The Bible consistently speaks of the importance of our actions, particularly the deeds of our hands. While our hands are symbols of what we do and how we interact with the world, they can also represent our choices, whether good or evil. Throughout Scripture, the concept of “evil hands” is used to describe actions or behaviors that are sinful, harmful, and contrary to God’s will. The Bible offers several warnings and teachings about how our hands—symbolic of our actions—can be used for both good and evil.
Evil hands are often associated with deeds of wickedness, violence, deceit, and injustice. The Lord calls His people to avoid these deeds and instead to commit their hands to works of righteousness, service, and love. The Scriptures provide us with a clear distinction between the work of evil hands and the work that pleases God. Let us explore 26 powerful verses that highlight the significance of evil hands and the consequences of their actions.
1. Psalm 28:3
“Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.”
This verse reflects the deceitful nature of evil hands. Those who speak peace but carry out wicked deeds with their hands deceive those around them, and God condemns such actions.
2. Psalm 7:9
“Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.”
This verse emphasizes God’s judgment on the evil deeds that come from wicked hands. God will eventually bring an end to such iniquity and establish justice for those who do good.
3. Psalm 26:10
“In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.”
Evil hands are often associated with corruption, as seen here in this Psalm. The workers of iniquity engage in bribery and other forms of deceitful behavior with their hands.
4. Psalm 144:11
“Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.”
This verse speaks to the deceitful and evil actions of people whose hands are used for falsehood, highlighting their destructive influence.
5. Proverbs 6:16-19
“These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”
The Lord specifically condemns hands that shed innocent blood, a clear example of evil hands used for violence and destruction. This passage outlines the abominations that are deeply detestable to God.
6. Proverbs 16:27
“An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.”
Evil hands work to unearth evil and perpetuate sin. Their words and actions cause harm, much like a fire that spreads uncontrollably.
7. Isaiah 1:15
“And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.”
Here, God warns the people of Israel that their evil deeds, symbolized by their bloody hands, render their prayers ineffective. Their actions of injustice and sin must be dealt with before God will listen.
8. Isaiah 59:3
“For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.”
Isaiah condemns the wickedness of those whose hands are stained with blood and sin. Their hearts and actions are corrupt, and their words betray their evil deeds.
9. Micah 7:3
“That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.”
This verse speaks to the deep corruption within leadership, where evil is done openly with both hands, showing that even those in positions of authority are capable of using their hands for unrighteous gain.
10. Matthew 12:39-40
“But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
Jesus warns against an evil and adulterous generation that demands signs while continuing in wickedness. Their hands are used for evil purposes, yet they seek a sign from God to validate their sin.
11. Matthew 23:25-26
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.”
This passage speaks of the hypocrisy of those whose hands, symbolizing their actions, are filled with extortion and greed. They appear righteous outwardly but are inwardly corrupt.
12. Matthew 23:28
“Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”
Similar to the previous passage, Jesus condemns those whose hands are used for evil works while they pretend to be righteous.
13. John 8:44
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
Here, Jesus reveals that those who carry out evil deeds with their hands are like their father, the devil, who is a murderer and liar from the beginning.
14. Romans 3:13-14
“Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.”
This passage reflects how evil actions stem from the heart and are carried out by the hands, through deceit, bitterness, and cursing.
15. Romans 6:13
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”
Paul exhorts believers to refrain from using their hands and bodies for sinful purposes, encouraging them to dedicate their actions to righteousness.
16. Romans 8:13
“For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Evil hands are those used to indulge in the flesh. However, believers are called to mortify these deeds by the power of the Holy Spirit, turning away from sinful actions.
17. Ephesians 4:28
“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.”
This verse contrasts evil hands used for stealing with the hands that work to provide for others, showing the importance of righteous labor.
18. Colossians 3:5
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”
Believers are urged to put to death sinful desires that lead to evil actions. Evil hands are often used to carry out these desires, but Christians are called to turn from such behaviors.
19. 1 Timothy 2:8
“I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”
Paul calls for holy hands, lifted in prayer, rather than hands that are stained with wrath, bitterness, or evil deeds.
20. Hebrews 12:12-13
“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.”
This verse calls believers to lift holy hands and pursue righteous living, healing from past evil actions.
21. James 4:8
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
James calls for repentance, urging sinners to cleanse their hands and purify their hearts. This reflects the need for repentance from evil actions.
22. 1 Peter 2:1-2
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”
Believers are called to lay aside evil behaviors, including the misuse of their hands, and instead desire the pure Word of God to grow spiritually.
23. 1 Peter 3:12
“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
God’s opposition to evil hands is clear—He turns His face against those who commit evil deeds, while He listens to the prayers of the righteous.
24. Revelation 9:20
“And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk.”
Even in judgment, some refuse to repent from their evil deeds. The works of their hands continue to be wicked, showing the hard-heartedness of those who refuse to turn from sin.
25. Revelation 14:10
“The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb.”
The judgment of God will fall upon those who persist in evil, including those who use their hands for wickedness.
26. Revelation 21:8
“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”
This sobering passage speaks of the eternal consequence of evil deeds, including those done with evil hands, and serves as a reminder of the ultimate justice that God will execute.
Conclusion
The Bible makes it clear that the actions we take with our hands reflect the condition of our hearts. Evil hands—symbolizing sinful actions—bring about destruction and judgment. However, God calls us to use our hands for righteousness, to serve others, and to reflect His glory in all that we do. Let us strive to be mindful of our actions, offering our hands as instruments of righteousness to the glory of God.
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