Throughout history, followers of Christ have faced opposition, criticism, and even hatred for their faith. Jesus Himself warned that the world would reject those who stand for righteousness. When we choose to follow God, we may face resistance, but we must remain strong and trust in His plan.
However, as believers, we are called to respond to hatred with love, grace, and unwavering faith in God’s plan. Instead of retaliating, we should follow Jesus’ example of forgiveness and kindness. Our response to hate should reflect God’s love, showing that we belong to Him.
The Bible is filled with verses that remind us how to deal with haters, persecution, and those who oppose us. God assures us that He is our defender and that He will bring justice in His time. Holding onto faith and refusing to let hatred consume us allows God’s peace to rule in our hearts. Here are Bible verses that offer guidance and encouragement in the face of hatred.
Preachers Quotes
“You will never reach your destiny dragging the people who are not meant to go with you.” – T.D. Jakes
“God will expose your enemies and allow them to watch as He blesses you.” – Joel Osteen
“If people are trying to bring you down, it only means that you are above them.” – Dr. Myles Munroe
“Don’t let someone else’s bitterness make you bitter. Rise above and trust God.” – Joyce Meyer
“When God prepares a table for you in the presence of your enemies, don’t waste your time focusing on them. Focus on the feast.” – Steven Furtick
“When others throw dirt at you, use it as soil to plant seeds of love and grow stronger.” – Billy Graham
“People may hate you for standing for the truth, but never compromise your faith to please the world.” – Charles Spurgeon
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Bible Verses About Haters
John 15:18 – The world hated Jesus first.
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” – John 15:18
Matthew 5:44 – Love your enemies.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
Luke 6:22 – Blessed are those who are hated for Christ.
“Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.” – Luke 6:22
Romans 12:14 – Bless those who persecute you.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” – Romans 12:14
Proverbs 24:17 – Do not rejoice when your enemy falls.
“Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles.” – Proverbs 24:17
1 John 3:13 – Do not be surprised if the world hates you.
“Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you.” – 1 John 3:13
Psalm 109:3 – Haters speak against you.
“They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without a cause.” – Psalm 109:3
Psalm 34:21 – Evil shall slay the wicked.
“Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.” – Psalm 34:21
2 Timothy 3:12 – Persecution is part of a godly life.
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” – 2 Timothy 3:12
Proverbs 10:12 – Hatred stirs up strife.
“Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.” – Proverbs 10:12
Psalm 25:19 – Many hate you wrongfully.
“Consider my enemies, for they are many; And they hate me with cruel hatred.” – Psalm 25:19
Isaiah 66:5 – The Lord will appear in your joy.
“Hear the word of the Lord, You who tremble at His word: ‘Your brethren who hated you, Who cast you out for My name’s sake, said, “Let the Lord be glorified, That we may see your joy.” But they shall be ashamed.’” – Isaiah 66:5
Luke 21:17 – You will be hated for Jesus’ sake.
“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake.” – Luke 21:17
Psalm 69:4 – Haters are more than the hairs on your head.
“Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; They are mighty who would destroy me, Being my enemies wrongfully.” – Psalm 69:4
1 Peter 3:9 – Do not repay evil for evil.
“Not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” – 1 Peter 3:9
Ecclesiastes 7:9 – Do not be quickly provoked.
“Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.” – Ecclesiastes 7:9
Romans 8:31 – If God is for us, who can be against us?
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31
Psalm 118:6 – The Lord is on my side.
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” – Psalm 118:6
Matthew 10:22 – You will be hated for Jesus’ name.
“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 10:22
Psalm 35:19 – Do not let them rejoice over me.
“Let them not rejoice over me who are wrongfully my enemies; Nor let them wink with the eye who hate me without a cause.” – Psalm 35:19
John 7:7 – The world hates because of its evil deeds.
“The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.” – John 7:7
Micah 7:6 – A man’s enemies are from his household.
“For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household.” – Micah 7:6
Psalm 38:19 – Many are those who hate without reason.
“But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; And those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied.” – Psalm 38:19
Luke 6:27 – Love your enemies.
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” – Luke 6:27
Proverbs 26:24 – Enemies disguise their hatred.
“He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself.” – Proverbs 26:24
Psalm 41:7 – Haters whisper together.
“All who hate me whisper together against me; Against me they devise my hurt.” – Psalm 41:7
Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turns away wrath.
“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.” – Proverbs 15:1
1 Corinthians 16:14 – Let all you do be in love.
“Let all that you do be done with love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
Romans 12:20 – Overcome hate with kindness.
“Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’” – Romans 12:20
Psalm 23:5 – God prepares a table before your enemies.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.” – Psalm 23:5
2 Thessalonians 1:6 – God repays those who trouble you.
“Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you.” – 2 Thessalonians 1:6
Psalm 5:5 – God does not delight in wickedness.
“The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.” – Psalm 5:5
Proverbs 11:9 – A hypocrite destroys with his mouth.
“The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.” – Proverbs 11:9
1 Peter 4:14 – If you are reproached for Christ, rejoice.
“If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” – 1 Peter 4:14
Psalm 31:15 – My times are in God’s hands.
“My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me.” – Psalm 31:15
Proverbs 19:11 – A wise man overlooks an offense.
“The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression.” – Proverbs 19:11
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 – We are persecuted but not forsaken.
“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Psalm 37:7 – Do not fret because of evildoers.
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.” – Psalm 37:7
Isaiah 41:11 – Your enemies shall be as nothing.
“Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish.” – Isaiah 41:11
Romans 13:10 – Love does no harm to a neighbor.
“Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” – Romans 13:10
If you’re interested, here’s another article on: Bible verses about Narcissism
What Does The Bible Say About Haters
The Bible speaks clearly about haters and how we should respond to them. Hatred has existed since the beginning of time, and the Bible gives many examples of people who faced opposition and hatred. Jesus Himself was hated by many, even though He did nothing wrong. In John 15:18, He told His followers, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” This reminds us that hatred is often directed toward those who follow God’s ways, but we should not let it discourage us.
Hatred is not from God. The Bible teaches that love is the greatest commandment, and anyone who hates is not walking in God’s truth. 1 John 4:20 says, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar.” This means that true love for God cannot exist alongside hatred for others. Proverbs 10:12 tells us, “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” Hatred causes division, arguments, and pain, while love brings healing and peace. As believers, we are called to show love, even to those who hate us.
One of the hardest things to do is to love our enemies, but Jesus commanded it. In Matthew 5:44, He said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” This is not easy, but it is the way of Christ. Instead of seeking revenge or responding with anger, we are called to respond with kindness. Romans 12:19 reminds us, “Do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Hatred may come from others, but we must not allow it to change us. The Bible encourages us to stay strong and trust God in the face of hatred. Psalm 37:8 warns us, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.” Holding onto anger and hatred only damages our hearts. Instead, we should follow Jesus’ example, forgive those who hate us, and continue to walk in love. In the end, God will judge all things, and those who remain faithful will receive His reward.