Holding grudges can weigh heavily on our hearts. As Christians, God calls us to forgive and release any bitterness we might hold. Let’s explore some Bible verses that remind us of the importance of forgiveness and the freedom it brings to our souls.
Bible Verses About Grudges
Matthew 6:14-15 – Forgiveness is key to receiving God’s mercy
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let go of bitterness to embrace kindness
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32
Colossians 3:13 – Bear with one another through forgiveness
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Mark 11:25 – Prayer requires a forgiving heart
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25
Luke 6:37 – Avoid judgment and embrace forgiveness
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
Romans 12:19-21 – Leave vengeance to the Lord and choose forgiveness
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.’” – Romans 12:19-21
Proverbs 17:9 – Love covers a multitude of offenses
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
James 1:19-20 – Listen, think, and avoid foolish anger
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” – James 1:19-20
1 Peter 3:9 – Respond to evil with good to reflect Christ’s love
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9
Matthew 18:21-22 – Forgiveness should be limitless
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times!'” – Matthew 18:21-22
Proverbs 20:22 – Trust in the Lord for justice instead of holding grudges
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.” – Proverbs 20:22
Galatians 5:15 – Avoid division through love and forgiveness
“If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.” – Galatians 5:15
Luke 17:3-4 – Address wrongs with love and a forgiving heart
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” – Luke 17:3-4
Psalm 103:10-12 – God’s forgiveness surpasses our transgressions
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:10-12
Isaiah 43:25 – God wipes the slate clean through forgiveness
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” – Isaiah 43:25
Matthew 5:23-24 – Reconcile before offering your gifts to God
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24
Hebrews 12:14 – Strive for peace and holiness
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” – Hebrews 12:14
Matthew 7:1-2 – Judgment will reflect how we measure others
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Matthew 7:1-2
1 John 1:9 – Confession leads to God’s cleansing
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Luke 6:38 – Giving and receiving is reciprocal
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38
Philippians 2:3 – Humility is essential to healing relationships
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
2 Corinthians 2:10-11 – Forgiveness is a tool against Satan’s schemes
“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven, I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” – 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
John 20:23 – The power of forgiveness brings freedom
“If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” – John 20:23
Psalm 51:10-12 – Create a clean heart, free from grudges
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.” – Psalm 51:10-12
Romans 15:5-7 – Accept one another through grace
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” – Romans 15:5-7
2 Timothy 2:24-26 – The servant of the Lord must not quarrel
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” – 2 Timothy 2:24-26
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient and forgiving
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Isaiah 61:1 – The Lord restores the brokenhearted
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1
Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
Also Read: 30 Important Bible Verses About Business Success
What Does the Bible Say About Grudges?
We’ve all experienced situations where someone hurt us, and holding on to that anger feels almost justified. However, the Bible encourages us to handle these feelings differently.
When we examine teachings from the Bible, themes of forgiveness and love appear frequently. Holding a grudge means keeping feelings of anger and resentment towards someone. But holding on to these negative feelings can harm our spiritual and emotional well-being.
One key teaching we see is the call to forgiveness. Jesus heavily emphasized forgiving others. He told his followers that they should forgive not just once, but repeatedly. This teaching pushes us to let go of our anger and approach each situation with a forgiving heart. By doing so, we mirror the forgiveness we receive from God.
Moreover, harboring a grudge can lead to bitterness. The Book of Ephesians advises us to get rid of bitterness, anger, and any form of malice. This is crucial because these feelings can grow and affect not just how we interact with the person we’re upset with, but everyone around us. This teaching isn’t just about following a rule; it’s about living a life filled with love and peace rather than negativity.
The wisdom literature in the Bible also reminds us to overlook offenses. This isn’t about pretending things didn’t happen but choosing not to let those events control our feelings or actions. By letting go, we gain a sense of freedom and joy that we can’t experience if we’re chained by our grudges.
Loving our neighbors as ourselves is another principle that challenges the idea of holding grudges. The Bible commands us to love others with the same care and respect we show ourselves. If we wouldn’t want someone to hold a grudge against us, we should strive to offer the same grace to others.
In summary, the Bible teaches us to let go of grudges through themes of forgiveness, ridding ourselves of bitterness, and loving others wholeheartedly. By embracing these teachings, we can live lives that are not only more peaceful but also more in harmony with the core principles of our faith.