In our journey with Christ, it’s vital to understand how God views the protection of the innocent. The Bible provides clear guidance on this topic, highlighting the importance of justice, compassion, and righteousness. Let’s explore some powerful verses that teach us about safeguarding the innocent and upholding their dignity.
Bible Verses About Harming The Innocent
Proverbs 6:16-17 – The Lord detests hands that shed innocent blood
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,” – Proverbs 6:16-17
Psalm 82:3 – Defend the weak and the fatherless
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” – Psalm 82:3
Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to do right; seek justice
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” – Isaiah 1:17
Exodus 23:7 – Do not kill the innocent
“Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.” – Exodus 23:7
Lamentations 3:34-36 – The Lord does not overlook injustice
“To crush underfoot all prisoners in the land, to deny people their rights before the Most High, to deprive them of justice—would not the Lord see such things?” – Lamentations 3:34-36
Proverbs 12:10 – A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal
“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” – Proverbs 12:10
Zechariah 7:10 – Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless
“Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.” – Zechariah 7:10
Matthew 18:10 – Their angels in heaven always see the face of God
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 18:10
James 1:27 – True religion is to care for orphans and widows
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” – James 1:27
1 Peter 3:12 – The Lord watches over the righteous
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” – 1 Peter 3:12
Proverbs 29:7 – The righteous care about justice
“The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” – Proverbs 29:7
Matthew 25:40 – Whatever you did for one of the least of these
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” – Matthew 25:40
Isaiah 10:1-2 – Woe to those who make unjust laws
“Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights and rob my needy people of their rights.” – Isaiah 10:1-2
Micah 6:8 – Seek justice, love mercy, walk humbly
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
Acts 7:51 – Resist the Holy Spirit
“You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!” – Acts 7:51
Psalm 10:18 – Defend the oppressed and the fatherless
“Defend the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.” – Psalm 10:18
Proverbs 14:31 – Whoever oppresses the poor insults God
“Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” – Proverbs 14:31
Luke 17:2 – It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea
“It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.” – Luke 17:2
Jeremiah 22:3 – Do what is just and right
“This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed.” – Jeremiah 22:3
Matthew 5:38-39 – Turn the other cheek
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.” – Matthew 5:38-39
Philippians 2:3 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Job 31:16-17 – Did I deny the desires of the poor?
“If I denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary, if I kept my bread to myself, not sharing it with the fatherless.” – Job 31:16-17
Matthew 12:7 – I desire mercy, not sacrifice
“If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.” – Matthew 12:7
Proverbs 21:15 – When justice is done, it brings joy
“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.” – Proverbs 21:15
Isaiah 59:14 – Justice is turned back and righteousness stands afar
“So justice is driven back, and righteousness stands at a distance; truth has stumbled in the streets, honesty cannot enter.” – Isaiah 59:14
2 Samuel 22:26 – With the faithful you show yourself faithful
“To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless.” – 2 Samuel 22:26
Ephesians 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Psalm 34:21 – Evil will slay the wicked
“Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.” – Psalm 34:21
Romans 12:19 – Do not take revenge
“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.” – Romans 12:19
Micah 3:2 – You hate good and love evil
“You who hate good and love evil; who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones.” – Micah 3:2
Isaiah 59:7 – Their feet rush into sin
“Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They chase after evil, and they do not know where it leads.” – Isaiah 59:7
Luke 6:31 – Treat others as you want to be treated
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” – Luke 6:31
Also Read: 25 Important Bible Verses About Mindset
What Does the Bible Say About Harming The Innocent?
As we delve into the Scriptures, we find that the Bible speaks very clearly against harming the innocent. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, we see a consistent message: God values and seeks to protect the lives of those who are undefiled and pure by wrongdoing, particularly the vulnerable and helpless among us.
In the Old Testament, we can look to several passages that emphasize the sanctity of innocent lives. For example, the book of Exodus lays down laws that ensure justice and protection for those who lack power and means to protect themselves. Proverbs speaks of condemning wrongdoing and the righteousness of defending the innocent, thereby reinforcing God’s displeasure towards acts of violence and harm against those who have done nothing to warrant such treatment.
Moreover, the prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, often call out the rulers and people of Israel for their injustices against the innocent. These prophetic books highlight that the well-being of society is closely tied to how it treats its most vulnerable members. God’s message through these prophets is that He holds us collectively responsible for safeguarding and not harming the innocent.
In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself underscores this principle. His teachings emphasize love, compassion, and protection, especially toward “the least of these” – a phrase often interpreted to include children, the poor, and other vulnerable individuals. When Jesus rebukes those who would harm the little ones (children being a prime example of innocence), He sends a clear message that to harm the innocent is to stand in direct opposition to the kingdom values of love and justice that He came to establish.
We also see this echoed in the epistles. Apostle Paul and other New Testament writers encourage us to live peaceful and just lives, highlighting that true Christian living involves protecting and nurturing those who are disadvantaged or defenseless. The early Christian community was known for its care for widows, orphans, and the marginalized, reflecting the heart of God.
In essence, the biblical narrative leaves no room for justifying harm against the innocent. Instead, it calls us to be protectors and advocates for those who cannot defend themselves. It challenges us to reflect God’s heart through our actions, promoting justice, mercy, and compassion. By doing so, we uphold the moral and ethical standards set forth by Scripture, living out a faith that respects and cherishes every innocent life.