Power tool of knowing the enemy

What Are the Marks of an Evil Person?

How do you know what is truly considered evil? The Word of God is our standard of truth and in it you will find the behavior that is consistent with that of an evil person. While He is the only one who can know a person’s heart, we are able to discern whether someone has ill intentions by being aware of the fruit they are producing.

It should go without being said that the ultimate depiction of evil is he who is the enemy of the cross, Satan himself. I wrote a post on how to recognize the underhanded methods of the enemy which lists the kind of deviant behavior that the Devil exhibits.

But since the Word of God says that there are also evil people, we would be doing ourselves a disservice if we didn’t familiarize ourselves with those characteristics the Bible warns us of. As I list these characteristics below I will also share notoriously evil people from within the Bible who exhibited not only one, but many of these attributes.

1. Prideful and Arrogant

Psalms 94:3-4 NLT – How long, O Lord? How long will the wicked be allowed to gloat? How long will they speak with arrogance? How long will these evil people boast?”

Proverbs 8:13 NLT – All who fear the Lord will hate evil, therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech.

An example of pride and arrogance is displayed in Haman in the book of Esther. He counted himself as powerful and more important than Mordecai and was infuriated that Mordecai wouldn’t bow to him. His plotting ended up backfiring and he got himself impaled on a pole that was meant for his enemy. You can learn about him in the Book of Esther.

2. Plotter/Schemer

Proverbs 16:30 NLT – With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

Psalms 140:8 NLT- Lord, do not let evil people have their way. Do not let their evil schemes succeed, or they will become proud.

Psalms 37:7 NLT – Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.

Jezebel was a Queen who influenced her husband in order to get what she wanted and plotted evil against God’s anointed. You can read about her in 1 and 2 Kings.

3. Traitor/Betrayer

Proverbs 21:18 NLT – The wicked are punished in the place of the godly, and traitors in the place of the honest.

2 Timothy 3:4 NLT – They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

Judas Iscariot was the ultimate traitor as he betrayed Jesus with a kiss. He was one who sat with Jesus and walked with him. Yet, he betrayed him for a bag of gold and ultimately sold his soul because of greed. You can learn more about Judas in the gospel Books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

4. Liar

Proverbs 14:25 NLT – A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.

Exodus 23:1 NLT – You must not pass along false rumors. You must not cooperate with evil people by lying on the witness stand.

Potiphar’s wife is an example of one who lied because her sexual advancements were rejected by Joseph. Because he turned her down, she lied and accused him of raping her. Joseph was subsequently imprisoned because of her deception. You can read about her in the Book of Genesis.

5. Unjust

Proverbs 28:5 NLT – Evil people don’t understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely.

Psalms 94:20 NLT – Can unjust leaders claim that God is on their side–leaders whose decrees permit injustice?

Pharaoh wrongfully persecuted and oppressed the Israelites in the land of Egypt and would not let God’s people go. He placed strenuous amounts of work upon them until finally God rescued the Israelites from his grasp. You can read about him in the Book of Exodus.

6. Rebellious

Proverbs 17:11 NLT – Evil people are eager for rebellion, but they will be severely punished.

1 Samuel 15:23 NLT – Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.

Jude 1:11 NLT – What sorrow awaits them! For they follow in the footsteps of Cain, who killed his brother. Like Balaam, they deceive people for money. And like Korah, they perish in their rebellion.

Absalom rose up against his own father King David and attempted to kill him. He also tried to turn the Israelites against David by plotting and committing heinous acts. You can read about him in 2 Samuel.

7. Oppressive

Psalms 94:21 NLT – They gang up on the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.

Psalms 94:5-7 NLT – They crush your people, Lord, hurting those you claim as your own. They kill widows and foreigners and murder orphans. “The Lord isn’t looking,” they say, “and besides, the God of Israel doesn’t care.”

King Herod Antipas killed John the Baptist and pawned off Jesus to Pontious Pilate who sentenced Him to death. You can read about Herod Antipas in the gospels.

How Are We Rescued From Evil?

Since the Word of God tells us that Godly wisdom will rescue us from evil people, is it enough to know what kind of characteristics a questionable person exhibits? I’m afraid not.

Wisdom will help us to know how we should respond when confronted with evil.