The Bible addresses the reality of evil in the world and the presence of those who choose to follow wicked paths. Evil people are often characterized by their rejection of God’s ways, their pursuit of injustice, and their harmful actions toward others. Scripture provides wisdom on how to recognize and respond to such individuals, emphasizing the importance of remaining steadfast in righteousness while trusting in God’s justice. These verses offer guidance on dealing with evil people, reminding us of God’s sovereignty and His ultimate judgment. Here are 30 Bible verses about evil people, each with a brief commentary.
1. Psalm 34:21
“Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.”
This verse highlights the self-destructive nature of evil. Those who engage in wickedness ultimately bring about their own downfall. It reassures us that God’s justice will prevail, and the enemies of the righteous will face condemnation.
2. 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.”
These verses warn against associating with or following the ways of evil people. It advises us to avoid their path entirely, emphasizing the importance of staying true to the path of righteousness and not being influenced by wickedness.
3. 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.”
This verse teaches that vengeance belongs to God, not to us. It encourages us to trust in God’s justice rather than taking matters into our own hands, knowing that He will repay the evil deeds of others in His time.
4. 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.”
This verse reassures us that the prosperity of evil people is temporary. It encourages us not to be anxious or envious of their apparent success, for they will ultimately fade away, and their wickedness will lead to their downfall.
5. Proverbs 24:19-20
“Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.”
Similar to Psalm 37, this verse reminds us not to envy the wicked. Their seeming success is fleeting, and they have no lasting hope. The verse reassures us that God’s justice will extinguish the light of the wicked, bringing their actions to an end.
6. Psalm 1:6
“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”
This verse contrasts the outcomes of the righteous and the wicked. It emphasizes that while God protects and guides the righteous, the wicked are on a path that leads to destruction. This serves as a warning against choosing a life of evil.
7. Proverbs 6:12-15
“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, who plots evil with deceit in his heart—he always stirs up conflict. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy.”
These verses describe the characteristics of an evil person who constantly stirs up trouble. It warns that such behavior leads to sudden and irreversible destruction, emphasizing the inevitable consequences of living a life of deceit and malice.
8. Psalm 94:23
“He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them.”
This verse underscores God’s role as the ultimate judge who will repay the wicked for their sins. It reassures believers that God’s justice will prevail and that those who commit evil will face divine retribution.
9. Proverbs 16:4
“The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
This verse reveals that God has a purpose for everything, including the fate of the wicked. It suggests that even those who choose evil will ultimately fulfill God’s plan, facing disaster as a consequence of their choices.
10. Psalm 37:12-13
“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.”
This verse highlights the futility of the wicked’s schemes against the righteous. It reassures us that God is aware of their plans and that He will bring about their downfall at the appointed time, demonstrating His sovereignty over all.
11. Proverbs 28:5
“Evildoers do not understand what is right, but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.”
This verse contrasts the moral understanding of the wicked and the righteous. It suggests that evil people are blinded to what is right, while those who seek God gain true wisdom and understanding, allowing them to live according to His will.
12. Matthew 7:15-16
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.”
Jesus warns against those who appear good but are inwardly evil. This verse teaches us to discern people’s true character by their actions (their fruit), reminding us that evil can sometimes be disguised and that we must be vigilant.
13. Psalm 140:1-2
“Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.”
This prayer for protection acknowledges the reality of evil people who plot harm. It encourages us to seek God’s protection from those who would do us harm, trusting in His ability to deliver us from their schemes.
14. Proverbs 11:21
“Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.”
This verse assures us that the wicked will face punishment for their actions. It contrasts the fate of the wicked with that of the righteous, who will experience freedom, reinforcing the principle that God’s justice will prevail.
15. Romans 16:17-18
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”
Paul warns against those who cause division and deceive others for their own gain. This verse teaches us to be cautious of such individuals and to distance ourselves from them, recognizing that their actions are driven by selfish motives.
16. Psalm 37:35-36
“I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a luxuriant native tree, but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.”
This verse reflects on the fleeting nature of the wicked’s success. Though they may appear to flourish for a time, their end is swift, and they disappear without a trace. It reminds us that the prosperity of evil people is temporary.
17. Proverbs 12:20
“Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.”
This verse contrasts the deceitful hearts of those who engage in evil with the joy that comes from promoting peace. It highlights the inner corruption of evil people and the fulfillment that comes from living righteously.
18. Isaiah 5:20
“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.”
This verse condemns those who distort moral truths, labeling evil as good and vice versa. It serves as a warning against the perversion of justice and truth, emphasizing the importance of discernment and integrity in our judgments.
19. Psalm 37:7
“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.”
This verse encourages patience and trust in God’s timing, especially when confronted with the apparent success of evil people. It reminds us that God sees and will act in due time, and that we should not be troubled by the temporary victories of the wicked.
20. Proverbs 15:3
“The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.”
This verse reassures us that God is always watching, aware of both good and evil deeds. It reminds us that nothing escapes God’s notice, and that He will hold everyone accountable for their actions, both righteous and wicked.
21. 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, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
Paul warns of the characteristics of evil people in the last days and advises believers to avoid them. This passage lists the traits of those who oppose God and encourages us to distance ourselves from their influence, focusing instead on godliness and true faith.
22. Psalm 7:14-16
“Whoever is pregnant with evil conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment. Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made. The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads.”
This passage illustrates the principle of reaping what one sows. It warns that those who plot evil will ultimately suffer the consequences of their actions, emphasizing that wickedness leads to self-destruction.
23. Proverbs 21:10
“The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.”
This verse describes the relentless nature of the wicked, who are driven by a desire for evil and show no compassion to those around them. It highlights the harmful impact that evil people can have on their communities.
24. Psalm 37:17
“For the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.”
This verse reassures us that the strength of the wicked is temporary and will ultimately be broken by God. It contrasts the fleeting power of evil people with the enduring support that God provides to the righteous.
25. Proverbs 29:27
“The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.”
This verse acknowledges the mutual opposition between the righteous and the wicked. It emphasizes that those who live according to God’s ways naturally reject dishonesty, while the wicked resent those who uphold integrity and righteousness.
26. Isaiah 13:11
“I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty and will humble the pride of the ruthless.”
God declares His intention to judge the world for its evil. This verse emphasizes that no wickedness will go unpunished, and that God will bring down the arrogant and ruthless, demonstrating His commitment to justice.
27. Proverbs 10:9
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.”
This verse highlights the security that comes from living with integrity. It warns that those who engage in deceit and crooked paths will eventually be exposed, reinforcing the importance of honesty and righteousness.
28. Psalm 37:28
“For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish.”
This verse emphasizes God’s love for justice and His commitment to the faithful. It also serves as a warning that wrongdoers will face complete destruction, highlighting the stark consequences of living a life of wickedness.
29. Matthew 13:41-42
“The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Jesus speaks of the final judgment, where those who commit evil will be separated from God’s kingdom and face eternal punishment. This verse underscores the seriousness of living righteously and the ultimate fate of those who choose evil.
30. Proverbs 3:33
“The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.”
This verse contrasts the outcomes of the wicked and the righteous. While the wicked face God’s curse, the righteous enjoy His blessings. It serves as a reminder that living according to God’s ways brings His favor, while evil brings His judgment.
30 Bible Verses About Eternity (With Commentary)
Commentary
30 Powerful Bible Verses About Not Giving Up On Someone You Love (With Commentary)