The principle of karma—”what goes around, comes around”—is well known. But does the Bible endorse this concept? Many are curious whether the Bible agrees with the concept of karma or if it offers a different view of justice and retribution. Let’s look at Bible Quotes About Karma and see what the Scriptures really have to say.
What is Karma? A Biblical Perspective
Karma, a Hindu and Buddhist belief, holds that what a person does will ultimately decide his or her reward or punishment. Contrarily, God is the final arbiter in the Bible, and even though our deeds bear consequences, God’s will is what drives divine justice, not an impersonal power.
Bible Verses:
Job 4:8 – “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.”
Proverbs 22:8 – “Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail.”
Matthew 7:12 – “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.”
Psalm 37:27-28 – “Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones.”
Does the Bible Support the Idea of Karma?
Though the Bible does recognize that actions have consequences, it does not subscribe to karma as a universal principle. Rather, Scripture focuses on divine justice, mercy, and grace. The Bible also says that repentance and faith in God can bring forgiveness, which is contrary to the rigid cause-and-effect quality of karma.
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Bible Verses:
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Ezekiel 18:20 – “The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child.”
James 2:13 – “Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
Deuteronomy 32:4 – “He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just.”
Matthew 5:7 – “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
Bible Quotes About Karma: Verses on Justice and Retribution
Here are some key Bible verses that relate to justice and retribution:
Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Proverbs 11:31 – “If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!”
Romans 12:19 – “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.”
Ecclesiastes 12:14 – “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Psalm 1:6 – “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”
Sowing and Reaping: The Biblical Law of Cause and Effect
The Bible instructs the law of sowing and reaping, which might sound like karma. But whereas karma suggests an automatic process, the Bible frames this law in the context of God’s divine plan.
Hosea 8:7 – “They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.”
2 Corinthians 9:6 – “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
Proverbs 14:14 – “The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good rewarded for theirs.”
Jeremiah 17:10 – “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct.”
Psalm 126:5 – “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
God’s Justice vs. Karma: Understanding Divine Retribution
One of the greatest contrasts between karma and justice in the Bible is that God’s justice is personal and just. Karma postulates an automatic system of balancing, whereas the Bible says God weighs each person separately and pronounces judgment but also gives grace.
Psalm 9:8 – “He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.”
Isaiah 30:18 – “Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion.”
Nahum 1:3 – “The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”
Zechariah 7:9 – “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.'”
Deuteronomy 16:20 – “Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Conclusion
The Bible does not instruct us in karma as a universal law. Rather, it instructs that God is the one who sees that justice is served. Actions have consequences, but God’s mercy provides an opportunity for redemption. Living according to biblical principles, we can believe in God’s justice and not in a system of reward and punishment that is impersonal.
FAQ’s
Does the Bible directly mention karma?
No, the Bible does not reference karma but does discuss justice, sowing and reaping, and judgment by God.
What is the difference between karma and biblical justice?
Karma implies a mechanical cause-and-effect process, whereas biblical justice is personally dispensed by God with possibilities for forgiveness and mercy.
Can a person change their fate in Christianity?
Yes, by repentance and belief in God, an individual can be forgiven and alter their destiny, compared to the strict structure of karma.
What does the Bible say about revenge?
The Bible instructs us that vengeance is God’s, and we should not take it upon ourselves to revenge (Romans 12:19).
