What Does The Bible Say About The Evil Eye
The concept of the evil eye, or the belief that one can receive harm from a person who looks at them with malicious intent, is rooted in Judeo-Christianity and a wide range of other religions. In the Bible, it is mentioned several times, both in a positive and a negative light. The evil eye concept is often linked to envy and covetousness, and it is believed that those who possess the power of the evil eye can bring curses and misfortune upon another person.
The Bible is full of references to the power of the evil eye, as well as warnings to guard against it. In Proverbs 23:6-7, the power of the evil eye is compared to a viper’s bite: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he; …… Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee. The morsel which thou hast eaten shalt thou vomit up, and lose thy sweet words.”
The book of Psalms also contains a warning against the power of the evil eye, saying, “Brood of evildoers shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in Thee, O Lord.” In Matthew 6:22-23, Jesus warns against the “evil eye” when He says “If thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness.” This indicates that where the evil eye has the power to bring darkness and curses, it also has the power to bring light and blessings.
In the book of Job, God is directly associated with the power of the evil eye, as Job prays to God, “Let the evil of the wicked come upon him: and let the fierce anger of the oppressor consume him.” In this way, the Bible is clear that “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3).
The Bible also reminds us that God is the ultimate judge when it comes to the power of the evil eye, as it is written in Proverbs 16:4 : “The Lord has made all for his own purpose; even the wicked for the day of evil.” Thus, although the Bible acknowledges the power of the evil eye, it ultimately serves to remind us that, no matter how powerful it might be, God is ultimately in control.
Possible Repercussions Of An Evil Eye
While the Bible recognizes the power of the evil eye, it does not condone its use. However, it does warn us of the potential repercussions of giving or receiving one – the main one being that it can cause harm to the recipient. In Proverbs 25:18, it says, “He that offers his heart to God takes care of his own house; so that evil eye will not be on him.” Thus, it is clear that the Bible actively warns against the use of the evil eye.
In addition to the physical harm that can come from the evil eye, the Bible warns us of spiritual harm as well. For example, in Deuteronomy 7:17-18, it says: “Be sure to keep the commandments of the Lord your God…. And do not be crippled by superstitions or charms, nor let them cast a spell on you; for the Lord your God is a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generations of them that hate Him.” This Scripture suggests that the evil eye can lead to spiritual blindness, which in turn can make us prone to sin.
The Bible also states that the evil eye can lead to harm in more subtle ways, such as the destruction of relationships. In Matthew 18:6-7, Jesus warns us that it is not only the arm of human flesh that can lead to destruction: “Woe to the world because of offenses! For it must needs be that offenses come; but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh!” Thus, just as physical wounds can heal, spiritual wounds from the evil eye can remain, even when the instigator is long gone.
Holistic Approaches To Protection Against The Evil Eye
Although the Bible does not condone the use of the evil eye, it does provide instructions for protection against them. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises us to trust in God for protection: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.” This verse suggests that if we trust God and rely on Him to protect us, then even the power of the evil eye will not be able to do us any harm.
In addition to relying on faith, there are also some more practical measures one can take to protect against the power of the evil eye. Wearing outerwear specifically designed with the evil eye symbol can help to ward off the spiritual and physical effects of the evil eye. Similarly, in the Bible the prophet Job is described as putting on a kind of “breastplate of faith” (Job 29:7-17) in order to defend himself against harm.
Finally, the Bible also mentions that prayer is effective against the evil eye. Psalm 109:15-16 states: “Let the blaming of his enemies be foiled; and let not them that hate him speak slanders against him. Let the words of his mouth be accepted and let the thoughts of his heart be known unto thee; O Lord, thou hast proven that he is just and faithful.” Thus, prayer and trust in God are the ultimate weapons against the power of the evil eye.
The Power Of Faith And Persistence
The Bible teaches us that faith, prayer and vigilance are essential in protecting ourselves against the power of the evil eye. We must remain constantly aware that we are surrounded by forces that can cause us harm, but at the same time remember that, with faith, prayer and persistence, we can be assured of protection from them. This dual awareness – both of the power of the enemy and of our trust in God – is essential for guarding our hearts and protecting our souls.
In Jeremiah 17:5-7, we are reminded of the power of faith: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart and prove the mind, to give every man according to his ways.” This verse serves as an important reminder that, in spite of the dangers posed by the evil eye, our faith in God is far greater. Not only can He protect us from the harm our enemies wish to do us, but He can transform them into friends.
The Bible’s Advice On Conversion Of Enemies To Friends
The Bible offers much advice on how to convert our enemies into friends, not just in terms of earthly relationships, but in terms of our spiritual welfare. In Proverbs 25:21-22, it says: “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.” In this way, the Bible encourages us to practice forgiveness, mercy and kindness towards our enemies, even those who wish us harm with the evil eye.
In contrast to this, the book of Psalms speaks of a different approach, emphasizing the importance of remaining vigilant in the face of those who seek to do us harm: “Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still” (Psalms 4:4-5). This verse advises us to remain alert and prayerful, so that if enemies seek to do us harm, we will be able to protect ourselves.
Jesus also taught us how to use caution and discernment against our enemies in the Gospels, reminding us that it is possible to turn an enemy into a friend. In Luke 6:27-28, He teaches the importance of practicing love and mercy even towards those who wish us harm: “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you and pray for them which despitefully use you.” In this way, the Bible teaches us that with faith, prayer and discernment, we can protect ourselves from the power of the evil eye and turn our enemies into friends.
How To Pray To Deflect An Evil Eye
The Bible also provides numerous examples of how to pray to deflect the power of an evil eye. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus teaches us to pray for our enemies and bless those who curse us: “Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” This verse implores us to not just pray for protection, but to also pray that our enemies will be lifted up and blessed, even in the midst of their opposition.
The book of Psalms also provides us with similar advice. In Psalm 7:9-10, it names those who bear witness against us, and implores us to turn to God for protection: “Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.” In this way, the Bible advises us to pray for protection, not only for ourselves, but for our enemies as well.
Finally, it is important to remember that divine intervention should never be a substitute for our own actions; rather, it should be seen as an additional tool to be used to protect ourselves from evil. This can be found in James 4:7, which challenges us to “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Thus, although prayer is essential, it should not be our only tool against the power of the evil eye.
