The Bible teaches us that speaking kindly, even in disputes, can resolve matters while causing minimal emotional harm. Insults stand in stark contrast to this teaching.
What the Bible Teaches About Insults
Drawing from biblical wisdom, insults serve only to damage relationships instead of fostering them. The Bible warns followers against succumbing to the temptation of using negative discourse. It encourages them to measure their words carefully, as arrows once shot can’t be taken back. Insults, essentially categorized as harmful speech, can carve deep emotional wounds. As such, if one can control what they say, they can control their entire life according to the Bible’s teachings.
Who Does the Bible Teach to Respond to Insults?
Responses to insults encompass both the one who’s insulted and the one exhibiting the behavior. Bible instructs followers not to internalize nor act on harmful words, nor partake in the exchange of insults; instead, remain calm, turning the other cheek. The Bible encourages humility, forgiveness, and peaceful resolution of conflicts rather than trading of bitter words. On the offenders’ side, it encourages awareness and the taming of one’s tongue—indicating that changes to one’s behavior and mindset can turn insults into constructive criticism or gentle words of correction.
Why Bible Discourages Using Insults
The principal reason for the Bible’s disdain towards insults ties to its general advocacy for love and understanding. The Biblical teachings uphold the importance of kindness, peace, and respect towards one another as a significant part of human interaction. Insults, as detrimental forms of communication, are the antithesis of these virtues. They go against the grain of what the Bible teaches about treating others the same way one would like to be treated. It reaffirms that words, once spoken, can’t be undone, and thus interpretation of the said words can bring about irreversible damage in relationships.
When Should Followers Seek Guidance from Bible on Insults
The Bible serves as a guide for its followers in times of despair, conflict, and self-doubt, among others. Anytime one feels offended by insults, reduces to using insults, or has difficulty dealing with individuals who commonly use insults, the Bible can offer guidance. Its teachings help followers to handle hostile situations with grace and to develop a stronger character. Furthermore, it offers exemplary pieces on how to use words wisely, underlining the fact that there’s power in words, and followers should use that power to uplift others rather than tear them down.
Where Can One Apply Bible’s Teachings on Insults
The Bible’s teachings on dealing with insults are timeless and versatile, providing guidance applicable in various facets of life. The workplace, school, family gatherings, or any environment where interactions occur can benefit from these instructions’. By harnessing and practicing them, followers can promote a culture of respect and positive communication. The teachings can help to curb instances of verbal bullying, discrimination, and can help foster a more empathetic society that understands the value of positive discourse.
Below is our full list of bible verses on insults (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Insults
James 1:26
“26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.”
Related Themes: Gossip Bitterness Hypocrisy Judging Others Cursing
James 4:11-12
“11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Judging Others Gossip
Proverbs 12:16
“16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.”
Related Themes: Arguing Self-Control Anger Annoying People
Proverbs 12:18
“18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.”
Related Themes: Criticism Health Communication Gossip
Ephesians 4:31-32
“31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Letting Go Gossip Criticism
Proverbs 11:12
“12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.”
Proverbs 20:22
“22 Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Revenge Hate Vindictiveness Retribution
Romans 14:10-12
“10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Related Themes: Criticism Morality Judging Others Morals Opinions
Ephesians 4:26
“26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
Related Themes: Bitterness Frustration Anger Letting Go
Matthew 5:43-45
“43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Related Themes: Bullying Strangers Benevolence Morality Love
Proverbs 10:12
“12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Love Hate Forgiveness Strife
Leviticus 19:18
“18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
Related Themes: Bullying Revenge Bitterness Love Morality
Matthew 7:1-5
“1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”
Related Themes: Judging Others Criticism Judging Others Gossip
Romans 3:23
“23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Related Themes: Sin Trespassing Forgiveness Lust Holiness
Romans 14:1
“1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.”
Related Themes: Strangers Judging Others Arguing Food Criticism
Luke 6:31
“31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Related Themes: Gossip Business Judging Others Love Friendship
Ephesians 4:32
“32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Forgiveness Kindness Bitterness Reconciliation
1 Peter 4:14
“14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.”
Related Themes: Holy Spirit Persecution Arguing Omnipotence Hate
Ephesians 4:29
“29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
Related Themes: Gossip Criticism Complaining Judging Others Cursing
Matthew 5:21-22
“21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Luke 6:32-42
“32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.”
Related Themes: Selfishness Love
Titus 3:2
“2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
Related Themes: Gossip Humility Judging Others Gentleness Meekness
Luke 6:45
“45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
Related Themes: Abundance Heart Slander Peer Pressure Cursing
Romans 12:14
“14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”
Related Themes: Persecution Enemies Suffering Cursing Vindictiveness
Matthew 5:22
“22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
Related Themes: Frustration Hell Lust Attitude Love
Mark 11:25
“25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Related Themes: Forgiveness Bitterness Trespassing Unforgiveness Revenge
Romans 12:17-21
“17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Revenge Arguing Persecution Reputation
Proverbs 15:1
“1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Related Themes: Arguing Criticism Bitterness Criticism Gossip
Matthew 6:14-15
“14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Bitterness Forgiveness
James 5:12
“12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”
Related Themes: Telling The Truth Education Oaths Idleness Swearing
