The Bible speaks against holding grudges and encourages forgiveness, love, and reconciliation. Grudges lead to bitterness and hinder spiritual growth, while forgiveness reflects God’s grace. Scripture teaches that releasing resentment brings freedom, healing, and peace. These verses remind believers to let go of anger and choose forgiveness as an expression of God’s love. Here are 30 Bible verses about holding grudges, each followed by a 30-word commentary, to inspire a heart of forgiveness and unity.
1. Leviticus 19:18
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself.”
Forgiveness demonstrates love for others. This verse commands letting go of grudges and choosing to love others as ourselves, following God’s example of grace.
2. Ephesians 4:31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other.”
Forgiveness replaces bitterness. This verse urges believers to let go of harmful emotions and choose kindness, compassion, and forgiveness toward others, just as God forgives us.
3. 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.”
Forgiveness reflects God’s grace toward us. This verse emphasizes that just as God forgives our offenses, we should extend the same grace to others.
4. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
God’s forgiveness is linked to ours. This verse highlights the importance of forgiving others, reminding us that withholding forgiveness can affect our relationship with God.
5. Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Forgiveness clears the path for prayer. This verse teaches that we should release grudges before approaching God in prayer, ensuring our hearts are free from bitterness.
6. Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”
Leave judgment to God. This verse encourages letting go of grudges and trusting God to handle justice, rather than seeking revenge ourselves.
7. James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
Patience helps prevent grudges. This verse advises responding with patience and restraint, avoiding the buildup of anger that can lead to holding grudges.
8. Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Forgiveness frees us from condemnation. This verse encourages a heart of mercy, teaching that forgiving others results in experiencing God’s forgiveness and grace in return.
9. Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Love overcomes grudges. This verse contrasts the destructive nature of hatred with the healing power of love, which covers offenses and fosters reconciliation.
10. 1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Love motivates forgiveness. This verse emphasizes that deep love leads to letting go of wrongs, allowing relationships to heal and flourish.
11. Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there.”
Reconciliation takes priority over rituals. This verse teaches that making peace with others is essential, even more important than religious rituals or offerings.
12. Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
Forgiveness strengthens relationships. This verse warns that bringing up past offenses can damage friendships, while letting go of grievances promotes love and unity.
13. Hebrews 12:15
“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up.”
Bitterness harms spiritual life. This verse cautions against allowing resentment to take root, as it can disrupt our relationship with God and others.
14. 1 John 2:9
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”
Unforgiveness leads to spiritual darkness. This verse highlights that true fellowship with God requires loving others, which includes forgiving and letting go of grudges.
15. Ecclesiastes 7:9
“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
Avoid holding onto anger. This verse teaches that allowing anger to fester leads to foolishness, encouraging us to release grudges for a peaceful heart.
16. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven… I have done for your sake, in the presence of Christ.”
Forgiveness protects against Satan’s schemes. This verse reveals that holding grudges gives the enemy a foothold, while forgiveness breaks his power.
17. Colossians 3:8
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language.”
Letting go includes releasing anger. This verse calls for believers to discard all forms of hostility, including grudges, replacing them with virtues that reflect Christ.
18. Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?'”
Forgiveness has no limits. Jesus’ response to Peter encourages continually forgiving others, showing that true love keeps no record of wrongs.
19. Romans 14:13
“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.”
Judgment fosters division, while grace promotes unity. This verse advises against judging others harshly, encouraging us to extend grace and avoid holding grudges.
20. Genesis 50:20
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”
Let go and trust God’s purpose. Joseph’s words demonstrate that forgiveness acknowledges God’s ability to bring good even out of harmful intentions.
21. Mark 12:31
“The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Love includes forgiving others. This verse emphasizes that loving others involves releasing grudges and offering forgiveness, just as we would hope to receive.
22. Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
God’s forgiveness is total. This verse serves as a reminder that just as God forgives us completely, we should also forgive others without holding back.
23. Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Overlooking offenses shows wisdom. This verse teaches that choosing to forgive and not dwell on wrongs reflects a mature and wise character.
24. James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”
Forgiveness brings healing. This verse highlights that confession and forgiveness within the community lead to spiritual and emotional healing.
25. Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.'”
Christ’s example inspires forgiveness. This verse shows that Jesus forgave even those who crucified Him, setting an example for believers to let go of grievances.
26. Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
Responding gently prevents grudges. This verse advises using calm and gentle words to diffuse anger, avoiding harshness that can fuel resentment.
27. 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.”
Responding with kindness overcomes evil. This verse urges us to resist retaliating with grudges, instead doing good to others even when wronged.
28. John 8:7
“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”
Forgiveness acknowledges our own faults. This verse reminds us that we are all imperfect and in need of grace, encouraging a forgiving attitude toward others.
29. Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Forgiveness extends to those who hurt us. This verse challenges us to love and forgive even our enemies, breaking the cycle of hatred and grudges.
30. Galatians 5:14
“For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Love fulfills God’s law. This verse reinforces that holding grudges contradicts the command to love others, urging believers to choose forgiveness over resentment.
These verses collectively emphasize the importance of letting go of grudges, practicing forgiveness, and living in love. They encourage believers to follow Christ’s example, trusting God’s justice, and embracing the freedom that comes from releasing bitterness.
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
Commentary
30 Powerful Bible Verses About Waves (With Commentary)