Evil-doing, often synonymous with sin or wickedness, is a fundamental concept in the Bible, representing actions, thoughts, or intentions that are contrary to the will and character of God. The Bible presents evil-doing as a deviation from God's commandments and a manifestation of the fallen nature of humanity.

Old Testament Understanding

In the Old Testament, evil-doing is frequently associated with disobedience to God's laws and commands. The Hebrew word "ra" is often used to describe evil or wickedness. From the earliest narratives, such as the account of Cain and Abel, evil-doing is depicted as a choice that leads to separation from God. Genesis 4:7 states, "If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it."

The Law given to Moses outlines specific behaviors considered evil, including idolatry, murder, theft, and false witness (Exodus 20:1-17). The prophets frequently called Israel to repentance, warning against evil-doing and urging a return to righteousness. Isaiah 1:16-17 exhorts, "Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil. Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow."

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, evil-doing is further illuminated through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. Jesus emphasizes the internal nature of evil, teaching that it originates in the heart. In Mark 7:21-23 , Jesus explains, "For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, debauchery, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these evils come from within, and these are what defile a man."

The apostle Paul expands on this understanding, describing the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit. In Galatians 5:19-21 , he lists the "acts of the flesh" as "sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." Paul contrasts these with the fruit of the Spirit, urging believers to live by the Spirit to overcome evil-doing.

Consequences and Redemption

The Bible consistently warns of the consequences of evil-doing, which include spiritual death and separation from God. Romans 6:23 declares, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Despite the grave consequences, the Bible also offers hope for redemption through Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:9 assures believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Moral and Ethical Implications

Evil-doing in the biblical context is not limited to overt acts of sin but includes attitudes and intentions that oppose God's holiness. Believers are called to a life of holiness, reflecting God's character in their actions and relationships. Ephesians 4:22-24 instructs, "You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Conclusion

Evil-doing, as presented in the Bible, is a profound deviation from God's will, affecting both individuals and communities. The biblical narrative consistently calls for repentance, transformation, and a return to righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.92. adikema -- a wrong, injury
... evil doing, iniquity, matter of wrong. From adikeo; a wrong done -- evil doing,
iniquity, matter of wrong. see GREEK adikeo. (adikema) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/92.htm - 7k7489a. raa -- to be evil, bad
... 1), doing evil (1), done harm (2), done very wickedly (1), done wickedly (1), done
wrong (1), evil (7), evildoer (2), evildoers (16), evildoing (1), grieved (1 ...
/hebrew/7489a.htm - 6k

7463a. raah -- evil, misery, distress, injury
... 1), calamities (1), calamity (47), disaster (22), discomfort (1), distress (2),
distresses (1), evil (112), evil deeds (1), evildoer* (1), evildoing (1), evils ...
/hebrew/7463a.htm - 6k

Does Venus Militaris, Also, Preside Over the Evil-Doing of Camps.. ...
... Book IV. 7 Does Venus Militaris, also, preside over the evil-doing of
camps? Does Venus Militaris, also, preside over the evil ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/7 does venus militaris also.htm

Of Revenge.
... For what difference is there between provoker and provoked, except that the former
is detected as prior in evil-doing, but the latter as posterior? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/of patience/chapter x of revenge.htm

Misused Respite
... But in the present order of things the connection between a man's evil-doing
and suffering is, on the whole, slight, obscure, and partial. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/misused respite.htm

How those who Fear Scourges and those who Contemn them are to be ...
... If, then, the fear of punishment still restrains from evil-doing, truly no
liberty of spirit possesses the soul of him that so fears. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xiii how those who.htm

The Cords of Sin
... righteousness, it is yet true that 'every transgression and disobedience receives
its just recompense of reward.' Life is full of consequences of evil-doing. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the cords of sin.htm

How the Whole and the Sick are to be Admonished.
... the midst of open wounds of the body the secret stripe in the belly cleanses us
more fully, because a hidden wound of sorrow heals the iniquities of evil-doing ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xii how the whole.htm

Book iv Thus Gently Sang the Lady Philosophy with Dignified Mien ...
... The form of their human bodies still proves that they have been men; wherefore they
must have lost their human nature when they turned to evil-doing. ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book iv thus gently sang.htm

Acts xxiii. 31, 32, 33
... Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me while I
stood before the council, except it be for this one voice, that I cried ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily l acts xxiii 31.htm

Jeremiah
... 16. Yet the prophet was to accompany these messages with assurances of
forgiveness to all who should turn from their evil-doing. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 34 jeremiah.htm

Christ
... No one ever brought a charge of evil doing or evil speaking against him. The
people who followed him said, "He hath done all things well.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

Evildoing (3 Occurrences)
...Evildoing (3 Occurrences). ... Yahweh has returned the evildoing of Nabal on his own
head." David sent and spoke concerning Abigail, to take her to him as wife. ...
/e/evildoing.htm - 7k

Evil-doing (106 Occurrences)
Evil-doing. Evildoing, Evil-doing. Evil-doings . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Continued... Evildoing, Evil-doing. Evil-doings . Reference Bible.
/e/evil-doing.htm - 38k

Profits (19 Occurrences)
... Psalms 62:10 Have no faith in the rewards of evil-doing, or in profits wrongly made:
if your wealth is increased, do not put your hopes on it. (BBE). ...
/p/profits.htm - 12k

Evil-doer (88 Occurrences)
... say nothing to make clear to the evil-doer the danger of his evil way, so that he
may be safe; that same evil man will come to death in his evil-doing; but I ...
/e/evil-doer.htm - 30k

Evil-doings (5 Occurrences)
Evil-doings. Evil-doing, Evil-doings. Evil-entreated . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Evil-doing, Evil-doings. Evil-entreated . Reference Bible.
/e/evil-doings.htm - 7k

Rewards (26 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Psalms 62:10 Have no faith in the rewards of evil-doing, or in profits
wrongly made: if your wealth is increased, do not put your hopes on it. ...
/r/rewards.htm - 14k

Drained (38 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 26:21 For the Lord is coming out of his place to send punishment on the people
of the earth for their evil-doing: the earth will let the blood drained ...
/d/drained.htm - 18k

Overtake (113 Occurrences)
... But if you give the evil-doer word of his danger, and he is not turned from his
sin or from his evil way, death will overtake him in his evil-doing; but your ...
/o/overtake.htm - 40k

Keeps (154 Occurrences)
... Ezra 9:6 I said, O my God, shame keeps me from lifting up my face to you, my God:
for our sins are increased higher than our heads and our evil-doing has come ...
/k/keeps.htm - 33k

Vile (59 Occurrences)
... You have been seated waiting for them by the wayside like an Arabian in the waste
land; you have made the land unclean with your loose ways and your evil-doing...
/v/vile.htm - 26k

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