The Bible teaches us to be good stewards of God’s creation. Pollution harms the earth, the creatures that inhabit it, and ultimately, ourselves. Scripture calls us to care for the environment, respect God’s handiwork, and ensure that we preserve it for future generations. Below are key themes on pollution, along with supporting Bible verses.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Being Clean and Organized
God Created the Earth and Called It Good
From the very beginning, God created the world and declared it good. He gave humanity the responsibility to take care of His creation. Pollution damages the beauty and balance of nature, which God designed for our benefit. When we harm the environment, we fail in our duty as stewards of the earth.
Genesis 1:31
“Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.”
Psalm 24:1
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.”
Genesis 2:15
“The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.”
Nehemiah 9:6
“You alone are the Lord. You made the skies and the heavens and all the stars. You made the earth and the seas and everything in them. You preserve them all, and the angels of heaven worship you.”
Revelation 4:11
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Pollution is a Result of Human Sin
Sin has corrupted not just human hearts but also the world we live in. Pollution and environmental destruction often result from greed, carelessness, and selfishness. The Bible reminds us that when we turn from God, the land suffers as well.
Romans 8:22
“For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.”
Hosea 4:3
“That is why your land is in mourning, and everyone is wasting away. Even the wild animals, the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea are disappearing.”
Jeremiah 2:7
“And when I brought you into a fertile land to enjoy its bounty and goodness, you defiled my land and corrupted the possession I had promised you.”
Isaiah 24:5
“The earth suffers for the sins of its people, for they have twisted God’s instructions, violated his laws, and broken his everlasting covenant.”
Genesis 6:11-12
“Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt.”
God Commands Us to Care for His Creation
Throughout Scripture, God gives instructions on how to care for the earth. He calls us to be responsible stewards, ensuring that our actions do not destroy what He has made. Pollution goes against God’s will for creation.
Leviticus 25:23-24
“The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for me.”
Numbers 35:33-34
“This will ensure that the land where you live will not be polluted, for murder pollutes the land. And no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.”
Deuteronomy 20:19
“When you are attacking a town and the war drags on, do not destroy the trees with your axes. You may eat the fruit, but do not cut down the trees. Are the trees your enemies, that you should attack them?”
Proverbs 12:10
“The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.”
Psalm 115:16
“The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to all humanity.”
God Will Judge Those Who Destroy the Earth
God holds people accountable for how they treat His creation. Those who exploit the earth without regard for its well-being will face judgment. Pollution is not just an environmental issue but also a spiritual one.
Revelation 11:18
“The nations were filled with wrath, but now the time of your wrath has come. It is time to destroy all who have caused destruction on the earth.”
Isaiah 5:8
“What sorrow for you who buy up house after house and field after field, until everyone is evicted and you live alone in the land.”
Job 38:4
“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.”
Psalm 104:5
“You placed the world on its foundation so it would never be moved.”
Ecclesiastes 3:14
“And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Cleanliness
Our Actions Have Consequences
Pollution does not just affect the land, but also our health, communities, and future generations. The Bible warns that careless actions bring destruction, but wise stewardship leads to blessings. When we pollute, we ultimately harm ourselves.
Galatians 6:7
“Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.”
Deuteronomy 28:23-24
“The skies above will be as unyielding as bronze, and the earth beneath will be as hard as iron. The Lord will change the rain that falls on your land into powder, and dust will pour down from the sky until you are destroyed.”
Proverbs 22:8
“Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end.”
Jeremiah 12:4
“How long must this land mourn? Even the grass in the fields has withered. The wild animals and birds have disappeared because of the evil in the land. For the people have said, ‘The Lord doesn’t see what’s ahead for us!’”
Isaiah 24:4
“The earth mourns and dries up, and the crops waste away and wither. Even the greatest people on earth waste away.”
God Promises to Restore His Creation
Despite the damage done to the earth, God has a plan for restoration. He promises to renew creation, bringing beauty and life where there was once destruction. As Christians, we should work alongside God in preserving and protecting the environment as a reflection of His coming kingdom.
Isaiah 35:1-2
“Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the Lord will display his glory, the splendor of our God.”
Revelation 21:1
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone.”
Romans 8:19-21
“For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.”
Psalm 96:11-13
“Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he is coming! He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with his truth.”
Isaiah 11:6-9
“In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all. The cow will graze near the bear. The cub and the calf will lie down together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. The baby will play safely near the hole of a cobra. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes without harm. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord.”
We Must Act to Protect God’s Creation
As believers, we are called to action. It is not enough to recognize the damage done to the earth—we must take steps to protect and restore it. Living sustainably, reducing waste, and caring for the environment reflect God’s love and wisdom. The Bible encourages us to make choices that honor God and His creation.
James 4:17
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”
Colossians 3:23
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Proverbs 27:18
“As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.”
Matthew 25:21
“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”
By following these teachings, we can honor God by protecting the world He has entrusted to us. Let us be mindful of how our actions affect His creation and strive to leave a legacy of care, responsibility, and restoration.