What does the Bible say about emotional abuse?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible condemns the cruel, controlling, and degrading treatment of others, calls God’s people to protect the oppressed, and offers hope, wisdom, and help to those who suffer. Psalm 34:17-20 and Psalm 103:6 assure the afflicted that the Lord hears their cries and works righteousness and justice. Husbands are commanded to live considerately with their wives and not be harsh, while fathers must not provoke their children (1 Peter 3:7; Colossians 3:19; Ephesians 6:4). Christians should pursue humility, patience, and peace, yet not treat sin as harmless (Ephesians 4:2; 2 Corinthians 6:14). Those experiencing abuse should seek prayerful, trustworthy support and wise protection (James 5:16).
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 34:17-20
[17] The righteous cry, and Yahweh hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles. [18] Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves those who have a crushed spirit. [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But Yahweh delivers him out of them all. [20] He protects all of his bones. Not one of them is broken.
- 1 Peter 3:7
You husbands, in like manner, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.
- Ephesians 6:4
You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Psalms 103:6
Yahweh executes righteous acts, And justice for all who are oppressed.
- 2 Corinthians 6:14
Don't be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion has light with darkness?
- Ephesians 4:2
with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love;
- Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them.
- 1 Corinthians 7:12-16
[12] But to the rest I--not the Lord--say, if any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to live with him, let him not leave her. [13] The woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he is content to live with her, let her not leave her husband. [14] For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in the husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but now are they holy. [15] Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us in peace. [16] For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
- James 5:16
Confess your offenses to one another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective.
- 1 Peter 3:1
In like manner, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don't obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word;
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