Gracious words are sweet and healing to the soul (Proverbs 16:24). However, as Christian mentors we may end up discouraging the wounded and hurting rather than helping them. We have good intentions, but our methods and attitude may increase their wounds rather than help to bring them healing. We may belittle their circumstances and even intimate that they are the one at fault in their situation. This is rarely the case, and we are never to condone verbal or physical violence or abuse in anyone’s life.
The Bible speaks out strongly
against divorce, but a separation for a victim of violence and abuse is always
recommended. This gives the abuser a chance to take responsibility for their
abusive behavior and to get some counseling in order to change. This also keeps
the victim safe from any further abuse. Sometimes, it is even recommended that
the victim go to a “safe house” or to another state to stay with family during
this time of hopeful reconciliation.
The Bible condemns violence.
The Lord hates those who love violence and promises to punish them (Psalm
11:5; Zephaniah 1:9). He is wearied by
the violence in homes and those who make excuses for divorcing their mate, whom
they should be protecting (Malachi 2:16).
Even verbal abuse is dealt with in the Bible when God inspired Solomon to
write, “violence covers the mouth of the wicked” (Proverbs 10:6,11). Jesus equates anger without a cause as murder, and
He speaks out against verbal abuse (Matthew 5:21-22).
Our religion is in vain if
we cannot even bridle our tongue (James 1:26). We are not to allow any profanity or corrupt speech
to proceed out of our mouth; but to speak only edifying words that minister
grace to the hearers (James 3:10; Ephesians 4:29). Paul tells us to stop allowing bitterness, wrath,
anger and contention to express themselves through our mouth in malicious words
(Ephesians
4:31). The antidote to anger and verbal
abuse is to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath (James
1:19-20). If our own inner pain fuels
anger, God will bring healing to our soul (Psalm 41:4).
God cares about the abused
and the oppressed. He does not look down upon the mistreated, and He abhors
their affliction. He gathers their tears in His bottle and records them in His
journal (Psalm 56:8). He
promises not to hide His face from them when they cry out to Him, and He
champions their cause (Psalm 22:24, 140:12). He redeems the soul of the afflicted from deceit and violence. Their
blood is precious in His sight (Psalm 72:14).
God promises to lift up the
distressed above those who try to hurt them and to deliver them from violent
people (Psalm 18:48). He
makes things right and provides the afflicted with a refuge from oppression and
trouble (Psalm 9:9; 103:6).
He brings down the haughty evil person and saves the afflicted (2 Samuel
22:28). God tells the church to bear one
another burdens (Galatians 6:2). We
encourage each other in our times of distress (Hebrews 12:12).
We can serve as a Guardian
Ad Litem for a child, or help out in a shelter for the abused or visit the
imprisoned and widows. We plead their cause, care for their needs and relieve
their misery as if we are right there suffering with them (Proverbs
31:9; Hebrews 13:3; Isaiah 1:17; Jeremiah 22:3). God wants us to point people to Him, His care and His love, because He
will come with vengeance to repay the evil done to them and bring deliverance
to the abused (Isaiah 35:3-4).
If we see the anguish in
another’s soul and turn away from them when they seek our help, we will suffer
distress in return (Genesis 42:21). We
are even supposed to share the Gospel message with the wicked, because they
will surely die in their sins if we do not. If they listen to us, we gain a
brother; if they ignore us, then at least we have delivered our soul. If we
fail to warn them, however, then God will require their blood on our hands (Ezekiel
3:17-19). We are not to treat the wicked
like an enemy, but to entreat them with kindness and empathy and to care about
their needs (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, remind us to be
kind, merciful, humble, patient and forgiving to one another for Your sake (Ephesians
4:32; Romans 12:10; Colossians 3:12-13).
If we only love each other in word, but not in truth and in action, we fail to
love others as You love us (2 Peter 1:7; 1 John 3:18; Matthew 18:33). Help us to provoke one another to love and good
works (Hebrews 10:24).
Thought for the Day:
Be perfect, be of good comfort, be
of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. –
2 Corinthians 13:11
