Thinking through God's perspective on abuse

Throughout scripture our God displays his love, provision, care, and protection for us. His genuine desire for us is to have a relationship with Him and His son, Jeus Christ and Holy Spirit in a personal and interactive way. He is a GOOD Father. Protector, defender, comforter and healer are just a few descriptors of who He is. There are several references in scripture to earthly relationships with fathers, family members and other people that are used as an example of what healthy loving relationships should be and what they should not be.

Having a good foundation of what God's word says about relationships has a two-fold influence in our lives. It helps us know who God really is, and it helps us to identify harmful/toxic behaviors in others. Spiritual abuse, emotional abuse and legalism can create a perception of God that is oppressive, unforgiving and unmerciful. However, it is by meditating on His Word that we are informed and transformed in our thinking regarding who our God truly is to us.

Starting in Psalms and Proverbs you will begin to see a consistent pattern that emerges: He is very near and available to the oppressed; He sees all injustice and will act on their behalf. However, nowhere in the Bible does it say the acts of the abuser are the fault of the abused, or that the victim is responsible to change the abuser. We are all responsible for our own actions. Below are some scriptures to contemplate. Through these verses one can discover the compassion, love and protection of God. This is certainly not an exhaustive list. (Unless noted the scriptures are from the NIV).

Psalm 5:4-6

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the Lord abhors.

Psalm 9:3-4, 7-10

My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne; judging righteously.

The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne; for judgement. He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Psalm 10:13-14

Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account?" But you O God, do see trouble and grief, you consider it to take it in hand, The victim commits himself to you, you ar ethe helper of the fatherless.

Psalm 112

Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor. The wicked will see and be vexed, they will gnash their teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.

Psalm 146:6 -9

The Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them - the Lord, who remains faithful forever. He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

Psalm 147:6

The Lord sustains the humble but casts the wicked to the ground.

Proverbs 12:10

A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

Proverbs 26:18-19 (MSG)

People who shrug off deliberate deceptions, saying, “I didn’t mean it, I was only joking,” Are worse than careless campers who walk away from smoldering campfires.

Psalm 32:7

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES

Isaiah 54:14
Isaiah 66:13
Psalm 3:4
Psalm 4:8
Psalm 5:4-6
Psalm 10
Psalm 11:2-7
Psalm 34:15-21
Psalm 37
Psalm 52:5-6
Psalm 75:4 & 10
Psalm 82:3-4
Psalm 92:7&12
Psalm 94