Examples of trust in the Bible

         The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, provides a sweeping narrative of humanity's relationship with God and His righteousness. Alongside the themes of grace and redemption, it thoroughly addresses the presence and nature of evil. Evil in the Bible manifests through actions, characters, systems, and spiritual forces. This article explores significant examples of evil throughout Scripture, focusing on human choices, divine judgments, and the influence of supernatural rebellion.

1. The Fall of Lucifer (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–17)

        Before the appearance of evil on Earth, the Bible hints at a celestial rebellion. Lucifer, often interpreted as Satan in prophetic imagery, is described as a once-beautiful and wise cherub who fell because of pride. Isaiah portrays him as desiring to ascend above the stars of God and to sit on the mount of the congregation. This desire to usurp God led to his fall from heaven. Ezekiel highlights the corruption of wisdom and the defilement of sanctuaries by Lucifer’s iniquities. This marks the origin of evil in the spiritual realm and introduces Satan as the ultimate adversary.

2. The Fall of Man (Genesis 3)

        The first recorded human act of evil occurs in the Garden of Eden. Satan, in the form of a serpent, tempts Eve to disobey God by eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Eve, and subsequently Adam, yield to the temptation. This act of disobedience introduces sin and death into the world. The fall results in separation from God, curses on humanity and the earth, and the beginning of human suffering. The deceit of the serpent and the choice of Adam and Eve exemplify the interplay between spiritual and moral evil.

3. The Murder of Abel (Genesis 4:1–16)

        Cain, the firstborn of Adam and Eve, becomes the first murderer. When God accepts Abel’s offering but not Cain’s, jealousy consumes him. Despite God’s warning that “sin is crouching at the door,” Cain lures Abel into the field and kills him. This act of fratricide illustrates how quickly evil spreads in human nature. God’s judgment on Cain includes banishment and a mark to protect him from vengeance.

4. The Wickedness of Humanity Before the Flood (Genesis 6:5–7)

        By the time of Noah, the wickedness of man had become so great that “every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Violence filled the earth. God regretted that He had made humanity and decided to destroy all flesh with a great flood, preserving only Noah and his family. This judgment highlights the pervasive nature of evil and God's intolerance of unrepentant corruption.

5. Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18–19)

        Sodom and Gomorrah were cities characterized by grave sin. Their iniquity included sexual perversion, pride, and disregard for justice. When two angels visit Lot in Sodom, the men of the city attempt to sexually assault them. This extreme wickedness provokes divine wrath. God rains down fire and brimstone, destroying the cities. Lot and his daughters escape, but his wife turns into a pillar of salt for looking back.

6. Pharaoh’s Oppression (Exodus 1–14)

        Pharaoh’s treatment of the Israelites in Egypt is another biblical example of institutional evil. He enslaves them, subjects them to harsh labor, and orders the killing of Hebrew male infants. Despite numerous signs and plagues, Pharaoh repeatedly hardened his heart against God’s command to let Israel go. This stubbornness results in plagues upon Egypt, culminating in the death of the firstborn and the parting of the Red Sea, where Pharaoh’s army perishes.

7. The Golden Calf (Exodus 32)

        While Moses is on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments, the Israelites persuade Aaron to create a golden calf. They declare it to be their god who brought them out of Egypt. This act of idolatry provokes God’s anger. Moses returns to find the people worshiping the idol and dancing in revelry. As punishment, Moses orders the Levites to kill about 3,000 men, and God sends a plague among the people.

8. Korah’s Rebellion (Numbers 16)

        Korah, a Levite, leads a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, questioning their authority. Alongside Dathan, Abiram, and 250 leaders, he challenges God's appointed leadership. In response, God causes the earth to open and swallow the rebels, and fire consumes the 250 men. This act of defiance and its judgment illustrate the danger of rebellion against divinely instituted authority.

9. King Saul’s Disobedience and Jealousy (1 Samuel 15–19)

        King Saul initially shows promise but descends into evil through disobedience and envy. When instructed to destroy the Amalekites, he spares their king and the best livestock. This disobedience leads to his rejection as king. Later, consumed with jealousy over David’s popularity, Saul attempts to kill him multiple times. His decline is marked by paranoia, attempted murder, and eventual consultation with a medium—acts condemned by God.

10. Jezebel’s Wickedness (1 Kings 16–21)

        Queen Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab, is a notorious figure of evil in the Old Testament. She promotes Baal worship in Israel, persecutes the prophets of God, and orchestrates the death of Naboth to seize his vineyard. Elijah the prophet confronts her and foretells her violent death. Eventually, she is thrown from a window, trampled, and eaten by dogs—fulfilling the prophetic judgment.

11. Manasseh’s Reign (2 Kings 21:1–16)

        King Manasseh of Judah is described as one of the most evil kings in biblical history. He reintroduces idolatry, builds altars to Baal, worships celestial bodies, and even sacrifices his son by fire. He sheds much innocent blood and leads Judah into greater sin than the nations God drove out. His reign brings God’s wrath upon Judah, though he later repents during captivity.

12. The Betrayal of Jesus (Matthew 26:14–16, 47–50)

        Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve disciples, agrees to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. He leads the authorities to Jesus and identifies Him with a kiss. This betrayal leads to Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion. After realizing the gravity of his action, Judas attempts to return the money and ultimately hangs himself. His betrayal is often seen as the epitome of treachery and greed.

13. Herod’s Massacre (Matthew 2:16–18)

        King Herod, upon learning from the Magi about the birth of Jesus, orders the killing of all male children in Bethlehem two years old and under. This atrocity is motivated by fear of losing his throne. The slaughter of innocent children is one of the most heinous acts recorded in the New Testament, fulfilling Jeremiah’s prophecy of Rachel weeping for her children.

14. The Crucifixion of Jesus (Matthew 27; Luke 23)

         The crucifixion of Jesus, though divinely purposed for salvation, involves multiple acts of evil: false accusations by religious leaders, betrayal by a disciple, political manipulation by the Sanhedrin, and the crowd’s demand for His death. Jesus, innocent and without sin, is mocked, beaten, and crucified. This climactic event encapsulates both the depth of human evil and the mystery of divine redemption.

15. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11)

         In the early Church, Ananias and Sapphira sold property but deceitfully withheld part of the money while pretending to donate all of it. Their lie is exposed by the Holy Spirit through Peter. As a result, both fall dead instantly—first Ananias, then Sapphira. This severe judgment shocks the Church and underlines the seriousness of lying to God.

16. Simon the Sorcerer (Acts 8:9–24)

        Simon, a magician in Samaria, believes in Christ and is baptized. However, when he sees the apostles laying hands to impart the Holy Spirit, he offers money to buy this power. Peter rebukes him sharply, declaring that his heart is not right with God and that he is full of bitterness and iniquity. Simon’s attempt to commercialize divine gifts is condemned as wickedness.

17. Elymas the Sorcerer (Acts 13:6–11)

        Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer, opposes Paul and Barnabas as they preach to the proconsul Sergius Paulus. Seeking to turn the official away from the faith, he is confronted by Paul, who calls him a child of the devil and an enemy of righteousness. Immediately, Elymas is struck blind by divine judgment. His attempt to hinder the gospel is a clear instance of spiritual opposition.

18. The Beast and the False Prophet (Revelation 13)

         Revelation introduces two figures of concentrated evil: the Beast (interpreted as a political or imperial power) and the False Prophet (a religious deceiver). The Beast blasphemes God and wages war against the saints. The False Prophet performs signs and deceives the world into worshiping the Beast. Their reign culminates in widespread persecution and idolatry.

19. Babylon the Great (Revelation 17–18)

        “Babylon the Great” symbolizes a corrupt world system—characterized by immorality, materialism, and persecution of the saints. She is portrayed as a harlot drunk with the blood of the martyrs. Her judgment is swift and complete. The imagery of Babylon represents the collective evil of worldly kingdoms opposed to God.

        From personal sin to national rebellion, from spiritual deception to outright violence, the Bible records evil in its many manifestations. These narratives do not glamorize wickedness but expose its nature, consequences, and spiritual origins. They serve as part of the larger biblical story—a story in which God confronts evil with justice, holiness, and ultimately, redemptive love.