What does the Bible say about holding a grudge?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible says that believers must not cling to resentment but should forgive others as God has forgiven them in Christ. Leviticus 19:18 forbids bearing a grudge, while Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:12-14 call Christians to kindness, patience, and forgiving love. Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:14-15 and Mark 11:25 that a forgiving spirit marks those who have received the Father's mercy. This does not deny the seriousness of sin: Luke 17:3-4 includes loving rebuke and repeated forgiveness when there is repentance. James 1:19-20 and Ephesians 4:26 warn against anger taking root, while Proverbs 19:11 commends overlooking offenses with wise patience.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 6:14-15
[14] "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
- Leviticus 19:18
You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.
- Luke 17:3-4
[3] Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. [4] If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."
- Mark 11:25
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.
- James 1:19-20
[19] So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man doesn't produce the righteousness of God.
- Colossians 3:12-14
[12] Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.
- Ephesians 4:26
"Be angry, and don't sin." Don't let the sun go down on your wrath,
- James 4:11-12
[11] Don't speak against one another, brothers. He who speaks against a brother and judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge. [12] Only one is the lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge another?
- Proverbs 19:11
The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
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