God's design for marriage is one of mutual love, respect, and submission. However, some marriages are marred by abuse, which is a stark contradiction to God's intentions. In this sermon , we'll explore the biblical stance on abuse in marriage and the consequences for abusive husbands.
The Definition of Abuse
Abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, verbal, and sexual. It involves the use of power and control to dominate and harm another person. In the context of marriage, abuse is a betrayal of the trust and love that is supposed to characterize the relationship.
The Biblical Condemnation of Abuse
The Bible explicitly condemns abuse in all its forms. In Psalm 11:5, God declares, "The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates." Similarly, in Proverbs 6:16-19, the Bible lists "hands that shed innocent blood" and "a heart that devises wicked plans" as things that God hates.
The Responsibility of Abusive Husbands
Abusive husbands will be held accountable by God for their actions. In 1 Peter 3:7, husbands are instructed to live with their wives "with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life." Abusive husbands who fail to live up to this standard will face God's judgment.
The Right of the Abused Wife to Divorce
While the Bible teaches that marriage is a lifelong commitment, it also recognizes that there are situations in which divorce is permissible. In Matthew 19:3-9, Jesus teaches that divorce is allowed in cases of adultery, and in 1 Corinthians 7:15, the apostle Paul states that if an unbelieving spouse leaves the marriage, the believing spouse is not bound.
In cases of abuse, the safety and well-being of the abused wife and any children involved must be the top priority. If the abusive husband refuses to repent and seek help, it may be necessary for the wife to seek divorce or separate in order to protect herself and her children because of unchanged husband.
Abuse in marriage is a serious issue that is explicitly condemned by the Bible. Abusive husbands will be held accountable by God for their actions, and in cases of abuse, the safety and well-being of the abused wife and any children involved must be the top priority. While divorce is not taken lightly in the Bible, it may be necessary in cases of abuse in order to protect the abused wife and children. Any kind of abuse whether emotional, physical, financial, spiritual etc violates God's design for marriage where the husband lovingly leads and the wife lovingly submits (Ephesians 5:21-33).
Ultimately, God's design for marriage is one of mutual love, respect, and submission. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the church, and wives are called to respect and submit to their husbands. In cases of abuse, this biblical ideal is turned on its head, and it is necessary to take action to protect the abused wife and children.
