Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Evil?
14 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Evil in the Bible
Discover 15 powerful Bible verses about evil. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential sin & temptation topic.
Top 10 Verses About Evil
- 1Genesis 50:20
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
KJV - 2Psalms 5:4
“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.”
KJV - 3Psalms 23:4
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
KJV - 4
- 5Proverbs 6:16
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: unto: Heb. of his soul”
KJV - 6Proverbs 8:13
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
KJV - 7Isaiah 5:20
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! call: Heb. say concerning evil, It is good, etc”
KJV - 8Matthew 6:13
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
KJV - 9
- 10Romans 12:9
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
KJV
Subtopics of Evil
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Evil? (7 Verses)
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: unto: Heb. of his soul”
“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.”
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! call: Heb. say concerning evil, It is good, etc”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Evil? (7 Verses)
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
“Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. not: or, not to judge his doubtful thoughts”
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. flesh: Gr. blood and flesh spiritual: or, wicked spirits high: or, heavenly”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Evil
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about evil. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about evil and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about evil is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on evil needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about evil with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about evil, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Evil?
You have studied 14 verses about evil. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.