Staying away from harmful influences is a common theme in the Bible. Here, we’ll explore how Scripture guides us to avoid evil and pursue a path of righteousness.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Two In Agreement
What Does The Bible Say About Staying Away From Evil
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.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of staying away from the path of the wicked and avoiding the company of evildoers. It urges us to actively turn away from and reject evil, choosing instead to follow the path of righteousness.
By distancing ourselves from evil influences, we safeguard our hearts, minds, and souls from being corrupted. This verse teaches us the importance of making deliberate choices to steer clear of evil, maintaining our integrity, and living according to God’s commands.
1 Thessalonians 5:22
“Abstain from every form of evil.”
This verse provides a straightforward instruction to abstain from any form of evil. It urges us to exercise discernment and to deliberately distance ourselves from anything that is contrary to God’s righteous standards.
Abstaining from evil requires a conscious effort to reject and avoid any thoughts, actions, or influences that may lead us astray. It encourages us to live in line with God’s holiness and to constantly pursue a life that is pleasing to Him.
Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
This verse highlights various forms of evil that are detestable to God. It serves as a warning and a reminder of the behaviors and attitudes that we should actively avoid and steer clear of.
By identifying and detesting these evil actions, we are called to pursue righteousness, truth, and peace. We should strive to have pure intentions, honest speech, and genuine love for others, resisting the temptation to engage in conflict or deceitful practices.
2 Timothy 2:22
“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
This verse commands us to flee from evil desires and actively pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. It encourages us to find strength and support among fellow believers who also seek to live in accordance with God’s will.
By actively fleeing from evil and pursuing godly virtues, we can guard ourselves against the temptations and snares of the enemy. This verse challenges us to intentionally surround ourselves with those who share our commitment to holiness and encourage us to live upright lives.
James 4:7
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of submitting ourselves to God and resisting the influence of the devil. When we align ourselves with God’s will and stand firm against the temptations and attacks of the enemy, we can experience victory and freedom from evil.
Resisting evil requires active participation and dependence on God’s strength. By submitting to Him and relying on His power, we can overcome the schemes of the devil and live lives that bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:29-30
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”
This verse uses vivid imagery to illustrate the seriousness of remaining steadfast and avoiding evil. It emphasizes that we must be willing to make radical sacrifices and take drastic measures to prevent ourselves from stumbling and falling into sin.
In order to stay away from evil, we must be willing to detach ourselves from anything that leads us astray, even if it means letting go of things we hold dear. This verse emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our spiritual well-being above all else.
Proverbs 16:17
“The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.”
This verse highlights the importance of choosing the path of righteousness instead of engaging in evil. Those who strive to walk in integrity and righteousness will steer clear of evil, protecting their lives from its destructive consequences.
Actively guarding our ways and choosing to avoid evil allows us to experience the abundant life that God desires for us. It brings protection, blessings, and peace as we navigate this journey with a heart that seeks to honor Him in all we do.
Romans 12:9
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
This verse calls us to have genuine and sincere love that despises evil and clings to what is good. It encourages us to recognize the stark contrast between the two and to make intentional choices based on God’s standards of morality and righteousness.
As followers of Christ, we are called to embody love that is grounded in truth and righteousness. By hating evil and embracing goodness, we reflect God’s character and contribute to the building of a society marked by justice, love, and compassion.
Psalm 34:14
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”
This verse presents a holistic approach to staying away from evil. It encourages us to actively turn away from evil, while also actively pursuing good, seeking peace, and cultivating a life that is pleasing to God.
By turning away from evil and embracing the good, we become agents of change, spreading God’s love and bringing transformation to the world around us. This verse encourages us to be intentional in our choices and to actively contribute to the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth.
Proverbs 3:7
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.”
This verse admonishes us to humble ourselves and rely on God’s wisdom rather than our own understanding. It reminds us that true wisdom involves fearing the Lord and intentionally avoiding anything that is contrary to His nature.
By acknowledging God’s sovereignty and wisdom, we are compelled to shun evil and align our lives with His commands. This verse teaches us that a posture of humility and reverence for God leads to a life marked by righteousness and discernment.
Psalm 97:10
“Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”
This verse reminds us of the close connection between loving God and hating evil. It assures us that as we love the Lord and align ourselves with Him, He will protect and deliver us from the influence and harm of the wicked.
Our love for God compels us to wholeheartedly reject evil and strive for righteousness. This verse affirms that God is faithful to guard and deliver those who love Him, ensuring that evil will not prevail over their lives.
Psalm 101:3
“I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.”
This verse expresses a strong commitment to holy living and a refusal to be enticed by anything that is vile or faithless. It emphasizes the importance of guarding our hearts and minds, being intentional in our choices, and distancing ourselves from evil influences.
By having a discerning heart that hates evil, we set ourselves apart for God’s purposes and honor Him in all areas of our lives. This verse challenges us to have a zero-tolerance policy towards evil and to actively pursue a life that is pleasing to God.
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.””
This verse serves as a warning about the influence of the company we keep. It reminds us that the people we surround ourselves with can have a significant impact on our character and ultimately on our ability to stay away from evil.
To safeguard our hearts and minds, we need to be discerning and intentional about the relationships we cultivate. This verse challenges us to choose wisely and to seek out companions who will encourage and inspire us to live lives that honor God.
Isaiah 1:16-17
“Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
This verse emphasizes the need for repentance and transformation in order to stay away from evil. It calls us to actively turn away from our sinful ways and to adopt a lifestyle characterized by righteousness, justice, and care for the vulnerable.
Seeking to do right involves not only avoiding evil but also actively pursuing acts of compassion, justice, and service. This verse challenges us to align our actions with God’s heart and to become agents of His mercy and love in a broken world.
1 Peter 3:11
“They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
This verse reiterates the importance of actively turning away from evil and intentionally pursuing good. It underscores the need to actively seek out and contribute to the establishment of peace in our interactions and relationships.
As followers of Christ, our lives should reflect His character of love, mercy, and reconciliation. This verse encourages us to be agents of peace and righteousness in a world filled with conflict and brokenness, actively working towards the restoration and healing of broken relationships.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
This verse calls us to resist the temptation to repay evil with evil or to seek revenge. Instead, it urges us to actively seek opportunities to do good and to promote the well-being of others, regardless of how they may treat us.
By choosing to respond with goodness and love, we break the cycle of evil and contribute to the establishment of a culture that values forgiveness and reconciliation. This verse challenges us to rise above our natural inclinations and to demonstrate the transformative power of Christ’s love in our interactions with others.
Romans 16:19
“Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.”
This verse encourages us to be wise and discerning, having a deep understanding of what is good and remaining innocent and untainted by evil. It acknowledges the importance of cultivating a heart that is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and guarded against the influence of evil.
While we live in a world filled with evil, this verse challenges us to maintain our purity of heart and to be vigilant over what we allow into our minds and lives. By staying rooted in God’s truth, we can navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and integrity.
Job 28:28
“And he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.””
This verse proclaims the fear of the Lord as the foundation of wisdom and understanding. It reveals that true wisdom is found in acknowledging God’s authority and actively turning away from evil.
When we fear the Lord and shun evil, we align ourselves with His truth and establish a firm foundation for our lives. This verse highlights that the pursuit of wisdom involves not only acquiring knowledge but also actively living in obedience to God’s commands.
Ephesians 5:11
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.”
This verse urges us to have no association or involvement with the works of darkness, which encompass all forms of evil. It challenges us to live lives that expose and confront the darkness, bringing it into the light of God’s truth.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be a light in the midst of darkness, actively shining God’s truth and love into every aspect of our lives. This verse reminds us that our commitment to holiness involves taking a stand against evil and actively promoting righteousness and justice.
Psalm 119:101
“I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.”
This verse testifies to the psalmist’s commitment to staying away from evil in order to obey God’s Word. It acknowledges that a life of obedience to God requires intentional choices to distance oneself from anything that contradicts His commands.
Keeping our feet from every evil path involves actively guarding our thoughts, actions, and associations. This verse challenges us to align our lives with God’s truth and to walk in integrity and holiness, demonstrating our love for Him through our obedience.
Colossians 3:5-7
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.”
This verse provides a strong admonition to put to death the sinful behaviors and desires that are associated with our earthly nature. It emphasizes the need to actively reject and distance ourselves from the evil impulses and temptations that once characterized our lives.
By intentionally choosing to crucify our old sinful nature, we align ourselves with Christ and experience His transformative power. This verse challenges us to constantly evaluate our thoughts, actions, and motives, ensuring that they are in line with God’s holy standards.
Psalm 97:10
“Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.”
This verse reminds us of the close connection between loving God and hating evil. It assures us that as we love the Lord and align ourselves with Him, He will protect and deliver us from the influence and harm of the wicked.
Our love for God compels us to wholeheartedly reject evil and strive for righteousness. This verse affirms that God is faithful to guard and deliver those who love Him, ensuring that evil will not prevail over their lives.
Psalm 34:13
“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of guarding our speech and refraining from engaging in evil communication. It reminds us that our words have the power to build up or tear down, to encourage or discourage, and to bring life or death.
By intentionally keeping our tongues from evil, we demonstrate wisdom and righteousness. This verse challenges us to use our words to bring glory to God and to edify and encourage others, reflecting the love and grace that we have received from Him.
Ephesians 4:27
“and do not give the devil a foothold.”
This verse serves as a reminder that we should not let the devil gain a foothold in our lives. It warns against allowing any space for evil to take root and exert influence over our thoughts, behaviors, and attitudes.
To stay away from evil, we need to be vigilant and proactive in resisting the enemy’s schemes and temptations. This verse challenges us to guard our hearts and minds, taking every thought captive to obey Christ and preventing the enemy from gaining any ground in our lives.