When someone hurts us, it’s easy to want to hurt them back. Whether it’s spreading rumors about someone who gossiped about us, seeking revenge on a friend who betrayed our trust, or planning how to hurt someone who broke our heart, the urge to get even is something we all understand. It feels like the only way to feel better is to make the other person feel the same pain they caused us.
But what if there’s another way? The Bible offers wisdom that might seem surprising at first — teachings about forgiveness, mercy, and letting go of revenge. These aren’t just nice ideas; they are practical steps that have helped many people break free from the exhausting cycle of getting even. In these 14 Bible verses, we find that true strength isn’t in getting revenge but in choosing a better path — one that leads to peace and freedom from the heavy weight of holding onto hurt.
Romans 12:19
“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
We’ve all been there: Someone hurts us deeply, and our first thought is to make them feel the same pain. But this verse reminds us that we don’t have to carry that burden. God sees everything and promises to handle justice Himself. Think of it like having a powerful friend who says, “I’ve got this – you can let it go.” When we hand over our desire for revenge to God, we free ourselves from the exhausting job of trying to settle scores.
Matthew 5:38-39
“‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.’” – Matthew 5:38-39
“They started it!” Sound familiar? While getting even might seem fair, Jesus shows us a different approach. When someone hurts us, and we want to seek revenge, He suggests doing something unexpected: turning the other cheek. This doesn’t mean becoming a doormat. Instead, it’s about choosing to stop the cycle of hurt. By not hitting back, we show more strength than weakness.
Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.” – Proverbs 20:22
Have you ever caught yourself planning how to get back at someone who wronged you? This verse speaks directly to that moment. Instead of plotting revenge, it encourages us to wait and trust God’s timing. It’s like having a wise friend telling you, “Hold on – don’t do something you’ll regret later.” Remember, patience isn’t weakness; it’s trusting that justice will come in the right way and time.
1 Peter 3:9
“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
Here’s a challenge that might seem impossible at first: blessing those who hurt us. When someone throws bitter words or actions our way, our natural response is to throw something even harder back. But this verse suggests a radical alternative – responding with kindness instead. It might feel strange, but there’s freedom in breaking the cycle of hurt. Plus, choosing to bless others often brings unexpected blessings into our own lives.
Luke 6:27-28
“‘But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.’” – Luke 6:27-28
This one’s tough, isn’t it? Loving our enemies seems completely backward. But look at it this way: When we pray for those who hurt us, something changes – not just in them, but in us too. It’s hard to hate someone you’re praying for. This verse isn’t asking us to pretend the hurt didn’t happen. Instead, it’s showing us how to free ourselves from the prison of hatred and resentment.
Colossians 3:13
“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
Remember that time someone forgave you for something big? This verse reminds us to pass that gift on to others. We’ve all needed forgiveness at some point. Next time someone wrongs you, try remembering your moments of needing forgiveness. It’s amazing how this perspective can soften our hearts toward others, even when they’ve hurt us deeply.
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
Life has a way of bringing things full circle. When we show mercy to others—even when they don’t deserve it—we often find mercy coming back to us when we need it most. Think about times when someone forgave you when you messed up. It feels good, right? This verse reminds us that showing mercy isn’t just good for others; it creates a ripple effect that touches our own lives, too.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:15
Here’s a challenging but life-changing idea: Instead of paying back wrong for wrong, look for ways to do good. It’s like choosing to plant a garden where someone left weeds. This verse isn’t asking us to pretend we weren’t hurt. Instead, it’s showing us how to move forward in a way that makes life better, not bitter.
Ephesians 4:26-27
“‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” – Ephesians 4:26-27
Here’s some practical wisdom about handling anger. Getting angry isn’t wrong – it’s what we do with that anger that matters. This verse suggests not letting anger overstay its welcome. Deal with it before bedtime. When we let anger simmer overnight, it often turns into thoughts of revenge by morning. Take care of those angry feelings quickly before they take care of you.
Hebrews 10:30
“For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.'” – Hebrews 10:30
Sometimes, knowing that justice will come brings peace to our hearts. This verse reassures us that God sees every wrong and will handle it fairly. It’s like having the most perfect judge overseeing your case. You don’t have to worry about collecting evidence or serving justice – it’s already in better hands than yours.
Micah 6:8
“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
Sometimes, the simplest advice is the most powerful. This verse gives us three keys: Do what’s right, love being kind, and stay humble. Notice how it balances justice with mercy? When dealing with people who’ve wronged us, we need both. Justice keeps us from being doormats, while mercy keeps us from becoming bitter. Add humility to the mix, and we have a recipe for handling conflict well.
James 1:20
“Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” – James 1:20
When angry, we often think our rage is justified and will somehow make things right. But this verse tells us straight up that our anger doesn’t bring about the good changes we want to see. It’s like throwing gas on a fire and hoping it will douse the flames. Real positive change comes when we choose to handle our hurt in healthy ways.
Deuteronomy 32:35
“‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.’” – Deuteronomy 32:35
Knowing that wrongdoers won’t get away with their actions comforts us when we’re hurting. This verse promises that God sees everything and will handle justice perfectly. We can feel free knowing we don’t have to figure out how to make things right ourselves. Next time you feel tempted to take revenge, remember this verse. Let it remind you that you can release that burden and trust God’s timing.
Matthew 6:14-15
“‘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
This verse hits close to home, doesn’t it? It connects forgiving others with our own need for forgiveness. Think of forgiveness like a bridge – when we burn it with others, we end up burning it for ourselves, too. Nobody said forgiveness is easy, but holding onto unforgiveness only hurts us more in the long run.
Healing Over Bitterness
Life gets much lighter when we put down the heavy load of trying to get even. Sure, it’s not always easy to let go of hurt feelings and trust God with justice. But holding onto anger and plans for revenge is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick – it only hurts us more. These Bible verses show us a better path: choosing forgiveness, doing good even when others do evil, and letting God handle justice. When we follow this way, we find a peace stronger than our desire to get even, and we might help others find that peace too.
This gentler, clearer approach to handling hurt and injustice doesn’t ignore our pain. Instead, it gives us practical ways to deal with our feelings while keeping our hearts free from the poison of revenge. It’s about finding absolute freedom – not by getting even, but by choosing a better way forward.
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Jannah is a dedicated Christian content writer with growing experience, driven by her love for sharing the message of faith. She brings dedication and passion to every piece she writes, drawing from her background as a former lector. Jannah is committed to creating meaningful and inspiring content that reflects her Christian values.