The Bible teaches us to love one another and avoid actions or words that harm others. Degrading others goes against God’s command to treat everyone with dignity and respect. These Bible verses remind us of the importance of uplifting others and living out Christ’s love in our daily interactions.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Laughing at Others
Guard Your Tongue
The words we speak have the power to build up or tear down. God calls us to be mindful of our speech, using it to encourage and bless others rather than to degrade or harm them. The following verses remind us to guard our tongues and speak life-giving words.
Proverbs 15:1
“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.”
James 1:26
“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.”
Ephesians 4:29
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Proverbs 18:21
“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”
Colossians 4:6
“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
Avoid Judgmental Attitudes
God is the ultimate judge, and we are called to love others instead of judging or degrading them. These verses encourage us to approach others with humility and grace rather than condemnation.
Matthew 7:1
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.”
Romans 14:10
“So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.”
James 4:12
“God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?”
John 8:7
“They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, ‘All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!'”
Galatians 6:1
“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.”
Love Your Neighbor
Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves. This love leaves no room for degrading others, as we are all created in God’s image. These verses remind us of our duty to love and serve others with compassion and respect.
Mark 12:31
“The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”
1 Peter 4:8
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
Romans 12:10
“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
1 John 4:7
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.”
Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Blaming Others
Do Unto Others
The Golden Rule is a cornerstone of Christian living. Treat others as you would like to be treated, avoiding actions or words that could degrade or harm. These verses challenge us to act with kindness and empathy in all circumstances.
Matthew 7:12
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”
Philippians 2:3
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
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.”
Romans 13:10
“Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.”
Build Each Other Up
Instead of degrading others, we are called to build one another up. Encouragement and support are vital to fostering unity and love within the body of Christ. These verses emphasize the importance of edifying others with our words and actions.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
Hebrews 10:24
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”
Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Romans 15:2
“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.”
Ephesians 4:12
“Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.”
Humility and Grace
Humility helps us see the value in others and prevents us from looking down on them. Grace reminds us that we are all recipients of God’s mercy and should extend the same to others. These verses highlight the importance of humility and grace in our interactions.
James 4:6
“And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'”
Philippians 2:4
“Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
Micah 6:8
“No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Proverbs 22:4
“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.”
Colossians 3:12
“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
Unity in Christ
As followers of Christ, we are united as one body, and degrading others disrupts the unity God desires. These verses call us to live in harmony, honoring one another and working together for His glory.
1 Corinthians 1:10
“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
Psalm 133:1
“How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!”
Ephesians 4:3
“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.”
Romans 12:16
“Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”
Galatians 3:28
“There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.”