Bible Verses About Fighting

What does the Bible say about fighting?

Scripture is clear that Christians should not be arguing, fist fighting, creating drama, or repaying evil of any kind. No matter how hard it may seem, if someone slaps you on the cheek you must turn away from that person. If someone says some nasty words to you don’t repay them back. You must put away your pride. Christians will get persecuted, but attacking violence with violence only brings more violence. Instead of fighting with someone be the bigger person and talk it out nicely and kindly and repay that person with blessings. Pray for yourself and pray for others. Ask God to help you. Is it ever OK to defend yourself? Yes, sometimes you have to defend yourself.

Let’s dive into fighting in the Bible

1. Colossians 3:8 But now, put off all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth.

2.  Ephesians 4:30-31 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred.

3. 1 Peter 2:1-3 So get rid of every kind of evil, every kind of deception, hypocrisy, jealousy, and every kind of slander. Desire God’s pure word as newborn babies desire milk. Then you will grow in your salvation. Certainly you have tasted that the Lord is good!

4. Galatians 5:19-25 Now, the effects of the corrupt nature are obvious: illicit sex, perversion, promiscuity, idolatry, drug use, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, angry outbursts, selfish ambition, conflict, factions, envy, drunkenness, wild partying, and similar things. I’ve told you in the past and I’m telling you again that people who do these kinds of things will not inherit God’s kingdom. But the spiritual nature produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There are no laws against things like that. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their corrupt nature along with its passions and desires. If we live by our spiritual nature, then our lives need to conform to our spiritual nature.

5. James 4:1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?

Don’t pay back evil

6. Proverbs 24:29 Don’t say, “I’ll do to him like he did to me, I’ll be sure to pay him back for what he did.”

7.  Romans 12:17-19  Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble. As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.”

We must love even our enemies

8. Romans 12:20-21 But, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good.

Turning the other cheeck

9. Matthew 5:39  But I tell you not to oppose an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your other cheek to him as well.

10.  Luke 6:29-31  If someone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t stop him from taking your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you for something. If someone takes what is yours, don’t insist on getting it back. “Do for other people everything you want them to do for you.

Faith: The only fighting we should be doing.

11. 1 Timothy 6:12-15 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

12. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight. I have completed the race. I have kept the faith. The prize that shows I have God’s approval is now waiting for me. The Lord, who is a fair judge, will give me that prize on that day. He will give it not only to me but also to everyone who is eagerly waiting for him to come again.

Love covers an offense.

13. Proverbs 17:9 The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close friends.

14.  1 Peter 4:8-10 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Confessing your sins.

15. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Forgiving one another.

16. Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ.

Matthew 6:14-15  Yes, if you forgive others for the wrongs they do to you, then your Father in heaven will also forgive your wrongs. But if you don’t forgive others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrongs you do.

17. Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Advice on fighting and anger

18. Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

19.  Galatians 5:16-18 So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil things your sinful self wants. The sinful self wants what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against the sinful self. They are always fighting against each other, so that you don’t do what you really want to do. But if you let the Spirit lead you, you are not under law

20.  Ephesians 6:13-15 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

 Reminders

21. 2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,

22. Proverbs 29:22 An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin. Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.

23.  Matthew 12:36-37 I tell you, on Judgment Day people will give an account for every thoughtless word they have uttered, because by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Examples of fighting in the Bible

24. Jeremiah 34:6-7 Then Jeremiah the prophet told all this to Zedekiah king of Judah, in Jerusalem, while the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and the other cities of Judah that were still holding out–Lachish and Azekah. These were the only fortified cities left in Judah.

25. 2 Kings 19:7-8 Listen! When he hears a certain report, I will make him want to return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.'” When the field commander heard that the king of Assyria had left Lachish, he withdrew and found the king fighting against Libnah. Now Sennacherib received a report that Tirhakah, the king of Cush, was marching out to fight against him. So he again sent messengers to Hezekiah with this word: