What does
the Bible say about abuse?
Quite often, if we
as victims approach and confide in an elder, priest, or member of our church,
hoping for some support and encouragement, we can leave feeling even guiltier
and more trapped than we did formerly. We may be told that the abuse is due to
our own lack of submissiveness, or our own sinfulness, or that we would not
suffer if our faith was greater, or that we will be rewarded in the next life
for the suffering we experience in this one. At times ministers have advised
women that it would be better for them to die at the hands of their abusive
husband than to seek a separation and protection for their children!
Ps 11:5 “The Lord examines both the righteous and the
wicked.He hates those who love violence.”
Zeph1:9 “In the same day also will I punish all those
that leap on the threshold, which fill their masters’ houses with violence and
deceit.”
In a similar way,
‘wrath’ or anger is condemned as being sinful, as is sexual abuse:
Jas 1:19, 20 “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone
should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.”
Eph 5:3-5 “But among you there must not be even a hint of
sexual immorality (this
includes sexual abuse), or of any kind of
impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s Holy people. Nor
should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of
place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure
or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the
Prov 10:11 “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life:
but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.”
Matt 5:21, 22 “You have heard that our ancestors were told,
‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment’. But I
say, ‘If you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call
someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if
you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.’”
Eph 4:29 “Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth,
but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to
them that hear.”
Eph 4:31 “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil
speaking, be put away from you, with all malice.”
The Lord sympathises
and offers comfort to those who are afflicted.
The Lord does hear
our prayers, He does care when we cry. He is there to comfort, guide us and
heal us.
Ps 18:48 “He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, Thou
liftest me up above those that rise up against me: Thou hast delivered me from
the violent man.”
2 Sam 22:28 “You save a troubled people. But Your eyes are on
the proud whom You put to shame.”
Ps 22:24 “For He hath not despised nor abhorred the
affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from him; but when he
cried unto Him, He heard.”
Ps 72:14 “He shall redeem their soul from deceit and
violence: and precious shall their blood be in His sight.”
Ps 9:9 “The Lord also will be a refuge for the
oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”
Ps 103:6 “The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are
oppressed.”
The Church has a
responsibility to hold abusers accountable and to help victims.
Gal 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the
law of Christ.”
Heb 13:3 “Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them
which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.”
Isa 1:17 “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the
fatherless, plead for the widow.”
Prov 31:9 “Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the
cause of the poor and needy.”
Isa 35:3,4 “Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the
feeble knees. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, fear not:
behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; He will
come and save you.’”
