45+ Bible Verses About Having Hatred Towards Others

Bible verses about hatred teach us important lessons about love and kindness. They show that hatred is not a good feeling and can harm our hearts. In 2026, many people search for these verses to learn how to live a better and more peaceful life. These teachings help us understand the value of forgiveness and care.

The Bible guides us to avoid anger and treat others with respect. It reminds us to choose love instead of hate in difficult situations. These verses are simple but powerful, helping people grow in faith and character. This collection of 45+ Bible verses will help you find peace and positive guidance.

What Does the Bible Say About Hatred Towards Others?

The Bible takes hatred seriously. It doesn’t treat it as just a passing emotion — it treats it as a spiritual condition. In 1 John 3:15, God’s Word says that anyone who hates a brother or sister is like a murderer. That’s a strong statement, but it shows how deeply hatred affects the soul.

God’s standard is love. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the message is consistent: hatred destroys, but love heals. We are called to love even our enemies, forgive those who wrong us, and let go of bitterness before it takes root. The Bible doesn’t promise this is easy — but it does promise that God will help us get there.

Bible Verses About Having Hatred Towards Others

Leviticus 19:17 “Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt.”

Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”

Proverbs 15:17 “Better a small serving of vegetables with love than a fattened calf with hatred.”

1 John 4:20 “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.”

1 John 3:15 “Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”

Matthew 5:21–22 “Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”

Matthew 5:43–44 “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Colossians 3:8 “But now you must rid yourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.”

Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, with every form of malice.”

Romans 12:17–18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Luke 6:27 “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”

Luke 6:28 “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

James 1:19–20 “For human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Titus 3:3 “We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.”

Titus 3:4–5 “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us.”

Galatians 5:20–21 “Hatred, discord, jealousy and fits of rage… those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”

1 Corinthians 13:4–5 “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

1 Corinthians 13:13 “And the greatest of these is love.”

Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Mark 11:25 “Forgive, if you have anything against anyone.”

Matthew 18:21–22 “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Romans 13:10 “Love does no harm to a neighbor.”

Proverbs 24:17 “Do not gloat when your enemy falls.”

Proverbs 20:22 “Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!'”

Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath.”

Proverbs 16:32 “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”

James 3:16 “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”

James 3:18 “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

Psalm 34:14 “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

Psalm 37:8 “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”

Psalm 55:21 “His words are smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart.”

Psalm 133:1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

1 John 2:9 “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”

1 John 3:11 “We should love one another.”

Philippians 2:3 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.”

Micah 6:8 “Act justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God.”

Romans 12:19 “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”

Proverbs 11:17 “A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself.”

Matthew 6:14–15 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble.”

Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”

Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Why Hatred Is Dangerous According to the Bible

The Bible makes it very clear — hatred doesn’t just hurt the person you direct it toward. It hurts you. It hardens your heart, clouds your thinking, and separates you from the peace that God promises.

When you hold onto hatred, you give that person power over your thoughts and emotions every single day. You carry the weight of something God never intended for you to carry. Proverbs 10:12 puts it simply: hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs. The choice between the two isn’t just about being a good person — it’s about protecting your own spiritual health.

God doesn’t ask us to pretend the hurt didn’t happen. He doesn’t ask us to act like everything is fine. But He does ask us to release the hatred, choose forgiveness, and trust Him with the rest. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean what they did was okay. 

It means you’re no longer willing to let it hold you captive.Walking in love — even when it’s hard — is one of the most powerful things a believer can do. It reflects the character of Christ to a world that is desperate to see it.

Say This Prayer Against Hatred and Bitterness

If you’re struggling with hatred or bitterness toward someone in your life, take a moment and bring it before God. You don’t have to carry it alone.Heavenly Father, cleanse my heart from hatred, bitterness, and resentment. 

Teach me to forgive as You have forgiven me. Fill me with Your love, patience, and compassion so I may reflect Your grace to others. Help me walk in peace, speak with kindness, and resist every temptation to repay evil with evil. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Our Thoughts on What the Bible Says About Having Hatred Towards Others

Our thoughts on what the Bible says about hatred are simple and clear. The Bible teaches that hatred is not the right path. It encourages us to choose love, patience, and forgiveness instead. When we hold hate in our hearts, it only brings pain and distance. But when we show kindness, we build better and stronger relationships.

We believe these teachings are very important in daily life. Letting go of anger helps us feel peace inside. The Bible guides us to treat others with respect, even in hard times. By following these lessons, we can grow as better people and create a more loving and peaceful world.