What does the Bible say about rebuking evil?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that believers resist and expose evil by standing firmly in Christ, trusting God’s sovereign protection, and obeying his Word rather than relying on human power. Psalm 91 and Psalm 23 portray the Lord as the refuge and shepherd of his people amid danger. Jesus says in John 16:33 that he has overcome the world, while 1 John 4:4 assures believers that the One within them is greater than the one in the world. Christians are called to be watchful against the devil (1 Peter 5:8), reject falsehood through Scripture (2 Timothy 3:1-17), and pray with confidence that Christ’s authority governs all things (Matthew 18:18).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Psalms 91:1-16

    [1] He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [2] I will say of Yahweh, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust." [3] For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence. [4] He will cover you with his feathers. Under his wings you will take refuge. His faithfulness is your shield and rampart. [5] You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day; [6] Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. [7] A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it will not come near you. [8] You will only look with your eyes, And see the recompense of the wicked. [9] Because you have made Yahweh your refuge, And the Most High your dwelling place, [10] No evil shall happen to you, Neither shall any plague come near your dwelling. [11] For he will give his angels charge over you, To guard you in all your ways. [12] They will bear you up in their hands, So that you won't dash your foot against a stone. [13] You will tread on the lion and cobra. You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot. [14] "Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name. [15] He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him. [16] I will satisfy him with long life, And show him my salvation."

  • 2 Timothy 3:1-17

    [1] But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. [2] For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, [4] traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; [5] holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. Turn away from these, also. [6] For of these are those who creep into houses, and take captive gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, [7] always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. [8] Even as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so do these also oppose the truth; men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith. [9] But they will proceed no further. For their folly will be evident to all men, as theirs also came to be. [10] But you did follow my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, steadfastness, [11] persecutions, and sufferings: those things that happened to me at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. I endured those persecutions. Out of them all the Lord delivered me. [12] Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. [13] But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. [14] But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. [15] From infancy, you have known the sacred writings which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus. [16] Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

  • Psalms 23:1-6

    [1] > Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. [3] He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. [4] 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. [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. [6] Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell in Yahweh's house forever.

  • John 16:33

    I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world."

  • 1 Peter 5:8

    Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

  • 1 John 4:4

    You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world.

  • Acts 10:38

    even Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.

  • John 8:31-32

    [31] Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32] You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

  • Matthew 18:18

    Most assuredly I tell you, whatever things you will bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever things you will release on earth will be released in heaven.

  • Romans 8:9

    But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.

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