"Do not repay anyone evil for evil… Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone."
— Romans 12:17 (NIV)
Your hands were created to build, bless, and heal. God gave you strength and skill—not for destruction—but to reflect His goodness in the world. Yet when the hands are surrendered to sin, they become tools of unrighteousness. Whether through violence, deceit, or exploitation, the work of our hands can become a pathway for evil to multiply.
The Bible constantly warns against those who "work evil with their hands"—because such labor doesn't just dishonor others—it dishonors God. The sin is not only in what we do, but in why and how we do it.
The Root of Evil Labor
"They speak cordially with their neighbors, but harbor malice in their hearts. Their hands are busy with evil schemes."
— Psalm 28:3–4 (NIV)
Working evil with your hands can mean more than obvious crimes. It also includes daily decisions to use your gifts, your energy, or your job for selfish gain, deceit, or manipulation. When your labor serves greed instead of love, lies instead of truth, destruction instead of life—you are no longer building God's kingdom.
The hands that once praised or served become hands that wound, deceive, or exploit.
Examples of Working Evil with Your Hands
Creating or distributing things that glorify sin (e.g., pornography, occult items, violent media)
Using your job or skills to promote corruption, dishonesty, or fraud
Physically harming others as a means of enforcement, revenge, or intimidation
Stealing through manipulation or unlawful labor
Creating false documents, fake identities, or forging records
Selling goods or services through deceitful practices
Working in a way that deliberately causes harm, fear, or addiction
Destroying what others have built out of jealousy or spite
"They make ready their tongues like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph… They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me."
— Jeremiah 9:3 (NIV)
Even quiet hands can be guilty. If your labor supports evil—if it furthers injustice, stirs sin, or oppresses others—then you must stop and turn.
The Damage of Evil Labor
Distorts your identity and purpose in Christ
Feeds cycles of sin and harm in your community
Strengthens the kingdom of darkness
Brings guilt, shame, and spiritual separation from God
Damages your witness as a believer
Desensitizes your conscience over time
"Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning's light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it."
— Micah 2:1 (NIV)
Just because you can do it, doesn't mean you should. Power without purpose becomes poison. Skill without righteousness becomes a weapon.
How to Guard Against This Sin
1. Examine the Fruit of Your Labor
What are you producing? Does it glorify God or feed sin?
(Matthew 7:17 – "Every good tree bears good fruit…")
2. Dedicate Your Work to the Lord
Let your hands serve the Kingdom, not the flesh.
(Colossians 3:23 – "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…")
3. Reject Jobs or Roles that Compromise Integrity
Even if the pay is good—if the work promotes evil, it's not worth your soul.
(Proverbs 16:8 – "Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice.")
4. Use Your Skills to Bless Others
Find ways to use your hands to serve the poor, build the church, or encourage the broken.
(Ephesians 4:28 – "…useful work with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.")
5. Repent and Redeem Your Craft
If you've misused your talents, it's not too late. Bring them under God's authority.
(Psalm 90:17 – "Establish the work of our hands…")
Prayer for Holy Hands and Righteous Work
"Lord, I repent for the times I've used my hands for selfish or sinful gain. Forgive me for any work I've done that dishonored You or harmed others. Cleanse my conscience and redirect my gifts. Let my labor be pure. Let my craft bring You glory. Teach me to build what lasts, to serve without pride, and to work with joy in Your name. In Jesus' name, Amen."