When God turns His face against evil people, He issues a solemn warning regarding the inevitable judgment on evil. His unwavering gaze is a testament to His righteousness, and it serves as a reminder that those who persist in wickedness shall face the consequences of their actions. Yet, even amid such judgment, there remains hope for redemption through sincere repentance. Thus, it is imperative to recognize the need for transformation and to earnestly seek God’s mercy while there is still time.
When God Turns His Face Against Evil People
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
A Biblical Study of 1 Peter 3:12
“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.”
— 1 Peter 3:12 (KJV)
God Sees Everything
Many people believe that because God is loving, He overlooks the evil that people commit towards others. The Bible teaches something very different. While God is indeed merciful, patient, and abundant in grace, He is also perfectly holy and just. He does not ignore persistent rebellion or deliberate acts of wickedness.
First Peter 3:12 presents two completely opposite realities.
On one side are the righteous—those who seek to obey God, confess their sins, and walk in His ways. God’s eyes are upon them, and His ears are attentive to their prayers.
On the other side are those who persist in doing evil. Scripture says that the face of the Lord is against them.
This is one of the strongest warnings found in the New Testament.
God is not indifferent toward evil. He responds to every evil act anyone commits.
He actively opposes it because God hates and judges every evil act one commits.
Many today, including many who follow the Lord and His teachings may find it hard to believe that God turns against anyone, Christian or not, if they continue to do evil deeds.
What Does It Mean That “The Face of the Lord Is Against Them”?
Throughout Scripture, God’s face represents His favor, blessing, presence, and peace.
When God “makes His face shine upon” someone, it signifies His approval and blessing.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”
But when Scripture says God’s face is against someone, it means His favor has been withdrawn because of unrepentant sin and unwillingness to stop committing evil deeds.
He is opposing their actions rather than blessing them.
God Does Not Delight in Evil
God’s character never changes.
He has always hated wickedness.
Psalm 5:4-5 (KJV)
“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.”
Notice that David does not merely say God hates sin.
He says God hates workers of iniquity—those who continually practice evil without repentance.
Persistent Evil Creates a Barrier
The Bible repeatedly teaches that persistent, unrepentant sins of doing evil creates a barrier between people and God.
Isaiah 59:1-2 (KJV)
“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.“
Notice what Isaiah says.
God’s power has not diminished.
His hearing has not weakened.
The problem is not with God.
The problem is unrepentant people who devise wicked acts that separates people from fellowship with Him.
This does not mean a repentant sinner can never be forgiven. Scripture consistently promises forgiveness to those who turn back to God through repentance. Rather, it warns that those who cling to evil while refusing to repent should not expect intimate fellowship with Him or favorable answers to their prayers.
God Opposes Those Who Refuse to Turn
God is patient.
He gives people countless opportunities to repent. Gpd allocates a time frame, or “space to repent” but if they refuse to repent, God turns against them and removes his blessing off their life. A perfect example of this is found in Revelation 2:21 where God forbid a Jezebel to run His church and gave a strong warning to give a space to repent before He turnned against them for allowing this in the church of Thyatira,
Revelation 2:19-24
“19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.”
If someone continues practicing evil without turning away from it, God opposes them.
Proverbs 15:29 (KJV)
“The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.“
Proverbs 28:9 (KJV)
“He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”
Imagine praying while refusing to obey God.
Scripture says such prayers become offensive and an abomination because the heart refuses God’s authority. Unfortunately many today are doing the same thing because they refuse to turn from doing evil deeds. God says one word to them, “repent”.
Evil Includes More Than Violence
Many people assume evil only includes murder or major crimes.
The Bible paints a much broader picture.
Evil includes anything that rebels against God’s righteousness.
This includes:
Witchcraft and occult practices
Malicious behavior
Hatred
Bitterness
Slander
Lying
Deception
Revenge
Gossip
Pride
Immorality
Oppression
Unforgiveness
Jealousy
Causing division
Exploiting and using others
Deliberately harming innocent people
… and many other like things which are evil.
God sees every hidden evil motive. Every evil deed is judged by God eventually, and nothing escapes His eyes, many times God allows people time to repent, other times God judges people immediately.
Proverbs 15:3 (KJV) “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.”
Nothing escapes His eyes, both the good, and the evil that people do.
Witchcraft Is an Abomination Before God
One of the greatest forms of rebellion against God is witchcraft.
It is not merely magic. It is a snare and a trap that many have fallen into.
Scripture presents it as seeking spiritual power apart from God.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 (KJV)
“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD.”
God calls these practices an abomination because they involve turning away from Him and seeking forbidden spiritual power.
The New Testament likewise warns against sorcery.
Galatians 5:19-21 (KJV) lists “witchcraft” among the works of the flesh and warns that those who persist in such practices without repentance “shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Malicious Hearts Also Oppose God
Not all evil is supernatural.
Sometimes evil appears in ordinary people doing physical evil things that anger the Lord.
A malicious person delights in hurting others.
They spread lies.
They manipulate.
They seek revenge.
They destroy reputations.
They celebrate another person’s suffering.
God sees it all.
Proverbs 6:16-19 (KJV) says:
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
Feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies,
And he that soweth discord among brethren.”
Notice how many of these sins involve harming other people.
Biblical Examples of God Opposing Evil
King Saul
Saul repeatedly disobeyed God.
Instead of repenting, he eventually sought guidance from a medium – (witchcraft).
1 Samuel 28:7
Saul’s rebellion and consultation with a spirit medium demonstrated how far he had departed from trusting God.
The Lord had already withdrawn His favor because Saul persistently rejected His commands.
King Ahab
Ahab repeatedly practiced idolatry and evil under the influence of Jezebel.
God sent Elijah to pronounce judgment upon them, this judgment also affected their descendants because their refusal to repent of doing evil and serving other false gods.
1 Kings 21
Although Ahab humbled himself for a time after hearing God’s judgment, his life illustrates how persistent wickedness invites God’s opposition.
Simon the Sorcerer
Simon attempted to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit.
Peter rebuked him severely.
Acts 8:20-23
Peter told him:
“Thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”
He then urged Simon to repent and pray that he might be forgiven if his heart truly turned back to God.
Elymas the Sorcerer
Elymas opposed the Gospel and tried to keep others from believing.
Acts 13:8-11
Paul declared God’s judgment, and Elymas was struck blind for a time.
This dramatic event showed God’s opposition to those who actively resist His work.
Ananias and Sapphira
They lied to the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:1-11
Their deception brought immediate judgment upon them.
The early church learned that God is holy and a righteous judge also.
Can God Hear the Prayer of an Unrepentant Person?
The Bible distinguishes between God’s knowledge of all things and His favorable response to prayer.
God certainly hears every word spoken, but Scripture repeatedly teaches that He does not promise to answer with favor those who stubbornly persist in evil while refusing to repent.
At the same time, God welcomes the sincere prayer of repentance.
The tax collector in Jesus’ parable cried,
“God be merciful to me a sinner.“
Luke 18:13
He went home justified because he humbled himself before God.
Likewise, 1 John 1:9 (KJV) promises:
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.“
The barrier is removed when there is genuine repentance and faith.
God Invites Repentance
Even when God opposes evil, His desire is not destruction but repentance.
Ezekiel 33:11 (KJV)
“As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.”
This reveals the heart of God.
He warns because He loves. God gives space for people to repent.
He disciplines because He desires restoration.
He calls sinners to turn so they may receive mercy.
The Good News
No one is beyond God’s forgiveness if they truly repent.
Whether the sin is witchcraft, hatred, manipulation, deception, bitterness, or any other evil, Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient for all who come to Him in repentance and faith.
God does not promise His favor to those who cling to evil.
But He abundantly promises mercy to those who forsake it.
Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.“
Final Thoughts
First Peter 3:12 is both a warning and an invitation.
It warns every person who continues in evil that God does not bless or approve of wickedness. His face is against those who stubbornly persist in rebellion.
Yet it also offers tremendous hope.
The same God who opposes evil eagerly receives those who repent.
If there is bitterness in your heart, repent.
If you have practiced witchcraft or the occult, turn away from it and repent.
If you have lied, manipulated others, held hatred, or harmed people through your words or actions, confess your sin before God and seek reconciliation where appropriate.
Do not delay.
Today can be the day that God’s face turns from judgment to mercy.
As James reminds us:
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.“
— James 4:8 (KJV)
The Lord’s eyes remain upon the righteous, His ears are open to their prayers, and His grace is available to every person willing to repent, believe, and walk in His ways.
