What Does the Bible Say About Resentment?

Written By Mary Carter

Mary is a devoted Bible student who loves sharing her knowledge, inspiring others with faith-filled insights, and deepening spiritual understanding through writing.

Resentment is a feeling that can take root in the heart and slowly grow into something destructive.

It starts as a small seed—maybe someone wronged you, betrayed your trust, or hurt you deeply.

Over time, instead of healing, that wound festers, and bitterness begins to take over.

Resentment is like carrying a heavy chain, weighing down your heart and keeping you from experiencing peace.

Many people struggle with resentment, sometimes for years, unable to let go of past pain.

But what does the Bible say about resentment?

Does God want us to hold on to it, or does He call us to something greater?

Through Scripture, we see that resentment is dangerous, but God provides a way to be free from its grip.

Resentment Can Be Destructive

The Bible warns about the dangers of resentment.

It is not just an emotion—it is something that can poison the heart and affect relationships.

Hebrews 12:15 says,

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

This verse describes resentment as a “bitter root.”

If left unchecked, it doesn’t just stay hidden—it grows and spreads, affecting every part of life.

Bitterness can change the way a person sees others, making it hard to trust, love, or forgive.

It can lead to anger, division, and even hatred.

Ephesians 4:31 warns,

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

God does not want His people to live in resentment because He knows how much damage it can cause.

Holding onto past hurt does not bring healing—it only deepens the wound.

God Calls Us to Forgive

One of the most powerful ways to overcome resentment is through forgiveness.

This can be difficult, especially when the pain is deep.

But the Bible makes it clear that forgiveness is not optional for believers.

Colossians 3:13 says,

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.

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Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

Forgiving does not mean pretending the hurt never happened.

It does not mean excusing someone’s actions.

Instead, it means choosing to release the burden of resentment and trusting God with justice.

Matthew 6:14-15 reminds us,

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

God’s forgiveness is freely given, and He expects His followers to extend that same grace to others.

Holding onto resentment only hurts the one carrying it, but forgiveness brings peace and freedom.

Resentment Keeps You Stuck in the Past

Resentment has a way of keeping people trapped in past pain.

Instead of moving forward, it forces them to relive the hurt over and over again.

Philippians 3:13-14 encourages believers to let go of the past:

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

This does not mean ignoring past experiences, but it does mean refusing to let them define the future.

Resentment keeps people focused on what was, while God calls them to look ahead to what He is doing.

When someone lets go of resentment, they open their heart to healing and new possibilities.

Trusting God with Justice

Many times, resentment lingers because people feel like justice was never served.

They were mistreated, lied to, or hurt, and nothing was done about it.

But the Bible reminds us that justice belongs to God.

Romans 12:19 says,

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

When people try to take justice into their own hands, they often make things worse.

God sees everything, and He promises to deal with wrongdoing in His way and in His timing.

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Trusting God with justice allows people to release resentment, knowing that He is in control.

Psalm 37:8 encourages,

“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”

Letting go of resentment does not mean ignoring wrongdoing—it means trusting that God will handle it.

Replacing Resentment with Love

The opposite of resentment is love.

It may seem impossible to love someone who has caused pain, but the Bible calls believers to a higher way of living.

First Corinthians 13:4-5 describes true love:

“Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.”

Love does not keep a record of wrongs.

This is a challenge, but it is also the key to freedom from resentment.

When love replaces bitterness, hearts are no longer weighed down by the past.

Jesus set the perfect example of this when He forgave those who crucified Him, saying in Luke 23:34,

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

If Jesus could forgive those who nailed Him to the cross, believers can choose to forgive those who have hurt them.

Letting Go of Resentment Brings Peace

Resentment steals peace.

It creates inner turmoil, making it hard to experience the joy and rest that God wants for His people.

Isaiah 26:3 promises,

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”

Letting go of resentment allows peace to take its place.

When someone stops replaying past hurts and focuses on God’s goodness, they find rest.

Jesus invites the weary to come to Him in Matthew 11:28-30:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

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For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Resentment is a heavy burden, but Jesus offers rest.

By surrendering bitterness and embracing His love, people can walk in true peace.

A Renewed Mind Through Christ

One of the most powerful ways to overcome resentment is by renewing the mind.

Romans 12:2 encourages,

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Instead of dwelling on past pain, believers can fill their minds with God’s truth.

Through prayer, Scripture, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, thoughts can be reshaped to reflect grace instead of bitterness.

The more someone focuses on God’s love, the harder it becomes for resentment to take root.

Final Thoughts

Resentment is a dangerous emotion that can destroy peace, relationships, and faith.

The Bible warns against allowing bitterness to take root and calls believers to a life of forgiveness, trust, and love.

God does not ask His people to ignore pain, but He does ask them to let go of resentment and trust Him with justice.

Through prayer, the renewal of the mind, and the power of the Holy Spirit, resentment can be replaced with peace.

Choosing forgiveness does not mean weakness—it means strength.

It means refusing to let the past control the future.

God offers freedom to those who are willing to release their burdens and walk in His love.

When resentment is surrendered to Him, healing begins, and true joy is restored.