Hello, friend. Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here.

Today we're talking about something hard. Home is supposed to be the safest place in the world. But for some people, it isn't. Some are hit. Some are threatened. Some are cursed at, controlled, or made to feel worthless by the very people who should love them most.

If that is you, this lesson is for you. And if you are in danger right now, please stop and call 911. You can come back to this lesson later.

Our Key Verse

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit." — Psalm 34:18 (KJV)

If your heart is broken, God is not far away. He is near.

God Hates Violence

Let's be very clear about how God sees cruelty in the home.

"The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth." — Psalm 11:5 (KJV)

God does not take violence lightly. In Malachi chapter two, God rebukes men who were dealing treacherously with their wives, and He speaks of one who "covereth violence with his garment." A man can look fine on the outside, at church and in town, and still be violent at home. God sees under the garment.

What God Asks of Husbands

God never gave a husband permission to hurt his wife. He told him the opposite.

"Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them." — Colossians 3:19 (KJV)

"So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:" — Ephesians 5:28-29 (KJV)

Nourish. Cherish. That is God's word for a husband. And Peter says a husband is to give his wife "honour," and that if he doesn't, his prayers can be "hindered" (1 Peter 3:7).

Hear this plainly. When the Bible teaches a wife to submit to her husband, it never means she has to stay and take a beating, threats, or cruelty. Nowhere does God's Word tell anyone to remain in harm's way.

What God Asks of Parents

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." — Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)

"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged." — Colossians 3:21 (KJV)

Loving correction is good and right. But cruelty is not correction. Children are a gift from God, and He cares how they are treated.

What Abuse Can Look Like

Abuse is not just hitting. It can be choking, shoving, or threats. It can be cruel words day after day. It can be one person controlling where the other goes, who they see, or what money they have. It can be forced or unwanted touching. And when it's done to a child, God takes it very seriously.

If any of this is happening to you, it is not your fault. You did not cause it, and you do not deserve it.

God Sees You

In Genesis chapter sixteen, a servant woman named Hagar was treated harshly, and she ran away into the wilderness. Alone and afraid, she met the Lord there.

"And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?" — Genesis 16:13 (KJV)

"Thou God seest me." What happens behind closed doors is not hidden from God. He sees every tear.

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds." — Psalm 147:3 (KJV)

Getting Safe Is Not a Lack of Faith

Some people think that leaving danger means they don't trust God. But look at what God's people did.

When King Saul threw a javelin at David, the Bible says "David fled, and escaped that night" (1 Samuel 19:10). When men plotted to kill Paul, the disciples "let him down by the wall in a basket" (Acts 9:25). David and Paul trusted God, and they still got out of harm's way.

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished." — Proverbs 22:3 (KJV)

Seeing danger and getting to safety is wisdom. God's Word also warns, "with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul" (Proverbs 22:24-25).

God Gave Authorities for This

God set up governing authorities to protect people from evil. Romans chapter thirteen says the ruler "is the minister of God to thee for good," and "a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil." Calling the police when someone is hurting you is not going against God. It is using the help God provided.

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." — Ephesians 5:11 (KJV)

Abuse grows in the dark. It loses power when it is brought into the light.

Steps You Can Take

Here are some simple steps.

• If you are in danger right now, call 911.
• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or text the word START to 88788. It is free, private, and open all day and all night.
• If a child is being hurt, you can talk to someone at the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-422-4453. In Oklahoma, child abuse is reported to the Oklahoma Human Services hotline at 1-800-522-3511.
• If someone checks your phone or computer, call from a safe phone, like a friend's.
• Tell a pastor or a trusted friend. You don't have to carry this alone.

What About Forgiveness?

God calls us to forgive. But forgiveness does not mean staying in harm's way. It does not mean keeping quiet, and it does not mean the person skips the consequences. You can forgive someone from a safe distance, and still let the law do its work. Trust is earned back slowly, if at all, by real change over time.

A Word to Anyone Who Has Caused Harm

If you are the one who has hurt your family, God is speaking to you too.

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." — Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)

Notice it says confess and forsake. Being sorry is not enough. Stop now. Get help. Accept the consequences, and don't blame the people you hurt. And bring it to God.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9 (KJV)

Come to Jesus

Friend, whoever you are, Jesus knows what it is to be hurt by others. He was beaten and nailed to a cross, and He did it for us.

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." — Romans 5:8 (KJV)

Jesus died for your sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day. He invites you to come to Him.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28 (KJV)

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." — Romans 10:9 (KJV)

A Prayer

Before we go, let's pray together.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for this friend who is listening right now.

Lord, You see what happens behind closed doors. Be near to the brokenhearted. Protect the hurting, and lead them to safety. Give them wise people to help them.

For anyone who has caused harm, bring them to real repentance and real change.

And if anyone listening doesn't know Jesus as Saviour, open their heart today.

In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us.

From all of us at Authorized Sword Ministries, God bless you.