Vindictiveness is often depicted in the Bible from various angles, showing a clear picture of how negative it can be to harbor feelings of revenge and reprisal. These Bible teachings present a clear message that vindictiveness must not be accommodated in man’s moral compass, and instead promote forgiveness and love.
What does the Bible say about vindictiveness?
Bible verses about vindictiveness advocate for forgiveness and love, discouraging the harboring of grudges and vendettas. The Bible advises against plotting revenge or backbiting, reminding believers that vengeance is reserved for God alone. Instead of nurturing feelings of revenge, the Bible teaches believers to extend forgiveness and love, even to those who have wronged them.
Who speaks about vindictiveness in the Bible?
Jesus Christ, the main figure in Christianity, was a fervent advocate against vindictiveness. His teachings elaborate on the significance of dealing with our foes gracefully, instead of resorting to backlash. The apostle Paul, prolific in his writing in the New Testament, shared Christ’s sentiments against vindictiveness and revenge. He spoke about the theme in his letters, encouraging the early Christians to take the high road and abstain from any form of revengeful behavior.
Why does the Bible discourage vindictiveness?
The Bible discourages vindictiveness as it impedes spiritual growth and hampers interpersonal relationships. Carrying around the weight of vengeance can lead to increased resentment and hatred, traits that are contradictory to the Bible’s teachings of peace, love, and forgiveness. To be vengeful is to deny ourselves the opportunity to experience healing and peace. The Bible underscores that revenge is not a human prerogative but it is God’s role to execute.
When does the Bible tackle the topic of vindictiveness?
The Bible tackles the topic of vindictiveness in multiple instances, particularly in teachings about love, peace, and forgiveness. The teachings vividly encourage virtues such as compassion, brotherly love, meekness and mercy, implicitly suggesting to abandon any form of vindictive inclinations. By constantly promoting peace and love, the Bible regularly highlights the nonconstructive nature of vindictiveness.
Where in the Bible is vindictiveness discussed?
Vindictiveness is discussed in many parts of the Bible, particularly in the New Testament where themes of love, mercy and forgiveness are central. Christ’s teachings in the Gospels strongly crusade against vindictiveness. In addition, the apostle Paul’s letters to the early Christian communities address the subject by emphasizing on practices of love and understanding, rather than fostering revenge.
What can we learn from the Bible’s teachings about vindictiveness?
We can learn a great deal from the Bible’s teachings about vindictiveness. Primarily, exercising patience and to refrain from retaliation should be practiced in all aspects of life. We are reminded to show mercy, extend forgiveness, and persistently choose love over hatred, signaling a clear indication that vindictiveness contradicts the fundamental principles of Christianity. The Bible’s viewpoint sheds an illuminating light on human behavior, encouraging us to grow spiritually towards becoming better individuals.
Below is our full list of bible verses on vindictiveness (King James Version – KJV) provided in ranked order.
Most Popular Bible Verses About Vindictiveness
Romans 12:19
“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.”
Deuteronomy 32:35
“35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Retribution Revenge Vengeance
Psalm 137:9
“9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones.”
Related Themes: Killing
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
Luke 9:54
“54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?”
Related Themes: Omnipotence
John 3:16
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
Acts 17:10-11
“10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Criticism Omnipotence Frustration Lust
Romans 12:17-20
“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.”
Related Themes: Bitterness Revenge Arguing Persecution Reputation
Romans 13:8-10
“8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Matthew 5:38-42
“38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.”
Related Themes: Revenge Trespassing Bullying Justice Retribution
1 Peter 3:9
“9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
Acts 23:12
“12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.”
Related Themes: Revenge
1 Peter 3:8-9
“8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
Related Themes: Humility Empathy Selflessness Judging Others
Esther 3:6
“6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.”
Related Themes: Killing
Mark 6:19
“19 Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:”
John 18:10
“10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.”
Related Themes: Self-Defense
Joshua 6:21
“21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.”
2 Chronicles 16:10
“10 Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.”
Psalm 69:4
“4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.”
Related Themes: Hair
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
Exodus 34:6
“6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,”
Galatians 6:7
“7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
Related Themes: Reaping Reaping What You Sow Reaping Lust Reaping What You Sow
Revelation 1:2
“2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.”
Related Themes: Omnipotence Benevolence Pride Hope
Revelation 19:20
“20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.”
Related Themes: Hell Benevolence Armageddon Pride
John 3:16-21
“16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
Related Themes: Trespassing Life Love Money Omnipotence
Revelation 9:10
“10 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.”
Related Themes: Benevolence Pride Learning Trespassing
Revelation 1:1
“1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:”
Related Themes: Earth Trespassing Omnipotence Criticism Gold
Revelation 13:14
“14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.”
Related Themes: Benevolence Pride Learning Armageddon
Revelation 3:4
“4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.”
Related Themes: Benevolence Pride Learning Trespassing
Revelation 7:8
“8 Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.”
Related Themes: Benevolence Pride Learning Trespassing
