and extend grace, reflecting the character of Christ and leaving room for God’s intervention.
1 Corinthians 4:12
“And we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure.”
This verse encourages us to persevere in the face of reviling and persecution. Rather than retaliating, we are called to respond with blessings and endure, trusting in God’s faithfulness and His ultimate vindication.
Luke 9:54-55
“And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, ‘Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?’ But he turned and rebuked them.”
In this passage, James and John, known as the Sons of Thunder, expressed a desire to harm those who rejected Jesus. However, Jesus rebuked them, emphasizing the importance of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation over retaliation.
Proverbs 19:11
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Wisdom is displayed when we are slow to anger and choose to overlook offenses. It is an honorable trait to let go of the desire to harm others and instead extend grace and forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
This verse reminds us of God’s forgiveness towards us through Christ. It encourages us to emulate His example by showing kindness, having a tender heart, and forgiving others, even those who may wish us harm.
Matthew 26:52
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.'”
When Peter attempted to defend Jesus by using a sword, Jesus intervened and instructed him to put it away. This teaches us that responding to harm with more harm only perpetuates violence and destruction, and ultimately leads to our own downfall.
Luke 6:31
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
Often referred to as the Golden Rule, this verse encapsulates the principle of treating others as we would like to be treated. Instead of wishing bad upon others, we are called to extend kindness, respect, and fairness to all.
May these verses serve as a reminder of the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and kindness. Instead of wishing harm upon others, let us strive to bless, forgive, and treat others with the same grace and compassion that we have received from our Heavenly Father.
What does the Bible say About Wishing Bad to People?
In the Bible, the concept of wishing ill or harm to others is generally regarded as contrary to the teachings of love, compassion, and forgiveness that are emphasized throughout the scriptures. The Bible encourages believers to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves (Luke 6:31), showing kindness and goodwill even to those who may have wronged them.
The Bible explicitly condemns holding grudges, seeking revenge, and harboring hatred in one’s heart. For instance, in Romans 12:17-21, it is written, “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Similarly, in Proverbs 24:17-18, it advises against rejoicing at the downfall of enemies, stating, “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice.”
Instead, the Bible encourages believers to pray for their enemies and those who persecute them (Matthew 5:44). This highlights the importance of seeking reconciliation and wishing good for others, regardless of past conflicts.
Ultimately, the Bible teaches that harboring negative feelings and wishing harm upon others only leads to further strife and distance from God’s teachings. Instead, it emphasizes the transformative power of love, forgiveness, and grace as essential virtues for maintaining healthy relationships and living a righteous life.