Dealing with toxic family members can be one of the most challenging aspects of life. These relationships often bring stress, heartache, and confusion. However, the Bible offers profound wisdom and guidance on how to navigate these difficult situations. In this blog post, we will explore 33 Bible verses about toxic family members, offering insights on how to cope with and respond to toxic behavior within the family unit.
Table of Top Verses about Toxic Family Members:
| Verse about Toxic Family Members | Summary |
|---|---|
| Matthew 10:35-36 | Jesus speaks about division within families. |
| Proverbs 13:20 | Encouragement to walk with the wise and avoid the foolish. |
| Colossians 3:21 | Advises fathers not to provoke their children. |
| 1 Corinthians 15:33 | Warning about the corrupting influence of bad company. |
| Ephesians 6:4 | Guidance for parents to raise their children without provoking anger. |
List of 33 Bible Verses about Toxic Family Members:
1. Matthew 10:35-36 – Division within Families
“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. Proverbs 13:20 – Walk with the Wise
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
3. Colossians 3:21 – Do Not Provoke Your Children
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
4. 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad Company Corrupts Good Character
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
5. Ephesians 6:4 – Bringing Up Children with Love
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
6. 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.”
7. 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.”
8. Proverbs 17:1 – Better a Dry Crust with Peace
“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.”
9. Psalm 27:10 – The Lord Will Take Me In
“Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.”
10. Matthew 7:6 – Do Not Throw Pearls to Pigs
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.”
11. 2 Timothy 3:2-5 – People Will Be Lovers of Themselves
“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. 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.”
17. Proverbs 10:12 – Hatred Stirs Up Conflict
“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
18. Proverbs 19:11 – Patience in Quarrels
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
19. Philippians 2:3 – Humility in Relationships
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
20. Romans 14:19 – Pursuing Peace and Edification
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
21. James 1:19 – Listening and Slow to Anger
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
22. Proverbs 13:10 – Pride Leads to Conflict
“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”
23. 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.”
24. 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.”
25. Romans 12:18 – Living at Peace
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
26. Titus 3:10 – Warning Against a Divisive Person
“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.”
27. 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.”
28. Proverbs 16:28 – A Perverse Person Stirs Up Conflict
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
29. Galatians 5:15 – Warning Against Biting and Devouring
“If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.”
30. 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.”
31. 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.”
32. Psalm 34:14 – Turn from Evil and Do Good
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
33. 1 Peter 4:8 – Love Covers a Multitude of Sins
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Conclusion:
Navigating relationships with toxic family members is a delicate and often painful process. However, the Bible provides us with a rich source of wisdom and guidance. By reflecting on these 33 Bible verses, we can find strength, understanding, and strategies for dealing with toxic behavior while striving to maintain peace and love within our families. Remember, with God’s guidance, we can approach these challenges with grace and wisdom.
FAQs
What does the Bible say about family conflict?
In the scriptures, we find profound wisdom in handling conflicts within our families. Matthew 18:15 (NIV), advises, “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.” This verse underscores the importance of addressing conflicts privately and with a spirit of reconciliation.
What does the Bible say about a divided household?
In the King James Version, the quote is found in Matthew, 12:25: “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.”
What does the Bible say about separating from family?
For Moses said, Honor your father and your mother; and, Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die (Mark 7:10). In Luke 14, Jesus was teaching the truth that following Him may require separating one’s self from a hostile, unbelieving family. This is as true today as it was in the first century.