What The Bible Says About Violence, Anger, Jealousy, Arguments, And Living In Peace With Each Other
What The Bible Says About Violence, Anger, Jealousy, Arguments, And Living In Peace With Each Other |
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This page contains Bible quotes about the non-violent and non-abusive way Christians ought to live, after which there are Links to articles with advice on controlling anger, overcoming jealousy, and revenge.
1 Timothy chapter 6 (NLT)
11 Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
Galatians chapter 5 (NLT)
13 For you have been called to live in freedom - not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love. 14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 15 But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. 16 So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us:
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.
Colossians chapter 3 (NLT)
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
17 And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Proverbs chapter 3 (TEV)
27 Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. 28 Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now. 29 Don't plan anything that will hurt your neighbors; they live beside you, trusting you.
30 Don't argue with others for no reason when they have never done you any harm.
31 Don't be jealous of violent people or decide to act as they do,
Proverbs chapter 11 (TEV)
17 You do yourself a favor when you are kind. If you are cruel, you only hurt yourself.
Proverbs chapter 16 (TEV)
29 Violent people deceive their friends and lead them to disaster.
Proverbs chapter 6 (TEV)
16 There are seven things that the Lord hates and cannot tolerate:
Proverbs Chapter 28 (TEV)
24 Anyone who thinks it isn't wrong to steal from his parents is no better than a common thief.
Ephesians chapter 4 (NLT)
2 Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. 4 We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future.
Ephesians chapter 4 (TEV)
23 Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, 24 and you must put on the new self, which is created in God's likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. 26 If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. 27 Don't give the Devil a chance.
28 If you used to rob, you must stop robbing and start working, in order to earn an honest living for yourself and to be able to help the poor.
29 Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.
30 And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. 32 Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.
Titus chapter 3 (NLT)
1 Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not speak evil of anyone, and they must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. 3 Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. 4 But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. 5 He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did. 7 He declared us not guilty because of his great kindness. And now we know that we will inherit eternal life. 8 These things I have told you are all true. I want you to insist on them so that everyone who trusts in God will be careful to do good deeds all the time. These things are good and beneficial for everyone.
Philippians chapter 4 (NLT)
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Hebrews chapter 12 (NLT)
14 Try to live in peace with everyone, and seek to live a clean and holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.
Romans chapter 3 (NLT)
5 "But," some say, "our sins serve a good purpose, for people will see God's goodness when he declares us sinners to be innocent. Isn't it unfair, then, for God to punish us?" (That is actually the way some people talk.) 6 Of course not! If God is not just, how is he qualified to judge the world? 7 "But," some might still argue, "how can God judge and condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?" 8 If you follow that kind of thinking, however, you might as well say that the more we sin the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned, yet some slander me by saying this is what I preach! 9 ... all people, ... are under the power of sin. 10 As the Scriptures say,
"No one is good - not even one.
11 No one has real understanding; no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away from God; all have gone wrong.
No one does good, not even one."
13 "Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
Their speech is filled with lies."
The poison of a deadly snake drips from their lips."
14 "Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."
15 "They are quick to commit murder.
16 Wherever they go, destruction and misery follow them.
17 They do not know what true peace is."
18 "They have no fear of God to restrain them."
Proverbs chapter 19 (TEV)
19 If someone has a hot temper, let him take the consequences. If you get him out of trouble once, you will have to do it again.
Proverbs chapter 25 (TEV)
28 If you cannot control your anger, you are as helpless as a city without walls, open to attack.
Proverbs chapter 15 (TEV)
18 Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.
Proverbs chapter 14 (NLT)
29 Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.
Proverbs chapter 14 (TEV)
16 Sensible people are careful to stay out of trouble, but stupid people are careless and act too quickly.
Proverbs chapter 20 (TEV)
1 Drinking too much makes you loud and foolish. It's stupid to get drunk.
Proverbs chapter 23 (TEV)
29 Show me people who drink too much, who have to try out fancy drinks, and I will show you people who are miserable and sorry for themselves, always causing trouble and always complaining. Their eyes are bloodshot, and they have bruises that could have been avoided.
31 Don't let wine tempt you, even though it is rich red, and it sparkles in the cup, and it goes down smoothly. 32 The next morning you will feel as if you had been bitten by a poisonous snake. 33 Weird sights will appear before your eyes, and you will not be able to think or speak clearly. 34 You will feel as if you were out on the ocean, seasick, swinging high up in the rigging of a tossing ship. 35 "I must have been hit," you will say; "I must have been beaten up, but I don't remember it. Why can't I wake up? I need another drink."
Proverbs chapter 19 (TEV)
3 Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord.
Proverbs chapter 13 (NLT)
6 Godliness helps people all through life, while the evil are destroyed by their wickedness.
1 Thessalonians chapter 4 (NLT)
9 I don't need to write to you about the Christian love that should be shown among God's people. For God himself has taught you to love one another. 10 Indeed, your love is already strong toward all the Christians in all of Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we beg you to love them more and more.
11 This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. 12 As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs.
1 Timothy chapter 2 (NLT)
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks. 2 Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 for he wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone.
Philippians chapter 2 (NLT)
12 Dearest friends, you were always so careful to follow my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to put into action God's saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him. 14 In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can speak a word of blame against you. You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. 16 Hold tightly to the word of life,
Proverbs chapter 26 (TEV)
17 Getting involved in an argument that is none of your business is like going down the street and grabbing a dog by the ears.
Proverbs chapter 20 (NLT)
3 Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.
Proverbs chapter 22 (TEV)
24 Don't make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers. 25 You might learn their habits and not be able to change.
Proverbs chapter 24 (TEV)
1 Don't be envious of evil people, and don't try to make friends with them. 2 Causing trouble is all they ever think about; every time they open their mouth someone is going to be hurt.
Proverbs chapter 13 (NLT)
2 Good people enjoy the positive results of their words, but those who are treacherous crave violence.
Proverbs chapter 12 (TEV)
10 Good people take care of their animals, but wicked people are cruel to theirs.
Proverbs Chapter 17 (TEV)
11 Death will come like a cruel messenger to wicked people who are always stirring up trouble.
Colossians chapter 1 (TEV)
21 At one time you were far away from God and were his enemies because of the evil things you did and thought. 22 But now, by means of the physical death of his Son, God has made you his friends, in order to bring you, holy, pure, and faultless, into his presence. 23 You must, of course, continue faithful on a firm and sure foundation, and must not allow yourselves to be shaken from the hope you gained when you heard the gospel.
Proverbs chapter 19 (TEV)
11 If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it.
Proverbs chapter 20 (NLT)
22 Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong." Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.
Proverbs chapter 25 (GWT)
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him some food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him some water to drink. 22 [In this way] you will make him feel guilty and ashamed, and the LORD will reward you.
Romans chapter 12 (NLT)
17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
Romans chapter 12 (GWT)
19 Don't take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God's anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says,
"I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord."
20 But, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed."
21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.
Luke chapter 6 (TEV)
27 "I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone hits you on one cheek, let him hit the other one too; if someone takes your coat, let him have your shirt as well."
1 Peter chapter 3 (NLT)
8 Finally, all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds. 9 Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it. 10 For the Scriptures say,
"If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies.
11 Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.
12 The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers.
But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil."
Proverbs chapter 28 (TEV)
9 If you do not obey the law, God will find your prayers too hateful to hear.
Proverbs chapter 18 (TEV)
5 It is not right to favor the guilty and keep the innocent from receiving justice.
Proverbs chapter 17 (TEV)
15 Condemning the innocent or letting the wicked go-both are hateful to the Lord.
23 Corrupt judges accept secret bribes, and then justice is not done.
8 Some people think a bribe works like magic; they believe it can do anything.
Proverbs chapter 24 (TEV)
23 It is wrong for judges to be prejudiced. 24 If they pronounce a guilty person innocent, they will be cursed and hated by everyone.
25 Judges who punish the guilty, however, will be prosperous and enjoy a good reputation.
28 Don't give evidence against others without good reason, or say misleading things about them. 29 Don't say, "I'll do to them just what they did to me! I'll get even with them!"
Proverbs chapter 25 (TEV)
8 Don't be too quick to go to court about something you have seen. If another witness later proves you wrong, what will you do then?
Proverbs chapter 14 (TEV)
25 A witness saves lives when he tells the truth; when he tells lies, he betrays people.
Proverbs chapter 19 (TEV)
28 There is no justice where a witness is determined to hurt someone. Wicked people love the taste of evil.
9 No one who tells lies in court can escape punishment; he is doomed.
Proverbs chapter 24 (TEV)
11 Don't hesitate to rescue someone who is about to be executed unjustly. 12 You may say that it is none of your business, but God knows and judges your motives. He keeps watch on you; he knows. And he will reward you according to what you do.
Proverbs chapter 18 (TEV)
17 The first person to speak in court always seems right until his opponent begins to question him.
Proverbs chapter 17 (TEV)
26 It is not right to make an innocent person pay a fine; justice is perverted when good people are punished.
Matthew chapter 5 (NLT)
23 "If you are standing before the altar in the Temple, offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.
25 Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and you are dragged into court, handed over to an officer, and thrown in jail. 26 I assure you that you won't be free again until you have paid the last penny."
Proverbs chapter 15 (TEV)
3 The Lord sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.
Proverbs chapter 24 (TEV)
19 Don't let evil people worry you; don't be envious of them. 20 A wicked person has no future-nothing to look forward to.
1 Thessalonians chapter 5 (NLT)
13 ... Remember to live peaceably with each other.
15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to everyone else.
Matthew chapter 18 (NLT)
15 "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the fault. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.
16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.
17 If that person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church.
If the church decides you are right, but the other person won't accept it, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector."
Proverbs chapter 17 (TEV)
10 An intelligent person learns more from one rebuke than a fool learns from being beaten a hundred times.
1 Timothy chapter 5 (NASB)
20 Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful {of sinning.}
Ezekiel chapter 18 (TEV)
30 "Now I, the Sovereign Lord, am telling you ... that I will judge each of you by what you have done. Turn away from all the evil you are doing, and don't let your sin destroy you. 31 Give up all the evil you have been doing, and get yourselves new minds and hearts. Why do you ... want to die? 32 I do not want anyone to die," says the Sovereign Lord. "Turn away from your sins and live."
Proverbs chapter 1 (TEV)
10 My child, when sinners tempt you, don't give in.
11 Suppose they say, "Come on; let's find someone to kill! Let's attack some innocent people for the fun of it! 12 They may be alive and well when we find them, but they'll be dead when we're through with them! 13 We'll find all kinds of riches and fill our houses with loot! 14 Come and join us, and we'll all share what we steal."
15 My child, don't go with people like that. Stay away from them. 16 They can't wait to do something bad. They're always ready to kill.
Proverbs chapter 28 (TEV)
13 You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.
Ephesians chapter 5 (NLT)
2 Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins.
James chapter 1 (NLT)
19 My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Your anger can never make things right in God's sight.
21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong enough to save your souls. 22 And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself.
Matthew chapter 5 (NKJV)
21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment."
Proverbs chapter 16 (TEV)
1 A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.
Proverbs chapter 14 (TEV)
17 People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm.
Proverbs chapter 27 (TEV)
4 Anger is cruel and destructive, but it is nothing compared to jealousy.
Proverbs chapter 14 (TEV)
30 Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer.
2 Corinthians chapter 12 (TEV)
14 This is now the third time that I am ready to come to visit you and ... 20 I am afraid that when I get there I will find you different from what I would like you to be and you will find me different from what you would like me to be. I am afraid that I will find quarreling and jealousy, hot tempers and selfishness, insults and gossip, pride and disorder. 21 I am afraid that the next time I come my God will humiliate me in your presence, and I shall weep over many who sinned in the past and have not repented of the immoral things they have done-their lust and their sexual sins.
1 Corinthians chapter 3 (NLT)
3 You are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn't that prove you are controlled by your own desires?
James chapter 3 (NLT)
13 If you are wise and understand God's ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don't brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don't brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
1 Corinthians chapter 4 (NLT)
12 We bless those who curse us.
We are patient with those who abuse us.
13 We respond gently when evil things are said about us.
2 Corinthians chapter 13 (NLT)
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words:
The main Bible pages on this site:
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Bible Part 1: Bible Quotations, The Holy Spirit, People And Their Stories |
| Bible Part 2: The Lives and Suffering of the Ancient Israelites | |
| Bible Part 3: The Bible, Articles About Alleged Inaccuracies in it, And Stories of People who Became Christians. | |
If this is the first selection of Bible passages on my website you've come across and you'd like to read a short summary of the basic Christian beliefs, visit:What Do Christians Believe? | |
| Or go to the next in the series: The life-changing power Of The Holy Spirit. | |
The selections of Bible quotations have been put together by Diana Holbourn.
Throughout this series, wherever the initials TEV appear, they stand for Today's English Version (The Good News Bible).
Other initials:Don't be afraid to question the truth of what a religious authority figure tells you, or even the Bible or other holy books themselves, or certain people's interpretation of them. Nothing to do with religion or the supernatural is so well established in fact it shouldn't be questioned. To find out why caution is a good idea, visit:
Are you up to trying the challenges of the New Testament's moral guidelines, and would you like to know more of what it says about the love of Jesus? Here are some links to Bible quotes about the beautiful ideals the New Testament encourages Christians to try to live up to:
There are a lot of pages on this website with quotations from the Old Testament on them. Many of these are unfortunately rather gruesome, since the main theme of the Old Testament is warnings and stories about how it says societies were punished for mass lawless and hurtful behaviour, even to the extent of having war brought on them by God, that seem to have been designed to scare societies where crime and violence were rampant into behaving more ethically. In case there is any misunderstanding, it should be understood that this website does not endorse war as anything other than a last resort. The position of the website owner can be gleaned from the articles:
Fancy some light relief or laughter therapy? Then go to the first of our jokes pages:
If you have a problem affecting your mental health or well-being, like depression, a difficulty with life-damaging worry, panic attacks, phobias or OCD, marriage problems, an addiction, an eating disorder, recovering from the trauma of sexual abuse or domestic violence, coping with bullies in the workplace, or bullying and teasing at school, trying to lose weight, raising difficult teenagers, caring for someone with a disease like Alzheimer's, wanting to recover from anorexia or self-harm, or grieving for someone you were close to or feeling lonely, and you'd like some ideas on coping or getting past it, visit our Self-help series.
If this is the first page you have visited on this site, this is part of Broadcaster.org.uk, a website about social and psychological issues, what the Bible says about social problems and other topics, and how they affect people's lives today.
Go to the Broadcaster.org.uk home page to find out more.....