Is It a Sin to Hate Someone?

Hatred is a heavy thing to carry. If you are asking whether it is a sin to hate someone, you may already feel the weight of it. The Bible speaks plainly: yes, harbouring hatred toward another person is sin. Jesus goes further than outward actions and addresses the heart. In the Sermon on the Mount He teaches that anger and contempt are already matters of judgment. The apostle John writes that anyone who hates his brother is in darkness and does not have eternal life abiding in him. Hatred is not a minor emotion to brush aside. It is a moral condition God takes seriously.

But the question is rarely simple. You may hate someone who hurt you deeply. You may hate yourself. You may wonder if hating evil is the same as hating people. Scripture makes distinctions, and it offers a way out through confession, repentance and the grace of Christ.

What does the Bible actually say about hating someone?

The Bible treats hatred toward a person as a serious sin because it strikes at the heart of God’s law. Leviticus 19:17 says that we must not harbour hatred against a brother in our heart, but must rebuke our neighbour directly so that we do not incur guilt on account of him. Hatred is not merely a feeling; it is a refusal to love as God commands.

Jesus intensifies this in Matthew 5:43-44:

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, — Matthew 5:43-44 (BSB)

John is equally direct:

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer. — 1 John 3:15 (BSB)

And again:

If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. — 1 John 4:20 (BSB)

Hatred is not compatible with genuine faith. It is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-20) and must be put away (Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8).

Is hating evil the same as hating people?

No. Scripture commands us to hate evil. Psalm 97:10 says, “Let those who love the LORD hate evil.” Proverbs 8:13 tells us the fear of the Lord is to hate evil. God Himself hates sin. But hating sin is not the same as hating the sinner. The distinction matters.

Jesus hated sin, yet He wept over Jerusalem and prayed for those who crucified Him. We are called to love people while refusing to approve of their sin. This is not easy, and it requires a heart transformed by the Holy Spirit. When we hate a person, we are playing judge in a way that belongs to God alone.

What about hating yourself?

The Bible does not command self-hatred. In fact, it assumes a proper care for oneself. Jesus said, “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31), which assumes a healthy regard for your own well-being. Hating yourself is not humility; it is often a form of inward turned anger that dishonours the God who made you in His image.

If you struggle with self-hatred, you are not alone. Many believers wrestle with feelings of worthlessness. But the gospel speaks to this. You were created by God, and Christ died for you while you were still a sinner (Romans 5:8). Your worth is not measured by your performance or by what others say. It is grounded in the love of God shown at the cross.

Self-hatred can also be a symptom of depression or other conditions that deserve care. It is wise to speak with a pastor and a doctor or licensed counsellor. You do not have to carry this alone.

How do I deal with hatred in my heart?

First, be honest. Confess your hatred to God. 1 John 1:9 promises:

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:9 (BSB)

Second, repent. Turn from the hatred and ask God to change your heart. This may be a process, not a single moment. Pray for the person you hate. Jesus commanded us to pray for our enemies. Prayer softens the heart.

Third, seek reconciliation where possible. If you have wronged someone, apologise. If someone has wronged you, forgive as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:32). Forgiveness does not mean pretending the hurt never happened. It means releasing the debt to God and refusing to let bitterness take root.

Fourth, involve your local church. Speak with a pastor or a trusted believer who can pray with you and hold you accountable. Hatred thrives in secrecy; it shrinks in the light of honest confession and Christian community.

What if the hatred feels too strong to let go?

Hatred can become a habit of the heart. It may feel impossible to release. But God’s grace is greater than your sin. The Bible says that nothing is too hard for the Lord (Jeremiah 32:17). He can change what seems unchangeable.

Start small. Ask God for a willing heart. Even the desire to be free from hatred is a work of His Spirit. Keep bringing it to Him in prayer. Keep confessing. Keep asking for love. Over time, He will reshape your affections.

Remember that you are not defined by your hatred. If you are in Christ, you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). Your old self was crucified with Him, and you are called to walk in newness of life. This does not mean you will never feel anger again, but it means hatred no longer has the final say.

If you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out for help right away. In the United States and Canada, call or text 988. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, call Samaritans on 116 123. In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Anywhere else, visit findahelpline.com or call your local emergency number.

Where do I go from here?

Hatred is a sin, but it is not unforgivable. The blood of Christ cleanses from all sin. Turn to Him. Open your Bible and read passages like 1 John 4, Matthew 5, and Ephesians 4. Let Scripture reshape your heart. Pray honestly, even if your prayers are messy. And do not isolate yourself. Find a local church where you can confess, be prayed for, and learn to love as Christ loved.

If you are a Roman Catholic, sacramental confession to a priest is part of your tradition, and this article does not replace that. For all believers, the promise stands: God is faithful to forgive and to cleanse.

You do not have to stay in hatred. There is grace for you in Jesus Christ.

Questions people ask

Is it a sin to hate someone who has hurt me badly?

Yes, harbouring hatred toward a person is sin, even when you have been deeply wronged. The Bible commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44). This does not mean denying the hurt; it means bringing it to God and asking Him to replace hatred with His love.

What is the difference between hating sin and hating a person?

Scripture tells us to hate evil (Psalm 97:10), but it never tells us to hate people. God hates sin yet loves sinners, and He calls us to do the same. We can reject the sin while still loving the person, because every person is made in God’s image.

Is it a sin to hate myself?

The Bible does not command self-hatred. Jesus said to love your neighbour as yourself, which assumes a proper care for your own well-being. Self-hatred can be a sign of deep pain or depression, and it is wise to speak with a pastor and a doctor or licensed counsellor.

How can I stop hating someone?

Start by confessing the hatred to God and asking Him to change your heart. Pray for the person, seek reconciliation where possible, and involve your local church for support and accountability. Freedom may come gradually, but God’s grace is sufficient.