I’m Kayla, and I actually did this (the full back-story lives here). I set a timer. I made coffee. I read a few verses each morning for a month. My dog slept at my feet. I didn’t plan to feel much. I was wrong.
You know what? This topic isn’t cozy. But it’s clear. And it made me sit up straighter.
Why I Did This (And Kind of Didn’t Want To)
A friend asked me to lead a small group. The topic was judgment and mercy. I said yes before I thought it through. Then we had a funeral at church. Grief makes big words feel small. I needed real words. So I turned to the verses that talk about hell.
I used my beat-up study Bible (ESV), and sometimes I checked the NIV. I kept a small notebook with dates, notes, and my questions. Nothing fancy. Just steady reading.
The Verses That Hit Hard
These are real verses I read, with short quotes that stuck with me:
- Matthew 10:28 — “Fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
- Matthew 25:46 — “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
- Mark 9:47–48 — “…to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’”
- Luke 16:23–24 — The rich man “in Hades… in torment” asks for water to cool his tongue.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:9 — “They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord.”
- Revelation 20:14–15 — “The lake of fire… if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life.”
- Revelation 21:8 — “Their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur.”
- 2 Peter 2:4 — “God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell.”
- Jude 7 — “A punishment of eternal fire.”
- Romans 6:23 — “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life.”
A quick note that helped me: the Bible uses words like Sheol/Hades for the place of the dead, and Gehenna for final judgment. I wrote that on a Post-it and stuck it on my lamp.
If you’re looking for a wider catalogue of references, this curated list of hell Bible verses was one of the tools I bookmarked for quick cross-checks.
What I Liked (Yes, “Liked” Is A Weird Word Here)
- It’s honest. The Bible doesn’t wink at evil. It names it and warns us.
- It ties justice and mercy together. Matthew 25:46 puts both in one line.
- Jesus talks about this with weight and tears, not with smug smiles. That matters.
- It made me grateful for grace. Romans 6:23 felt like cool water after a hard run.
What Was Hard (And Honestly Scary)
- The images are harsh. Fire. Darkness. Shut out. I had to pause.
- I felt a knot in my chest when I read Luke 16 at night. It felt close.
- Some words are heavy to explain to kids. I had to pick gentle, true language.
- Part of me wanted to skip it. I didn’t. I took breaks and took walks.
How I Actually Used This In Real Life
- Morning routine: two short passages, slow reading, one line in my notebook. Coffee helped.
- Small group: I read Matthew 25:31–46 aloud, then we sat in quiet for one minute. The room changed.
- Family chat: I texted my brother 2 Thessalonians 1:9 with a note, “This is why grace isn’t cheap.”
- Prayer: I prayed for names. I kept it simple: “God, save. God, help me live true.”
I even tried a timer trick. Five minutes reading, one minute rest, two minutes to write one sentence. Small steps kept me steady.
The Parts That Surprised Me
I thought these verses would only scare me. They did some. But they also made life feel sharp and precious. Food tasted better after reading about loss. Hugs lasted longer. I know that sounds odd. It’s true.
And this might sound like a contradiction: hell verses gave me hope. Not a soft hope. A strong one. If judgment is real, then evil won’t have the last word. That line sat beside the verses about victory I’d read earlier and felt like a promise. That helped me sleep.
Quick FAQ You Didn’t Ask But Might Need
- Is hell forever? Matthew 25:46 says “eternal” for both punishment and life. I wrote a big question mark. I sat with it. The text is strong.
- Is God harsh? Read John 3:16 next to Revelation 20. You’ll feel the tension and the love.
- What about justice for victims? These verses say God takes harm seriously. If anger over hurt pushes you toward payback, you might appreciate this candid look at Bible verses about revenge.
For a deeper, balanced dive into these themes, the concise study guide at Barnabas.net helped me see judgment and grace side by side.
Who This Is For
- If you’re hurting and want evil to matter.
- If you’re curious but afraid.
- If you lead a class or small group and need words that hold.
- If you’re drifting and want a wake-up call that isn’t cheesy.
Tips If You Try This
- Read Jesus first: Matthew 10, 18, and 25; Mark 9; Luke 16.
- Pair heavy lines with hope lines: Romans 6:23; John 3:16; 1 John 1:9.
- Take walks. Let your brain breathe.
- Don’t read alone if it feels too heavy. Call someone you trust.
- Write one clear takeaway each day. Keep it short: “God is holy. Life is short. Grace is real.”
Side note: after weeks of reading about eternal consequences, I noticed how quickly some people swing to the opposite extreme—chasing something immediate, physical, and uncomplicated just to feel alive for a moment. If that curiosity ever crosses your mind, you can glance at ce guide pratique pour un plan cul gratuit—it lays out straightforward tips for arranging no-strings-attached meet-ups, showing just how fast-paced and fleeting the purely physical route can be. In fact, for anyone near the Massachusetts coast who wonders how those spur-of-the-moment connections are brokered in a real-world setting, the local listings at Bedpage Quincy provide an unfiltered snapshot of casual ads and logistics, letting you see first-hand how easy—and temporary—such arrangements tend to be.
For another compact overview that balances both destinations, I found the selection of 10 Bible verses about heaven and hell helpful when I needed a snapshot to share with friends.
My Verdict (The Plain Truth)
Would I do this again? Yes. Not every day. But yes.
These verses were like a fire alarm. Loud, a bit harsh, but meant to save lives. I didn’t feel crushed. I felt sobered and loved at the same time. That mix is rare.
If you read them, read slow. Let them do their work. And hold tight to the cross while you do. I did. It made all the difference.
— Kayla Sox