40 Bible Verses About Having Hatred Towards Others

Hatred is a destructive force that damages relationships, poisons the heart, and distances a person from the peace of God. The Bible teaches that hatred is not just an emotion—it is a spiritual condition that can lead to sin, division, and even violence. 

God calls believers to choose love over bitterness, forgiveness over resentment, and compassion over hostility. These Scriptures remind us that hatred cannot coexist with the love of God, and that true followers of Christ are known by the love they show toward others.

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.”

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

The Bible makes it clear that hatred is spiritually dangerous because it destroys both the one who hates and the one who is hated. Hatred darkens judgment, hardens hearts, and shuts the door to reconciliation. God, however, calls His children to walk in love, even when it is difficult. 

Love is not just a feeling—it is evidence of a transformed heart. Choosing forgiveness doesn’t make the other person right; it makes you free. Hatred chains the soul, but love releases it. When believers reject hatred and embrace love, they reflect the character of Christ to a broken world.

Say This Prayer

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.