What Does the Bible Say About Overcoming Bitterness?

Hebrews 12:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 12:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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;

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Romans 12:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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.”

Matthew 5:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

1 John 3:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

James 3:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

Hebrews 10:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

Hebrews 10:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,

Hebrews 6:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Hebrews 2:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

2 Timothy 1:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

1 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

1 Timothy 2:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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.

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Ephesians 2:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Romans 4:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.”

Acts 5:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”

Luke 18:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’

Mark 3:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter,

Matthew 12:31 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.

Matthew 12:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”

Matthew 12:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.

Matthew 10:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 5:43 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

1 Peter 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.

Hebrews 13:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Colossians 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Romans 5:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”

John 17:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. ...

Luke 23:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

Mark 11:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

Matthew 6:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

Amos 1:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The words of Amos, who was among the shepherds of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash, king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. And he said: “The Lord roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem; the pastures of the shepherds mourn, and the top of Carmel withers.” Thus says the Lord: “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not revoke the punishment, because they have threshed Gilead with threshing sledges of iron. So I will send a fire upon the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the strongholds of Ben-hadad. I will break the gate-bar of Damascus, and cut off the inhabitants from the Valley of Aven, and him who holds the scepter from Beth-eden; and the people of Syria shall go into exile to Kir,” says the Lord. ...

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Numbers 32:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.

53 Bible Verses about Overcoming Bitterness

Hebrews 12:14 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:31 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:38 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:32 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:19 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Revelation 21:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 3:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:27 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 10:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 6:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 2:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 1:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 2:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:31-32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:26 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 2:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 4:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 5:32 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 18:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 3:28 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:31 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 12:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 10:15 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:43 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 3:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 13:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 8:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 17:1-26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 23:34 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 11:25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:18-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:14-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Amos 1:1-15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Numbers 32:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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