The term "belittles" refers to the act of making someone or something seem less impressive or important. In the context of the Bible, belittling can be seen as an expression of pride, arrogance, or a lack of love and respect for others. Scripture consistently warns against such attitudes, emphasizing the importance of humility, love, and the recognition of each person's inherent value as created in the image of God.

Biblical Warnings Against Belittling Others

1. Pride and Arrogance: The Bible frequently addresses the dangers of pride and arrogance, which often manifest in belittling behavior. Proverbs 16:18 states, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This verse highlights the destructive nature of pride, which can lead individuals to look down on others.

2. The Tongue's Power: James 3:5-6 warns about the power of the tongue, stating, "So also the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body." Belittling words can cause significant harm, akin to a destructive fire.

3. Love and Respect: The Bible calls believers to love and respect one another. In Philippians 2:3, Paul writes, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." This verse encourages believers to value others and avoid belittling them.

4. Judgment and Condemnation: Jesus warns against judging others in a way that belittles or condemns them. In Matthew 7:1-2, He says, "Do not judge, or you will be judged. For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." This teaching underscores the importance of treating others with fairness and compassion.

Examples of Belittling in Scripture

1. The Pharisee and the Tax Collector: In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee belittles the tax collector by boasting about his own righteousness and looking down on the tax collector's perceived sinfulness. Jesus uses this parable to illustrate the value of humility and the danger of self-righteousness.

2. David and Goliath: In 1 Samuel 17, Goliath belittles David, mocking him for his youth and inexperience. Despite Goliath's disdain, David's faith in God enables him to triumph over the giant. This account demonstrates that God's strength is made perfect in weakness and that belittling others based on outward appearances is misguided.

3. Job's Friends: In the Book of Job, Job's friends belittle him by assuming his suffering is a result of personal sin. They fail to understand the true nature of his trials and add to his distress with their misguided counsel. This narrative highlights the importance of empathy and the danger of making assumptions about others' circumstances.

The Call to Edify and Encourage

Believers are called to build one another up rather than belittle. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen." This verse emphasizes the importance of using words to encourage and strengthen others, reflecting the love and grace of Christ.

In summary, the Bible consistently teaches against belittling others, urging believers to embrace humility, love, and respect. By recognizing the value of each person as created in God's image, Christians are called to foster a community of encouragement and support.

Whether Irony is a Sin?
... Amos answered . . . I am not a prophet." Therefore irony, whereby a man belittles
himself in words, is not a sin. Objection 2: Further ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether irony is a sin.htm

What is It?
... encourage him in this ungodly idea. For it belittles the divine virtues,
glories, and attributes. Heretics of every name and origin ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xvii what is it.htm

The Parallel Passages in Mark and Luke.
... But, so far as he belittles himself, to that extent does he become great; as that
very thing, which caused him the more to make himself little, contributes to ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/19 the parallel passages in.htm

Letter xix. To Dorus, Bishop of Beneventum.
... deserts is rendered void, if the gaining of dignity is proportioned to the amount
of flattery used: so that the eagerness to be eminent belittles not only the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/letter xix to dorus bishop.htm

October the Twenty-Fifth the Robe of Humility
... When a man puts on the robe of pride, he immediately belittles his manhood. When
a man puts on the robe of humility, he becomes a greater man. ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/october the twenty-fifth the robe.htm

Whether Irony is a Less Grievous Sin than Boasting?
... Sometimes, however, it happens that a man belittles himself for some other motive,
for instance that he may deceive cunningly: and then irony is more grievous. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether irony is a less.htm

Whether Both Clemency and Meekness are virtues?
... because it is more natural to man to desire vengeance for injuries done to him,
than to be lacking in that desire, since "scarcely anyone belittles an injury ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether both clemency and meekness.htm

Proof from Scripture that the Spirit is Called Lord.
... who calls Scripture "God-inspired," [1166] because it was written through the
inspiration of the Spirit, use the language of one who insults and belittles Him? ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/chapter xxi proof from scripture.htm

Jefferson -- the Reconciliation
... There is no interpretation of the Christian religion that has in it redeeming
power which ignores or belittles the death of Christ. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/jefferson the reconciliation.htm

The Misery of Man Without God
... The imagination enlarges little objects so as to fill our souls with a fantastic
estimate; and, with rash insolence, it belittles the great to its own measure ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section ii the misery of.htm

Belittles (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Belittles (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 11:12 He who has a
poor opinion of his neighbour has no sense, but a wise man keeps quiet. ...
/b/belittles.htm - 6k

Bell (3 Occurrences)

/b/bell.htm - 10k

Believing (84 Occurrences)

/b/believing.htm - 30k

Mark (182 Occurrences)
... Lord. But Paul, not Mark, may be there in mind, and further, this
interpretation rather belittles Mark's association with Peter. ...
/m/mark.htm - 93k

According (7613 Occurrences)
... Lord. But Paul, not Mark, may be there in mind, and further, this
interpretation rather belittles Mark's association with Peter. ...
/a/according.htm - 62k

Gospel (108 Occurrences)

/g/gospel.htm - 101k

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