Understanding the True Meaning of the ‘Evil Eye’

By Ronah Edith

I know you’ve heard it said that you shouldn’t share your good news before it comes to pass—because of the “evil eye.” Are you planning to go overseas? Don’t tell anyone. Are you about to start a new job? Keep it to yourself.

Why, you ask? Because, you’re told, people have the “evil eye” that can prevent your blessing from coming to fruition.

But if we take a few steps back to our childhood, you’ll remember that we were never afraid to share our good news with everyone around us — gwekikwatoko negwekitakwatako.

If your mama promised to take you on a trip, you would tell everyone with excitement and without a second thought. So, when exactly did we start believing in the evil eye? Who conditioned us to think this way?

I realized this conditioning runs so deep that even among Christians, many can’t seem to shake it off. So I decided to go back to the basics—the truth. What does the Bible actually say about the evil eye?

Using the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible, here are some verses that explicitly mention the “evil eye” or refer to similar concepts, along with my interpretation:

Stinginess or miserliness – Proverbs 23:6

Greedy pursuit of riches – Proverbs 28:22

Lack of generosity, envy – Matthew 6:23

A wicked characteristic stemming from the heart, alongside sins like covetousness and envy – Mark 7:22

According to the SDA Bible Commentary, these verses consistently interpret the “evil eye” not as a superstitious curse, as many of us have come to believe, but as a metaphor for serious character flaws rooted deep in the heart. These include stinginess, greed, envy, jealousy, and spiritual blindness caused by materialism.

The commentary emphasizes that the “evil eye” is not merely an outward glance or some mystical force. Instead, it represents an inward disposition of ill will. Jesus lists it among serious moral failings that truly defile a person, stressing the importance of inner purity.

Returning to our childhood mindset, I believe our confidence in good things stemmed from the trust we had in our parents. We knew that if they made a promise, they would fulfill it, no matter what.

Shouldn’t we have the same confidence in our Heavenly Father? The one who began a good work in us will complete it (Philippians 1:6). He is the Truth (John 17:17; 14:6), and whatever He has promised will come to pass. No power on earth—not even an “evil eye”—can thwart the hand of God when His appointed time comes (Isaiah 14:27).

So, if God has blessed you and you feel led to share your good news, please do so without fear! There is no “evil eye” strong enough to undo God’s plan.

Now, on a lighter note:
I am not saying you should practice oversharing—that is simply a bad habit! As adults, we must learn to guard our tongues (Proverbs 21:23). But you shouldn’t be sneaking out of your house at night because of okukutta. Trust in God, from whom all good things come (James 1:17).

Fear of the evil eye gives too much power to the devil. And while he does have some power, the one we believe in has already conquered it all (Colossians 2:14-15).