What Does the Bible Say About Hurting Or Harming Others With Words?

Genesis 50:20 ESV / 5 helpful votes

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands. “‘I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name's sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. ...

James 1:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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.

Romans 14:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.

Romans 12:18-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.”

Revelation 3:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

Colossians 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,

Philippians 3:13-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 5:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

Galatians 4:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. 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; ...

Romans 13:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Romans 12:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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.”

Romans 12:17-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...

Romans 12:1-16:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. ...

Romans 1:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

John 14:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,

John 13:34-35 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 12:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Luke 6:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Mark 9:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

Matthew 18:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Matthew 10:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 6:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ...

Zechariah 8:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.”

Ezekiel 13:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life,

Jeremiah 9:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully; with his mouth each speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he plans an ambush for him.

Isaiah 61:1-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; ...

Isaiah 3:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them. And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable. ...

Proverbs 26:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 8:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.”

Proverbs 6:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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 make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Psalm 119:163 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

Psalm 119:128 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.

Psalm 119:104 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 11:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The Lord tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

Judges 11:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty warrior, but he was the son of a prostitute. Gilead was the father of Jephthah. And Gilead's wife also bore him sons. And when his wife's sons grew up, they drove Jephthah out and said to him, “You shall not have an inheritance in our father's house, for you are the son of another woman.” Then Jephthah fled from his brothers and lived in the land of Tob, and worthless fellows collected around Jephthah and went out with him. After a time the Ammonites made war against Israel. And when the Ammonites made war against Israel, the elders of Gilead went to bring Jephthah from the land of Tob. ...

Leviticus 19:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.

Exodus 20:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me,

Exodus 18:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

51 Bible Verses about Hurting Or Harming Others With Words

Genesis 50:20 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 2:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 14:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:18-20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 3:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 3:13-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 6:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 4:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 13:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:17-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1-21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1-16:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 13:34-35 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 12:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 8:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 6:27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 9:42 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:15-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 10:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:1-34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Zechariah 8:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ezekiel 13:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jeremiah 9:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 61:1-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 3:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 26:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 8:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 6:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:163 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:128 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 119:104 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 11:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Judges 11:1-40 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 18:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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