Signs of a wicked heart Bible

        Here is a biblically grounded list of Signs of a Wicked Heart with accompanying Bible verses. This is ideal for Bible study, Christian counseling, or personal reflection. Each point is supported by Scripture to show what the Bible says about the characteristics of a wicked or evil heart.

1. Deceitfulness

     “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

        A wicked heart is deceitful, even to its owner. It masks sin, justifies wrongdoing, and manipulates truth.

2. Pride and Arrogance

    “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.” Proverbs 21:4 (KJV)

        Pride in the heart resists God's authority and refuses correction. Wicked hearts often seek self-glory instead of God's will.

3. Hatred and Bitterness

    “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 3:15 (KJV)

        A wicked heart harbors resentment, hatred, and unforgiveness, all of which destroy spiritual life.

4. Rebellion Against God

   “But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone.” Jeremiah 5:23 (KJV)

        Wicked hearts consistently resist God's word, preferring their own will over divine guidance.

5. Desiring Evil Things

    “The heart of the wicked studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” Proverbs 15:28 (KJV)

        An evil heart is drawn toward wicked desires—lust, greed, and sinful pleasures.

6. Slander and Malice

    “They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”  Psalm 12:2 (KJV)

        Wicked hearts use deceitful and destructive words. They spread rumors, curse others, and speak falsely.

7. Lack of Compassion or Mercy

    “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.”  Proverbs 11:17 (KJV)

        A wicked heart shows no empathy. It ignores the pain of others and often causes it.

8. Greed and Covetousness

    “For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith...” 1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)

        The wicked heart is never satisfied. It constantly desires more—even at the expense of others.

9. Idolatry and False Worship

    “Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart...” Ezekiel 14:3 (KJV)

        A wicked heart worships success, fame, or pleasure more than God. Idolatry is internal before it becomes external.

10. Loving Darkness Rather than Light

   “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light...” John 3:19 (KJV)

        The wicked heart is uncomfortable in God's presence. It avoids conviction and hides in spiritual darkness.

11. Unrepentant and Stubborn

    “Because I have called, and ye refused... I also will laugh at your calamity...” Proverbs 1:24-26 (KJV)

        A wicked heart refuses to repent, even when confronted with truth or consequences.

12. Hypocrisy

    “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” Matthew 15:8 (KJV)

        Wicked hearts pretend to be righteous while harboring sin within. They are religious but not righteous.

13. Plotting Evil

    “They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.”  Psalm 64:6 (KJV)

        Wicked hearts scheme, manipulate, and look for opportunities to harm others for personal gain.

14. No Fear of God

     “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.” Psalm 36:1 (KJV)

        A wicked heart has no reverence for God. It lives as though He does not see or will not judge.

15. Unbelief and Hardness

    “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief...” Hebrews 3:12 (KJV)

        A wicked heart resists faith. It hardens itself to the voice of the Holy Spirit and embraces doubt.

        A wicked heart is not always obvious on the outside—it is a spiritual condition revealed by fruit. But praise God, through Christ Jesus, even the most wicked heart can be transformed:

     “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you...”

— Ezekiel 36:26