The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Holding Grudges

Holding onto grudges can weigh heavily on the heart. This article offers 50 Bible verses to help you find peace and let go of resentment.

These verses provide wisdom and guidance on forgiveness. They remind us of the importance of releasing anger and embracing compassion.

50 Bible Verses About Holding Grudges

10 Bible Verses on Holding Grudges and Forgiveness

• "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." — Ephesians 4:32
• "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." — Colossians 3:13
• "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." — Matthew 6:14-15
• "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." — Mark 11:25
• "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." — Luke 6:37
• "Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." — 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
• "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
• "Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" — Matthew 18:21-22
• "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 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.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." — Romans 12:19-21
• "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted." — Galatians 6:1

10 Bible Verses on Letting Go of Resentment

• "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." — Philippians 3:13-14
• "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." — Isaiah 43:18-19
• "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression." — Proverbs 19:11
• "Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you." — 1 Peter 5:7
• "Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled." — Hebrews 12:15
• "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." — Psalm 103:12
• "Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." — Lamentations 3:22-23
• "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." — 2 Timothy 2:24-26
• "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves." — Romans 15:1
• "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9

10 Bible Verses on Overcoming Bitterness and Anger

• "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." — Ephesians 4:31
• "But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth." — Colossians 3:8
• "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." — James 1:19-20
• "A sound heart is life to the body, but envy is rottenness to the bones." — Proverbs 14:30
• "[Love] does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil." — 1 Corinthians 13:5
• "But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!" — Galatians 5:15
• "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire." — Matthew 5:22
• "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men." — Romans 12:17
• "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools." — Ecclesiastes 7:9
• "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking." — 1 Peter 2:1

10 Bible Verses on Releasing Past Offenses

• "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him." — Luke 17:3-4
• "Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift." — Matthew 5:24
• "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17
• "Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." — Isaiah 1:18
• "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." — Micah 7:18-19
• "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." — Psalm 51:10
• "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men." — Acts 24:16
• "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." — Romans 8:1
• "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:6-7
• "See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all." — 1 Thessalonians 5:15

10 Bible Verses on Healing from Hurt Feelings

• "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3
• "For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord." — Jeremiah 30:17
• "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." — Matthew 11:28-30
• "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." — 2 Chronicles 7:14
• "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." — John 14:27
• "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." — Isaiah 61:1-3
• "But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." — 1 Peter 5:10
• "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." — Revelation 21:4
• "The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit." — Psalm 34:18
• "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." — Romans 15:13

What Does the Bible Say About Holding Grudges

Holding grudges can be a heavy burden. The Bible offers wisdom on letting go of resentment and embracing forgiveness. These teachings encourage us to release anger and find peace in our hearts.

One key theme is the importance of forgiveness. Verses like Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 remind us to forgive others as God forgives us. This act of forgiveness not only frees the person who wronged us but also brings us closer to God.

Another theme is letting go of past hurts. Philippians 3:13-14 and Isaiah 43:18-19 encourage us to focus on the future rather than dwell on past offenses. By doing so, we can move forward with a lighter heart and a clearer mind.

Overcoming bitterness and anger is also emphasized. Ephesians 4:31 and James 1:19-20 teach us to put away negative emotions and be slow to anger. This helps us maintain healthy relationships and a peaceful spirit.

Finally, healing from hurt feelings is crucial. Psalm 147:3 and Matthew 11:28-30 offer comfort and hope, reminding us that God heals our wounds and gives us rest. Embracing these teachings can lead to a more compassionate and joyful life.

How to Apply These Bible Verses About Holding Grudges

Applying Bible teachings about holding grudges can transform your daily life. These verses guide us to live with more peace and compassion.

• Start your day with a prayer asking for strength to forgive and let go of past hurts.
• When you feel anger rising, take a moment to breathe and remember verses like Ephesians 4:31.
• Practice gratitude by writing down three things you’re thankful for each day. This shifts focus from negative emotions.
• Engage in community activities that promote kindness and understanding, like volunteering or joining a support group.
• Reflect on your actions at the end of the day. Ask yourself if you held onto any grudges and how you can improve tomorrow.

Remember, God is always with you, helping you to forgive and heal. Faith can lead to amazing changes in your heart and life.

Explore more prayers and Bible verses on PrayersFor or try our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.