Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Being Cruel?
11 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Being Cruel in the Bible
What does the Bible say about being cruel? Browse 14 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Being Cruel
- 1Proverbs 11:17
“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.”
KJV - 2
- 3Jeremiah 22:3
“Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.”
KJV - 4Daniel 2:44
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. the days: Cald. their days the kingdom: Cald the kingdom thereof”
KJV - 5Mark 7:21
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,”
KJV - 6Luke 23:34
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
KJV - 7John 8:44
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. of his own: or, from his own will or disposition”
KJV - 8John 16:8
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: reprove: or, convince”
KJV - 9Romans 2:8
“But unto them that are contentious , and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,”
KJV - 10James 1:26
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Being Cruel? (4 Verses)
“The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.”
“Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:”
“Thus saith the LORD; Execute ye judgment and righteousness, and deliver the spoiled out of the hand of the oppressor: and do no wrong, do no violence to the stranger, the fatherless, nor the widow, neither shed innocent blood in this place.”
“And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. the days: Cald. their days the kingdom: Cald the kingdom thereof”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Being Cruel? (7 Verses)
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,”
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. of his own: or, from his own will or disposition”
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: reprove: or, convince”
“But unto them that are contentious , and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,”
“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”
“He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Being Cruel
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about being cruel. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about being cruel and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about being cruel is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on being cruel needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about being cruel with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about being cruel, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Being Cruel?
You have studied 11 verses about being cruel. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.