40+ Bible Verses on Wickedness and Sin

Wickedness is a serious topic in the Bible, highlighting actions that go against God’s commands. Understanding these verses can help us recognize the dangers of wickedness and encourage us to pursue a life of righteousness. In this article, we will explore 45 Scriptures that address wickedness, along with explanations and prayers to guide our hearts.

1. Psalm 1:1-2

Explanation: This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding the company of the wicked and delighting in God’s law.
Scripture: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take.”
Prayer: Lord, help us to choose our company wisely and find joy in Your Word.

2. Proverbs 4:14-15

Proverbs 4:14-15

Explanation: These verses warn against entering the path of the wicked and encourage staying away from evil.
Scripture: “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.”
Prayer: Father, grant us the strength to resist temptation and follow the path of righteousness.

3. Isaiah 5:20

Explanation: This verse highlights the danger of calling good what is evil and vice versa, warning against moral confusion.
Scripture: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil.”
Prayer: Lord, help us to discern right from wrong according to Your Word.

4. Proverbs 21:15

Explanation: The verse reflects that justice brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.
Scripture: “The wicked man’s own actions drive him away.”
Prayer: God, may our actions reflect Your justice and righteousness.

5. Romans 1:18

Explanation: Paul explains that God’s wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and wickedness.
Scripture: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father, may we turn away from wickedness and seek Your truth.

6. Proverbs 10:32

Explanation: This verse contrasts the speech of the righteous with that of the wicked, showing the impact of our words.
Scripture: “The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate, but the mouth of the wicked knows only what is perverse.”
Prayer: Lord, guide our speech so that it reflects Your righteousness.

7. Jeremiah 17:9

Jeremiah 17:9

Explanation: This verse reveals the deceitfulness of the human heart and the need for divine guidance.
Scripture: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.”
Prayer: Father, help us to guard our hearts and seek Your guidance.

8. Proverbs 12:5

Explanation: The plans of the righteous lead to justice, while the thoughts of the wicked are deceptive.
Scripture: “The plans of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.”
Prayer: God, may our plans align with Your will and bring forth justice.

9. Psalm 37:9

Explanation: This verse emphasizes that evildoers will be cut off, while those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
Scripture: “For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.”
Prayer: Lord, strengthen our hope in You and help us to trust in Your promises.

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10. 1 John 3:8

Explanation: John explains that the reason Jesus appeared was to destroy the devil’s work and wickedness.
Scripture: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for Jesus and His victory over wickedness.

11. Psalm 10:3

Psalm 10:3

Explanation: The wicked are described as those who boast in their desires, showing a heart far from God.
Scripture: “For the wicked boast of the desires of their hearts.”
Prayer: Father, help us to boast in You and Your goodness.

12. Micah 3:2

Explanation: This verse calls out leaders who hate good and love evil, showing how wickedness can corrupt leadership.
Scripture: “You who hate good and love evil, who tear the skin from my people and the flesh from their bones.”
Prayer: Lord, may our leaders seek good and uphold justice.

13. 2 Peter 2:9

Explanation: This verse reassures us that the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and hold the unrighteous for punishment.
Scripture: “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment.”
Prayer: God, thank You for Your promise to protect and guide us.

14. James 4:7

James 4:7

Explanation: This verse encourages believers to submit to God and resist the devil, highlighting the choice between good and wickedness.
Scripture: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Prayer: Lord, grant us the strength to resist temptation and follow You faithfully.

15. Proverbs 3:32

Explanation: The Lord is described as being intimate with the upright but opposed to the wicked.
Scripture: “For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into His confidence.”
Prayer: Father, help us to be upright in our actions and thoughts.

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16. Romans 6:23

Explanation: This verse contrasts the consequences of sin with the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Scripture: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of eternal life and help us to live for You.

17. Ecclesiastes 8:11

Explanation: This verse reflects on the danger of wickedness going unpunished and encourages a righteous life.
Scripture: “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do wrong.”
Prayer: God, help us to remain steadfast in righteousness, even when it seems unjust.

18. Isaiah 57:21

Explanation: The Lord promises peace for the righteous, while the wicked will not find peace.
Scripture: “There is no peace, says my God, for the wicked.”
Prayer: Lord, may we find our peace in You and pursue a righteous life.

19. Proverbs 28:1

Explanation: The wicked flee even when no one pursues them, but the righteous are as bold as lions.
Scripture: “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.”
Prayer: Father, give us the courage to stand firm in our faith.

20. Job 15:16

Job 15:16

Explanation: This verse describes the wickedness of humanity and the need for repentance.
Scripture: “How much more man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!”
Prayer: God, help us to turn from our wicked ways and seek Your forgiveness.

21. Psalm 36:1

Explanation: This verse speaks of the wickedness of the wicked person, who does not fear God.
Scripture: “An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked; there is no fear of God before their eyes.”
Prayer: Lord, instill in us a healthy fear of You and a desire for holiness.

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22. Matthew 15:19

Explanation: Jesus teaches that wickedness originates from the heart, highlighting the need for inner transformation.
Scripture: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”
Prayer: Lord, cleanse our hearts and fill us with Your Spirit.

23. Isaiah 59:2

Explanation: This verse explains that sin separates us from God, emphasizing the need for repentance.
Scripture: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you.”
Prayer: Father, forgive our sins and draw us closer to You.

24. Galatians 5:19

Explanation: Paul lists the acts of the flesh that lead to wickedness, warning against living in sin.
Scripture: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery.”
Prayer: Lord, help us to walk in the Spirit and avoid the temptations of the flesh.

25. Ezekiel 18:30

Ezekiel 18:30

Explanation: This verse calls the people to repentance and turning away from all offenses.
Scripture: “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses.”
Prayer: God, help us to turn away from our offenses and return to You.

26. Psalm 37:1

Explanation: The psalmist encourages us not to fret because of the wicked, reassuring us of God’s justice.
Scripture: “Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong.”
Prayer: Lord, help us to trust in Your justice and not be swayed by the wicked.

27. Proverbs 14:19

Explanation: The wicked will bow down before the good, showing the ultimate triumph of righteousness.
Scripture: “The evil will bow down in the presence of the good.”
Prayer: Father, may we stand firm in our faith and trust in Your victory.

28. John 3:19

Explanation: This verse highlights the judgment that comes upon those who love darkness instead of light.
Scripture: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light.”
Prayer: Lord, may we choose to walk in Your light and shun darkness.

29. 2 Thessalonians 2:10

Explanation: Paul warns against the wickedness that deceives those who do not love the truth.
Scripture: “And in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing, they perish because they refused to love the truth.”
Prayer: God, help us to love and seek Your truth in all things.

30. Jeremiah 11:14

Explanation: God warns Jeremiah not to pray for the people who are wicked and unrepentant.
Scripture: “Do not pray for this people or offer any plea or petition for them.”
Prayer: Father, may we intercede for those who are lost and lead them to repentance.

31. Proverbs 26:27

Explanation: This verse illustrates the principle of reaping what one sows, particularly in wickedness.
Scripture: “Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.”
Prayer: Lord, help us to sow seeds of righteousness rather than wickedness.

32. Ezekiel 33:11

Explanation: God expresses His desire for the wicked to turn from their ways and live.
Scripture: “Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live.’”
Prayer: God, we pray for the wicked to turn back to You and find life.

33. Psalm 9:16

Explanation: The Lord is known for executing justice and punishing the wicked.
Scripture: “The Lord is known by His acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your justice; may we trust in Your timing.

Trust in Your timing.

34. Proverbs 24:20

Explanation: The fate of the wicked is described, highlighting the lack of hope for those who do evil.
Scripture: “For the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out.”
Prayer: Lord, help us to choose the path of righteousness and hope.

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35. Psalm 145:20

Explanation: This verse assures us that the Lord will protect those who love Him from the wicked.
Scripture: “The Lord watches over all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your protection; keep us safe from wickedness.

36. 1 Peter 3:12

Explanation: Peter emphasizes that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, while He is against those who do evil.
Scripture: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer.”
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for Your attention to our prayers and our lives.

37. 1 John 5:19

Explanation: This verse reminds us that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
Scripture: “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.”
Prayer: God, help us to be aware of the evil in the world and to stand firm in our faith.

38. Matthew 12:36

Explanation: Jesus warns that everyone will have to give an account for every careless word they speak.
Scripture: “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.”
Prayer: Lord, may our words reflect Your love and truth.

love and truth

39. Isaiah 26:10

Explanation: This verse reveals that even in the land of righteousness, the wicked will not learn righteousness.
Scripture: “But when grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness.”
Prayer: Father, help us to learn and grow in righteousness.

40. Proverbs 2:12-15

Explanation: These verses explain how wisdom can save us from the way of wicked men.
Scripture: “Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men.”
Prayer: Lord, grant us wisdom to discern right from wrong.

41. Isaiah 1:16-17

Explanation: God calls His people to wash themselves and stop doing evil, urging them to seek justice.
Scripture: “Wash and make yourselves clean; take your evil deeds out of my sight.”
Prayer: Lord, cleanse us from our sins and guide us to do good.

42. Psalm 37:12

Explanation: The wicked plot against the righteous, but the Lord laughs at them, knowing their end.
Scripture: “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them.”
Prayer: Father, help us to trust in Your protection against those who do evil.

43. Luke 6:45

Explanation: Jesus teaches that a good person produces good from their heart, while an evil person produces evil.
Scripture: “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.”
Prayer: God, fill our hearts with goodness so we can produce good works.

Good works

44. 2 Corinthians 6:14

Explanation: Paul advises believers not to be unequally yoked with unbelievers, warning against partnerships with the wicked.
Scripture: “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.”
Prayer: Lord, guide our relationships and partnerships in a way that honors You.

45. Revelation 21:8

Explanation: This verse lists those who will face the second death, including the wicked.
Scripture: “But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur.”
Prayer: Father, help us to share the truth with others and lead them away from wickedness.

Answers to Key Questions

1. What does the Bible say about wickedness?

The Bible teaches that wickedness is sin against God and leads to separation from Him.

2. How can we avoid wickedness?

We can avoid wickedness by seeking God, studying His Word, and surrounding ourselves with righteous influences.

3. What is the consequence of wickedness according to the Bible?

Wickedness leads to punishment and separation from God, while righteousness leads to life and peace.

4. Can wicked people change?

Yes, the Bible encourages repentance, and anyone can turn from wickedness and seek God’s forgiveness.

5. What should we pray for regarding wickedness?

We can pray for protection from wickedness, for the hearts of the wicked to change, and for wisdom to resist temptation.

6. How does God view wickedness?

God detests wickedness and calls His people to live righteously, promising justice for the wicked.

Conclusion

The Bible’s teachings on wickedness serve as a guide for us to recognize the dangers of straying from God’s path. By reflecting on these Scriptures, we can understand the importance of choosing righteousness over wickedness.

May we seek God’s wisdom, turn away from evil, and strive to live a life that honors Him. Through prayer and reliance on His Word, we can overcome the temptations of wickedness and experience the fullness of life in Christ.

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