The Bible has a lot to say about how we should respond when we see evil happening in the world. Proverbs 24:19 warns us, “Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked.” This verse teaches an important truth – as followers of God, we should not obsess or worry about what evildoers are doing. But what does this mean practically, and why does God tell us this?
The temptation to fret over evil
When we look around at the world, it’s easy to become discouraged by the amount of evil and injustice we see. The news is filled with stories of violence, greed, and all kinds of wickedness. In our personal lives, we may have been victims of wrongdoing or known people who did terrible things without any consequences. It’s natural to feel upset and anxious about the evil that seems to be thriving (Psalm 73:3). We want evildoers to be punished, and for goodness and justice to win. So when that doesn’t happen, we’re tempted to fret and stew over it constantly.
But the Bible tells us that obsessing over evildoers is not the right reaction for followers of God. Fretting leads us to feel bitterness, resentment, and hatred. It fills our minds with anger and hostility – which only hurts us. Spending our mental and emotional energy worrying about what wrongdoers are getting away with leads to a preoccupation with evil instead of good (Philippians 4:8). This distracts us from the peace, hope and calling God has for our lives.
Evildoers will face judgment
One reason we don’t need to fret about evildoers is that ultimately, God will hold them accountable. The Bible is clear that He hates and detests wickedness, even when it seems like people are getting away with evil for a time (Proverbs 6:16-19). He will judge all unrighteousness in perfect justice (Ecclesiastes 3:17; 12:14). Wrongs will be made right – if not in this life, then in eternity. No evil deeds go unnoticed by God.
For example, when the Israelites suffered violence and oppression at the hands of the Assyrians, God assured them He saw this evil and would judge the nation for it (Isaiah 10:12). All the wickedness done in secret will be brought to light on Judgment Day (Luke 12:2-3; Romans 2:16). God has set a day when He will punish evildoers through Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9). So we do not need to constantly worry – God is keeping perfect record of all evil acts, and evildoers will face consequences.
Fretting gives power to the wicked
When we obsess over what evildoers are doing, it actually gives them more power over us. We’re allowing them to occupy our thoughts and control our emotions. Their wicked schemes become an unhealthy distraction (2 Peter 2:14). This prevents us from fully pursuing righteous living and being mentally focused on goodness.
In addition, fretting can sometimes cause us to act or respond in evil ways ourselves. When we’re filled with anger and resentment, it negatively affects our behavior and attitudes (Ephesians 4:26). This allows wickedness to influence our lives and spread more evil, instead of combating it with good.
By refusing to fret over wrongdoers, we take away their power and ability to influence us (Psalm 37:1). We keep our minds and hearts focused on glorifying God, instead of being distracted by those who do not.
God is our ultimate hope, not justice
The desire for evildoers to be justly punished stems from our innate longing for a world where goodness and morality prevail over evil. However, as Christians our ultimate hope cannot be that we’ll see perfect justice and righteousness in this lifetime. The reality is we live in a fallen, broken world corrupted by sin (Romans 8:22). As long as it exists, evil will also exist.
Only God can usher in His Kingdom that will make all things right again. Our hope as believers is in the return of Jesus Christ, who “will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with equity” (Psalm 98:9). Then there will be no more wickedness or evil left untouched by justice. God’s plan to redeem and restore creation will be fulfilled.
So we should not fret over evildoers who seem to get away with wrongdoing for now. Our hope should be in God’s power and sovereign plan which is certain to come to completion (Isaiah 14:27). Though evil seems victorious at times in the present, it will ultimately and definitively be defeated.
Vengeance belongs to God
Another key truth that helps us avoid fretting over evildoers is remembering that vengeance belongs to God alone. We are not meant to punish wrongdoers or ensure they face justice in this lifetime. Deuteronomy 32:35 declares, “‘Vengeance is mine, and recompense…'” And Romans 12:19 reminds us: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'”
We may report evildoers or stop them from harming others when possible. But we are not called to seek personal vengeance against them or others who have wronged us. Ongoing bitterness and desire for revenge is corrosive to our souls. It leads us away from forgiveness and grace. God promises perfect justice will be served in the end – so we can trust in Him, instead of taking matters into our own hands.
Focus on righteous living
Rather than worrying about evildoers and wickedness in the world, our focus should be pursuing righteous living. We have great freedom in Christ to model His goodness to all (Galatians 5:1). When we fixate on how much evil is thriving, it tempts us to sin in response – whether through hatred, violence, deceit or other means.
But we are called to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). We can bring light into darkness by practicing godly virtues like mercy, justice, love, grace, and forgiveness. Setting our minds on righteous living keeps us from fretting and preserves our moral integrity (Colossians 3:1-2). It allows us to be part of the solution in pushing back evil, not part of the problem.
Seek God’s peace
Instead of fretting over evildoers, the Bible tells us to trust in God’s perfect peace. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You [God] keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” When our focus is on God – who He is and His sovereign power over all things – He grants us supernatural peace and rest for our souls. This keeps us from worrying about wickedness.
Psalm 37:7-8 also reminds us: “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him… Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself.” As we channel our energy into seeking God’s presence and trusting His justice, it removes anxious thoughts about what evildoers are “getting away with.” We can be still and wait patiently on God’s timing and purposes.
Pray for evildoers
Finally, instead of fretting over wrongdoers, Jesus calls us to pray for them! In His Sermon on the Mount, He said: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). And while dying on the cross at the hands of evil men, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Praying for those who commit evil softens our own hearts away from hatred and judgment. It allows God to work in their hearts to bring repentance and restoration. And it is a powerful way we can overcome wickedness with Christlike grace and mercy.
Trust God’s sovereignty
At the end of the day, we do not have to fret about evildoers because God is sovereign over all. No evil or injustice ultimately thwarts His purposes. He will work through every circumstance for His glory and the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28). The wicked may seem to prosper for a time, but it is all according to His divine plan.
Proverbs 16:4 assures us that “The LORD works out everything to its proper end.” And Isaiah 46:10 says, “‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ says the LORD.” Nothing takes God by surprise or overpowers Him. Everything – including evil – will be made to serve His perfect will in the end.
So we can trust in God’s sovereignty with peace and confidence. All injustice and unrighteousness will eventually give way to His justice and redemption.
Follow the example of Jesus
Most importantly, we can look at Jesus’ example in responding to evildoers. Though He was the only truly righteous person to ever live, Jesus endured terrible evil against Himself without fretting or seeking personal vengeance. Even in the Garden of Gethsemane when He knew wicked men were coming to unjustly arrest and crucify Him, Jesus prayed: “not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). He trusted God’s greater plan was at work to conquer evil through His sacrificial death and resurrection.
Jesus’ actions remind us that fretting over evildoers shows a lack of faith in God’s power and sovereignty. It is a waste of mental energy that distracts us from living out our calling. When we feel tempted to obsess over wickedness in the world, we can pray for God’s peace and clarity on how to make a positive difference through our own righteous living. We can have confidence that in the end, God’s Kingdom will prevail over all evil.