Find out how to manage toxic relationships with these bible verses about toxic people. And even how to cut off these people from your life using wisdom.
What defines a person as toxic? These people can either be family, friends, or even colleagues. These kinds of people bring negativity to our daily lives.
Dealing with toxic people is draining and makes your life way more stressful. They are manipulative and controlling. All they want is to gain power and control. Do you know anyone like this?
Some other traits are they’re highly critical, judgemental, and quick to blame others for their own mistakes.
Toxic people often lack empathy and display selfish behavior, placing their own needs above others. They may also exhibit patterns of gaslighting, where they make others question their reality and emotions.
We can all agree that working with these people can be a living hell (hypothetically speaking). Overall, the presence of toxic people can be unhealthy for your well-being and those around you.
Imagine dealing with people with these characteristics daily. The stress and negativity that comes with it. Dealing with toxic people can be challenging and overwhelming.
But, thankfully, the Bible offers guidance and wisdom on how to handle these difficult individuals.
Whether you are struggling with a toxic family member, friend, or colleague, these verses will be a source of inspiration.
What Does the Bible Say About Toxic People?
1. Proverbs 22:24-25 – Be cautious when choosing friends
“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.”
Don’t be emotionally attached to people who have a quick temper. Being friends with this kind of person will lead to unnecessary conflicts and make your life miserable. One way to live a life of peace and positivity is to be selective with who you call a ‘friend’.
2. Proverbs 13:20 – Surround yourself with wise people
“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Spending time with fools can lead to negative consequences. But when you surround yourself with wise companions, you’ll make better decisions. From this scripture, it’s obvious that those you hang with can impact your life.
3. Proverbs 14:7 – Never take advice from dishonest people
“Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.”
Not only should we stay away from foolish people but away from their words. Such deceitful individuals can lead you astray from wisdom and righteousness.
4. Proverbs 12:26 – The way of the wicked can lead you astray
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
5. Proverbs 27:17 – Be friends with people who challenge you
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
If your goal is to be successful or better yourself then you need to surround yourself with people who share similar goals.
People who challenge and encourage you will help you grow. In the same way, as iron becomes sharper when rubbed against each other; it’s the same way we become better through meaningful relationships.
6. 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad company influences your character
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'”
A lie many of us believe is that we can still hang with bad company and it doesn’t impact our character. A big lie! It doesn’t matter how strong you think you are spiritually, it will negatively affect you.
If you consistently surround yourself with bad company, you’ll start adopting their traits unconsciously. From the way they think and to how they act. This is a warning to distance yourself from every toxic relationship.
Ways to Identify a Toxic Person
7. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 – Avoid this kind of people with these traits
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 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.”
This covered all if not most of the traits of negative people. It describes individuals who are conceited and lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. They are more focused on self-gratification and earthly pleasures.
Some of the traits that stood out to me that are easily identifiable are:
- They care more about themselves and money
- They brag a lot
- They act all high and mighty
- They are very mean
- They do not appreciate things.
8. Matthew 18:15-17 – If they refuse to change, then it is time to move on
“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. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
9. Titus 3:10 – Confront and address them and if they continue in their ways then sever ties with them
“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.”
10. 1 Corinthians 5:11 – Maintain your moral integrity by distancing from those who disregard ethical principles
“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.”
11. Romans 16:17-18 – A reminder to stay vigilant and protect your faith from those who may lead you astray
” 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. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”
12. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 – Having a relationship with someone who doesn’t live according to the Christian faith can be difficult
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.”
13. Proverbs 6:16-19 – Some sinful behavior that God hates
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes,
a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 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.”
14. 2 Timothy 2:22-23 – Engaging in pointless and divisive arguments doesn’t empower you
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.”
15. James 3:16 – To maintain order and righteousness in your life avoid these two things
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
How To Manage Toxic Relationship
It’s already proven by scriptures and research that finding peace in a toxic relationship can be challenging. So how do you deal with this?
With the guidance of God’s word and using conventional methods, you can successfully deal with challenging behaviors.
16. Proverbs 4:23 – Guard your heart
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
This verse speaks about being mindful of what you entertain. So when dealing with toxic people, you need to set boundaries, practice self-care, and prioritize your mental and emotional health.
Guarding your heart may involve limiting your exposure to negativity, seeking support, and making choices that prioritize your well-being.
17. Ephesians 4:29 – Watch the words coming from your mouth
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
If you have ever argued with a toxic person, you know things can get a little spicy. And as believers, the Word of God reminds us to choose our words carefully.
Yes, it can be challenging. However, being constructive or uplifting with your words can prevent a situation from escalating and causing more damage to the relationship. By showing grace you can navigate difficult relationships with more understanding and compassion.
18. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 – A warning you must follow to avoid finding yourself in negative situations
“reject every kind of evil.”
19. Proverbs 4:14-17 – Avoid the path of the wicked
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.”
20. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – Prioritize your relationship with Jesus above all else
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.’ Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.’ And, ‘I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.'”
This scripture is important when navigating friendships, courting, and even family. There is no advantage to being in a relationship if it’s hindering your spiritual growth or leading to sin.
Having communion and peace of mind is more valuable than any relationship. Use your discernment and evaluate whether certain individuals lead you to or away from God.
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