5 Ways To Deal With Haters (According to the Bible)

“You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the world, and there’s still going to be someone that hates peaches.” - Dita Von Teese

I know what you’re thinking. What could the Bible possibly have to do with haters. But yes, haters have been around for a very long time. Jesus had plenty of haters and the Bible gives clear instructions on how to handle them:

1. Do Nothing

Luke 21:17-19 - Everyone will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. Stand firm, and you will win life.

Everyone experiences hate and bitterness at some point in their life. Whether it’s from friends, family, or coworkers, it happens to the best of us. As Christians, we are called to live in ways that many won’t understand. Jesus warned us that we would be hated. But he tells us to stand firm and do nothing. Luke 21:19 even goes as far as saying that we will win life. As hard as it may be, stand firm now to win later.

2. Don't Hate Them Back

1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

It’s so easy to want to fight back or say the perfect comeback when someone disrespects you or your beliefs. But nothing good comes from payback. After all, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind”. The Bible tells us that we will obtain blessings after we bless those that hurt us.

3. Don't Try To Figure Out Why

Psalm 38:19 Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous.

I know from personal experience that you can drive yourself crazy trying to figure out why someone dislikes you. I wish I could go back in time and read this verse to my younger self. Some people will hate you for no reason and we need to learn to be okay with that. Focus your efforts on living your best life instead of wasting them trying to justify someone’s hate.

4. Forgive Them

Ephesians 4:32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

No matter how close you are to God, you spend every day living in sin. God loves you so much that He forgives every single sin and He doesn’t look at you any differently. Ephesians 4:32 makes it clear that God wants us to be kind to others and forgive them like God has forgiven us. He never said forgiving our haters would be easy, but he did tell us it’s necessary.

5. Bless Them

Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

Lastly, bless your haters. Every person you meet was put into your life for a reason. Some are here to bless you while some are here to test you. The next time your character is tested by someone, go out of your way to bless them and God will bless you in return.