Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Evil Thoughts?
14 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Evil Thoughts in the Bible
Discover 17 powerful Bible verses about evil thoughts. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential character & virtues topic.
Top 10 Verses About Evil Thoughts
- 1Proverbs 15:26
“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. pleasant: Heb. words of pleasantness”
KJV - 2Proverbs 22:3
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
KJV - 3Proverbs 24:17
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:”
KJV - 4Ecclesiastes 12:14
“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
KJV - 5Matthew 5:28
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
KJV - 6Matthew 6:6
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly .”
KJV - 7Matthew 15:19
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”
KJV - 8John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
KJV - 9Romans 5:1
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
KJV - 10
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Evil Thoughts? (4 Verses)
“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. pleasant: Heb. words of pleasantness”
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.”
“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:”
“For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Evil Thoughts? (10 Verses)
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.”
“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly .”
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. ye: or, fulfil not”
“And be ye kind one to another , tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. honest: or, venerable”
“Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Evil Thoughts
- 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 thoughts. 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 thoughts 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 thoughts 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 thoughts needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about evil thoughts 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 thoughts, 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 Thoughts?
You have studied 14 verses about evil thoughts. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.