Protecting and caring for children is deeply valued in the Bible. God’s word shows love and respect for the innocence of children, condemning any form of harm. The Bible encourages adults to guide, nurture, and protect children, reminding us of their worth and importance in God’s eyes as blessings to be cherished.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Man Being Head Of Household
What Does The Bible Say About Hurting A Child
Matthew 18:6
“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”
This verse highlights the seriousness of causing harm to a child’s faith or leading them into sin. It emphasizes the gravity of the consequences for such actions, with the imagery of a heavy millstone and drowning. It serves as a warning against any form of abuse, mistreatment, or exploitation of children, urging us to protect and nurture their innocence and faith.
Mark 9:42
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.”
Similar to Matthew 18:6, this verse reinforces the severe consequences for causing a child to stumble in their faith or leading them astray. It underscores the value Jesus places on the spiritual well-being of children and the importance of nurturing and guiding them in the ways of righteousness.
Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
In this verse, Jesus reveals the high regard God has for children. He reminds us not to disregard or belittle them, for they are precious in the eyes of God. It emphasizes the divine protection and care children receive, as their angels have a constant audience with the heavenly Father.
Psalm 127:3
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
This verse celebrates children as a precious gift from God. It reminds us of their inherent value and the responsibility we have to nurture, love, and protect them. Children are not to be treated as objects of harm but as a treasured heritage to be cherished and raised in a loving and supportive environment.
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 highlights the importance of teaching children God’s ways and instilling in them a foundation of faith and moral values. It emphasizes the long-term impact of nurturing a child’s spiritual and moral development, suggesting that a solid upbringing can have lasting effects throughout their lives.
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 addresses parents, specifically fathers, urging them to be gentle and understanding in their treatment of their children. It emphasizes the importance of raising children in an environment of discipline and instruction rooted in the teachings of the Lord. It discourages harsh or unfair treatment that could provoke resentment or rebellion in children.
Mark 10:14
“But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’
Jesus’s response in this verse reflects his desire for children to be embraced and included in the kingdom of God. It demonstrates the value and significance Jesus places on children, countering any inclination to dismiss or overlook them. It encourages us to create an environment where children can freely experience the love and truth of Christ.
Psalm 34:11
“Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”
In this verse, the psalmist invites children to listen and learn from him about the fear of the Lord. It highlights the importance of imparting godly wisdom and knowledge to the younger generation, empowering them to grow in reverence and awe of God. It reiterates the responsibility we have in guiding and instructing children in matters of faith.
Proverbs 19:18
“Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of discipline as an expression of love and guidance for a child. It acknowledges the hope and potential for positive change through discipline, cautioning against extremes such as extreme punishment or abandonment. It encourages parents to correct and guide their children with love, ensuring their growth and development.
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
This verse warns fathers against provoking their children to the point of discouragement. It highlights the need for nurturing and supportive parenting, aiming to build up and encourage children rather than tearing them down. It reminds us of the profound impact parents can have on their children’s emotional well-being.
Psalm 127:3
“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
This verse celebrates children as a precious gift from God. It reminds us of their inherent value and the responsibility we have to nurture, love, and protect them. Children are not to be treated as objects of harm but as a treasured heritage to be cherished and raised in a loving and supportive environment.
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 highlights the importance of teaching children God’s ways and instilling in them a foundation of faith and moral values. It emphasizes the long-term impact of nurturing a child’s spiritual and moral development, suggesting that a solid upbringing can have lasting effects throughout their lives.
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 addresses parents, specifically fathers, urging them to be gentle and understanding in their treatment of their children. It emphasizes the importance of raising children in an environment of discipline and instruction rooted in the teachings of the Lord. It discourages harsh or unfair treatment that could provoke resentment or rebellion in children.
Mark 10:14
“But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’
Jesus’s response in this verse reflects his desire for children to be embraced and included in the kingdom of God. It demonstrates the value and significance Jesus places on children, countering any inclination to dismiss or overlook them. It encourages us to create an environment where children can freely experience the love and truth of Christ.
Psalm 34:11
“Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”
In this verse, the psalmist invites children to listen and learn from him about the fear of the Lord. It highlights the importance of imparting godly wisdom and knowledge to the younger generation, empowering them to grow in reverence and awe of God. It reiterates the responsibility we have in guiding and instructing children in matters of faith.
Proverbs 19:18
“Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of discipline as an expression of love and guidance for a child. It acknowledges the hope and potential for positive change through discipline, cautioning against extremes such as extreme punishment or abandonment. It encourages parents to correct and guide their children with love, ensuring their growth and development.
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
This verse warns fathers against provoking their children to the point of discouragement. It highlights the need for nurturing and supportive parenting, aiming to build up and encourage children rather than tearing them down. It reminds us of the profound impact parents can have on their children’s emotional well-being.
Psalm 68:5
“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”
This verse showcases God’s character as a protector and caretaker of the vulnerable, including children without fathers or families. It reassures children who may be hurting or lacking the care they need that God is their ultimate Father and will provide for and guide them. It calls us to reflect this compassionate nature by caring for and defending the fatherless and widows in our midst.
James 1:27
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”
This verse highlights the tangible expression of true religion by advocating for the welfare of orphans and widows who are often in vulnerable positions. It challenges believers to actively support and care for those who are hurting and lacking familial support. It also reminds us of the importance of maintaining personal purity while engaging in acts of compassion and justice.
Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
In this verse, God instructs His people to actively seek justice and correct oppression, while specifically emphasizing the need to bring justice to the fatherless and advocate for widows. It urges us to use our voices and actions to defend and care for those who are defenseless, including children who may be suffering. It is a call to pursue righteousness and compassion.
Psalm 10:14
“But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.”
This verse brings comfort and assurance to children who may feel helpless or abandoned, reminding them that God sees their pain and turmoil. It declares God as the ultimate helper and advocate for the fatherless. It draws attention to God’s faithfulness in caring for vulnerable children throughout history and encourages us to follow His example by extending our help and support to those in need.
Jeremiah 49:11
“Leave your fatherless children; I will keep them alive; and let your widows trust in me.”
This verse offers a promise of divine provision and protection for fatherless children. God assures that He will keep them alive, suggesting His care and guardianship. It gives hope to children who lack parental support and encourages widows to place their trust in God, assuring them of His faithfulness in their time of need.
Psalm 82:3
“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.”
In this verse, God calls for justice to be administered to the weak, including the fatherless and the afflicted. It highlights His heart for the vulnerable and oppressed, encouraging us to actively uphold their rights and advocate for their wellbeing. It reminds us that God’s justice extends to all, regardless of their social standing or lack of familial support.
Proverbs 31:8-9
“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
This passage emphasizes the importance of using our voices and influence to defend the rights of those who cannot speak up for themselves. It includes the destitute and the needy, encompassing children who may be hurting and voiceless. It inspires us to be advocates for justice and champions of the marginalized, including vulnerable children.
Isaiah 58:10
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.”
This verse encourages acts of compassion and selflessness towards those who are hungry and afflicted. When we extend ourselves to meet their needs, we encounter the blessings and illumination of God’s light. It reminds us that caring for children in need is not only an act of kindness but also an opportunity for our own spiritual growth and transformation.
Psalm 146:9
“The Lord watches over the sojourners; he upholds the widow and the fatherless, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin.”
This verse assures us of God’s vigilant watchfulness over sojourners, widows, and the fatherless. It underscores His commitment to their wellbeing and protection. It reassures children without fathers that God is their ultimate caregiver and reminds us of our responsibility to support and advocate for those who lack familial support.
Matthew 18:10
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
In this verse, Jesus emphasizes the importance of valuing and protecting children. He reveals the special guardian angels assigned to children and highlights their constant connection to God. It serves as a reminder that children are precious in God’s sight and calls us to treat them with utmost care, respect, and love.
Psalm 10:17-18
“O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.”
This verse assures us of God’s attentiveness to the desires and needs of the afflicted, specifically mentioning the fatherless and the oppressed. It promises God’s strengthening and justice on their behalf, providing assurance that He will not allow the wicked to triumph over them. It gives hope to hurting children, affirming that God is their defender and source of strength.
Psalm 82:4
“Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
This verse calls us to action by urging us to rescue and deliver the weak and needy from the clutches of the wicked. It emphasizes our role in protecting and advocating for vulnerable children who may be suffering at the hands of those who seek to harm or exploit them. It motivates us to be agents of change and instruments of deliverance.
Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
This verse speaks to the heart of repentance and humility before God. It reminds us that true sacrifice to God involves a contrite and broken spirit. It serves as a warning to anyone who would harm or hurt a child, highlighting that God detests such actions. It prompts us to examine our hearts and ensure that we are honoring and protecting children as God desires.
Isaiah 40:11
“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”
This verse paints a picture of God’s tender care for His people. It depicts Him as a loving shepherd who gathers the lambs and carries them close to His heart. It conveys His gentle and compassionate nature, assuring children who may be hurting or lacking proper care that God is their loving caregiver. It calls us to emulate this nurturing love in our interactions with children.
Isaiah 49:15
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”
In this verse, God assures His people of His unwavering love and care. He uses the analogy of a mother’s compassion for her nursing child, highlighting the deep bond and tenderness that exists. It underscores God’s commitment to His children, emphasizing that His love for them exceeds any human love. It offers solace to children who may feel abandoned, reminding them of the enduring love and faithfulness of their heavenly Father.