Holding onto grudges weighs down our hearts and hinders our relationship with God. The Bible encourages us to let go of bitterness and seek peace with one another. Below are powerful Bible verses that guide us on how to release grudges and embrace forgiveness.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Letting Go
Forgiveness Overcomes Grudges
Forgiving others is a command from God, not a suggestion. The Bible teaches that we must forgive as God has forgiven us. Holding grudges prevents us from fully experiencing God’s grace and peace. These verses remind us that forgiveness is a key part of our spiritual growth.
Matthew 6:14-15
“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Colossians 3:13
“Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”
Mark 11:25
“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
Ephesians 4:32
“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”
Grudges Block Peace
Grudges create unrest in our hearts, robbing us of God’s peace. By holding onto offenses, we allow negativity to grow, which distances us from God’s love. These verses show us the importance of seeking peace and letting go of grudges for our spiritual well-being.
Hebrews 12:14-15
“Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.”
Romans 12:18
“Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”
Matthew 5:9
“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”
Proverbs 19:11
“Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”
James 3:17-18
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Love Does Not Hold Grudges
Love is the foundation of Christian living, and love keeps no record of wrongs. When we truly love as Christ loves, we choose to forgive and move forward. The following verses highlight how love breaks down the barriers of grudges.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.”
1 Peter 4:8
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.”
Colossians 3:14
“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.”
1 John 4:20
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?”
God’s Mercy Teaches Us to Forgive
We often forget how much mercy we’ve received from God. Reflecting on His forgiveness can help us release grudges and extend mercy to others. These scriptures remind us to mirror the mercy God has shown us.
Micah 7:18
“Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love.”
Luke 6:36
“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.”
Psalm 103:12
“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!'”
Grudges Harden the Heart
A hardened heart makes it difficult to hear from God and blocks us from His blessings. Holding grudges causes our hearts to harden, leading us away from God’s purpose. These verses encourage us to keep our hearts soft and open to God’s love.
Hebrews 3:15
“Remember what it says: ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.'”
Proverbs 28:14
“Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.”
Psalm 95:8
“The Lord says, ‘Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did at Meribah, as they did at Massah in the wilderness.'”
Zechariah 7:12
“They made their hearts as hard as stone, so they could not hear the instructions or the messages that the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had sent them by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. That is why the Lord of Heaven’s Armies was so angry with them.”
Ezekiel 36:26
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”
Letting Go of Grudges Brings Healing
Holding onto anger and bitterness can harm us emotionally and spiritually. Letting go of grudges allows God’s healing to flow into our lives. The following verses show us how releasing grudges leads to emotional and spiritual healing.
James 5:16
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Proverbs 17:9
“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”
Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
Matthew 11:28-30
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.'”
Jeremiah 17:14
“O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!”
Grudges Hinder Prayer
Grudges can create a spiritual blockage in our prayer life. God calls us to forgive others so that our prayers will not be hindered. Here are some verses that remind us how important forgiveness is for our relationship with God.
Mark 11:25
“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”
1 Peter 3:7
“In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.”
Matthew 5:23-24
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”
Psalm 66:18
“If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.”
Isaiah 59:2
“It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Karma
What Does the Bible Say About Grudges
Holding grudges is something that the Bible warns against. In simple terms, a grudge is when you have bad feelings toward someone because of what they did to you. It might be something they said or did that hurt your feelings, and now you find it hard to let go. You keep thinking about it, and maybe you even want to get back at them. But what does God say about holding grudges? The Bible has some clear teachings on this.
The Bible teaches that we should forgive others, just as God has forgiven us. Holding on to grudges doesn’t hurt the other person as much as it hurts us. It makes our hearts heavy, keeps us from having peace, and can even affect our relationship with God. When we refuse to forgive, we are carrying around a weight that just keeps getting heavier and heavier. It’s like dragging a bag of rocks everywhere we go. But God doesn’t want that for us. He wants us to live free, with peace and joy in our hearts.
God knows how hard it can be to forgive, especially when someone has really hurt us. But He has set the example for us by forgiving us first. Every time we mess up, do something wrong, or fail to do what we should, God is willing to forgive us when we ask. If God, who is perfect and holy, can forgive all of our mistakes, then we should be willing to forgive others too. It doesn’t mean that what they did was okay, and it doesn’t mean we have to pretend that it never happened. But it does mean letting go of the desire to hurt them back. It means deciding that we won’t let what they did control us or ruin our peace.
When we hold a grudge, it’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to get sick. It doesn’t work. Instead, it makes us bitter, angry, and miserable. That’s not how God wants us to live. He wants us to let go of grudges so that we can have peace in our hearts and live the life He has planned for us. This doesn’t mean that forgiving someone is easy. In fact, it can be one of the hardest things to do, especially if they don’t say they’re sorry or if they keep doing things that hurt us. But God promises to help us. He doesn’t ask us to do it alone.
Forgiveness is not just about the other person. It’s also about our own hearts. When we forgive, we are not saying that what happened was okay, but we are choosing to let God handle it. We are saying, “God, this hurt me, and I don’t know how to deal with it, but I’m giving it to You.” This is a step of faith because we are trusting God to take care of us and to deal with the situation in His own way. Sometimes, that means He will bring justice, and other times, it means He will work on the other person’s heart, just like He works on ours.
The Bible also teaches that holding grudges can block our prayers. If we are carrying around anger and bitterness, it can make it hard for us to connect with God. It’s like putting up a wall between us and Him. But when we let go of those grudges and choose to forgive, it’s like knocking down that wall. We can come to God with a clean heart, and He can fill us with His peace and joy.
God wants us to love others, even when it’s hard. When we hold a grudge, we are choosing to focus on the hurt instead of the love. But when we choose to forgive, we are letting God’s love flow through us. It doesn’t mean that the hurt just disappears overnight, but it does mean that we are letting God take care of it, and that’s a powerful thing. Letting go of grudges frees us to live a life of peace, joy, and love, just like God intended.