When the Bible Has Been Used to Hurt You: Finding Healing and Hope

Many people have been hurt by the Bible—or more accurately, by people wielding the Bible as a weapon. This painful reality creates one of the highest, hardest hurdles for those seeking to connect with Scripture and with Jesus.

How Scripture Becomes a Weapon

The Bible contains words meant to bring hope, wisdom, and revival to our souls. Above all, these words are meant to show us Jesus. Yet for many, certain passages have been used to:

• Shut down conversations
• Put people "in their place"
• Explain away personal stories
• Cut people out of community
• Exclude, demean, and silence

When this happens, the Bible becomes a bludgeon. Some people wielding this bludgeon may even think they're helping or acting in love. But instead of giving life, they cause damage.

Why This Isn't What God Intended

Jesus has the words of life (John 6:68), and we learn about Him through Scripture. When Jesus taught difficult truths, He did so in a way that reflected His character. Matthew 12:18-20 tells us about Jesus' methodology: "He will not argue, he will not shout. He will not break a bruised reed or put out a smoldering wick."

This was Jesus' way. He brought truth in a manner that never hurt the already wounded.

If someone has delivered "truth" to you in a hurtful way—whether their intent was to help or not—they failed to represent Christ. If Scripture has been used to exclude, shame, or silence you, you have not experienced the hope God intends His words to bring.

How Do I Heal From Biblical Trauma?

Some people respond by abandoning the Bible or Christian community entirely. While understandable—as some churches can be abusive, controlling, toxic places—there is another path forward.

1. Tell God Your Honest Truth

Start with honesty. Acknowledge to yourself and to God what has happened to you. God can handle your anger, frustration, and pain:

• Tell Him if you're angry at certain biblical authors
• Express your hurt about people who claim to be Christian but act like enemies
• Share your desire to run away

God won't be offended. A meaningful relationship with the Father always begins with honesty. Any relationship with the Bible only makes sense inside an honest relationship with God.

2. Face Your Pain and Deal With It

Many of us, out of self-protection, have turned our pain inward, allowing it to birth bitterness, cynicism, and isolation. As time passes, the wounds may hurt less, but they're not healed—they're just buried, ready to be triggered unexpectedly.

The only way forward is through. What you need will depend on the severity of your experience:

• For some, simply studying the texts that were used hurtfully is enough
• You may discover those passages are understood differently by various people
• Often, you'll learn the verses were used out of context

Remember: The Bible doesn't belong to the person who hurt you with it. Their interpretation is not the final word. Even Jesus challenged judgmental religious people who used scripture to justify themselves and condemn others.

3. Seek Support When Needed

If your experience involves deeper spiritual abuse, you may need emotional support, encouragement, and professional counseling. Spiritual abuse justified with scripture can be crushing, especially when it punishes you for expressing spiritual autonomy—one of God's greatest gifts to us.

4. Start Where You're Able

The Bible isn't a single book—it's a library written by various people across time and cultures. If one part was used to hurt you:

• Find a place that doesn't trigger you and start there
• If all you can do is read the 23rd Psalm repeatedly, do that
• Maybe stick to the Gospel of Mark for a while

God is big. The Holy Spirit is present. Ask God through His Spirit to work through you slowly, with grace and healing.

5. Expand Your Comfort Zone With Friends

You're not alone. Spiritual abuse is all too common. Process your anger, sadness, and grief with others who understand, especially those who have found healing.

There are Christian communities committed to healthy relationships and spiritual autonomy. They will:

• Listen and cry with you
• Walk alongside you
• Help you discern useful next steps (at your request)
• Not require you to be "well" when you're not yet well

How Do I Know God Is Still With Me?

Jesus promised that God would be present to us through the Holy Spirit—not just to those who attend church regularly or read the Bible daily, but to all who receive Him.

The Holy Spirit's job is to comfort, heal, and lead into truth. Like a gardener, the Spirit is incredibly patient and mindful of the season. Trust God's work in your life.

The Bible remains a vital tool for knowing God's heart for you. When someone used scripture to wound you, they committed a grievous sin that made it more difficult for you to access this God-given tool meant to lead you into hope and life.

It's tragic, angering, and a painful loss—but it's not the end. God remains committed to you, so don't quit. Even if your steps are hesitant and unsure, keep walking forward.

Life Application

This week, consider taking one small step toward healing your relationship with Scripture:

• Identify one passage that has been used to hurt you or someone you love. Write it down.

• Find a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor who can help you explore the context and meaning of this passage without judgment.

• Ask yourself: What would it look like to reclaim this text? How might God want to redeem these words in your life?

• Consider reading a different part of the Bible that feels safe—perhaps the Psalms, which express the full range of human emotion, or one of the Gospels to reconnect with Jesus' character.

• Journal about your feelings toward Scripture. What barriers remain? What small openings might God be creating?

Remember, healing is a process, not an event. The God who loves you is patient and understands your pain. You don't need to rush this journey—take it one small step at a time.