While the word karma doesn’t appear in the Bible, the concept of reaping what we sow is deeply woven into biblical teachings. Scripture repeatedly reminds us that our actions, whether good or bad, have consequences.
These 16 Bible verses offer spiritual insight into how our choices shape our lives and how God's justice ensures that righteousness and wrongdoing are ultimately rewarded accordingly.
1. You Reap What You Sow: Galatians 6:7
"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap."
This verse directly mirrors the idea of karma. It warns that our actions have inevitable consequences. Whether we sow kindness or deceit, the results will return to us in time. The Apostle Paul emphasizes God's justice system here, no one escapes accountability. It's a clear reminder that we shape our outcomes through our behavior, and nothing escapes divine notice.
2. Justice Will Prevail: Proverbs 11:18
"A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward."
Proverbs is filled with wisdom on cause and effect. This verse teaches that while evil might seem profitable temporarily, its rewards are false. In contrast, righteousness always produces lasting, dependable blessings. God's justice ensures that truth and integrity are ultimately rewarded.
3. A Time for Everything: Ecclesiastes 3:17
"I said to myself, ‘God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.’"
Ecclesiastes reminds us that divine justice may not be immediate, but it is certain. Every action, good or bad, will face God’s judgment. This aligns with the long-term view of karma: justice may take time, but it always comes.
4. God Examines the Heart: Jeremiah 17:10
"I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve."
This powerful verse teaches that God doesn’t just see our actions, He understands our motives. Our outcomes are based not just on what we do, but why we do it. The reward or consequence we receive is precisely aligned with our intentions and actions.
5. Golden Rule Reciprocity: Matthew 7:12
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Jesus' words echo the karmic principle of reciprocity. If we want kindness, we should extend it. If we want mercy, we should offer it. What we put into the world inevitably returns to us, because God designed life to work that way.
6. Deeds Determine Destiny: Romans 2:6
"God 'will repay each person according to what they have done.'"
This verse is straightforward: we receive according to our actions. Whether those deeds are good or evil, God ensures a just outcome. Our future is shaped by our present choices.
7. Patience in Doing Good: Galatians 6:9
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Sometimes, good actions don't immediately yield rewards. Paul encourages persistence, promising that those who sow goodness will eventually reap a harvest. It reflects the long-game nature of spiritual justice.
8. Measuring Back to You: Luke 6:38
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Jesus teaches that generosity and grace will come back to us in abundance. The energy and kindness we pour out determine the blessings we receive. It’s karma with spiritual depth.
9. Vengeance Belongs to God: Romans 12:19
"Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord."
This verse tells us not to seek revenge. Instead, trust that God will handle justice. We may not always see the payoff, but divine karma ensures everyone reaps what they sow, even if it's not by our hands.
10. The Wicked Will Not Prosper: Proverbs 22:8
"Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail."
Injustice might flourish for a while, but Proverbs guarantees its collapse. This verse confirms the principle that evil brings destruction on itself. The actions of the wicked catch up with them, eventually leading to ruin.
11. Divine Weighing of Actions: Job 4:8
"As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it."
Job speaks from experience here, asserting that destructive behavior ultimately turns on the perpetrator. Like seeds in a field, evil planted will grow into hardship. It’s a poetic and powerful way to affirm God’s moral order.
12. Return to Righteousness: Hosea 10:12
"Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."
Hosea encourages a conscious choice to do good and seek God. When we sow righteousness, we experience divine love and blessing. It’s a spiritual reset, proof that karma isn't just punitive but redemptive when guided by faith.
13. Evil Loops Back Around: Psalm 7:15-16
"Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit they have made. The trouble they cause recoils on them; their violence comes down on their own heads."
This psalm describes karmic justice vividly. Those who set traps for others will fall into them. Their harmful actions don’t just hurt others, they return to harm themselves. Evil boomerangs.
14. The Righteous Flourish: Proverbs 11:30
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives."
Those who live righteously don’t just receive good, they produce good that spreads to others. This verse speaks of a ripple effect, where one person’s virtue becomes a blessing to many. A powerful picture of positive spiritual return.
15. Evil Cannot Escape God: Isaiah 3:11
"Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them! They will be paid back for what their hands have done."
Isaiah makes it clear: no evil deed goes unnoticed. God ensures that the wicked receive the full measure of what they’ve done. It’s a sobering call to reflect on our actions and their inevitable outcomes.
16. Righteous Judgment Is Coming: Revelation 22:12
"Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."
The Bible ends with Jesus affirming divine justice. Everyone will receive rewards or consequences based on their deeds. This eternal reckoning underscores the biblical form of karma, our lives echo into eternity based on how we live today.
Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.