Hello, friend. Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries.

We're so glad you're here.

Where We Left Off

In Lesson One we saw that the Bible names wicked people of both sexes. Today is Lesson Two. It's called "Recognizing the Signs." Abuse often hides. Many people live in it for years before they see it for what it is.

Our Key Verse

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

— 2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV)

Things God Hates

Proverbs gives a list of seven things the Lord hates. Read it slowly. The verses don't mention marriage, but as an application, many of these describe how an abuser acts.

"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:"

— Proverbs 6:16 (KJV)

"A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,"

— Proverbs 6:17 (KJV)

"An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,"

— Proverbs 6:18 (KJV)

"A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

— Proverbs 6:19 (KJV)

Pride. Lying. Violence. Scheming. Stirring up trouble. These are not small things to God.

Sign One: Lying and Twisting the Truth

An abuser, whether a husband or a wife, often lies, then makes you doubt your own memory. Jesus said where lies come from:

"Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

— John 8:44 (KJV)

Sign Two: Control and Manipulation

Paul described people in the last days. He wasn't writing about marriage, but as an application, look how well this fits a controlling person.

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come."

— 2 Timothy 3:1 (KJV)

"For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,"

— 2 Timothy 3:2 (KJV)

"Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,"

— 2 Timothy 3:3 (KJV)

"Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;"

— 2 Timothy 3:4 (KJV)

Notice "without natural affection," "false accusers," and "fierce." And notice verse 5: they can look religious on the outside. Some abusers go to church every Sunday.

Sign Three: Anger and Cruel Words

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,"

— Galatians 5:19 (KJV)

"Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,"

— Galatians 5:20 (KJV)

"Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

— Galatians 5:21 (KJV)

"Hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife." Rage and constant fighting are works of the flesh, not the Spirit. Words can wound too:

"There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health."

— Proverbs 12:18 (KJV)

Sign Four: No Real Repentance

Everyone sins. The difference is what happens next. Real repentance changes behavior. Sorrow that only says "I'm sorry" and then does it again is not the same thing.

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."

— 2 Corinthians 7:10 (KJV)

"As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly."

— Proverbs 26:11 (KJV)

Closing Thought

If these signs describe your home, you are not crazy and you are not alone. Next time, in Lesson Three, we'll see what the Bible says about your freedom to get safe.

Let Us Pray

Lord, open our eyes to see the truth. Give wisdom to those who are confused and hurting. In Jesus' name, amen.