Evil, believers' responses to

Scripture outlines several ways in which believers should respond to evil.

Evil is to be avoided

Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:22 See also Job 28:28; Psalm 119:115; Proverbs 4:27, Proverbs 14:16; Isaiah 52:11; Acts 2:40 Peter's appeal to the crowd; Romans 12:9, Romans 13:141CO Romans 5:6–7; Galatians 5:9 2 Corinthians 6:14–18; Ephesians 4:27, Ephesians 5:3, Ephesians 5:6–7; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Peter 3:11; Psalm 34:14

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.

Abstain from every form of evil.

Evil is to be hated

Proverbs 8:13 See also Psalm 97:10; Amos 5:15; John 3:20; Romans 12:9

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.

Evil is to be rebuked

Matthew 16:23 parallel Mark 8:332 Timothy 4:2 See also 1 Samuel 2:29, 1 Samuel 13:13, 1 Samuel 15:22; 2 Samuel 12:9 Nathan rebukes David; 1 Kings 18:18 Elijah rebukes Ahab; 2 Chronicles 16:9, 2 Chronicles 24:20, 2 Chronicles 26:18; Ezra 10:10; Psalm 141:5; Daniel 4:27, Daniel 5:22; Matthew 14:4 parallel Mark 6:18 John the Baptist rebukes Herod; Luke 23:40; Acts 5:3–4 Peter rebukes Ananias; Acts 5:9 Peter rebukes Sapphira; 1 Timothy 1:3, 1 Timothy 5:20; Titus 1:13, Titus 2:15

But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction.

Evil is to be resisted

Proverbs 1:10; Galatians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11; James 4:7 See also 1 Corinthians 5:13; Ephesians 5:11; Hebrews 12:1; 1 Peter 2:1, 1 Peter 5:9

My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.

When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Evil is to be repaid with good

Luke 6:35; Romans 12:20–21 See also Proverbs 25:21–22; Exodus 23:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 5:44 parallel Luke 6:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Believers should pray in response to evil

Matthew 6:13 parallel Luke 11:4Acts 4:29; Hebrews 4:16 See also Exodus 17:4; 1 Kings 18:36; 2 Kings 19:19; 2 Chronicles 20:12; Ezra 8:23; Nehemiah 1:4; Matthew 26:41 parallels Mark 14:38, Luke 22:46; Acts 12:5; James 5:13

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’

And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness,

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Believers should trust God in the face of evil

Psalm 23:4; Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42 See also Psalm 4:8, Psalm 20:7, Psalm 27:1; Isaiah 12:2; Daniel 3:17–18; Habakkuk 3:17–18; 2 Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 13:6; Psalm 118:6–7

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”