What does the Bible say about lesser of two evils?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that we must never deliberately choose sin, even when we hope it will prevent a worse outcome or produce good results. Romans 3:8 rejects doing evil so that good may come, and James 4:17 reminds us that knowingly withholding the good we ought to do is also sin. God calls His people to reject every form of evil, stand free in Christ, and refuse the crowd’s pressure to pervert justice (1 Thessalonians 5:22; Galatians 5:1; Exodus 23:2). In difficult circumstances, believers should seek wisdom, pursue what is right, and entrust outcomes to God rather than justify wrongdoing. God, not human calculation, is the righteous Judge (Proverbs 17:15).
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- James 4:17
To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.
- Romans 3:8
Why not (as we are slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say), "Let us do evil, that good may come?" Those who say so are justly condemned.
- Galatians 5:1
Stand firm therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and don't be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
- Proverbs 3:31
Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
- Proverbs 17:15
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
- Exodus 23:2
You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; neither shall you testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice;
- Revelation 1:1
This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,
- Luke 3:19
but Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by him for Herodias, his brother's wife, and for all the evil things which Herod had done,
- Jeremiah 2:13
For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the spring of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.
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