Dealing with feelings of spite or experiencing its effects? The Bible addresses this human emotion, offering insight and guidance on how to navigate through it with grace and understanding.
Checkout: Bible Verses About Professionalism
Bible Verses About Spite
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of being kind and generous to others, especially to those who are less fortunate. It condemns the act of despising or showing spite towards our neighbors, reminding us that such behaviors are sinful. Instead, we are called to show compassion, love, and generosity, which bring blessings into our lives.
Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which spitefully use you and persecute you.”
In this verse, Jesus challenges us to love our enemies and respond to hate with love and kindness. He encourages us to show compassion and pray for those who spitefully use us or persecute us. This teaching reminds us that spiteful actions or words from others should not dictate our response, but rather, we should choose to respond with love and forgiveness.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
This verse highlights the destructive nature of spite and hatred. It emphasizes that harboring hatred or spiteful feelings only leads to conflict and strife among people. However, love has the power to overcome offenses and bring healing. The verse encourages us to choose love and forgiveness over spite and animosity, knowing that it can mend broken relationships and promote peace.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
This verse reminds us of the qualities that should characterize our lives as followers of Christ. Instead of showing spite, we are called to cultivate the fruit of the Holy Spirit, including love, kindness, and self-control. These virtues enable us to respond to difficult situations and people with grace and mercy, rather than with spiteful actions or words.
Proverbs 26:20
“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip, a quarrel dies down.”
This verse teaches us about the dangers of spreading gossip and fueling quarrels. It implies that our words have the power to either escalate or extinguish conflicts. Instead of engaging in spiteful speech or spreading rumors, we are called to be peacemakers who seek reconciliation and unity. By avoiding spiteful gossip, we can help to diffuse tense situations and promote harmony.
1 John 4:20
“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.”
This verse highlights the hypocritical nature of claiming to love God while harboring hate or spite towards others. It emphasizes the inseparable connection between our love for God and our love for fellow human beings. To truly love God, we must extend that love to others, even those who may have wronged us. Spiteful actions or thoughts towards others contradict our claim to love God.
Romans 12:17
“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of not seeking revenge or returning evil for evil. It calls us to think carefully about our actions and to pursue what is honorable and righteous in the eyes of others. Rather than responding with spite or retaliation, we are to demonstrate grace, forgiveness, and integrity, seeking to reconcile and build bridges.
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse teaches us the power of our words in diffusing or escalating conflicts. By responding with gentle and kind words instead of harsh and spiteful ones, we can de-escalate tense situations and promote understanding. Choosing to speak softly rather than with spiteful language can lead to resolution and reconciliation rather than further division.
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 calls us to rid ourselves of all forms of bitterness, anger, and malice. Instead, we are called to embrace kindness, compassion, and forgiveness towards one another. It reminds us of the ultimate example of forgiveness that we have received through Christ and encourages us to extend that same forgiveness to others, leaving no room for spiteful thoughts or actions.
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 verse teaches a counterintuitive response to our enemies. Instead of spitefully withholding help or seeking revenge, we are encouraged to show kindness and meet their needs. By doing so, we may disrupt their plans for harm and potentially bring about conviction or transformation in their hearts. This verse reminds us that God sees our actions and promises to reward those who choose peace and love over spite.
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 reminds us of the importance of controlling our anger and not allowing it to lead us into spiteful actions or words. It encourages us to be good listeners, slow to speak impulsively, and slow to become angry. Instead of embracing spitefulness, we are reminded that righteousness is not achieved through human anger but through our willingness to understand, empathize, and respond in a manner that aligns with God’s righteousness.
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 love our enemies and respond to hate with love and kindness. He teaches that instead of retaliating with spite, we are to extend acts of goodness towards those who hate or harm us. This includes blessing and praying for those who maliciously use or abuse us. Such actions demonstrate Christ’s love and bring healing where spite only breeds further division.
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.”
This verse reinforces the principle of not repaying evil with evil or responding to reviling with reviling. Instead, we are called to bless, showing love and kindness to those who may treat us spitefully. By choosing to bless others, we participate in God’s redemptive work and open ourselves up to receiving blessings in return.
Colossians 3:8
“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
This verse implores us to abandon all forms of anger, wrath, malice, gossip, and obscene language. Instead, we are encouraged to cultivate virtues that promote unity, love, and reconciliation. By intentionally rejecting spiteful behaviors and embracing Christ-like attitudes, we allow the transformative work of the Holy Spirit to shape us into instruments of peace.
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.’”
This verse highlights the importance of forgiveness and extends it beyond what seems reasonable. Jesus teaches us that forgiveness should transcend the limitations of human expectations and should be given repeatedly. By extending forgiveness rather than holding onto spite, we reflect the limitless forgiveness that God bestows upon us.
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.’”
In this verse, Paul reminds us that it is not our role to seek vengeance or retaliate for the wrongs done to us. Instead, we should entrust justice and judgment to God, knowing that He will deal with the actions of others in His perfect timing and wisdom. By freeing ourselves from the burden of seeking revenge, we can avoid descending into spite and instead focus on extending grace and forgiveness.
Psalm 37:8
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.”
This verse offers wisdom in dealing with anger and spite. It urges us to refrain from anger and forsake wrath, warning us of the destructive path they lead to. Dwelling in these negative emotions can cause us to act with malice and harm others. Therefore, we are encouraged to let go of our fretting and trust in God’s sovereignty, knowing that He will handle every situation justly.
Proverbs 19:11
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
This verse encourages us to exercise good sense and self-control, being slow to anger. It teaches us that overlooking an offense, rather than reacting in spite, is a noble and praiseworthy act. By choosing to forgive and let go of offenses, we protect our relationships and foster an environment of love and understanding.
Proverbs 10:19
“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”
This verse reminds us to be cautious with our words and to exercise restraint. It warns that excessive talking often leads to transgressions, including spiteful and hurtful speech. Instead, it encourages us to be prudent by guarding our words and choosing them carefully. Restraining our lips allows us to avoid the damage caused by spiteful words and promotes a culture of respect and kindness.
Proverbs 16:28
“A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
This verse highlights the destructive power of gossip and slander, which can lead to strife and the breakdown of relationships. It serves as a reminder of the importance of avoiding spiteful speech and instead choosing to speak truthfully and build others up. By avoiding gossip and betrayal, we contribute to creating healthy and thriving relationships.
Proverbs 25:23
“The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.”
This verse uses figurative language to illustrate how a backbiting tongue can create a climate of hostility and anger. It reminds us that our words have power and can incite negative emotions and actions in others. Therefore, we are encouraged to abstain from speaking ill of others behind their backs, acting with spite, or giving angry looks. Instead, we should strive to promote harmony and unity through our words and actions.
1 Corinthians 4:13
“When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;”
This verse challenges us to respond to spite and persecution with blessings and endurance. It calls us to rise above the temptation to retaliate with spiteful words or actions and instead choose a path of grace and forbearance. By responding in love and perseverance, we reflect the character of Christ and bear witness to the transformative power of His grace.
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.”
This verse emphasizes the inconsistency and contradiction inherent in speaking both blessings and curses. It reminds us of the precious value of every person, as we are all created in the image of God. Therefore, we are reminded to guard our words diligently, avoiding spiteful speech and instead using our mouths to bless and edify others.
Romans 12:10
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
In this verse, we are called to love one another with sincere and genuine affection, treating each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. It challenges us to surpass one another in showing honor, refusing to engage in spiteful or demeaning behavior. Instead, we are encouraged to prioritize love, respect, and empathy, fostering an atmosphere of unity and mutual edification.