The Bible teaches us to treat others with respect, not to tear them down. Today, we’ll explore verses that warn against degrading others, encouraging us to act with love and kindness instead.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Pastors Being Shepherds
Bible Verses About Degrading Others
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
This verse reminds us to treat others with respect and kindness, just as we would like to be treated. It emphasizes the importance of considering the feelings and well-being of others in our words and actions.
Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
This verse reminds us that looking down upon or degrading our neighbors is sinful. Instead, we are called to be generous and compassionate towards those who are in need.
Ephesians 4:29
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of using our words to uplift and encourage others. It cautions against using speech that may degrade or harm others, and instead encourages us to speak words that build others up and bring grace.
James 4:11
“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.”
This verse reminds us that speaking evil against one another is ultimately a violation of God’s law. It encourages us to refrain from judging and degrading others, recognizing that we are not the ultimate judge, but rather called to love and support one another.
Colossians 3:8
“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”
This verse instructs believers to rid themselves of harmful speech, including slander and obscene talk. It reminds us to guard our words and avoid degrading others, instead choosing to speak with kindness and grace.
Proverbs 11:12
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.”
This verse highlights the lack of wisdom in belittling or degrading our neighbors. It encourages us to exercise understanding and discretion, choosing to remain silent rather than participating in the degradation of others.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”
This verse teaches us not to retaliate or degrade others when they do us harm. Instead, we are called to bless and show kindness, recognizing that in doing so, we are following the example of Christ and receiving His blessings.
Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
This verse challenges us to go beyond our natural inclinations and treat even our enemies with kindness and generosity. By doing so, we demonstrate Christ’s love, and the Lord promises to reward us.
Matthew 15:11
“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
This verse emphasizes that it is not what enters our bodies that makes us impure, but rather the words that come out of our mouths. It reminds us that degrading others with our speech is damaging to our own character and relationship with God.
Proverbs 12:18
“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
This verse draws a comparison between the harmful effects of rash and degrading words to the healing power of wise and kind speech. It reminds us of the impact our words can have on others and encourages us to choose words that bring healing and restoration.
Titus 3:2
“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”
This verse offers a clear instruction to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrels, and to be gentle and courteous to all people. It serves as a reminder to guard our words and interactions, treating others with respect and kindness.
James 3:9-10
“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”
This verse highlights the contradiction and inconsistency of using our words both to bless God and curse others. It reminds us that all people are created in God’s image and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, calling us to align our speech with this truth.
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
This verse emphasizes the destructive nature of hatred and the restorative power of love. It encourages us to choose love over degradation, understanding that love can overcome offenses and foster unity.
Colossians 4:6
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
This verse instructs us to let our speech be gracious and seasoned with salt, meaning that it should be both kind and wise. It reminds us to carefully consider our words and respond to others in a way that demonstrates respect and understanding.
Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
This verse highlights the importance of forgiveness and discretion in our relationships. It encourages us to cover offenses with love, rather than degrading others by repeating their mistakes, recognizing the value of maintaining strong and close friendships.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of encouragement and edification in our interactions with others. It encourages us to use our words to uplift and support one another, reinforcing the value of building up rather than tearing down.
Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
This verse illustrates the power of gentle and kind speech in diffusing conflicts. It prompts us to respond to degrading words with wisdom and gentleness, striving to bring peace rather than fueling anger.
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
This verse reminds us of the qualities produced by the Holy Spirit within us. It emphasizes the importance of cultivating the fruit of the Spirit, including kindness and gentleness, which help us avoid degrading others and instead promote love and respect.
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
This verse illustrates the positive impact of gracious and kind words on both our spiritual and physical well-being. It encourages us to speak with kindness and uplift others, recognizing the immense value and benefit of our words.
Proverbs 21:23
“Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of self-control in our speech. It encourages us to guard our words and tongues, understanding that by doing so, we can avoid getting involved in degrading others and prevent unnecessary trouble.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
This verse reminds us that as followers of Christ, our words and actions should bring glory to God. It challenges us to consider how our speech impacts others, encouraging us to choose words that uplift and honor God.
Proverbs 15:4
“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”
This verse emphasizes the life-giving nature of gentle and kind speech. It encourages us to use our words to bring life and healing to others, recognizing that degrading speech can be detrimental and hurtful.
Romans 12:10
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”
This verse calls us to love one another with genuine affection and to outdo each other in showing honor. It challenges us to go above and beyond in valuing and uplifting others, especially when it comes to avoiding degrading speech.
James 1:26
“If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of controlling our tongues and using our words wisely. It warns against deceiving ourselves by claiming to be religious while engaging in degrading speech, highlighting the significance of aligning our words with our faith.