The concept of evil plays a significant role in Biblical teachings, serving as a contrast to divine goodness. The Bible provides a multifaceted exploration of evil, portraying its origins, manifestations, and ultimate defeat through God’s righteousness. This compilation of Bible verses offers insights into how evil is perceived in Scripture and God’s promises to deliver humanity from it. Each verse is accompanied by cross-references for further study and understanding.
Bible Verses about Evil
1. Genesis 6:5 – Humanity’s Wickedness
“The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.” – Genesis 6:5
Cross-References
Genesis 8:21 – “The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in His heart: ‘Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.'”
Romans 1:21 – “For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
2. Matthew 15:19 – Evil Thoughts and Actions
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” – Matthew 15:19
Cross-References
Jeremiah 7:9 – “‘Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known?”
James 1:14-15 – “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.”
Romans 1:29-31 – “They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.”
3. Romans 12:21 – Overcoming Evil with Good
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Romans 12:21
Cross-References
Proverbs 25:21-22 – “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
Matthew 5:44 – “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
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.”
4. Psalm 34:14 – Seeking Peace and Avoiding Evil
“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” – Psalm 34:14
Cross-References
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.”
Proverbs 3:7 – “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”
5. Proverbs 8:13 – Hating Evil
“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” – Proverbs 8:13
Cross-References
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.”
Job 28:28 – “And He said to the human race, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'”
6. 1 John 3:8 – The Devil’s Work
“The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” – 1 John 3:8
Cross-References
John 8:44 – “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning.”
Hebrews 2:14 – “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil.”
Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
7. James 4:7 – Resisting the Devil
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
Cross-References
1 Peter 5:8-9 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”
Ephesians 4:27 – “And do not give the devil a foothold.”
Matthew 4:10 – “Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’”
8. Ephesians 5:16 – Making the Most of Every Opportunity
“Making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:16
Cross-References
Colossians 4:5 – “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”
Romans 13:12 – “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud…”
9. Proverbs 3:7 – Shunning Evil
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” – Proverbs 3:7
Cross-References
Job 1:1 – “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.”
Psalm 111:10 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding.”
10. Isaiah 5:20 – Woe to Those Who Call Evil Good
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” – Isaiah 5:20
Cross-References
Proverbs 17:15 – “Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent—the Lord detests them both.”
Micah 3:2 – “You who hate good and love evil; who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones.”
11. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Refraining from Every Kind of Evil
“Reject every kind of evil.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Cross-References
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.”
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.”
Psalm 37:27 – “Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.”
12. Galatians 5:19-21 – The Acts of the Flesh
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21
Cross-References
Ephesians 5:3-5 – “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.”
Colossians 3:5-6 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed…”
13. Proverbs 4:27 – Staying Steadfast on God’s Path
“Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” – Proverbs 4:27
Cross-References
Deuteronomy 5:32 – “So be careful to do what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn aside to the right or to the left.”
Joshua 1:7 – “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left…”
Psalm 119:101 – “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.”
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14. Matthew 6:13 – Deliverance from Evil
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” – Matthew 6:13
Cross-References
Luke 11:4 – “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.”
2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”
Psalm 121:7 – “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.”
15. Psalm 23:4 – Fear No Evil
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” – Psalm 23:4
Cross-References
Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 27:1 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
Romans 8:31 – “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
16. Ecclesiastes 9:3 – The Nature of Evil in Humanity
“This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of people, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead.” – Ecclesiastes 9:3
Cross-References
Genesis 6:5 – “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth…”
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
17. John 3:19 – Loving Darkness Instead of Light
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” – John 3:19
Cross-References
John 1:5 – “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
1 John 1:6 – “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”
18. Romans 7:19 – The Struggle with Evil
“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” – Romans 7:19
Cross-References
Galatians 5:17 – “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other…”
Romans 8:7 – “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”
James 4:1-3 – “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
19. 1 John 5:19 – The Whole World Under the Evil One
“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” – 1 John 5:19
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 4:4 – “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ…”
John 12:31 – “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”
Ephesians 2:2 – “You used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”
20. Micah 2:1 – Schemes of Evil
“Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.” – Micah 2:1
Cross-References
Psalm 36:4 – “Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong.”
Proverbs 6:16-18 – “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…”
21. Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s Plan Against Evil
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Cross-References
Proverbs 19:21 – “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Philippians 1:6 – “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
22. Proverbs 6:16-19 – Things God Hates
“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.” – Proverbs 6:16-19
Cross-References
Psalm 5:5 – “The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong.”
Zechariah 8:17 – “Do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 – “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters…”
23. 2 Timothy 3:13 – Evil People and Impostors
“While evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” – 2 Timothy 3:13
Cross-References
1 Timothy 4:1 – “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
2 Peter 2:1-2 – “But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies…”
Jude 1:4 – “For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality…”
24. Psalm 37:1 – Not Fret Over Evildoers
“Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong.” – Psalm 37:1
Cross-References
Proverbs 24:19 – “Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked.”
Psalm 73:3 – “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
Job 21:7 – “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?”
25. 1 Corinthians 13:6 – Rejoicing with the Truth
“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” – 1 Corinthians 13:6
Cross-References
Romans 12:9 – “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
2 John 1:4 – “It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.”
Philippians 4:8 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure…”
26. Habakkuk 1:13 – God’s Eyes on Evil
“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?” – Habakkuk 1:13
Cross-References
Psalm 5:4 – “For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.”
Isaiah 59:2 – “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.”
Revelation 22:15 – “Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers…”
27. Proverbs 12:20 – Deceit in the Heart
“Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.” – Proverbs 12:20
Cross-References
Psalm 28:3 – “Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.”
Isaiah 32:7 – “Scoundrels use wicked methods, they make up evil schemes to destroy the poor with lies…”
Romans 14:19 – “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.”
28. Psalm 119:133 – Ordering Steps
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.” – Psalm 119:133
Cross-References
Proverbs 16:9 – “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Jeremiah 10:23 – “Lord, I know that people’s lives are not their own; it is not for them to direct their steps.”
Psalm 37:23 – “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him.”
29. Proverbs 16:6 – Atonement Through Love
“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.” – Proverbs 16:6
Cross-References
Psalm 85:10 – “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
Hebrews 9:22 – “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
30. Titus 2:11-12 – Living Righteously
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” – Titus 2:11-12
Cross-References
Romans 6:12 – “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”
1 Peter 1:14-15 – “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.”
31. Isaiah 5:20 – Woe to Those who Redefine Evil
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.” – Isaiah 5:20
Cross-References
Amos 5:7 – “There are those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground.”
32. Romans 12:9 – Love Sincerely
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” – Romans 12:9
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 13:6 – “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”
Amos 5:15 – “Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts.”
1 Peter 3:11 – “They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
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Final Thoughts
The exploration of evil within the Bible provides profound insight into its impact on humanity and the divine plan to overcome it. From the warnings and depictions of evil deeds to the encouragement of righteous living, these verses reflect the Bible’s emphasis on turning away from evil and pursuing goodness. Throughout the Scriptures, a consistent theme emerges: those who cling to God and reject evil will find peace and salvation. These verses not only highlight the pervasiveness of evil but also illuminate the path to redemption through faith, obedience, and love. By referencing these scriptural truths, believers are reminded of the spiritual tools available to resist the schemes of the enemy and to witness the triumph of good over evil. As followers of Christ, the challenge and calling are to embody God’s righteousness, thereby influencing a world ravaged by the presence of evil, while trusting in His ultimate victory. This biblical journey naturally compels one towards an active pursuit of God’s goodness in every aspect of life.