What does the Bible
say about CHILD ABUSE?

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Question: What does the Bible say about child abuse?

Answer: The one Bible verse regarding child abuse that quickly comes to mind is found in two places in the New Testament: Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21.

"And you, fathers, DO NOT PROVOKE YOUR CHILDREN TO WRATH, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. " (Ephesians 6:4, NKJV throughout)

"Fathers, DO NOT PROVOKE YOUR CHILDREN, lest they become discouraged." (Colossians 3:21)

Both of these are addressed to the fathers in the household and, by extension, to anyone in authority over that child. Those in authority are commanded, not suggested, to not provoke (abuse) a child until he is violently angry or in a rage of frustration.

If a child is provoked, even for his own good (as some would argue), this is permitted but that is not what God demands. So I would have to say from these two scriptures that people in authority should not abuse any child for any reason.

Another place that might be of help to understand our Father's loving mind toward children and how to treat them is the admonition to not even put barriers before "little ones":

"At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, 'Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?'

"Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and BECOME AS LITTLE CHILDREN, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

"'WHOEVER CAUSES ONE OF THESE LITTLE ONES WHO BELIEVE IN ME TO SIN, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.' " (Matthew 18:1-6)

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me TO STUMBLE, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea." (Mark 9:42)

Clearly, Jesus takes the abuse or hindering, etc. of children, especially those who are spiritually a child, VERY seriously!

As parents we must always teach in love and discipline with justice - and not abuse. This does not mean an adult should be passive and not correct a child for bad and unacceptable behavior because that too is a sign of being unloving and abusive. Even God chastens or corrects us because he loves us:

"If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with SONS; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which ALL have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. " (Hebrews 12:7)

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent." (Revelation 3:19)

One of the primary problems for each generation is to figure out what IS abuse. In the modern English dictionaries the definition is to attack verbally, to misuse or mistreat someone. This can be manifested in verbal insults, physical battery (although spanking done in love and for the good of the child is permitted), emotional and psychological mistreatment because of lies and hypocrisy, and spiritual deception. Abuse also includes neglecting very important parts of being a human being such as withholding items of survival like food, water, and heat. Love and nurturing are vital parts is aiding humans to grow up properly.

We are first told not to murder or kill our brother. This was the first lesson of mankind in the story of Cain and Abel. The Bible is full of stories of humans abusing each other. God certainly does not like this behavior amongst his own children (us) and would never approve of abuse for any reason. He is a Being of law and order. He is Love and Truth and Mercy.

In conclusion, the Bible clearly states that we should NEVER condone or be a part of child abuse or any other kind of abuse against our fellow men and women, regardless of their age. Such attitudes and actions come from the "works of the flesh," our human nature apart from God, which Paul enumerates in Galatians (Galatians 5:14-15, 19-21).

I hope this brief explanation about what the Bible says about child abuse spurs you on to further study this topic in scripture.