Top 20 Bible Verses About Hatred (With Commentary)
Hatred is a destructive force that can poison relationships, breed division, and hinder our spiritual growth. The Bible addresses the issue of hatred, urging us to choose love, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Join me as we explore enlightening Bible verses about hatred, discovering the transformative power of God’s love to overcome hatred, heal wounds, and restore broken relationships, both within ourselves and in the world around us.
Bible Verses About Hatred
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
This verse highlights the destructive nature of hatred, as it fuels conflict and division. However, love has the power to overlook and forgive offenses, promoting peace and unity.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Jesus calls us to love and pray for even those who hate and mistreat us. This challenges us to extend grace and forgiveness to those who wish us harm, and to seek peace instead of retaliation.
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 hurry to run to evil, a lying witness who testifies falsely, and one who sows discord in a family.”
This passage lists several behaviors that are detestable to the LORD, including those that cause harm and division among people. Hating these actions and choosing to pursue righteousness instead is pleasing to God.
1 John 2:9-11
“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
John warns that claiming to follow God while harboring hatred towards others is not in line with the truth. Loving others is a vital aspect of abiding in the light and avoiding stumbling in darkness.
Leviticus 19:17-18
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 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 passage emphasizes the importance of addressing issues with others in an honest and loving manner, rather than allowing hatred and resentment to fester. God calls us to love and treat others with the same kindness and respect we desire for ourselves.
Proverbs 26:24-25
“Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.”
This verse warns of those who pretend to be kind but hold hatred in their hearts. It reveals the danger of trusting such individuals and emphasizes the importance of discernment and authenticity in our relationships.
Romans 12:19-21
“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.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This passage reminds us to leave judgment and vengeance to God, and instead respond to hate with acts of love and kindness. Through such actions, we can overcome the evil intentions of those who seek to harm us.
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 encourages us to rid ourselves of negative attitudes and emotions such as bitterness and anger, and instead show kindness and forgiveness to others just as Christ has forgiven us. This can transform our relationships and promote unity.
Matthew 22:39
“And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
This passage highlights the importance of loving our neighbors as we love ourselves. It challenges us to put aside our own biases and preconceptions and see others as valuable and worthy of love.
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.”
This verse emphasizes the point that love for God and love for others are interconnected. Hating others while claiming to love God is hypocritical and contradictory to God’s commands.
Proverbs 8:13
“The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”
This passage connects hatred with a healthy respect and reverence for God, who detests evil and all its forms. It encourages us to align our values with His and pursue righteousness over sin.
James 1:19-20
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
This passage calls us to show restraint in our words and emotions, recognizing that anger and hatred do not lead to true righteousness and can often cause harm. Instead, we are to listen attentively and approach others with a spirit of humility and respect.
Psalm 97:10
“O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”
This verse echoes the sentiment of Proverbs 8:13, encouraging us to cultivate a hatred of evil and seek to live in alignment with God’s righteous ways.
Galatians 5:14
“For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
This verse summarizes the message of many passages in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of loving others as we love ourselves. It encourages us to show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness to all, even those who may be difficult to love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
This passage offers a comprehensive description of what true, godly love looks like. It challenges us to embody these characteristics and cultivate a spirit of love and kindness towards others in all circumstances.
Colossians 3:8-14
“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 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.”
This passage provides specific guidance on how to live a life characterized by love and unity, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness, compassion, and humility. It challenges us to live out these values in all of our interactions with others.
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
This verse reminds us that the spirit of God within us is characterized by love and self-control, not fear and hatred. It encourages us to live out of this spirit and reject behaviors and attitudes that run contrary to it.
What does the Bible say about hatred and anger?
Hatred:
The Bible acknowledges that hatred is a powerful and destructive emotion. One of the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:13, is “You shall not murder.” Jesus further emphasizes the importance of love and compassion in 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.”
The Scriptures teach that harboring hatred in one’s heart is not in line with God’s will and character. Proverbs 10:12 states, “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” The Bible encourages believers to overcome hatred with love and to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves (Matthew 7:12).
Anger:
While the Bible acknowledges that anger is a natural emotion, it also cautions against uncontrolled anger and its potential to lead to sin. Ephesians 4:26-27 advises, “In your anger, do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
The Bible also warns against quick-temperedness and encourages believers to exercise self-control over their emotions. Proverbs 14:29 says, “Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.” Instead of reacting impulsively, believers are encouraged to seek wisdom and discernment to respond appropriately.
What does the Bible say about being hateful?
The Bible teaches that being hateful towards others contradicts the core principle of loving one’s neighbor. 1 John 4:20-21 emphasizes this point, stating, “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.”
Furthermore, Jesus teaches in Luke 6:27-28, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” This command challenges believers to respond to hatred with love and kindness, rather than perpetuating a cycle of hostility.
The Bible’s message is clear: hatred has no place in the life of a follower of Christ. Instead, believers are called to demonstrate love, forgiveness, and reconciliation towards others.
What does the Bible say about hatred and unforgiveness?
Hatred and Unforgiveness:
Hatred and unforgiveness often go hand in hand. When someone wrongs us or causes harm, it can be difficult to let go of the resentment and desire for revenge. However, the Bible encourages believers to forgive as God forgives them.
In Colossians 3:13, the Apostle Paul writes, “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 maintaining healthy relationships and spiritual well-being.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant:
One of the most profound teachings on forgiveness can be found in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35). In this parable, Jesus tells the story of a servant who owed a vast sum of money to his master. When he couldn’t repay, the master was prepared to sell the servant and his family into slavery. However, the servant begged for mercy, and the master, out of compassion, forgave the entire debt.
Yet, when the same servant encountered a fellow servant who owed him a much smaller amount, he refused to forgive the debt and had his debtor thrown into prison. When the master learned about this lack of mercy, he was furious and handed the unforgiving servant over to be tortured until he could pay back his original debt.
This parable serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of forgiving others as God forgives us. It demonstrates that holding onto unforgiveness can have severe consequences.
How do you let go of hatred in the Bible?
Recognize the Harm:
The first step in letting go of hatred, according to the Bible, is to recognize the harm it causes. Hatred not only damages relationships with others but also hinders our spiritual growth and relationship with God. By acknowledging the destructive nature of hatred, we can be motivated to seek healing and restoration.
Pray for Healing and Transformation:
Turning to God in prayer is a crucial aspect of overcoming hatred. Psalm 139:23-24 says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” Through prayer, we invite God to examine our hearts, reveal any hatred or unforgiveness, and guide us towards a path of healing and transformation.
Meditate on God’s Word:
Regularly immersing ourselves in Scripture can be transformative. The Bible is filled with teachings on love, compassion, and forgiveness. Meditating on these passages can renew our minds and align our hearts with God’s will. Romans 12:2 encourages us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Practice Love and Forgiveness:
Putting love and forgiveness into practice may not be easy, but it is essential. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus instructs his followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. By actively showing love and forgiveness to others, we demonstrate the transformative power of God’s grace in our lives.
Seek Reconciliation:
In some situations, it may be appropriate to seek reconciliation with those we have conflicts with. Jesus teaches in 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 approach allows for communication and understanding, opening the door for healing and resolution.
Surrender to God’s Spirit:
Ultimately, letting go of hatred requires surrendering to the work of God’s Spirit within us. Galatians 5:22-23 describes the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we yield to the Holy Spirit’s influence, these attributes can replace hatred and anger in our hearts.
Patience and Perseverance:
Letting go of hatred is often a process that takes time, patience, and perseverance. It may not happen overnight, but with faith and reliance on God’s strength, we can gradually overcome the hold that hatred has on us.
In conclusion, the Bible provides profound insights on how to deal with hatred and anger in our lives. It emphasizes the importance of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation as the antidotes to these destructive emotions. By recognizing the harm caused by hatred, seeking God’s guidance through prayer and His Word, and actively practicing love and forgiveness, we can experience transformation and healing in our hearts and relationships. Letting go of hatred is a journey of faith, but it is a journey that aligns us more closely with the heart of God and His desire for us to live in harmony with one another.
