God Fights Our Battles
Exodus 14:14: (NIV)
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Deuteronomy 20:4: (NIV)
For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.
Isaiah 54:17 (ICB)
“So no weapon that is used against you will defeat you. You will show that those who speak against you are wrong. These are the good things my servants receive. Their victory comes from me,” says the Lord.
Love One Another
John 13:34-35 (NIV):
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
1 Peter 4:8: (AMP)
Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others].
Leviticus 19:18 (ICB)
Forget about the wrong things people do to you. You must not try to get even. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. I am the Lord.
Be Slow to Anger or Judge
James 1:19-20: (ICB)
19 My dear brothers, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily. 20 Anger will not help you live a good life as God wants.
Speak Carefully When Angry
Proverbs 15:1 (Amp)
A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, but harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.
Proverbs 29:11 (NIV):
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.
Psalm 37:8 (NIV):
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
Letting Go of Anger
Ephesians 4:26-27: (Amp)
Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. 27 And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].
Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Be Forgiving
Ephesians 4:32: (Amp)
Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.
Matthew 18:21-22 (ICB)
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, when my brother sins against me, how many times must I forgive him? Should I forgive him as many as 7 times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, you must forgive him more than 7 times. You must forgive him even if he does wrong to you 70 times 7.
Matthew 6:14 (ICB)
Yes, if you forgive others for the things they do wrong, then your Father in heaven will also forgive you for the things you do wrong.
Show Others Mercy; Work it Out Privately
Matthew 5:7 (Amp)
Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him what he did wrong. Do this in private. If he listens to you, then you have helped him to be your brother again.
Seek the Best in Others
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. 5 Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not become angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. 6 Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices over the truth. 7 Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always continues strong.
Galatians 6:1: (Amp)
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well.
Luke 6:27-28 (Amp)
But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, 28bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.