Disowning family members is a complex and emotionally charged issue that many people struggle with. Whether due to toxic behavior, unresolved conflicts, or deeply ingrained hurts, the decision to disown a family member is never easy. The Bible, as a guide for Christian living, provides insights into how we should approach such difficult family dynamics. In this blog post, we will explore what the Bible says about disowning family members and how it advises us to handle these challenging situations.
Table of Bible Verses About Disowning Family Members:
| Verse About Disowning Family Members | Summary |
|---|---|
| Matthew 10:34-36 | Jesus speaks about division within families. |
| Luke 14:26 | The priority of discipleship over family relationships. |
| Ephesians 6:4 | Guidance for parents to avoid provoking their children to anger. |
| 1 Corinthians 5:11 | Instruction on avoiding immoral people. |
| Titus 3:10-11 | Warning against divisive people. |
what does the bible say about disowning family members?
1. Importance of Family Unity
The Bible talks about the importance of family unity and harmony. In Ephesians 6:1-3, the message is children are instructed to obey their family members, and family members are urged to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Family is seen as a fundamental unit of society where love and relationships should prevail.
2. Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Forgiveness is a core principle in Christian teaching. In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus teaches about the importance of forgiving others, not just 7 times, but 77 times. This indicates the limitless nature of forgiveness that we are called to extend, even to our family members.
3. Handling Toxic Relationships
While the Bible advocates for forgiveness and reconciliation, it also provides guidance on dealing with toxic relationships. In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus outlines a process for addressing conflicts and, if necessary, distancing oneself from unrepentant individuals. This passage suggests a structured approach to handling difficult relationships within the community.
Key Bible Verses About Disowning Family Members
1. Matthew 10:34-36 – Division in Families
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’”
2. Luke 14:26 – Prioritizing Discipleship
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
3. Ephesians 6:4 – Parental Guidance
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
4. 1 Corinthians 5:11 – Avoiding Immoral People
“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”
5. Titus 3:10-11 – Rejecting a Divisive Person
“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.”
6. Matthew 12:46-50 – Jesus Redefines Family
“While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.’ He replied to him, ‘Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?’ Pointing to his disciples, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”
7. Psalm 27:10 – The Lord Will Take Me In
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
8. Romans 16:17 – Avoiding Divisive People
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.”
9. Proverbs 22:24-25 – Avoiding Hot-Tempered People
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
10. 1 Peter 3:9 – Repaying Evil with Blessing
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
11. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – Difficult Times Ahead
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
12. Proverbs 15:18 – Avoiding Anger
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”
13. James 4:1 – Source of Quarrels
“What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
14. Proverbs 6:16-19 – The Lord Hates Division
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
15. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 – Love is Patient and Kind
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”
16. Romans 12:18 – Living at Peace
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
17. Philippians 2:3 – Humility in Relationships
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
18. Colossians 3:13 – Forgive as the Lord Forgave You
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
19. Galatians 6:1 – Restoring Gently
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
20. Proverbs 19:11 – Patience in Quarrels
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
21. Hebrews 12:14 – Striving for Peace
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
22. Proverbs 17:9 – Covering an Offense
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.”
23. Matthew 5:44 – Love Your Enemies
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
24. Romans 14:19 – Pursuing Peace and Edification
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
25. Proverbs 12:18 – Healing Words
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
26. 1 John 4:20 – Loving God and Others
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
27. Luke 17:3 – Rebuke and Forgive
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.”
28. Ephesians 4:31-32 – Being Kind and Compassionate
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
29. 1 Peter 4:8 – Love Covers a Multitude of Sins
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
30. Proverbs 16:28 – A Perverse Person Stirs Up Conflict
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
31. 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad Company Corrupts Good Character
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
32. Matthew 18:15 – Resolving Conflicts
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.”
33. Romans 12:21 – Overcome Evil with Good
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Conclusion:
Navigating family relationships can be challenging, especially when dealing with conflicts that may lead to disowning family members. The Bible provides a balanced approach, encouraging forgiveness and reconciliation while also recognizing the need for boundaries in certain situations. Reflecting on these Scriptures can offer guidance and strength to handle family dynamics with grace and wisdom.
FAQs
What does the Bible say about walking away from toxic family members?
In fact, the Scriptures are full of teachings instructing us to leave relationships with wicked or evil people, to be separate from them, to shun, outcast, and purge them from our midst. (1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 13:20, Psalm 1:1, Proverbs 6:27, 1 Corinthians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 10:13 – these are just a few).
How to biblically deal with toxic family members?
Understand the difference between annoying and truly toxic. …
Forgiveness is crucial but acceptance is not. …
If change doesn’t come, you do not have to accept or settle for toxic behavior. …
Control your own behavior.
What does the Bible say about families turning against each other?
For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household” Matthew 10:34-36 (NIV).
What happens when your family disowns you?
Disownment may entail disinheritance, familial exile, or shunning, or all three. A disowned child might no longer be welcome in their former family’s home or be allowed to attend major family events.
Is it okay to cut toxic family members out of your life?
It could be time to cut the person off if you or your child start to dread visiting that family member, especially if they only interact in negative ways with those around them. “Recognize that spending time apart from them is important to one’s own mental health,” adds Dr. Halpern.
What does the Bible say about cutting toxic people off?
A glance at the book of Proverbs reminds us: “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare” (Prov. 13:20 ).
What does the Bible say about distancing yourself from others?
For the spiritual health of his people, God has, for millennia, encouraged his followers to practice a kind of social distancing. “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.