The Bible teaches us to treat others with kindness, but sometimes, we slip and let meanness take over. Whether it’s out of frustration or hurt, being mean doesn’t align with God’s plan for us. Let’s explore verses that encourage us to overcome mean-spiritedness and choose love and kindness instead.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Going
Bible Verses About Being Mean
Proverbs 11:17 – Kindness brings blessings
“Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.” – Proverbs 11:17
Galatians 5:22-23 – The fruit of the Spirit includes kindness
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Colossians 3:12 – Clothe yourselves with kindness
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” – Colossians 3:12
Luke 6:31 – Treat others with kindness
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
Proverbs 15:1 – A gentle answer turns away anger
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
Proverbs 19:22 – Kindness is attractive
“What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar.” – Proverbs 19:22
Romans 2:4 – God’s kindness leads to repentance
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” – Romans 2:4
Proverbs 3:3-4 – Let kindness and truth never leave you
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” – Proverbs 3:3-4
1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love is kind
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Proverbs 14:21 – Blessings come to those who are kind to the poor
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” – Proverbs 14:21
Matthew 7:12 – Treat others the way you want to be treated
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
Psalm 145:9 – God is good to all
“The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” – Psalm 145:9
Proverbs 31:26 – A kind woman is praised
“She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.” – Proverbs 31:26
Isaiah 54:10 – God’s kindness never departs
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” – Isaiah 54:10
Proverbs 22:9 – Generosity leads to blessings
“The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.” – Proverbs 22:9
Titus 3:4-5 – God’s kindness saved us
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.” – Titus 3:4-5
Proverbs 25:21-22 – Be kind to your enemies
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.” – Proverbs 25:21-22
1 Peter 3:8 – Be kind and compassionate to one another
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” – 1 Peter 3:8
Psalm 103:8 – The LORD is compassionate and gracious
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” – Psalm 103:8
Proverbs 11:25 – The generous prosper
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25
Ephesians 2:7 – God shows kindness to us in Christ
“In order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:7
Proverbs 12:25 – Kind words bring healing
“Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” – Proverbs 12:25
Matthew 5:7 – Blessed are the merciful
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
Proverbs 21:21 – Pursue righteousness and kindness
“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness and honor.” – Proverbs 21:21
Isaiah 32:17 – With kindness, righteousness will flourish
“The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.” – Isaiah 32:17
Luke 6:35 – Love your enemies and do good
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” – Luke 6:35
Proverbs 16:24 – Kind words are sweet to the soul
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” – Proverbs 16:24
Romans 12:10 – Outdo one another in showing honor
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” – Romans 12:10
Proverbs 31:20 – A kind woman extends her hand to the needy
“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” – Proverbs 31:20
John 13:34 – Love one another as Jesus loves you
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” – John 13:34
Proverbs 19:17 – Generosity to the poor is lending to the LORD
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” – Proverbs 19:17
Psalm 112:5 – The righteous are generous and lend freely
“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.” – Psalm 112:5
Proverbs 14:31 – Kindness shows honor to God
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” – Proverbs 14:31
Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine through acts of kindness
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Luke 10:25-37 – The parable of the Good Samaritan
“But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.” – Luke 10:33-34
Proverbs 11:16 – The kind-hearted thrive
“A kind-hearted woman gains honor, but ruthless men gain only wealth.” – Proverbs 11:16
James 2:8 – Love your neighbor as yourself
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.” – James 2:8
Proverbs 28:27 – Those who give to the poor will lack nothing
“Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses.” – Proverbs 28:27
Galatians 6:10 – Do good to all people, especially to believers
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” – Galatians 6:10
Psalm 37:3 – Trust in the LORD and do good
“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” – Psalm 37:3
Proverbs 31:8 – Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” – Proverbs 31:8