What Does The Bible Say?
Question– What Does the Bible Say About How to Treat People Who Hurt You and Are Hateful to You?
Answer – In Matthew 5:21-24, Jesus tells us to give up anger toward those who abuse us and hurt us. In Matthew 5:38-39, we are told to turn the other cheek. Matthew 5:43-48 says to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Luke 6:27-29 He says to love our enemies and do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you. In Romans 12:18, Paul deals with how to live with toxic people. We are told to “do the best we can to live at peace with everyone.” We are treating them with respect, whether or not they do the same to us.
Nowhere in the Bible does the Lord indicate to us that we have the edict from God to let people hurt and abuse us and mistreat us. We have the right to try to move out of a tense situation. We do have the right to defend ourselves and our families. That is all a part of providing for ourselves and our families. The kindest thing you can do for a hurtful person, if they have committed a crime against you, is to utilize the laws of the Land (Romans 13). If someone is hurting you or your children, you get out of immediate danger, and that may mean calling the law, so the person will not further sin against others.
Admittedly, this behavior is unheard of in the world we live in, it seems. The reaction of one who does not walk in Christ is to lash out and render vengeance towards them, because they have vented their anger towards you. Do not let their hateful disposition destroy you with vengeance and getting even. Matthew 5:41 talks of “going the second mile” with the evil doer.
In 1 Corinthians 6:7, in legal matters, sometimes it is the better part of wisdom to “suffer yourself to be wronged…” In Romans 12:19, we see that all sins will meet their punishment, even if it seems a person gets away with the sinful treatment of others. Paul tells us here that God is the one who renders vengeance in His time. No one escapes sinfulness. Trying to get even will destroy and can contribute to making you bitter and not better. If everyone would try to live peaceably with others, we would all be closer to what God intends, and as a side benefi t, we would be less stressed.
Please address all questions and comments to What Does the Bible Say> C/O Maple St. Church of Christ, PO Box 3086, Liberty, TX 77575 and visit our website, maplestreetliberty.org.