Evil, warnings against

Scripture repeatedly warns against evil. It exposes it and reveals its consequences.

God opposes evil

Psalm 34:16 See also Proverbs 6:16–19; Isaiah 31:2; Micah 2:1

But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to wipe out all memory of them from the earth.

Warnings against specific dangers

Leviticus 20:23; 2 Corinthians 6:14 See also Ezekiel 20:18; Luke 12:1, Luke 12:15; Acts 13:40; 1 Corinthians 10:21; 2 Peter 3:17

You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?

God's law given to counter evil

By exposing evil

Romans 7:7 See also Romans 3:20, Romans 5:20, Romans 7:13; Galatians 3:19

What then shall we say? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed, I would not have been mindful of sin if not for the law. For I would not have been aware of coveting if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”

By leading believers away from evil

Galatians 3:24 See also 1 Timothy 1:9–11

So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

The state is ordained to restrain evil

Romans 13:1–4 See also Deuteronomy 17:7, Deuteronomy 17:12–13, Deuteronomy 21:21; 1 Timothy 2:1–2; 1 Peter 2:13–14

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not carry the sword in vain. He is God’s servant, an agent of retribution to the wrongdoer.

Evil rebounds on evildoers

Proverbs 22:8; Galatians 6:7–8 See also Deuteronomy 19:18–19; Esther 9:25; Proverbs 1:29–31, Proverbs 14:22, Proverbs 17:13; Hosea 8:7

He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Evil ends in judgment

Isaiah 65:12; Romans 2:9 See also Psalm 37:9; Proverbs 6:12–15, Proverbs 12:7; Malachi 4:1; Romans 2:5, Romans 6:23

I will destine you for the sword, and you will all kneel down to be slaughtered, because I called and you did not answer, I spoke and you did not listen; you did evil in My sight and chose that in which I did not delight.”

There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil, first for the Jew, then for the Greek;