In the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10), a victim of violence is lying half dead, stripped and beaten. The victim is seen but ignored by not one, but two religious leaders. Finally, a Samaritan - someone considered religiously and ethnically inferior by the Jews of the day- comes by and cares for the hurt man, sacrificing money and convenience to care for the stranger. Jesus instructs each of us to go and do likewise. Christ knew that we would be tempted to look away and keep walking when faced with another’s pain.
Like the victim in the Samaritan story, the victims of domestic abuse are often left unseen and ignored. Domestic abuse goes against everything that God intended for marriage and family. I am blessed to serve as an advocate with Called to Peace Ministries, an organization that provides compassionate, comprehensive and Christ-centered support to women impacted by domestic abuse. We provide advocacy, support groups and practical assistance to individuals, and help churches better respond to domestic abuse by providing education and support. As an affiliated advocate, I support survivors of abuse by helping them navigate a multitude of challenges, including safety planning, finances, court challenges, and parenting challenges.
The church has a responsibility to provide healing and hope in the midst of devastation. Here are a just a few reason why Christ-followers have to speak out:
- Relationships Should Reflect God’s Love
- The Bible tells us to love others selflessly, like Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:21-33). Abuse—whether physical, emotional, or otherwise—twists this, turning love into fear and control.
- Everyone Has God-Given Worth
- Genesis 1:27 says we’re all made in God’s image. Every person deserves respect, not harm, as one of God’s children. Abuse strips away a person’s dignity, and as Christians, we can’t stand by when that happens.
- Jesus Stood for the Hurting
- Jesus always reached out to the broken and oppressed (Luke 4:18-19). We are to follow His lead by supporting victims of abuse—listening to them, helping them find safety, and showing them they’re not alone.
- Violence and Control Isn’t God’s Way
- The Bible is clear that God hates violence (Psalm 11:5) and calls us to speak up for those who can’t (Proverbs 31:8-9). Ignoring abuse or staying silent feels like betraying that call.
- Church Should Be a Safe Place
- I’ve seen how some churches misinterpret scripture to pressure victims to stay in abusive situations. That’s not right. Churches should be refuges—offering help, resources, and a place where victims feel safe sharing their pain.
- Forgiveness Doesn’t Mean Ignoring Harm
- Forgiveness is important, but it doesn’t mean letting abuse continue. We can pray for abusers to change while still supporting victims’ safety and holding abusers accountable (Galatians 6:1-10).
Domestic abuse is a sin that wounds individuals, families, and communities. As followers of Jesus, we are called to protect the vulnerable, uphold the dignity of every person, and reflect God’s love in all relationships. By standing with the survivors, we honor Christ and show the transformative love of Jesus, bringing hope and healing to those who need it most.
For more information about Called to Peace Ministries, go to calledtopeace.org.
If you are a victim of Domestic Violence, reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800.799.7233.