Blessing Those Who Curse You in the Bible
Jesus taught a radical word that overturns the logic of the world: "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you" (Luke 6:28). Instead of returning evil for evil, the believer is called to respond with blessing, thereby reflecting the grace of God toward the very ones who rejected him. This command is not passive weakness, but a spiritual strength that breaks the cycle of resentment. The apostle Peter repeats the same exhortation: "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing" (1 Peter 3:9). To bless the one who wounds us does not mean approving his wrong; it disarms him and entrusts justice to God. Paul affirms it forcefully: "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord" (Romans 12:19). Blessing is lived out concretely: praying for the one who harms us, speaking good instead of cursing, and placing every offense into the hands of God. The summit of this calling is found in Paul's final exhortation: "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). Thus the disciple imitates his Savior, who on the cross prayed: "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). To bless those who curse is to let the love of God conquer where hatred would reign.
Key verse snapshot
“When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.”
Bible Verses about Blessing Those Who Curse You
6 Scripture passages on this theme
Ezekiel 1:21
“When those went, these went; and when those stood, these stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.”
Malachi 3:10
“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”
Matthew 4:24
“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.”
Nehemiah 13:2
“Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing.”
Romans 6:13
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
1 Peter 3:9
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
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Apply These Verses to Your Life
Scripture comes alive when we meditate on it and apply it daily. Read these verses in full context, pray for understanding, and ask God how they speak to your situation with blessing those who curse you.
- Author:
- The Lord Will Editorial Team
- Reviewed by:
- Ugo Candido
- Last updated:
- Category:
- Scripture Guidance