The notification pings, and your stomach drops. Another cruel comment. Another public humiliation. Another sleepless night, wondering if the harassment will ever stop. Online bullying cuts deeper than playground taunts because it follows you home, invades your safe spaces, and feels inescapable. When strangers or even people you know weaponize keyboards to tear you down, the pain can feel overwhelming and isolating.
If you’re facing cyberbullying, harassment, or digital persecution, you might wonder where God is in the comment sections and group chats where cruelty runs wild. The Bible speaks directly to those who face persecution, mockery, and verbal attacks. David faced public humiliation from his enemies, Jesus endured false accusations and ridicule, and Paul was constantly criticized and threatened by opponents.
These verses won’t make the bullying disappear instantly, but they offer divine perspective on your worth, practical wisdom for responding to cruelty, and the promise that God sees every attack against you. You’re not alone in the digital wilderness, and your identity isn’t defined by what others type about you.
Bible Verses for Dealing with Online Bullying
1. Psalm 34:17-18 – The Lord Hears Your Cry
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
New International Version (NIV)
2. Matthew 5:11-12 – Blessed Are You When People Insult You
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
3. 1 Peter 3:9 – Do Not Repay Evil with Evil
Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.
New Living Translation (NLT)
4. Proverbs 12:18 – The Words of the Reckless Pierce Like Swords
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
New King James Version (NKJV)
5. Romans 12:19 – Do Not Take Revenge
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.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
6. Psalm 55:12-14 – If an Enemy Were Insulting Me
If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
7. Luke 6:27-28 – Love Your Enemies
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
King James Version (KJV)
8. Psalm 109:2-3 – Wicked and Deceitful Mouths Attack Me
for wicked and deceitful mouths open against me, speaking against me with lying tongues. They beset me with words of hate, and attack me without cause.
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
9. Proverbs 15:1 – A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire.
The Message (MSG)
10. Isaiah 54:17 – No Weapon Formed Against You Will Prosper
No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me.
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11. Psalm 31:13 – I Hear Many Whispering
For I hear the whispering of many—terror on every side!—as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.
New English Translation (NET)
12. Matthew 10:26 – Do Not Be Afraid of Them
So don’t be afraid of those people, because everything that is hidden will be shown. Everything that is secret will be made known.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
13. Psalm 64:3-4 – They Sharpen Their Tongues Like Swords
They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows. They shoot from ambush at the innocent; they shoot suddenly, without fear.
Contemporary English Version (CEV)
14. 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 – When We Are Cursed, We Bless
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.
Good News Translation (GNT)
15. Psalm 35:11 – Ruthless Witnesses Come Forward
Mean people are taking me to court. They ask me things I know nothing about.
New Century Version (NCV)
16. 2 Timothy 3:12 – Everyone Who Wants to Live Godly Lives
Now, all who choose to live godly lives in the Anointed One, Jesus, will be persecuted.
International Standard Version (ISV)
17. Psalm 139:23-24 – Search Me, God, and Know My Heart
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there is any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.
Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18. James 1:2-4 – Consider It Pure Joy
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
Lexham English Bible (LEB)
19. Psalm 27:1-2 – The Lord Is My Light and Salvation
The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid? When evil people come at me to destroy me, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
World English Bible (WEB)
20. Matthew 5:44 – Pray for Those Who Persecute You
But I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you.
American Standard Version (ASV)
21. Psalm 57:4 – I Am in the Midst of Lions
My soul is among lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts—the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
Revised Standard Version (RSV)
22. 1 Peter 2:23 – When They Hurled Insults at Him
When he was insulted, he didn’t insult in return. When he suffered, he didn’t threaten revenge. Instead, he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly.
New American Bible (NAB)
23. Psalm 37:12-13 – The Wicked Plot Against the Righteous
The ungodly have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow: to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be upright in conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart.
Douay-Rheims Bible (DRB)
24. Romans 8:31 – If God Is for Us, Who Can Be Against Us?
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
English Revised Version (ERV)
25. Psalm 118:6 – The Lord Is with Me
Jehovah is for me, I fear not, What doth man unto me?
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
26. 2 Corinthians 12:10 – I Delight in Weaknesses
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Darby Translation (DARBY)
27. Psalm 23:4 – Even Though I Walk Through the Darkest Valley
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me.
Weymouth New Testament (WNT)
28. John 15:18-19 – If the World Hates You
If the world hatith you, wite ye that it hadde me in hate rather than you. If ye hadden be of the world, the world schulde loue that thing that was his; but for ye ben not of the world.
Wycliffe Bible (WYC)
29. 1 Peter 4:14 – If You Are Insulted Because of Christ
If you suffer rebuke for the Name of Christ, blessed are you: for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.
Geneva Bible (GNV)
30. Psalm 56:4 – In God I Trust and Am Not Afraid
In God wyl I prayse his worde: in God haue I put my trust, I wyll not feare what flesh can do vnto me.
Bishop’s Bible
31. Matthew 5:10 – Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted
Happy are they which suffre persecucion for rightwesnes sake: for theirs ys the kyngdome of heven.
Tyndale Bible
32. Psalm 91:3 – He Will Rescue You
For it is he who delivers you from the hunter’s trap, and from the deadly plague.
The Living Bible (TLB)
33. Isaiah 41:10 – Do Not Fear, for I Am with You
So don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you.
The Passion Translation (TPT)
34. Psalm 46:1 – God Is Our Refuge and Strength
God is the place we go for help. He gives us strength. He is always there for us when we have trouble.
The Voice Bible (VOICE)
35. Romans 15:13 – May the God of Hope Fill You
May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
New International Reader’s Version (NIrV)
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About Online Bullying
Scripture’s approach to persecution and verbal attacks speaks directly to our digital age struggles. The biblical writers understood that words could wound as deeply as physical violence, describing cruel speech as swords, arrows, and fire. What’s remarkable is how the Bible validates the real pain of verbal assault while offering a framework for responding that protects your heart and character.
The Bible doesn’t minimize the impact of cruel words or suggest we should simply ignore them. Instead, it acknowledges that verbal attacks can devastate our spirits and calls us to seek God’s comfort and protection. Yet Scripture also challenges us to respond differently than our attackers, breaking cycles of cruelty through blessing rather than retaliation.
Most importantly, the Bible reminds us that our identity and worth aren’t determined by what others say about us, but by what God says about us. Online bullies may try to define us through their attacks, but God calls us beloved, chosen, and valuable. Their words may sting temporarily, but His truth about us lasts forever and ultimately determines our reality.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, the cruel words and attacks I’m facing online feel overwhelming and inescapable. The harassment follows me everywhere, and I feel defenseless against the cruelty of others. I’m struggling with anger, hurt, and the desire to retaliate in ways that don’t honor You. Help me remember that my worth isn’t determined by what strangers type about me.
Give me wisdom to know when to respond and when to remain silent. When I do engage, help my words be seasoned with grace and truth. Protect my heart from bitterness and my mind from obsessing over every cruel comment. Show me when to block, report, or walk away from toxic online spaces that harm my peace and well-being.
I pray for those who are attacking me, knowing they must be hurting inside to lash out so cruelly. Transform their hearts and help them see the humanity in others. Use this difficult experience to develop my character, deepen my empathy for others who suffer, and strengthen my dependence on You. Remind me that You see every attack and that justice ultimately belongs to You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.