Whether it’s through our words, actions, or attitudes, bad behavior can creep into our lives. The Bible offers clear guidance on how to overcome negative behavior and live a life that reflects God’s goodness. Let’s explore verses that help us recognize and correct bad behavior, while encouraging us to walk in love and integrity.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Planning Ahead
Bible Verses About Bad Behavior
Proverbs 23:7 – Our thoughts determine our behavior
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” – Proverbs 23:7
Psalm 51:10 – God can transform our hearts and minds
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
Matthew 15:19 – Out of the heart comes evil behavior
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” – Matthew 15:19
Galatians 5:19-21 – The works of the flesh lead to bad behavior
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like.” – Galatians 5:19-21
James 1:14-15 – Temptation leads to sin and death
“but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:14-15
Colossians 3:8 – We must rid ourselves of sinful behavior
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” – Colossians 3:8
Proverbs 22:24-25 – Do not associate with those who have bad behavior
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” – Proverbs 22:24-25
James 4:17 – Knowing what is right and not doing it is bad behavior
“Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” – James 4:17
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad company corrupts good character
“Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32
Matthew 12:36-37 – We will be judged by our words and actions
“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Matthew 12:36-37
Proverbs 20:9 – Even a child is known by their actions
“Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin’? Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?” – Proverbs 20:9
Galatians 6:7-8 – We will reap what we sow in terms of behavior
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” – Galatians 6:7-8
2 Timothy 2:22 – Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness
“So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” – 2 Timothy 2:22
1 Peter 4:3-4 – We should no longer live in debauchery and bad behavior
“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.” – 1 Peter 4:3-4
Titus 3:3 – Before knowing Christ, we were enslaved to bad behavior
“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” – Titus 3:3
Romans 13:13-14 – Put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light
“Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” – Romans 13:13-14
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – In the last days, people will exhibit bad behavior
“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” – 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Isaiah 32:6 – Foolish behavior leads to devious actions
“For fools speak folly, their hearts are bent on evil: They practice ungodliness and spread error concerning the LORD; the hungry they leave empty and from the thirsty they withhold water.” – Isaiah 32:6
Matthew 7:15 – Beware of false prophets who exhibit bad behavior
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” – Matthew 7:15
Proverbs 20:11 – Even a child is known by their actions
“Even small children are known by their actions, so is their conduct really pure and upright?” – Proverbs 20:11
Psalm 101:3 – Our behavior should align with God’s standards
“I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.” – Psalm 101:3
Proverbs 21:29 – The wicked boast about their bad behavior
“The wicked boast about their evil desires; the greedy . . . curse and reject the LORD.” – Proverbs 21:29
1 Peter 2:11 – Abstain from sinful desires and bad behavior
“Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.” – 1 Peter 2:11
Matthew 12:33-34 – A tree is known by its fruit, and our behavior reveals our heart
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. . . . For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” – Matthew 12:33-34
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 – We are washed, sanctified, and justified from our former bad behavior
“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Titus 2:7-8 – Show integrity, seriousness, and soundness of speech
“In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.” – Titus 2:7-8
Proverbs 16:29 – A troublemaker sows discord and leads to bad behavior
“A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.” – Proverbs 16:29
Philippians 2:3 – Consider others better than ourselves to avoid bad behavior
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
1 Peter 3:16-17 – Living a good life can silence the accusations against us
“Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” – 1 Peter 3:16-17
Ephesians 5:3-4 – Avoid any hint of sexual immorality, impurity, or greed
“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” – Ephesians 5:3-4
Proverbs 22:15 – Folly is bound up in the heart of a child
“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.” – Proverbs 22:15
Philippians 4:8 – Think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” – Philippians 4:8
James 3:13 – Show wisdom through good behavior and humbleness
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” – James 3:13
Ephesians 4:22-24 – Our behavior should reflect our new nature in Christ
“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24
Proverbs 13:20 – Walk with the wise and avoid the company of fools
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” – Proverbs 13:20
1 Timothy 4:12 – Set an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12
Colossians 3:5 – Put to death behavior that is earthly and sinful
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5
Romans 6:12-13 – Do not let sin reign in your mortal body or obey its evil desires
“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.” – Romans 6:12-13
Titus 1:16 – Bad behavior can deny God and be detestable and disobedient
“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.” – Titus 1:16
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived by bad company
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Proverbs 13:20 – Walk with the wise and become wise
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” – Proverbs 13:20
1 Peter 3:15 – Be prepared to explain your behavior and faith with gentleness and respect
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – 1 Peter 3:15
Proverbs 4:23 – Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
Proverbs 10:17 – Accept discipline as a path to wisdom and good behavior
“Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.” – Proverbs 10:17
Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine through good behavior
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
Proverbs 11:20 – The behavior of the wicked will ultimately lead to their downfall
“The LORD detests those whose hearts are perverse, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.” – Proverbs 11:20
Matthew 5:37 – Let your yes be yes and your no be no
“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” – Matthew 5:37
Proverbs 28:18 – Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered
“The one who walks with integrity will be safe, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” – Proverbs 28:18
Proverbs 29:11 – A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person keeps themselves under control
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.” – Proverbs 29:11
1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Proverbs 12:4 – A wife’s behavior can build up or tear down her household
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.” – Proverbs 12:4
Romans 12:2 – Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
Proverbs 13:24 – Discipline your children to save them from bad behavior
“Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” – Proverbs 13:24