Abuse is real and, sadly, it happens all too often. Abuse can be physical, sexual, mental, or even spiritual.
What does the Bible say about responding to abuse? Where does Jesus’ command to love your enemies fit in? Does it mean that we ignore or tolerate illegal, immoral, or abusive behavior or that we stay in a dangerous environment or relationship? Does it really require us to forgive and love those who mistreat us? And what if you or someone you know has been the victim of abuse, where can you turn for help?
Today’s Readings:
Ezra 1 & 2
Psalm 86.6-10
Proverbs 21.15-16
Acts 21.18-40
Help for Abuse Victims
Acts 21.18-40:
Paul’s Eternal Focus
In today’s reading, Paul was falsely accused, dragged out of the temple, and beaten by a mob. In fact, it says they were, “seeking to kill him.” If the Roman authorities had not intervened they may well have succeeded. But after he was rescued, he asked the soldiers if he could address his abusers. He proceeded to share his testimony and prepare their hearts for the gospel.
Like Christ who died for us when we were His enemies, he was more concerned about their spiritual destiny than any harm done to him. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:
Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matt. 5.44).
So, how should we respond to abuse and other sinful behavior?
What It Doesn’t Mean
First, it doesn’t mean that those who abuse physically, sexually, or in any other way should be allowed to continue their illegal or immoral behavior. Neither does it mean that we continue to put ourselves in harm’s way.
If you or your children are in danger, you need to call for help and remove yourself. Call an abuse hotline and find a safe place to go. Call 911 and get the police to help you leave safely, if necessary. Civil authorities like the police are given by God for our good (Rom. 13.1-7). Notice God used the civil authorities to save Paul’s life.
But even when it’s necessary to report a crime or in some other way allow the abuser to suffer the consequences of his or her actions, the focus of our hearts should be eternal, forgiving them, praying for their salvation, and trusting God, though you may need help knowing how to do that in appropriate and safe ways. When we become angry and bitter or sin in return, we only compound our suffering.
If You Have Suffered Abuse
If you have been the victim of abuse, responding biblically doesn’t mean that you ignore your own pain and suffering. I would encourage you to reach out to a pastor or a biblical counselor. They can help you process what has happened through a biblical grid, learn to respond in godly ways, and receive God’s grace to grow and flourish in spite of it. With God’s help, you can find peace and joy even if you have suffered terrible abuse. You can contact the Association of Certified Biblical Counseling (ACBC) to find a counselor in your area. Most offer their counseling free of charge.
If you would like to hear more about ACBC and what they have to say about abuse, I would encourage you to listen to the following “Truth in Love” podcasts:
“Counseling in a Sexually Broken Culture” Part 1
“Counseling in a Sexually Broken Culture” Part 2
You can also listen on your smartphone by downloading the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) app and going to “Truth in Love” podcasts. They are podcasts #’s 210, 173, 158, and 159 and they are completely free of charge.
For Those Who Have Not Suffered Abuse
If you have never suffered from abuse, I hope you’ll save or pin this post because there are hurting people everywhere. If God places one of them in your life or your circle of influence, it wasn’t by accident. How can you come alongside someone and encourage them to walk with the Lord in a deeper way?
Today’s Other Readings:
Ezra 1 & 2:
God the Author of Human History
The book of Ezra picks up where 2 Chronicles left off with a king by the name of Cyrus.
God’s judgment on the nation of Israel in the form of captivity was over. He had prepared the king’s heart to allow those who wanted to return to Jerusalem to do so. Verse 1 says, “that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled …”
God was orchestrating the course of human events then just as He is now. History is His-story.
Psalm 86.6-10:
Because I’m “in the Son”
Verse 7 says:
In the day of my trouble I will call upon You for You will answer me.
Why does God answer our prayers?
I heard someone say she used to think, “God loves me, and therefore He answers my prayers.” Then she said, “But now I realize that God loves His Son and because I am in the Son and God loves the Son, He answers my prayers.” Everything is based on who we are “in Christ”!
Proverbs 21.15-16:
Wandering Away
A man who wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead (v. 16).
We all need the accountability of other believers who care about us and will encourage, exhort, and rebuke us when we need it. Otherwise, it’s easy for us to “wander away from the way of understanding” and not even realize it. Many a believer has ended up shipwrecked as a result!
Coming Up:
In the coming days, we’ll talk about loving your enemies, biblical grounds for divorce, what it means to fear God in our anti-Christian culture, the danger of an entitlement attitude, the importance of contentment and hard work, and the trap of worthless religion.
I hope you’ll sign up so you don’t miss any of them. You might also like to check out our YouTube channel.
If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback (the paperback has 31 days of blank journaling pages with prompts to help you get started).
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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