Sexual harassment is a painful and unjust experience that violates the dignity and worth of an individual. Although the term “sexual harassment” is modern, the Bible speaks clearly about human dignity, respect, purity, and God’s justice for those who are mistreated. God values each person, made in His image, and He calls His people to honor and protect one another, especially the vulnerable.
Scripture is not silent on the issue of abuse, oppression, or violation. Whether it is protecting the innocent, calling out sinful behavior, or affirming God’s justice, the Bible offers wisdom and healing for those who have experienced sexual harassment. Below are powerful verses that remind us of God’s heart for justice, purity, and healing.
God’s Condemnation of Injustice and Abuse
The Bible strongly condemns all forms of abuse and exploitation. From Old Testament laws to New Testament exhortations, God consistently defends the weak, oppressed, and violated. Sexual harassment is not only a sin against another person’s body—it is a sin against God’s holiness and order.
God demands justice for all who are mistreated and assures victims that their pain matters to Him. These verses reveal His righteous anger against those who harm others and His command for His people to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him.
God’s Call to Purity, Dignity, and Healing
Scripture not only condemns wrongful behavior but also calls every person to purity, respect, and love. God’s design for relationships is rooted in mutual honor and holy conduct. Every man and woman is created in His image, deserving to be treated with honor and dignity.
For those who have suffered from sexual harassment, the Bible offers hope and restoration. Jesus brings healing to the brokenhearted and lifts those who have been shamed or oppressed. These verses can be a source of strength and comfort for victims and a reminder to all to walk in purity and truth.
Bible Verses about Sexual Harassment
God sees every act of oppression.
Ecclesiastes 5:8 (NIV) “If you see the poor oppressed in a district, and justice and rights denied, do not be surprised… for one official is eyed by a higher one, and over them both are others higher still.”
Honor others with your body.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 (NIV) “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable…”
The Lord detests injustice.
Proverbs 17:15 (NIV) “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both.”
Love does not harm.
Romans 13:10 (NIV) “Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
God is close to the brokenhearted.
Psalm 34:18 (NIV) “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Do not exploit others.
Exodus 22:22-24 (NIV) “Do not take advantage of the widow or the fatherless. If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.”
Your body is not for abuse.
1 Corinthians 6:18-19 (NIV) “Flee from sexual immorality… your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit…”
Jesus defends the shamed.
John 8:10-11 (NIV) “Jesus… said, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’”
Woe to those who cause others to stumble.
Luke 17:1-2 (NIV) “…It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.”
Guard your heart and mind.
Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Stand up for the oppressed.
Isaiah 1:17 (NIV) “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
Let no unwholesome talk come from you.
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful…”
The pure in heart will see God.
Matthew 5:8 (NIV) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Treat others with absolute purity.
1 Timothy 5:2 (NIV) “…treat younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”
God hears the cries of the abused.
Genesis 4:10 (NIV) “The Lord said, ‘What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.’”
God will bring every deed into judgment.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 (NIV) “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Be imitators of God in love.
Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV) “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love…”
Do not look on others with lust.
Matthew 5:28 (NIV) “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
God sees injustice and will act.
Psalm 10:14 (NIV) “But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand…”
Do not defile your neighbor.
Leviticus 18:20 (NIV) “Do not have sexual relations with your neighbor’s wife and defile yourself with her.”
Keep your way pure.
Psalm 119:9 (NIV) “How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.”
Respect the body God gave you.
Romans 12:1 (NIV) “…offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Don’t imitate evil.
3 John 1:11 (NIV) “Do not imitate what is evil but what is good…”
Be alert and sober-minded.
1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
God hates hands that shed innocent blood.
Proverbs 6:16-17 (NIV) “There are six things the Lord hates… haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood…”
Don’t participate in the unfruitful works of darkness.
Ephesians 5:11 (NIV) “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
God gives strength to the weary.
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV) “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
Do not repay evil with evil.
Romans 12:17 (NIV) “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”
Speak up for those who cannot speak.
Proverbs 31:8 (NIV) “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
Purity is God’s will for you.
1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NIV) “For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14 (NIV) “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful…”
Wickedness has no place with God.
Psalm 5:4 (NIV) “For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.”
Keep your thoughts clean.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV) “Whatever is true, whatever is noble… think about such things.”
Abusers will be judged.
Hebrews 13:4 (NIV) “…God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”
God is a refuge for the oppressed.
Psalm 9:9 (NIV) “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
Live as children of the light.
Ephesians 5:8 (NIV) “…Now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
Do not wrong or exploit a brother or sister.
1 Thessalonians 4:6 (NIV) “…and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.”
Humble yourself before the Lord.
James 4:10 (NIV) “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Blessed are those who hunger for righteousness.
Matthew 5:6 (NIV) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Don’t lust after another.
Job 31:1 (NIV) “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.”
Those who trust God are never forsaken.
Psalm 37:25 (NIV) “I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.”
He heals the brokenhearted.
Psalm 147:3 (NIV) “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
The Spirit helps in our weakness.
Romans 8:26 (NIV) “…the Spirit helps us in our weakness…”
Overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 (NIV) “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Live holy and godly lives.
2 Peter 3:11 (NIV) “…what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives.”
Justice will roll on like a river.
Amos 5:24 (NIV) “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!”
Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV) “Do everything in love.”
Let your gentleness be evident to all.
Philippians 4:5 (NIV) “Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”
Avoid even a hint of immorality.
Ephesians 5:3 (NIV) “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality…”
Do not exploit one another.
Leviticus 25:17 (NIV) “Do not take advantage of each other, but fear your God…”
Take no part in wickedness.
Psalm 1:1 (NIV) “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked…”
Guard against temptation.
Mark 14:38 (NIV) “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
Live in peace and be holy.
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy…”
Rescue the weak and the needy.
Psalm 82:4 (NIV) “Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Be above reproach.
1 Timothy 3:2 (NIV) “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled…”
Summary
Even though sexual harassment is a serious evil, the Bible provides justice, hope, and healing. The Bible makes clear that God cares deeply about victims and that He demands justice. He exhorts all believers to live a life of respect, love, and purity. The knowledge that God sees, hears, and will heal can be consoling to those who have suffered.
And His disciples must be emissaries of righteousness, justice, and healing. God is the one who restores dignity and defends the weak. His Word heals the wounded and provides insight for creating a society in which all people are valued as bearers of the divine image.
