Child abuse is one of the most heartbreaking and devastating issues in our society today. The Bible speaks clearly about the value of children and their innocence. Jesus even said, “Let the little children come to me,” showing His deep love and care for them. But what does the Bible say about those who harm children? Are there warnings and consequences for such actions? In this post, we’ll explore how the Bible addresses the protection of children and the justice that God promises for those who mistreat them.
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What Does The Bible Say About Child Abuse
Exodus 21:24
“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
This verse emphasizes the principle of justice and equity, ensuring that the punishment fits the crime. It promotes a fair system of retribution, discouraging the abuse of children.
Abusive actions towards a child are contrary to the principles outlined in this verse, as they involve inflicting harm and causing suffering rather than upholding justice.
Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.”
This verse highlights the intrinsic value and importance of children in God’s eyes. It reminds us of the responsibility we have to protect and nurture them, as they are a precious gift from the Lord.
Child abuse undermines the significance of this verse, as it disregards the inherent worth of children and violates their rights to safety, love, and care.
Matthew 18:6
“But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
This verse portrays the severity of causing harm or leading astray a child who believes in Jesus. It conveys the strong condemnation for those who contribute to the corruption or suffering of children.
Child abuse contradicts the spirit of this verse, as it inflicts harm and negatively impacts a child’s emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go, Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
This verse emphasizes the significance of proper guidance, nurturing, and teaching in a child’s life. It suggests that early instruction and proper upbringing have a lasting impact on a child’s behavior and character.
Child abuse undermines the message of this verse, as it involves mistreatment and neglect, hindering a child’s ability to grow, develop, and thrive in a healthy and godly manner.
Mark 9:42
“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.”
This verse highlights the severity of causing harm or leading a child astray. It speaks of the dire consequences that await those who engage in actions that harm or hinder the faith and well-being of a child.
Child abuse contradicts the message of this verse, as it inflicts harm, causes trauma, and can have a lasting negative impact on a child’s mental, emotional, and spiritual development.
Luke 17:2
“It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.”
This verse emphasizes the seriousness of causing harm, leading astray, or causing offense to a child. It underscores the severe consequences that await those who engage in actions that harm the innocence and well-being of children.
Child abuse contradicts the spirit of this verse, as it violates the rights of children, causing them physical, emotional, and psychological harm.
Deuteronomy 27:19
“Cursed is anyone who withholds justice from the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow.”
This verse proclaims a curse on those who deny justice and do not protect the vulnerable in society, including the fatherless. It highlights the importance of providing justice and care for those who are defenseless and in need of support.
Child abuse goes against the message of this verse, as it fails to ensure justice for children and disregards their need for protection, love, and care.
1 Timothy 5:8
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse emphasizes the responsibility of providing for family members and members of one’s household. It underscores the importance of meeting their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
Child abuse contradicts the teaching of this verse, as it neglects the duty to care for and protect the members of one’s household, particularly children.
Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
This verse encapsulates the principle of treating others with love, kindness, and respect. It emphasizes the golden rule, encouraging us to consider how we would want to be treated and extend that same treatment to others.
Child abuse grossly violates the spirit of this verse, as it subjects children to harm, suffering, and cruelty, which no one would desire for themselves.
Proverbs 13:24
“Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.”
This verse addresses the importance of discipline in raising children. It emphasizes the need for loving guidance and correction to help children develop character and make wise choices.
However, it is crucial to note that this verse is often misinterpreted as promoting physical abuse. Discipline should be approached with love and care, focusing on teaching and guiding children in a manner that fosters their growth and well-being.
Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
This verse speaks to parents’ role in raising their children. It urges parents to avoid actions that may lead to resentment or frustration in their children and instead focus on nurturing them with godly discipline and instruction.
Child abuse contradicts the message of this verse, as it involves inflicting harm and pain on children, rather than guiding them in a loving and godly manner.
James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
This verse highlights the importance of caring for those in vulnerable positions, including orphans. It emphasizes the need for believers to extend love, support, and compassion to those who are without familial protection.
Child abuse contradicts the message of this verse, as it neglects the duty to care for and protect children who may be vulnerable and in need of love, support, and guidance.
Isaiah 54:13
“All your children will be taught by the LORD, and great will be their peace.”
This verse speaks to God’s promise to instruct and guide children. It conveys the assurance that when children are taught by the Lord, they will experience great peace.
Child abuse contradicts the message of this verse, as it disrupts a child’s sense of safety, security, and peace by subjecting them to harm, fear, and trauma.
Psalm 82:3
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.”
This verse calls for the defense and advocacy on behalf of those who are weak, fatherless, poor, or oppressed. It emphasizes the need to protect and support those who are in vulnerable situations.
Child abuse undermines the message of this verse, as it violates the rights of children and fails to defend and protect them from harm and oppression.
1 John 3:18
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
This verse urges believers to demonstrate their love not merely through words, but through genuine actions and truth. It emphasizes the importance of tangible expressions of love that benefit and uplift others.
Child abuse goes against the essence of this verse, as it involves actions that cause harm, suffering, and pain to children, rather than displaying genuine love and care.
Psalm 34:18
“The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
This verse assures us of God’s closeness and compassion toward those who are brokenhearted and crushed in spirit. It reminds us that God is present and ready to bring comfort and salvation to those who are suffering.
Child abuse contradicts the message of this verse, as it inflicts emotional and psychological pain on children, causing them to feel brokenhearted and crushed in spirit.
Jeremiah 22:3
“This is what the LORD says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place.”
This verse calls for the pursuit of justice and righteousness. It emphasizes the need to rescue the oppressed, protect the fatherless, the widow, and the foreigner, and refrain from causing harm or violence to the innocent.
Child abuse contradicts the message of this verse, as it violates the rights of children and involves causing harm and violence to the vulnerable and defenseless.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This verse reassures us of God’s good plans for our lives. It emphasizes His desire to bring prosperity, protection, hope, and a promising future to His children.
Child abuse contradicts the message of this verse, as it inflicts harm, fear, and devastation on children, denying them the hopeful future that God intends for them.
Matthew 19:14
“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.'”
This verse showcases Jesus’ love and care for children. It emphasizes the significance and value He places on the presence and faith of children in the kingdom of heaven.
Child abuse contradicts the spirit of this verse, as it hinders children from experiencing love, protection, and the opportunity to grow in their faith and relationship with God.
Psalm 10:17-18
“You, LORD, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.”
This verse assures us of God’s attentiveness and care toward the afflicted. It highlights His role in encouraging, defending, and protecting the fatherless and the oppressed.
Child abuse contradicts the message of this verse, as it inflicts affliction, terror, and harm on children, rather than providing them with the love, care, and protection that God extends to the afflicted.
Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
This verse outlines God’s requirements for believers. It emphasizes the importance of acting justly, showing mercy, and cultivating a humble walk with God.
Child abuse contradicts the message of this verse, as it involves acting unjustly, lacking mercy, and failing to walk humbly by inflicting harm, pain, and suffering on children.
Acts 20:35
“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
This verse highlights the blessedness of giving and aiding the weak. It emphasizes the importance of assisting those in vulnerable situations through acts of helpfulness and hard work.
Child abuse contradicts the spirit of this verse, as it involves causing harm and pain to children, rather than providing them with the love, support, and assistance that they need.