“"'You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.”
— Leviticus 19:18· God
What Does the Bible Say About Defending Yourself?
The Bible addresses defending yourself across both Old and New Testaments. These verses are organized by biblical era — from the patriarchs to the apostles — letting Scripture speak for itself.
4 verses·3 eras·1 promises
Exodus (~1400 BC)
Life of Jesus (~30 AD)
“A second likewise is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”
— Matthew 22:39· Jesus
“The second is like this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."”
— Mark 12:31· Jesus
United Kingdom (~1000 BC)
“Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Want a verse chosen for your situation?
Describe what you're going through. We'll find the verse whose emotional DNA matches your moment.
Speak Your Heart →