The presence of evil and wickedness in the world can be disheartening, but the Bible offers insight, guidance, and hope. Join us on a profound exploration of verses about evil and wicked people. Discover the call to righteousness, the triumph of good over evil, and the assurance that justice will prevail in the end, empowering us to navigate a broken world with unwavering faith and steadfast love.
Bible Verses about Evil and Wicked People
Proverbs 6:12-15
“A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, winking with his eyes, speaking with his feet, signaling with his fingers. Perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord. Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; Instantly he will be broken without remedy.”
This passage vividly describes the character of a wicked person, detailing not only their actions but the intent behind them. The text emphasizes the consequences of such behavior – a sudden and irreversible downfall. The purpose is to dissuade individuals from adopting such behavior, as it promotes discord and leads to personal ruin.
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.”
In Romans, the Apostle Paul advises against taking vengeance into our own hands. Despite the wickedness we may encounter, it’s important to maintain our own integrity and not mirror the actions of the unjust. This passage emphasizes faith in divine justice, reminding us that it’s God’s prerogative to administer retribution.
Psalm 34:21
“Evil will slay the wicked; The foes of the righteous will be condemned.”
Here, the Psalmist provides a stark warning about the self-destructive nature of evil. The verse suggests that those who choose to engage in wickedness ultimately bring about their own demise. It reaffirms the concept of divine justice and offers reassurance to the righteous, asserting their adversaries will face condemnation.
Ephesians 6:12
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
This verse reminds us of the spiritual dimension of wickedness and evil. It’s a call to acknowledge the spiritual warfare that permeates our physical world. Ephesians admonishes us not to blame individuals for the evil we encounter, instead recognizing the unseen forces at work, inciting this wickedness.
Proverbs 4:14-15
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.”
Here, the book of Proverbs implores us to consciously avoid the path of wickedness. It emphasizes the importance of vigilance and intentional choice in our actions. Walking a path of righteousness isn’t merely about avoiding sin, but actively choosing to distance ourselves from wickedness.
Psalm 37:1-2
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.”
The Psalmist exhorts us not to worry about or envy the wicked, even if they seem prosperous now. The metaphor of the grass, which withers quickly, serves as a reminder of the transient nature of worldly gains attained through wickedness. The focus here is on maintaining a spiritual perspective, understanding that earthly success doesn’t guarantee eternal prosperity.
Galatians 6:7
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
In Galatians, Paul warns us that no one can cheat God’s laws, highlighting the principle of divine justice. This verse echoes the concept of karma found in other religions, emphasizing that our actions, good or bad, eventually come back to us. It’s a powerful caution against wickedness and an encouragement towards righteous living.
Matthew 7:21-23
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Jesus warns against hypocrisy in this verse, explaining that mere outward declarations of faith aren’t sufficient to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. One must live according to God’s will, which involves refraining from wickedness. This underscores the importance of genuine faith translated into action over empty words.
1 John 3:8
“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
John starkly distinguishes between those who practice righteousness and those who habitually sin, attributing persistent wickedness to the influence of the devil. This verse also emphasizes the redemptive purpose of Christ’s coming – to destroy the works of the devil, offering hope to those ensnared by persistent sin.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James offers a strategy for combating wickedness: submission to God and active resistance against evil. By aligning ourselves with God and standing firm against the devil, we can overcome wickedness. This verse provides both encouragement and a practical approach for believers in their struggle against evil.
1 Peter 5:8
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Peter’s words highlight the necessity of constant vigilance against evil. The imagery of the devil as a prowling lion underscores the danger and the active nature of wickedness. It’s a sobering reminder that the struggle against evil is continuous and requires our full engagement.
Proverbs 21:15
“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”
This verse from Proverbs emphasizes the consequences of actions, aligning joy with righteousness and terror with wickedness. The concept of justice is paramount, serving as a deterrent against evil and a motivation for virtuous conduct. It’s a profound commentary on the emotional repercussions of one’s ethical choices.
2 Timothy 3:13
“While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Paul’s warning to Timothy illustrates the progressive nature of wickedness. The verse illuminates how evil can become a self-deceiving cycle, leading individuals further away from truth. It’s an admonition about the slippery slope of sin, urging believers to guard themselves against deceit.
Also Read: 20 Bible Verses about Bearing Children (With Commentary)
Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
In this concise but powerful verse, Paul prescribes the antidote to evil: good. He challenges believers to actively combat wickedness with acts of goodness. It’s a call to action and positivity, stressing the transformative power of benevolent deeds in countering evil.
Psalm 10:2-4
“In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor; let them be caught in the schemes that they have devised. For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord.”
This passage presents a grim portrait of wickedness, characterized by arrogance, greed, and lack of compassion for the poor. It delivers a powerful message about the pitfalls of pride and greed, warning that the wicked will be ensnared by their own schemes.
Psalm 73:12-14
“Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches. All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence. For all the day long I have been stricken and rebuked every morning.”
The Psalmist wrestles with the seeming prosperity of the wicked and his own sufferings despite living righteously. This lament resonates with anyone who’s questioned the apparent unfairness of life. Yet, it’s also an expression of faith, a candid dialogue with God about the struggles of maintaining integrity amidst evil.
2 Thessalonians 3:2
“And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith.”
Paul asks for prayer for deliverance from wickedness and evil, acknowledging that not everyone chooses to live by faith. This verse not only encourages prayer for protection but also underscores the importance of community in supporting one another, especially when faced with evil.
Matthew 13:49-50
“So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus, using the metaphor of the final harvest, vividly describes the ultimate fate of the wicked, reinforcing the idea of divine justice. Despite the apparent success of the wicked in this life, the verse assures us of their ultimate condemnation, thus encouraging steadfastness in righteousness.
Proverbs 10:7
“The name of the righteous is used in blessings, but the name of the wicked will rot.”
The Proverbs contrast the lasting impact of righteous versus wicked lives. The righteous are remembered with blessings, while the wicked are forgotten, their names decaying like their bodies. The verse encourages us to seek a legacy of blessings through righteous living.
Psalm 37:7-9
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
This Psalm offers a practical and spiritual strategy for dealing with the wicked: patience, stillness, and hope in the Lord. It urges believers to resist anger and refrain from worrying about the apparent success of the wicked. It affirms the eventual destruction of the wicked and the reward of the righteous.
Job 21:7-13
“Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes. Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not on them… They spend their years in prosperity and go down to the grave in peace.”
Job laments the prosperity of the wicked, questioning the apparent absence of divine punishment. His complaint reflects the human struggle to reconcile the reality of wickedness with the belief in a just God. It’s an honest grappling with faith, resonating with all who have questioned life’s seeming injustices.
Ezekiel 33:11
“Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?'”
God’s message through Ezekiel reveals His heart for the wicked – not desiring their death but their repentance. This verse demonstrates God’s mercy and compassion, emphasizing His desire for restoration over retribution. It serves as a call to repentance for all who live in wickedness.
1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
Peter encourages believers to react to wickedness in a counterintuitive manner – by blessing instead of retaliation. This radical approach to evil mirrors Christ’s teachings and life, calling for a demonstration of grace even in the face of wickedness. The verse emphasizes the higher calling of believers to embody Christ-like love and forgiveness.
Luke 6:35-36
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
Jesus challenges his followers to extend love and mercy even to the wicked, mirroring God’s kindness towards them. This command to love one’s enemies is one of the most profound teachings of Christ, transforming the conventional response to evil and embodying the essence of divine grace.
Habakkuk 1:13
“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous? Why are you silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?”
The prophet Habakkuk questions God’s tolerance of wickedness and His apparent silence in the face of evil. This raw honesty showcases the depths of faith, where one can wrestle with divine justice and human wickedness. It resonates with all who have grappled with the paradox of a righteous God and a world filled with evil.