The Bible addresses the nature of evil and those who practice it, offering wisdom on how to recognize, avoid, and respond to evil people. These scriptures warn against aligning with evildoers, emphasize God’s justice, and encourage believers to remain steadfast in righteousness despite the presence of evil. These verses also remind us of the ultimate accountability before God and the assurance of His judgment against wickedness. Here are 30 Bible verses about evil people, each accompanied by a brief commentary to provide deeper understanding and reflection.
1. Psalm 37:1-2
“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.”
Temporary success. This verse reassures believers not to be anxious or envious of evil people, as their success is temporary. It emphasizes that God’s justice will ultimately prevail, and the wicked will fade away.
2. Proverbs 24:19-20
“Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the wicked; for there will be no prospect for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”
No future for the wicked. This verse echoes the sentiment that there is no lasting success for evildoers. It reassures that their prosperity is short-lived, and their influence will eventually be extinguished.
3. Romans 12:19
“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Leave vengeance to God. This verse instructs believers to refrain from seeking personal revenge against evil people. Instead, they are encouraged to trust in God’s justice, knowing that He will repay in His time.
4. Proverbs 4:14-15
“Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on.”
Avoiding evil. This verse advises avoiding the paths and ways of evil people altogether. It emphasizes the importance of steering clear of situations or associations that could lead to moral compromise or corruption.
5. Psalm 34:21
“Evil shall slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.”
Self-destruction. This verse reveals that evil ultimately leads to the destruction of the wicked. It serves as a warning that those who engage in evil and oppose the righteous will face condemnation and ruin.
6. Proverbs 6:12-14
“A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth; he winks with his eyes, he shuffles his feet, he points with his fingers; perversity is in his heart, he devises evil continually, he sows discord.”
Characteristics of the wicked. This passage describes the behavior of an evil person, highlighting deceit, constant plotting of evil, and sowing discord. It serves as a caution to recognize and avoid such individuals.
7. 1 Peter 3:12
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
God’s attention. This verse contrasts God’s favor toward the righteous with His opposition to those who do evil. It reassures believers that God hears their prayers while also affirming His stance against evildoers.
8. Proverbs 16:4
“The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom.”
Divine sovereignty. This verse emphasizes that even the wicked are under God’s sovereign control and will face judgment in due time. It reassures believers of God’s ultimate justice.
9. Psalm 5:4-5
“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity.”
God’s stance on evil. This verse declares that God takes no pleasure in wickedness and that evil has no place in His presence. It underscores God’s holiness and His opposition to those who practice iniquity.
10. Proverbs 28:1
“The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
Guilt and fear. This verse illustrates the guilt and fear that characterize the wicked, causing them to flee even when no one is chasing them. In contrast, the righteous are depicted as bold and confident.
11. Isaiah 48:22
“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”
No peace for the wicked. This verse states unequivocally that the wicked will not experience peace. It serves as a reminder that true peace comes only from living righteously and in accordance with God’s will.
12. Proverbs 11:21
“Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; but the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.”
Inevitability of judgment. This verse reassures that even if the wicked band together, they will not escape punishment. It highlights the certainty of God’s judgment and the deliverance of the righteous.
13. Matthew 7:15-16
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?”
Identifying evil people. Jesus warns against those who appear righteous but are inwardly evil, comparing them to wolves in sheep’s clothing. This verse encourages discernment, emphasizing that a person’s true nature is revealed by their actions.
14. Proverbs 12:20
“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors of peace have joy.”
Contrast of intentions. This verse contrasts the deceitful hearts of those who plot evil with the joyful hearts of those who seek peace. It highlights the internal turmoil of the wicked compared to the contentment of the righteous.
15. Psalm 1:6
“For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.”
God’s knowledge and judgment. This verse affirms that God is aware of the paths of both the righteous and the wicked, with the latter leading to destruction. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate fate of evil people.
16. Proverbs 26:24-26
“He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.”
Hidden wickedness. This passage warns against trusting the outwardly kind words of those who harbor hatred and deceit. It emphasizes that their true nature will eventually be exposed, revealing their wickedness.
17. Jeremiah 17:9
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?”
Deceptive hearts. This verse highlights the inherent deceitfulness and wickedness of the human heart. It serves as a caution to be aware of the potential for evil within, urging self-examination and reliance on God’s guidance.
18. Proverbs 29:27
“An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.”
Mutual enmity. This verse describes the natural enmity between the righteous and the wicked, where each group finds the other’s ways detestable. It underscores the moral divide between those who seek to do good and those who engage in evil.
19. Psalm 37:12-13
“The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming.”
God’s perspective on evil. This passage reveals that while the wicked may plot against the righteous, God is not intimidated. He sees their downfall approaching and mocks their futile efforts.
20. Ecclesiastes 8:12-13
“Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God.”
Ultimate justice. This verse contrasts the apparent prosperity of sinners with the ultimate fate of those who fear God versus the wicked. It reassures that despite temporary appearances, it will not go well for those who do evil.
21. Proverbs 3:33
“The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just.”
Blessing and curse. This verse declares that God’s curse rests on the wicked while His blessing is on the righteous. It highlights the stark difference in the outcomes of those who live justly versus those who do evil.
22. Psalm 55:23
“But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in You.”
God’s judgment on the wicked. This verse expresses confidence that God will bring down deceitful and violent men to destruction. It contrasts the fate of the wicked with the psalmist’s trust in God’s protection and justice.
23. Proverbs 15:9
“The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who follows righteousness.”
God’s view of wickedness. This verse emphasizes that the Lord detests the way of the wicked but loves those who pursue righteousness. It highlights God’s moral standard and the importance of living in accordance with His will.
24. Psalm 73:18-19
“Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment! They are utterly consumed with terrors.”
Sudden downfall. This passage describes the precarious position of the wicked, who may seem secure but are ultimately set on a path to sudden and complete destruction. It serves as a warning of the fragility of evil success.
25. Proverbs 21:10
“The soul of the wicked desires evil; his neighbor finds no favor in his eyes.”
Desire for evil. This verse highlights the inherent nature of the wicked to desire and pursue evil. It also notes that the wicked lack compassion or favor toward others, reflecting their selfish and harmful tendencies.
26. Matthew 13:41-42
“The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
Final judgment. Jesus speaks of the final judgment where the wicked and those who practice lawlessness will be removed and punished. This verse serves as a sobering reminder of the ultimate accountability before God.
27. Proverbs 12:7
“The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand.”
Endurance of the righteous. This verse contrasts the downfall of the wicked with the enduring stability of the righteous. It reassures that while the wicked may fall, those who live justly will remain secure.
28. Job 8:20
“Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, nor will He uphold the evildoers.”
God’s justice. This verse reaffirms that God will not abandon the righteous nor support the wicked. It underscores God’s commitment to justice and the ultimate downfall of those who do evil.
29. Psalm 58:10-11
“The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that men will say, ‘Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.'”
Rejoicing in justice. This verse describes the righteous rejoicing at the sight of God’s vengeance against the wicked. It affirms that God’s judgment is just and that the righteous will be rewarded.
30. Proverbs 19:29
“Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.”
Consequences for evil. This verse warns that judgment and punishment are inevitable for those who mock and engage in foolishness. It serves as a caution against the attitudes and behaviors of the wicked.
These verses collectively emphasize the nature of evil, the inevitable consequences for those who engage in wickedness, and the assurance of God’s justice. They encourage believers to maintain their integrity, avoid the influence of evil people, and trust in God’s righteous judgment. By reflecting on these scriptures, we can gain a deeper understanding of how to navigate a world where evil exists and remain steadfast in our commitment to righteousness.