How to Respond to Evil

Evil is not an abstract idea, it is real, it is active, and Scripture makes it clear that followers of Christ will face it. The question is not if but how we respond when evil confronts us. God’s Word doesn’t leave us in the dark. It gives us wisdom, comfort, and direction for living faithfully in a world filled with opposition.

Below are eight biblical ways to respond rightly to evil—and four dangerous mistakes to avoid.

We should never be surprised when we encounter evil. Scripture tells us plainly that wickedness abounds in this world.

• Proverbs 6:16–19 lists the things the Lord hates: pride, lies, murder, deceit, and sowing discord.
• Jesus warned in John 15:18–19, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.”
• Peter writes, “Do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you” (1 Peter 4:12).
• Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 3:1–5 that the last days will be marked by selfishness, arrogance, and brutality.

Evil is not an interruption to God’s plan, it’s part of the reality we are called to navigate with faith.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Jesus calls us not to retaliate, but to endure with grace. In Matthew 5:38–48, He teaches us to turn the other cheek, love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us. Paul echoes this in 1 Corinthians 13:7–8: “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”

Endurance is not weakness; it is Christlike strength.

Ephesians 5:20 calls us to “give thanks always and for everything to God the Father.” Even when evil presses in, God can use it to refine our character, deepen our dependence on Him, and make us more like Christ.

Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Loving God means refusing to tolerate or excuse evil, it should grieve our hearts as it grieves His.

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to ask, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). Prayer is not a last resort; it is our first defense.

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:11: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Silence can become complicity. As children of light, we shine truth into dark places.

Romans 12:21 is simple but powerful: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Goodness is not passive; it is active resistance against the enemy’s schemes.

James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” In Christ, we are not helpless against temptation. By God’s Spirit, we can stand firm.

Ephesians 1:11 assures us that God “works all things according to the counsel of his will.” Evil is real, but it is never sovereign, God is.

History is stained with war, murder, and injustice. It can feel overwhelming. But Romans 11:33, 36 reminds us: “From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever.” Life is not absurd; it is upheld by the wisdom of God.

Believing life is meaningless because of evil
Accusing God of injustice
Doubting God’s love for you in Christ

When evil strikes close to home, we may be tempted to question God’s fairness. But Psalm 145:17 says, “The Lord is righteous in all his ways.” His justice is perfect, even when we cannot see the whole picture.

This may be the hardest temptation when suffering comes. We may think God is punishing us or abandoning us. But the cross proves otherwise. In Christ, all of God’s wrath against our sin has been absorbed.

Nothing we face, not cancer, not tragedy, not violence, means God has turned against us. If you belong to Christ, every trial is under His sovereign hand for your ultimate good and His glory.

The devil designs destruction, but God designs redemption. When we renounce the devil’s schemes and trust in God’s wisdom, love, and power, the supreme worth of Christ shines through our endurance.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4 that though we are afflicted, we are not crushed, because our hope is in the eternal glory that far outweighs every trial.

So, let us expect evil, endure it, hate it, pray against it, and overcome it with good. Let us never despair, never lose faith, never accuse God, and never doubt His love in Christ.