Hate is a subject the Bible does not avoid. The list of Bible verses against hate below reveals that hatred has its place in Scripture, but perhaps not in the way we might expect.
There are at least three approaches God wants us to have toward hatred. First, there are things God actually wants us to hate: evil, pride, arrogance, wicked ways, and every other devilish demonstration. Second, the Bible is honest with us that one of the things we will suffer for following Jesus is being hated by those who are not walking with God. And third, God does not want us to retaliate by walking in hatred toward them. We are taught not to hate our brothers and sisters in our hearts or in our attitude, but to love them and to do good to them.
So whether you are the one being hated or the one tempted to hate, the Bible verses below will show you how to handle exactly that situation.
What Does the Bible Say About Hatred?
1. 1 John 4:20 (NKJV):
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”
2. Proverbs 10:12 (NKJV):
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.”
3. Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV):
“The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way, and the perverse mouth I hate.”
4. Psalm 97:10 (NKJV):
“You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.”
5. John 15:18 (NKJV):
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.”
6. 1 John 3:15 (NKJV):
“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”
7. Proverbs 6:16-19 (NKJV):
“These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”
8. Leviticus 19:17-18 (NKJV):
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”
9. Matthew 10:22 (NKJV):
“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”
10. Proverbs 10:18 (NKJV):
“Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.”
11. John 7:7 (NKJV):
“The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.”
12. Proverbs 26:24-26 (NKJV):
“He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; Though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.”
13. 1 John 2:9 (NKJV):
“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.”
14. Luke 6:27-28 (NKJV):
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.”
15. Proverbs 15:17 (NKJV):
“Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a fatted calf with hatred.”
16. John 15:23-25 (NKJV):
“He who hates Me hates My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’”
17. Luke 6:27 (NKJV):
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
18. 1 John 2:11 (NKJV):
“But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
19. Matthew 5:43-45 (NKJV):
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
20. John 3:20 (NKJV):
“For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.”
21. Romans 12:14 (NKJV):
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
22. Romans 12:17 (NKJV):
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.”
23. Romans 12:18 (NKJV):
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
24. Romans 12:19 (NKJV):
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
25. Romans 12:20 (NKJV):
“Therefore, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’”
26. Romans 12:21 (NKJV):
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Toppings on Bible Verses Against Hate
There is no denying that the persecution that comes with hatred is heavy and achy. But even at that, God does not want us to love only those who love us. He wants us to love everyone, including those who hate us.
And you can do this. Not in your own strength, but because the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is yours through Him. You can do all things through that grace. So if you are face-to-face with the temptation to hate, choose love. That is not a weakness. That is the way of Christ.
Child of God, choose love. Every single time.
