In life, not everyone who smiles at you is a friend, and not every silent moment is peaceful. Sometimes, those around us can carry hidden intentions, wishing harm or failure while pretending to be supportive. This can leave us emotionally vulnerable and spiritually drained, especially when the betrayal or negativity comes from someone close. In moments like this, the Bible offers clarity, wisdom, and protection. God never leaves His people in the dark. He has provided spiritual discernment through His Word, and through the Holy Spirit, we can recognize signs of evil intent and respond in truth and grace.
The Bible teaches us that the human heart can be deceptive, but it also reminds us that no weapon formed against us shall prosper when we walk with God. Jesus Himself was betrayed by someone who shared a table with Him. That betrayal wasn’t hidden from God. So if you sense that someone may be plotting your downfall or harboring envy, God wants you to come to Him for discernment and protection. He sees what is hidden, and He can open your eyes to the truth, even when others try to disguise their motives.
These verses will help you understand spiritual signs of harmful intent, recognize the tactics of those who wish you harm, and remind you that God is your shield in all circumstances.
Bible Verses on How to Know if Someone Is Wishing Bad on You
1. Proverbs 26:24–26
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them.
2. Matthew 7:15–16
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them.
3. Psalm 41:6–9
When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely… Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
4. Proverbs 16:28
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.
5. Jeremiah 9:8
Their tongue is a deadly arrow; it speaks deceitfully. With their mouths they all speak cordially to their neighbors, but in their hearts they set traps for them.
6. Psalm 55:21
His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart. His words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
7. Ecclesiastes 7:21–22
Do not pay attention to every word people say… for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.
8. Luke 6:45
A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart… For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
9. Psalm 109:2–3
For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me… They surround me with words of hatred and attack me without cause.
10. Micah 7:5–6
Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend… A man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
11. Proverbs 27:6
Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.
12. Matthew 10:36
A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.
13. Job 19:19
All my intimate friends detest me; those I love have turned against me.
14. Psalm 140:2–3
They devise evil plans in their hearts… They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s.
15. Matthew 26:48–49
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal… Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
16. Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
17. 2 Timothy 3:13
Evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
18. Galatians 5:19–21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage… those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
19. Romans 16:17–18
Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way… By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
20. Psalm 64:2–5
Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the plots of evildoers… They encourage each other in evil plans.
21. Proverbs 10:18
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.
22. 2 Corinthians 11:13–14
Such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.
23. Psalm 35:19–20
Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause… They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations.
24. Proverbs 14:8
The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
25. Matthew 24:10–11
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other.
26. Isaiah 29:13
These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
27. Psalm 5:9–10
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice… Declare them guilty, O God!
28. Lamentations 3:60–61
You have seen all their vengeance and all their plots against me… and their schemes against me all day long.
29. Titus 1:16
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.
30. Psalm 28:3
Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.
31. Proverbs 26:23
Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
32. Matthew 13:25
But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
33. Proverbs 21:10
The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.
34. Isaiah 59:7
Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes.
35. 2 Peter 2:1–2
There will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies… Many will follow their depraved conduct.
Our Thoughts On What the Bible Says About People Wishing You Harm
The Bible doesn’t leave us defenseless when we face people who secretly wish us harm. It gives us insight into how deceit works, how it sounds, and how it hides behind smiles and smooth words. God wants His children to walk in discernment, not suspicion, but with a holy awareness of the spiritual reality around them. When we notice patterns of deception, slander, or manipulation, we are not to fear but to turn to God for direction and protection.
Sometimes the harm people wish upon us may come in silence or subtle undermining, but God is our shield. He knows the thoughts of every heart. The Holy Spirit is our guide, and through prayer and wisdom from Scripture, we can recognize what the natural eye misses. Remember, the battle isn’t always with flesh and blood but with spiritual forces of evil. Stand firm, stay alert, and keep your peace anchored in Christ.
Say This Prayer
Father, I come before You today asking for spiritual discernment. If there are people around me who do not mean me well, open my eyes to the truth. Protect me from hidden dangers and guide my steps away from those who plot evil. Help me not to fear, but to trust in You fully. Remove every deceptive voice and shield me from every silent weapon formed against me. Fill me with Your wisdom, Your presence, and Your peace. Let no plot of the enemy prosper in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.