Maybe you’ve felt it. That unsettling sense that someone in your life isn’t celebrating your wins but secretly hoping you stumble.
At CityLight Church, I’ve counseled countless members wrestling with this heavy burden, wondering if they’re imagining things or if someone really is working against them.
You might be dealing with a coworker who undermines you, a family member whose words always carry a sting, or even someone in your faith community whose actions don’t match their smile.
These Bible verses on how to know if someone is wishing bad on you offer wisdom for discerning genuine opposition while keeping your heart right before God. Scripture doesn’t leave us defenseless or clueless when facing those who desire our downfall.
Bible Verses on How to Know if Someone Is Wishing Bad on You
1. Psalm 35:4 – They Seek Your Life
“May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.” (NIV)
David recognized that some people actively plotted his ruin. The Hebrew word for “seek” implies persistent pursuit with harmful intent. When someone consistently works against your wellbeing despite your kindness, Scripture acknowledges this reality. You’re not imagining genuine opposition.
2. Proverbs 26:24-26 – Hidden Hatred Behind Kind Words
“Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts. Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.” (NIV)
This passage reveals a key indicator: disconnection between words and actions. Someone wishing you harm often speaks sweetly while harboring deceit.
At CityLight Church, I’ve seen this pattern repeatedly. Watch for the gap between what people say to your face and what they do behind your back.
3. Psalm 41:5-6 – False Concern, Real Malice
“My enemies say of me in malice, ‘When will he die and his name perish?’ When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around.” (NIV)
David described people who visited him with apparent concern but gathered information to spread gossip.
They came with false sympathy, collecting ammunition for slander. If someone pumps you for information then uses it against you, that’s a clear sign of ill intent.
4. Jeremiah 9:8 – Smiling Enemies
“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.” (NIV)
Jeremiah identified those who speak cordially outwardly while setting traps inwardly. The prophet warns about people whose tongues are “deadly arrows” even when their words sound friendly. Pay attention when someone’s public friendliness doesn’t match their private actions toward you.
5. Psalm 38:12 – Plotting Harm
“Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie.” (NLT)
When people scheme “all day long” for your downfall, there’s a relentless quality to their opposition. They’re not occasionally frustrated with you but consistently plotting harm. This persistent pattern distinguishes genuine enemies from people having a bad season.
6. Psalm 56:5-6 – Twisting Your Words
“All day long they twist my words; all their schemes are for my ruin. They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps, hoping to take my life.” (NIV)
Word-twisting is a major indicator someone wishes you harm. They take innocent statements and distort them to paint you negatively. At our church, I’ve watched this devastate relationships. When someone consistently misrepresents your words and intentions, they’re revealing their heart posture toward you.
7. Matthew 5:11 – Falsely Saying Evil Against You
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” (NIV)
Jesus acknowledged that some will “falsely say all kinds of evil” about His followers. When someone spreads lies about you, especially regarding your character or motives, that’s clear evidence of malicious intent. False accusations are spiritual warfare, not misunderstanding.
8. Psalm 37:12 – The Wicked Plot Against the Righteous
“The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them.” (NIV)
Scripture is blunt: wicked people plot against the righteous. If you’re living for God, some will oppose you because of what you represent. The phrase “gnash their teeth” suggests anger and hostility. When someone displays inexplicable hostility toward your godliness, you’re experiencing spiritual opposition.
9. Proverbs 14:22 – Those Who Plot Evil Go Astray
“Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.” (NIV)
The contrast here helps you discern: plotters of evil go astray from truth and relationship. If someone’s actions consistently lead to division, confusion, and harm, their heart intent is revealed. Meanwhile, those planning a good build up rather than tear down.
10. Psalm 140:2 – Devising Evil in Their Hearts
“Who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war continually.” (NKJV)
Some people “stir up war continually.” They’re not peaceable but consistently create conflict around you.
When someone repeatedly manufactures drama, division, or accusations involving you, they’re revealing a heart that devises evil plans rather than seeks your welfare.
Our Thoughts On What The Bible Says About Discerning Ill Intent
These Bible verses on how to know if someone is wishing bad on you reveal consistent patterns: persistent plotting, disconnection between words and actions, word-twisting, false accusations, concealed malice behind friendly speech, and continuous conflict-stirring. Scripture doesn’t call us to paranoia but to wisdom.
At CityLight Church, we teach members to trust God’s protection while staying alert to genuine opposition. Not everyone who disagrees with you wishes you harm, but when these biblical patterns emerge consistently, you’re likely facing real spiritual opposition.
The key is responding rightly: pray for your enemies, maintain your integrity, trust God as your defender, and don’t return evil for evil. Let God expose hidden malice while you walk in peace and righteousness.
Say This Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me discernment to recognize genuine opposition while protecting my heart from suspicion and paranoia.
When people truly wish me harm, open my eyes to their schemes and give me wisdom to respond rightly. Help me not return evil for evil but to bless those who curse me and pray for those plotting against me.
Expose what’s hidden, protect me from slander and false accusations, and vindicate my name in Your perfect timing. Guard my heart from bitterness toward those wishing me ill. Give me grace to love my enemies and trust You as my defender.
Let me walk in peace even when surrounded by opposition, knowing You fight for me. Soften the hearts of those who scheme against me and bring conviction where there’s malice. Keep me humble, keep me kind, and keep me faithful regardless of how others treat me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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