As believers, we know that not everyone around us has good intentions. Some people may speak kindly to us while secretly wishing for our downfall. The Bible warns us about deceitful individuals, teaches us how to recognize them, and gives us wisdom to respond in a godly way.
While we are called to love and forgive, we must also remain watchful and discerning, guarding our hearts from those who intend harm. God does not leave us defenseless. He provides spiritual guidance and protection for those who trust Him.
By paying attention to people’s actions, words, and the Holy Spirit’s leading, we can recognize when someone is against us and navigate relationships wisely.
Below are powerful Bible verses that provide insight into identifying those who wish harm upon us and how we should respond.
Powerful Bible Verses About How to Know If Someone Is Wishing Bad on You
1. Proverbs 26:24-25
“Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them.”
2. Psalm 55:21
“His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.”
3. Matthew 7:15-16
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.”
4. Psalm 28:3
“Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.”
5. Proverbs 6:12-14
“A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart—he always stirs up conflict.”
6. Jeremiah 9:8
“Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.”
7. Psalm 41:6
“When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around.”
8. Proverbs 16:28
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
9. Psalm 12:2
“Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.”
10. Romans 16:18
“For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.”
11. 2 Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
12. Psalm 64:2-3
“Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers. They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.”
13. Luke 6:45
“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.”
14. Proverbs 20:19
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.”
15. Job 17:5
“If anyone denounces their friends for reward, the eyes of their children will fail.”
16. Matthew 12:34
“For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
17. Psalm 101:5
“Whoever slanders their neighbor in secret, I will put to silence.”
18. Proverbs 14:30
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
19. Isaiah 29:15
“Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the Lord, who do their work in darkness and think, ‘Who sees us? Who will know?’ “
20. Psalm 37:32
“The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, intent on putting them to death.”
21. Psalm 35:7
“Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me.”
22. Jeremiah 18:18
“Come, let’s make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest will not cease, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets. So let’s attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says.”
23. Psalm 140:1-3
“Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.”
24. Proverbs 3:32
“For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.”
25. Psalm 10:7
“His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.”
26. 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.”
27. Psalm 31:18
“Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.”
28. Psalm 11:5
“The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.”
29. Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
30. Proverbs 24:17-18
“Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them.”
31. Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
32. Psalm 121:7
“The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life.”
33. Isaiah 54:17
“No weapon formed against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.”
34. Romans 8:31
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
35. Proverbs 26:27
“Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.”
Our Thought on What the Bible Teaches About How to Know If Someone Is Wishing Bad on You
The Bible teaches that not everyone around us has good intentions. Some people may speak kindly but secretly desire our downfall. However, God provides us with discernment to recognize those with deceitful hearts.
Jesus said that we will recognize people by their fruits (Matthew 7:16), meaning their actions will eventually reveal their true character. Instead of living in fear, believers should trust in God’s protection and walk in wisdom.
The Bible encourages us to pray for discernment, guard our hearts, and respond with love while allowing God to handle those who plot against us. No matter who is against you, God is for you, and He will protect His children.