The Bible frequently addresses the issue of wickedness, highlighting its consequences, origins, and God’s response to it. Wickedness represents a departure from God’s ways, leading to spiritual and moral decay. Scripture encourages believers to turn from wickedness and embrace righteousness, while also warning of the destructive outcomes of evil behavior. Here are 30 Bible verses about wickedness, each with a 30-word commentary to provide insight into the nature of wickedness and God’s perspective on it.
Bible Verses About Wickedness
1. 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 righteousness and wickedness, showing that God protects the righteous while the wicked face inevitable ruin due to their actions.
2. 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…”
God clearly detests wicked behaviors, including pride, deceit, and violence, underscoring His commitment to justice and righteousness while condemning evil.
3. Isaiah 5:20
“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.”
This verse warns against moral relativism, where wickedness is disguised as righteousness. It emphasizes the importance of discerning and rejecting evil in any form.
4. Psalm 34:21
“Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.”
Wickedness ultimately leads to self-destruction. The verse illustrates that those who persist in evil will face consequences, while righteousness is associated with God’s favor.
5. Proverbs 4:14-15
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.”
Believers are advised to avoid the ways of the wicked, steering clear of influences that could lead them away from righteousness and into harmful behaviors.
6. Romans 1:28-29
“Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind…”
When people reject God, they may fall deeper into wickedness. This passage warns of the consequences of abandoning godly principles and indulging in evil.
7. Isaiah 57:20-21
“But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud.”
The unrest and chaos in the lives of the wicked reflect the inner turmoil that accompanies a life of sin. There is no peace for the wicked.
8. Proverbs 11:21
“Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.”
God’s justice ensures that wickedness does not escape accountability, affirming that evil deeds will face judgment while righteousness is rewarded.
9. Ecclesiastes 8:11
“When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.”
Delayed consequences can embolden wickedness, encouraging more evil. The verse highlights the need for timely justice to deter wrongdoing.
10. Matthew 15:19
“For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Jesus teaches that wickedness originates from within the heart. The verse emphasizes the need for inner transformation to overcome sinful behaviors.
11. Micah 2:1
“Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out…”
Premeditated wickedness receives special condemnation in Scripture. God warns that those who devise evil plans will face consequences for their actions.
12. Psalm 37:10
“A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.”
The verse reassures believers that wickedness is temporary. God will ultimately remove evil from the world, and righteousness will prevail.
13. Proverbs 10:27
“The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.”
Wickedness often leads to a shortened life due to the destructive nature of sinful behaviors, whereas fearing God brings life and blessings.
14. Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Human wickedness is rooted in the heart’s deceitfulness. This verse acknowledges the depth of human sinfulness and the need for divine intervention.
15. Matthew 7:17-18
“Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.”
Jesus uses the metaphor of trees to illustrate how wickedness produces harmful outcomes. A life rooted in evil will yield destructive consequences.
16. Proverbs 28:1
“The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
Guilt and fear accompany wickedness, while righteousness brings confidence and courage. This verse highlights the contrasting experiences of the wicked and the righteous.
17. Isaiah 3:11
“Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done.”
The wicked will face the consequences of their actions. God’s justice ensures that evil deeds do not go unpunished, reinforcing accountability.
18. Galatians 5:19-21
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred…”
Paul lists various wicked behaviors, emphasizing that living according to the flesh leads to separation from God and spiritual death.
19. Job 21:7
“Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?”
Job wrestles with the apparent prosperity of the wicked. The verse encourages believers to trust in God’s timing and justice, even when wickedness seems to flourish.
20. Malachi 3:18
“And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked…”
God will make a clear distinction between righteousness and wickedness, affirming His judgment and justice. The verse promises ultimate accountability for evil deeds.
21. Proverbs 21:15
“When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.”
Justice brings satisfaction to the righteous but strikes fear in the hearts of the wicked. This verse highlights the importance of upholding justice.
22. Psalm 37:12-13
“The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked.”
Though the wicked may scheme against the righteous, God is not intimidated. His laughter indicates their plans will ultimately fail under His sovereign power.
23. Proverbs 15:9
“The Lord detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.”
God’s hatred for wickedness contrasts with His love for righteousness. The verse calls believers to pursue holiness, rejecting evil in all its forms.
24. 1 John 3:8
“The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.”
Wickedness aligns with the nature of the devil, who opposes God. The verse emphasizes that Christ came to destroy the devil’s work and redeem sinners.
25. Proverbs 24:19-20
“Do not fret because of evildoers… for the evil man has no future hope.”
Believers are encouraged not to envy the wicked, as their future holds no lasting hope. Righteousness offers eternal security, unlike the temporary gains of wickedness.
26. Nahum 1:3
“The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished.”
God’s patience does not mean He tolerates wickedness indefinitely. His justice ensures that evildoers will face judgment, demonstrating His righteous character.
27. Proverbs 16:4
“The Lord works out everything to its proper end—even the wicked for a day of disaster.”
God’s sovereignty extends even to the consequences of wickedness. The verse assures believers that God’s plan includes ultimate justice for evil.
28. Jeremiah 12:1
“You are always righteous, Lord, when I bring a case before you. Yet I would speak with you about your justice: Why does the way of the wicked prosper?”
Jeremiah questions the apparent success of the wicked, reflecting a common struggle. The verse invites believers to seek understanding while trusting God’s ultimate justice.
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.”
Jesus assures that wickedness will be removed from His kingdom. The verse points to the final judgment when evil will be eradicated.
30. Ezekiel 33:11
“I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.”
God’s desire is for the wicked to repent and find life. The verse reflects His compassion and call for sinners to turn away from evil and seek righteousness.
These verses offer a comprehensive understanding of wickedness, emphasizing its consequences, origins, and the hope of redemption through repentance. They encourage believers to reject wickedness, pursue righteousness, and trust in God’s justice.
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