Bible Verses For Dealing With Difficult Family Members

Dear friends, Relationships with family can be complicated. Even those we love can hurt us at times. When tensions arise, it’s easy to react in anger or put up walls, but Scripture calls us to a better way.

With patience and humility, we can overcome disputes and maintain unity. As Ephesians says, anger can give the devil a foothold. Instead we must be quick to forgive. Through open and thoughtful communication, we can work through disagreements while understanding each other’s needs.

Toxic behaviors demand firm boundaries, for as Proverbs warns, bad company corrupts good character. Yet we must balance truth with love, correcting with gentleness.

During relational trials, cling to Jesus our rock. He will comfort you and impart His wisdom. Pray for peace and perspective. React with self-control and kindness even when it’s difficult.

Though people disappoint, love them sincerely anyway. Show mercy as God shows you mercy. See beyond surface flaws to the brokenness behind them. Refuse bitterness or resentment, repaying evil with blessing.

And should wounds run deep, forgiveness remains key. It liberates us from pain’s prison. As Christ forgave without limit, so must we.And Focus on your own reactions, where change begins.

Dear friends, now let’s look at some Bible verses below that offer godly guidance on relating to challenging relatives.

How to Handle Conflicts With Family Members:

Proverbs 15:1
“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger”

Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be ye angry, sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil”

Matthew 18:15
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go tell him his fault between thee him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother”

James 1:19-20
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God”

Proverbs 17:14
“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with”

Setting Boundaries With Toxic Relatives:

Proverbs 22:24-25
“Make no friendship with an angry man; with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, get a snare to thy soul”

1 Corinthians 15:33
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners”

Proverbs 14:7
“Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge”

Romans 12:18
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”

Galatians 6:1
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted”

Proverbs 4:23
“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life”

Finding Peace When Family Relationships Are Strained:

Philippians 4:6-7
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts minds through Christ Jesus”

Psalm 34:14
“Depart from evil, do good; seek peace, pursue it”

1 Peter 5:7
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”

Romans 12:16-18
“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men”

Matthew 11:28-30
“Come unto me, all ye that labour are heavy laden, I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, learn of me; for I am meek lowly in heart: ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, my burden is light”

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Charity suffereth long, is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things”

What Does the Bible Say About Dealing With Difficult People?:

Proverbs 15:18
“A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife”

Romans 12:19-21
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”

Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you, persecute you”

Luke 6:27-28
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, pray for them which despitefully use you”

1 Peter 3:9
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing”

Using Scripture to Guide Your Reactions:

Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law”

Proverbs 16:32
“He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city”

Ephesians 4:31-32
“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”

James 3:17-18
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be intreated, full of mercy good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace”

1 Thessalonians 5:15
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, to all men”

Turning to God’s Word for Comfort and Wisdom:

Psalm 119:105
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, a light unto my path”

Proverbs 2:6
“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge understanding”

James 1:5
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, upbraideth not; it shall be given him”

Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; saveth such as be of a contrite spirit”

Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”

Psalm 23:1-4
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod thy staff they comfort me”

Loving Your Family Even When It’s Hard:

Ephesians 4:2-3
“With all lowliness meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”

1 John 4:20
“If a man say, I love God, hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?”

Colossians 3:14
“Above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness”

Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins”

Matthew 5:46
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?”

Learning to Forgive Those Who Hurt You:

Colossians 3:13
“Forbearing one another, forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye”

Matthew 6:14-15
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”

Ephesians 4:32
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”

Luke 6:37
“Judge not, ye shall not be judged: condemn not, ye shall not be condemned: forgive, ye shall be forgiven”

Matthew 18:21-22
“Then came Peter to him, said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven”

Romans 12:20-21
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good”