Bible Verses about Hatred

In a world where conflict and discord seem to be the norm, the Bible offers a timeless compass, directing us toward love, unity, and compassion. The subject of hatred is not avoided; instead, it is tackled head-on, dissected under the illuminating lens of scripture, and presented as a spiritual malady with both individual and communal ramifications. Hatred is portrayed not merely as an emotion but as a destructive force that shatters relationships, corrodes communities, and distances us from God's divine grace.

From the earliest pages of Genesis, where Cain's hatred led him to commit the first murder, to the teachings of Jesus, who confronted hatred with radical love, the Bible acts as a mirror reflecting the human condition. Jesus himself was no stranger to being hated. His life was a tapestry woven with opposition, but he offered love in return, imploring his followers to do the same, even in the face of persecution and scorn.

Through various verses, the Bible warns us of the perilous nature of hatred, while also highlighting the transformative power of love. It tells us that hatred stirs up strife and clouds our moral compass, turning us into figurative wanderers in spiritual darkness. But the good news is that love, which covers a multitude of sins, is the antidote. These verses serve as waypoints on our spiritual journey, guiding us away from the rocky shores of hatred and towards the safe harbor of love and eternal life.

Hatred as a Sin

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

1 John 2:9

Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

1 John 2:11

But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

1 John 3:15

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

1 John 4:20

If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Consequences of Hatred

Leviticus 19:17

You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him.

Psalm 34:21

Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

Proverbs 26:24-26

Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Avoiding Hatred

Matthew 5:43-44

You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Luke 6:27

But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.

Romans 12:9

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Titus 3:3

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Hatred and Division

Matthew 10:22

And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

John 15:18

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

John 15:25

But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

Galatians 5:19-21

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Hatred by the World

John 17:14

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

1 John 3:13

Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.

A Prayer to Repent from Hatred

Heavenly Father, Creator of all that is good, we come before You today with humble hearts, acknowledging our need for Your grace and wisdom in our lives. We confess that we live in a world filled with discord, conflict, and sadly, hatred. Too often, we find that we are not immune to these sentiments, that they creep into our thoughts and actions, causing harm to others and separating us from Your love.

Lord, we pray for the strength to follow the teachings of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who showed us that love is the greatest commandment. May we be quick to love and slow to hate, mindful of the consequences that hatred brings—division, pain, and spiritual darkness. Help us, O God, to extinguish the flames of animosity and prejudice in our hearts and to replace them with Your pure and perfect love.

Empower us to be instruments of peace in our communities, to love our enemies, and to pray for those who persecute us, just as Christ has taught us. Please remove the scales of hatred from our eyes so that we can see Your image in everyone we meet. We ask for Your healing, for Your grace, and for Your guidance, as we strive to be more like Jesus, the true light of the world. In His name, we pray. Amen.