40+Bible Verses to Guard Against Malice

“Understanding malice helps us overcome negative emotions and embrace love.”

Malice refers to the intention to cause harm or evil to others. It often arises from negative emotions such as hatred, jealousy, and anger. The Bible provides many verses that address malice, encouraging believers to seek love, forgiveness, and healing. 

This article explores 45 Bible verses about malice, focusing on their implications and how to overcome such negative feelings through faith and God’s grace.

1. Ephesians 4:31-32

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Example: This verse urges believers to remove malice from their hearts and replace it with kindness and forgiveness, reflecting Christ’s love and grace.

2. 1 Peter 2:1

“So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”

Example: Peter instructs believers to rid themselves of malice to maintain a pure and authentic community, promoting unity in the faith.

3. Colossians 3:8

“But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.”

Example: This scripture emphasizes the need to eliminate malice from our speech and actions, highlighting the importance of uplifting words.

4. James 1:20

“For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Example: James warns that human anger and malice can prevent us from living righteously, reminding us to respond with patience.

5. Psalm 37:8

“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.”

Example: This verse advises avoiding anger and malice, as they lead to destructive actions and negatively impact our lives.

6. Proverbs 10:12

“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”

Example: The contrast between malice and love illustrates how love can heal wounds caused by hatred and foster reconciliation.

7. Matthew 5:21-22

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to hell of fire.”

Example: Jesus equates anger and malice with murder, underscoring the seriousness of harboring negative emotions toward others.

8. Romans 12:19-21

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Example: This passage teaches us to respond to malice with kindness rather than revenge, showcasing God’s call to love even our enemies.

9. Galatians 5:15

“But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.”

Example: Paul warns against infighting and malice within the community, reminding us that destructive behaviors can harm everyone involved.

10. 1 Corinthians 5:8

“Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Example: This verse emphasizes the need for sincerity and truth, urging believers to avoid malice and embrace integrity.

11. 1 John 3:15

“Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

Example: This verse equates hatred and malice with murder, highlighting the seriousness of negative emotions and their impact on our spiritual lives.

12. Proverbs 26:24-26

“Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart. Though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.”

Example: This scripture warns about the deceptive nature of malice, emphasizing that hidden hatred will ultimately be revealed.

13. Matthew 12:34

“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Example: Jesus teaches that our words reflect our true feelings. If malice resides in our hearts, it will manifest in our speech.

14. Proverbs 17:13

“If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.”

Example: This verse cautions against responding to kindness with malice, showing that such actions can have lasting negative consequences.

15. Proverbs 14:30

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”

Example: Malice often stems from envy. This verse highlights the destructive nature of envy and the importance of maintaining a peaceful heart.

16. 2 Corinthians 12:20

“For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.”

Example: Paul expresses concern over divisions and malice within the church, illustrating the challenges of maintaining unity.

17. Romans 1:29-31

“They were with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. filled are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, disobedient, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, to parents.”

Example: This passage lists the many forms of wickedness, showing how malice is linked to a broader array of sinful behaviors.

18. Psalm 119:115

“Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.”

Example: The psalmist declares the need to distance oneself from malice to remain faithful to God’s commandments.

19. Matthew 15:19

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.”

Example: Jesus teaches that malice arises from within, indicating that we must guard our hearts against negative thoughts.

20. 1 Timothy 6:4

“He is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.”

Example: Paul warns against the dangers of malice born from pride, highlighting how it leads to divisions and strife.

21. Psalm 101:5

“Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.”

Example: This verse emphasizes God’s disdain for malice, promising consequences for those who engage in slander.

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22. Proverbs 6:16-19

“There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.”

Example: This passage highlights malice among the things God hates, reminding us to avoid actions that sow discord and division.

23. Ecclesiastes 7:9

“Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools.”

Example: This verse warns against anger and malice, teaching us the value of patience and self-control.

24. Psalm 5:6

“The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.”

Example: God detests malice and deceit, reinforcing the importance of integrity and righteousness in our actions.

25. Proverbs 3:30

“Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.”

Example: This verse advises against malice in our interactions, encouraging peace and understanding instead of conflict.

26. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.”

Example: Paul encourages believers to counteract malice with goodness, fostering a community of love and support.

27. 1 John 2:9

“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.”

Example: This verse illustrates the contradiction between claiming to follow Christ while harboring malice, emphasizing the need for genuine love.

28. 1 Peter 3:9

“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless; for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.”

Example: Peter teaches that instead of responding to malice with more negativity, we should bless others, reflecting God’s heart.

29. Proverbs 20:22

“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.”

Example: This scripture reminds us to trust in God’s justice rather than resorting to malice for retribution.

30. Micah 6:8

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Example: God calls us to pursue kindness and justice, urging us to eliminate malice from our lives and relationships.

31. Romans 12:16-17

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”

Example: This passage encourages harmony and honor among believers, urging us to rise above malice.

32. Proverbs 11:27

“Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor, but evil comes to him who searches for it.”

Example: This verse highlights the importance of seeking goodness and avoiding malice, emphasizing the consequences of our choices.

33. John 13:34-35

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Example: Jesus emphasizes the necessity of love over malice, marking love as the identifying characteristic of His followers.

34. 2 Timothy 2:24-25

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”

Example: This passage instructs believers to respond to malice with kindness and gentleness, fostering an environment of healing and understanding.

35. Matthew 18:21-22

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.’”

Example: Jesus teaches the importance of forgiveness, encouraging believers to let go of malice and embrace grace.

36. Proverbs 28:25

“A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.”

Example: This verse highlights how greed can lead to malice and conflict, contrasting it with the blessings of trusting in God.

37. Isaiah 32:17

“And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”

Example: This scripture emphasizes that a life of righteousness leads to peace, dispelling malice and discord.

38. Luke 6:27-28

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.”

Example: Jesus challenges us to rise above malice by responding to hatred with love and goodness.

39. Titus 3:2

“To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.”

Example: This verse encourages believers to practice courtesy and avoid malice, promoting harmony in their communities.

40. 1 John 3:11

“For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.”

Example: This verse serves as a reminder of the foundational principle of love, contrasting it with the malice that can arise among believers.

41. Proverbs 22:24-25

“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”

Example: This passage warns against associating with those who exhibit malice, advising us to choose our companions wisely.

42. Hebrews 12:15

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.”

Example: This verse cautions against allowing bitterness and malice to take root in our hearts, promoting a spirit of grace instead.

43. Acts 8:22

“Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.”

Example: This scripture emphasizes the importance of repentance in overcoming malice and seeking forgiveness from God.

44. Psalm 37:1

“Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!”

Example: This verse reminds us not to let malice fester when confronted with wrongdoing, urging us to remain steadfast in our faith.

45. Matthew 7:1-2

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

Example: Jesus cautions against judgment and malice, emphasizing the need for compassion and humility in our interactions with others.

Answers To Key QuestionsBible Verses About Malice

1. What is malice in a biblical context?

Malice refers to a desire to harm others or harbor ill will. In the Bible, it contrasts with love and kindness, emphasizing the importance of compassion and forgiveness in our interactions with others.

2. How does the Bible instruct us to respond to malice?

The Bible encourages believers to respond to malice with love, kindness, and forgiveness. Verses such as Luke 6:27-28 and 1 Peter 3:9 emphasize blessing those who hurt us instead of seeking revenge.

3. Why is it important to avoid malice?

Avoiding malice is crucial because it fosters a spirit of unity and love within the community. Malice can lead to division, conflict, and bitterness, whereas love promotes peace and harmony.

4. Are there any consequences for harboring malice?

Yes, the Bible warns that harboring malice can lead to spiritual and relational problems. For example, Ephesians 4:31-32 teaches that we should put away bitterness and malice to experience the fullness of God’s love and forgiveness.

5. What can I do to overcome feelings of malice?

To overcome malice, the Bible encourages practices such as prayer, seeking forgiveness, and cultivating love for others. Engaging in acts of kindness and focusing on the good in others can also help transform negative feelings into positive actions.

Conclusion

The Bible’s teachings on malice remind us of the importance of cultivating a heart of love, forgiveness, and kindness. By embracing these values, we can overcome negative emotions and build a stronger, more unified community of faith. Let us strive to reflect God’s grace in our lives and avoid the pitfalls of malice.