Understanding what the Bible says about wickedness is important for every Christian. These verses help us recognize and resist evil in our daily lives. Join us as we explore key scriptures that shed light on the nature of wickedness and encourage us to stay true to God’s path.
Bible Verses About Wickedness
Proverbs 21:15 – Justice brings joy while wickedness brings despair
“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”
Psalm 37:1 – Do not fret over the prosperity of the wicked
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong.”
Romans 12:21 – Overcoming evil with good is a divine principle
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Galatians 6:7 – What we sow, we will also reap, a reminder of consequences
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
Proverbs 4:14-15 – Avoid the path of wickedness
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.”
Isaiah 33:14 – The fear of the wicked is founded on judgment
“The sinners in Zion are terrified; trembling grips the godless. ‘Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?’”
Isaiah 59:7 – The wicked are characterized by their destructive ways
“Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are evil thoughts; ruin and destruction mark their ways.”
Proverbs 12:5 – The plans of the righteous stand in stark contrast to the wicked
“The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceiving.”
Psalm 1:6 – The fate of the wicked is distinct from the righteous
“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”
Micah 3:2 – The wicked exploit their power
“You who hate good and love evil; who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones.”
Proverbs 10:24 – The wickedness of the wicked will return upon them
“What the wicked dread will overtake them; what the righteous desire will be granted.”
Job 8:20 – The fate of the wicked is revealed through their actions
“Surely God does not reject one who is blameless or strengthen the hands of evildoers.”
Romans 1:32 – The consequences of wickedness extend beyond the individual
“Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”
Psalm 34:21 – The wicked ultimately face the consequences of their deeds
“Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.”
Proverbs 11:21 – The wicked will not go unpunished
“Be assured that the wicked will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.”
Joel 3:15 – The day of the Lord reveals the fate of the wicked
“The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.”
Ezekiel 18:30 – Turning from wicked ways is essential for life
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses so sin will not be your downfall.”
Psalm 11:5 – The Lord hates the wicked and their violence
“The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.”
Proverbs 28:5 – Understanding will evade the wicked
“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.”
Sophoni 3:5 – The Lord is just, and evil cannot stand in His sight
“The Lord within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his judgment; every new day he does not fail.”
Proverbs 14:19 – The righteous will ultimately see triumph over the wicked
“The evil will bow down before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous.”
1 Peter 3:12 – The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, not the wicked
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
Revelation 21:8 – The fate of the wicked is sealed
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”
Psalm 37:12-13 – The wicked plot against the righteous in vain
“The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.”
Proverbs 6:12-15 – The wicked are characterized by their deceit
“A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth; who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers.”
2 Thessalonians 2:8 – Wickedness will ultimately be destroyed by the Lord
“And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.”
Psalm 5:4 – God does not tolerate wickedness
“For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.”
1 John 5:19 – The whole world is under the control of the wicked one
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
Proverbs 29:27 – The path of the righteous is opposed to the wicked
“The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.”
Exodus 23:7 – Keep far away from false matters
“Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.”
Matthew 7:17 – Good trees bear good fruit, wicked trees bear evil fruit
“Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Assurance
What Does the Bible Say About Wickedness?
Throughout the scriptures, wickedness is depicted as the antithesis of righteousness. It represents a departure from God’s ways and often leads to destructive outcomes.
In many parts of the Old Testament, we find numerous examples of wickedness and its consequences. Stories like those of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis) illustrate that persistent wickedness brings about divine judgment. The people in these stories turned away from God’s commandments, engaging in actions that opposed His will. As a result, they faced severe consequences.
The Bible also uses prophets to warn nations and individuals about the dangers of wickedness. For instance, in the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah, we read of God’s messages being delivered to the Israelites, urging them to turn from their wicked ways or face dire repercussions. The prophets emphasize that wickedness separates us from God, leading to spiritual and sometimes physical ruin.
In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of wickedness tying it closely to the condition of the heart. He points out that wicked thoughts and actions stem from an impure heart, which needs transformation (Gospels). Jesus consistently calls for repentance, urging us to abandon our wicked ways and seek God’s righteousness.
The Apostle Paul also writes about the nature of wickedness in his various epistles. He describes it as living in opposition to the Spirit. Paul contrasts works of the flesh—such as hatred, jealousy, and fits of rage—with the fruit of the Spirit, which include love, peace, and kindness (Galatians). He teaches that wicked behavior not only corrupts us individually but can also harm the community of believers.
Moreover, the Bible encourages us to shun wickedness and instead pursue justice, kindness, and humility. The Book of Psalms, in particular, offers comfort and encouragement to those who suffer because of the wickedness of others, assuring us that God sees all and will ultimately act justly.
In conclusion, the Bible not only outlines the nature and consequences of wickedness but also provides us with a path toward redemption. It calls us to examine our hearts, turn from wicked ways, and seek a life led by the Spirit, characterized by love, compassion, and humility.