What is the evil eye? Is it real?

TL;DR:

The evil eye is a superstitious belief; Christians are called to trust in God's protection, rather than fear such things.

The concept of the "evil eye" is a superstition not found in biblical teaching. While the Bible acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:12), it does not support the idea of a curse transmitted through envious glances. Instead, Scripture emphasizes God's sovereignty and protection over His people (Psalm 91:1–2; Romans 8:38–39). The Bible warns against envy and jealousy as sinful attitudes of the heart (Galatians 5:19–21; James 3:14–16), but it doesn't attribute supernatural harm to these emotions. Jesus teaches that evil originates from within a person's heart, not from external curses (Mark 7:21–23). The Bible encourages believers to trust in God's power and protection, rather than relying on superstitious practices or objects for safety (Psalm 20:7; Proverbs 3:5–6).

from the old testament

Deuteronomy 18:10–12: "There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD." There are numerous warnings against various superstitious practices, which would include belief in the evil eye.
Psalm 33:18–19: "Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine." The psalmist notes God's watchful care over His people, contrasting with the superstitious fear of an evil eye.
Proverbs 23:6–7: "Do not eat the bread of a man who is stingy; do not desire his delicacies, for he is like one who is inwardly calculating. 'Eat and drink!' he says to you, but his heart is not with you." This passage describes a person with an "evil eye" in terms of their stinginess, not a supernatural ability to curse.

from the new testament

Mark 7:21–23: "For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Jesus teaches that evil originates from within a person's heart, not from external curses like the evil eye.
First John 4:4: "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." This verse assures believers of God's greater power within them, negating the need to fear superstitious concepts like the evil eye.
James 4:7: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James provides practical advice for dealing with spiritual opposition, focusing on submission to God, rather than superstitious practices.

implications for today

Christians must take care in navigating a world where superstitions and folk beliefs are still prevalent. Our faith must be rooted in God's Word, rather than cultural superstitions. This frees us from fear of curses or malevolent glances, allowing us to live confidently in God's protection. Instead of seeking amulets or performing rituals to ward off supposed curses, we're to cultivate a heart of trust in God and resist sinful attitudes like envy and jealousy. This biblical worldview also equips us to engage with kindness and patience with those who fear the evil eye, offering the hope and assurance found in Christ.

understand

The evil eye is a cultural superstition, suggesting that an envious look can inflict harm or misfortune.
Scripture emphasizes trusting in God's sovereignty and protection, rather than fearing superstitions
Evil comes from within the heart, not from external sources.

reflect

When you feel anxious or fearful about the opinions or judgments of others, how can trusting in God's protection help you overcome those fears?
How does envy or jealousy appear in your own life, and how can you guard against these attitudes?
How does understanding that evil originates from within influence your perspective on external circumstances or superstitions?

engage

What cultural superstitions have you encountered that might contradict biblical teachings? How can we approach these beliefs with a biblical perspective?
How can the teachings of Jesus about the heart (Mark 7:21–23) help us address issues of envy and jealousy within our communities?
In what practical ways can we encourage those who are fearful of superstitions, like the evil eye, to place their trust in God’s sovereignty and protection?
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