Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Abusing, in a biblical context, refers to the misuse or mistreatment of people, positions, or things, often involving harm or exploitation. The Bible addresses various forms of abuse, including physical, verbal, and spiritual, and consistently condemns such behavior as contrary to God's will.
Biblical References:1.
Physical Abuse: The Bible speaks against violence and physical harm. In
Ephesians 4:31 , Paul instructs believers to "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice." This passage highlights the importance of eliminating harmful behaviors, including physical abuse, from one's life.
2.
Verbal Abuse: Scripture also addresses the power of words and the damage they can cause.
Proverbs 12:18 states, "There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." This proverb contrasts harmful speech with words that heal, underscoring the destructive nature of verbal abuse.
3.
Spiritual Abuse: Spiritual abuse involves the misuse of religious authority to manipulate or control others. Jesus condemns such behavior in
Matthew 23:4 , where He criticizes the Pharisees: "They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them." This rebuke highlights the misuse of spiritual authority for personal gain or control.
4.
Abuse of Power: The Bible warns against the abuse of power and authority. In
Ezekiel 34:4 , God rebukes the leaders of Israel: "You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost, but you have ruled them with violence and cruelty." This passage illustrates the responsibility of leaders to care for and protect those under their authority, rather than exploiting them.
5.
Abuse of Substance: While not explicitly termed as "abuse," the Bible cautions against excessive indulgence in substances like alcohol.
Proverbs 20:1 warns, "Wine is a mocker, strong drink is a brawler, and whoever is led astray by them is not wise." This verse highlights the potential for substance misuse to lead one away from wisdom and righteousness.
Moral and Ethical Teachings:The Bible consistently promotes love, kindness, and respect for others, opposing any form of abuse. In
Matthew 7:12 , Jesus teaches the Golden Rule: "In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you." This principle serves as a foundation for ethical behavior, advocating for the fair and compassionate treatment of all individuals.
Consequences of Abusing:Scripture warns of the consequences of abusive behavior.
Galatians 6:7 states, "Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return." This principle of sowing and reaping implies that those who engage in abusive actions will ultimately face repercussions, whether in this life or the next.
Redemption and Restoration:Despite the severity of abuse, the Bible offers hope for redemption and restoration. In 1
John 1:9 , it is written, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This promise of forgiveness and cleansing is available to all who repent and seek to change their ways.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Abuse.
Library
"And this is his Commandment, that we Should Believe on the Name...
... continue in sin, for which Christ died, that he might redeem us from it, fancying
a possibility of living in sin, and escaping wrath, and soabusing the tender...
The Gradual Abasement of the Soul from Truth to Falsehood by the...
... She moves then, no longer according to virtue or so as to see God, but imagining
false things, she makes a novel use of her power,abusing it as a means to the...
How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
... Accordingly, Paul, not without cause, admonishes us to use this world withoutabusing
it, and to buy possessions as if we were selling them, (1 Corinthians 7:30...
How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
... Accordingly, Paul, not without cause, admonishes us to use this world withoutabusing
it, and to buy possessions as if we were selling them (1:Cor.7:30, 31)....
Blessing and Cursing
... God will not go out of his way to punish thee: thou hast gone out of his way, and
thereby thou art punishing thyself, just as, byabusing thy body, thou...
Conditions of Being Saved
... But you look up into His face and say to Him, "Lord, it is just as well
to stopabusing Thee at some future convenient time. Lord...
On the Christian Life
... Lastly, chap. v. clearly shows, as in no small degree conducive to this end, how
we are to use this life and its comforts withoutabusing them....
The Greek Theogony Exposed.
... And this myth was celebrated in the Eleusinian fire. [2498] Again, Neptune ravished
Melanippe when she was drawing water, besidesabusing a host of Nereids not...
The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... What do men commonly please themselves in so much, as in carping and harshly
censuring, in defaming andabusing their neighbours?...
The Resurrection
... like a tyrant who has been completely conquered by the legitimate monarch; bound
hand and foot the passers-by sneer at him, hitting him andabusing him, no...
Thesaurus
Abusing (1 Occurrence)...Abusing (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as not
abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. (KJV WBS).
...Abusive (7 Occurrences)
Nicolaitanes (2 Occurrences)
... They were seemingly a class of professing Christians, who sought to introduce into
the church a false freedom or licentiousness, thusabusing Paul's doctrine...
Jesse (45 Occurrences)
... as 16:14-23.) In answer to the first reference, Jonathan calls his friend "David,"
and Saul repeats the phrase "the son of Jesse,"abusing Jonathan personally...
Diotrephes (1 Occurrence)
... The words "who loveth to have the preeminence, among them" may indicate that he
was a church official,abusing his position, chief stars in the constellation...
Passeth (100 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). 1 Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as notabusing it:
for the fashion of this world passeth away. (KJV ASV WBS)....
Abuse (17 Occurrences)
... (3) In the King James Version 1 Corinthians 7:31 "as notabusing it," from katachraomai,
"to abuse," ie misuse; the Revised Version (British and American...
Abuses (1 Occurrence)
Fashion (24 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). 1 Corinthians 7:31 And they that use this world, as notabusing it: for
the fashion of this world passeth away. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Resources
What is heavy shepherding? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about verbal abuse? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the creation mandate / cultural mandate? | GotQuestions.orgAbusing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
