Malice is a legal term that means having the intent to cause pain or distress to another person. It is commonly used in criminal proceedings to describe an act of violence or harassment where there was no provocation. Malice can be shown by the words, actions and/or demeanor of the suspect during the commission of a crime.
In the Bible, malice refers to evil intent or motivation. The Bible uses the word “malice” when referring to people who are driven by selfishness and greed, as well as those who are motivated by hatred, anger and envy.
Malice is a familiar word to most Christians, but it’s not always easy to understand. In fact, the Bible has a lot to say about malice and how to deal with it in your life.
Malice is often defined as “ill will or hatred,” but this definition leaves out some important details. Malice isn’t just being mean or hateful; it’s an intense form of ill will that leads you to take action against someone else—usually in an unjust way. To avenge someone else for something they did wrong, you might act illegally or harmfully out of hatred and anger.
Definition Of Malice In The Bible
What is Malice?
Malice is defined as the intention or desire to do evil or harm to someone. In the Bible, malice is condemned as a sinful and destructive attitude that goes against the teachings of God. Throughout the scriptures, we can find various verses that speak about the dangers of harboring malice in our hearts and the consequences it can bring.
Bible Verses on Malice
- Ephesians 4:31 – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
- Colossians 3:8 – “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
- 1 Peter 2:1 – “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.”
These verses emphasize the importance of avoiding malice and cultivating a spirit of forgiveness, love, and kindness towards others. When we allow malice to fester in our hearts, it not only damages our relationships with others but also separates us from God’s grace.
Story of Joseph and His Brothers
In the book of Genesis, we find the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph’s brothers harbored malice towards him because of their father’s favoritism towards him. They plotted to kill him but eventually sold him into slavery instead. Despite facing numerous trials and tribulations, Joseph maintained his faith in God and ultimately forgave his brothers for their betrayal.
This story serves as a powerful example of the destructive nature of malice and the importance of choosing forgiveness and redemption over revenge and anger.
As we reflect on the significance of malice in the Bible, let us strive to follow God’s teachings in our interactions with others, seeking to cultivate a spirit of love, compassion, and forgiveness in all that we do.
Malice is the intention or desire to do evil. It is the desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on someone else. Malice is a sin and it’s a big contributor to fighting and murder. A good example of malice was the first murder ever recorded. Cain killed his brother Abel because of jealousy and that jealousy created malice. Malice comes from the heart and Christians must avoid it by walking by the Spirit and putting on the full armor of God. You must go to war with every malicious thought.
Never dwell on it, but ask God for help immediately. How do you fight it you ask? Get alone with God and wrestle with God in prayer! Make sure you are forgiving others daily and make sure you put the past behind you. Malice will hinder your spiritual growth. Anything in your life that could be contributing to malice must be removed. It could be secular music, TV, bad influences, etc. You must think of and surround yourself with godly and righteous things. You must have the (Holy Spirit). Please if you’re not saved click on the are you saved link at the top of the page!
What does the Bible say?
- Isaiah 58:9-11 Then you’ll call, and the Lord will answer; you’ll cry for help, and he’ll respond, ‘Here I am.’ “If you do away with the yoke among you, and pointing fingers and malicious talk; if you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the needs of afflicted souls, then your light will rise in darkness, and your night will be like noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in parched places, and they will strengthen your bones; and you’ll be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.
- Colossians 3:6-10 It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. You used to behave like them as you lived among them. But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and all such sins. Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old nature with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new nature, which is being renewed in full knowledge, consistent with the image of the one who created it.
- Titus 3:2-6 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.
- Ephesians 4:30-32 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. And be kind to one another, compassionate, and forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you in the Messiah
- Proverbs 26:25-26 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Although their wickedness may go unnoticed due to deception, it will be evident in the crowd.
- Colossians 3:5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.
- 1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.
Advice
- James 1:19-20 My Christian brothers, you know everyone should listen much and speak little. He should be slow to become angry. A man’s anger does not allow him to be right with God.
- Ephesians 4:25-27 So stop lying to each other. Tell the truth to your neighbor. We all belong to the same body. If you are angry, do not let it become sin. Get over your anger before the day is finished. Do not let the devil start working in your life.
- Mark 12:30-31 You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ This is the first Law. “The second Law is this: ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other Law is greater than these.”
- Colossians 3:1-4 If then you have been raised with Christ, keep looking for the good things of heaven. This is where Christ is seated on the right side of God. Keep your minds thinking about things in heaven. Do not think about things on the earth. You are dead to the things of this world. Your new life is now hidden in God through Christ. Christ is our life. When He comes again, you will also be with Him to share His shining-greatness.
Repaying evil
- Proverbs 20:22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.
- 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,
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15-16 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people. Always be joyful.
Reminders
- 1 Peter 2:16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20 Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil, but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.
A leading cause for murder.
- Psalm 41:5-8 My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?” When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around. All my enemies whisper together against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying, “A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
