There are many myths as to who God really is when it comes to domestic violence. There are women of faith who will negotiate their safety, well-being, and often their very lives in order to remain committed to relationships that need to be re-evaluated.
I know for a fact that Satan uses abusive relationships as one more tool in his evil toolbox to steal, kill, and destroy women. And if this cunning and lying oppressor can convince more and more women to believe the deceptive devices of abuse, then he’s done his job.
Over the years, I’ve facilitated domestic violence support groups, advised women in 1:1 settings, and spoken at college/university events. Some believed that being called a b*tch or wh*ore was a normal part of their relationship. Some believed that their faith in God was indicative of the Christ-like suffering that was “required” in their abusive relationship. Some believed that they couldn’t separate (even temporarily) from abusive partners/spouses in order to get clarity about the possibility of counseling, etc. Some believed that the financial stability of their partnership/marriage far outweighed the constant assaults on their bodies and minds. Some believed that they could be the one to “save” their abuser despite the repeated cycles of violence. Some couldn’t fathom the possibility of being “alone.”
None of this is of God.
One day, the Lord gave me a little insight about women – women of faith specifically – who remained in abusive relationships. He voiced to me: “It’s idolatry.” I was in awe of this statement, but understood where the Lord was going with this.
Consider the Israelites in the Biblical Book of Exodus Chapter 1.
8 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. 9 “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. 10 Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.”
11 So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. 12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites 13 and worked them ruthlessly. 14 They made their lives bitter with harsh labor in brick and mortar and with all kinds of work in the fields; in all their harsh labor the Egyptians worked them ruthlessly.
Here in the scriptures, there is a people called unto God but would experience abuse at the hands of someone who intentionally found ways to make their lives more difficult. To “work them ruthlessly” suggested that conditions were impractical and unbearable. The cycle of violence would continue as the Israelites’ children were now being harmed by their oppressors (Exodus 1: 15-16).
But God doesn’t turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to this abuse… Exodus Chapter 3 says:
7 The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
And why did God ultimately want the Israelites to be free? In order to worship. Exodus Chapter 8:1 says:
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me.’
The Lord is all about worship. Worship of Him – alone. Not worship of abuse. Not worship of “appearing happy” for social media, the church friends and fake friends, or your extended family. The Lord wants worship. And it’s hard to honor the Lord, when one’s mind is consumed with that abusive partner’s “tendencies” and cycles of violence. Instead of prayer, the victims are worrying. Instead of praise, the victims are arguing and trying to defend themselves in their own home – constantly. Instead of offering motherhood to God as an extension of their worship – they model (with the abuser) that their violent home life is normal. NOPE.
Exodus 20:3 says: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Idolatry
Can God save an abusive marriage? Yes, He absolutely can. But if the abusive partner is unwilling to get help, connect with accountability, receive therapy/counseling, and exemplify real changes – then the victim continues to” bow” to what is unholy and not the God who is concerned, loving, and compassionate. Will those interventions change the abusive partner for certain? I can’t answer that, but victims must explore their safety as a priority. Victims must also remember that psychological abuse is just as harmful as physical abuse.
And as the Lord rescued a whole nation from bondage in the Biblical book of Exodus, He continues to rescue women from abuse in modern times. I know them. I’ve talked with them. I support them. They are happier. They (and their children) are safe. They have survived and are victorious. They are truly “worshiping.” They are FREE. Was this easy? Absolutely not. It was no perfect road to recovery but a path of many prayers and tears coupled with counseling and self-compassion.
Regardless of faith, the existence of trauma can’t be ignored. Victims may have witnessed domestic violence in their own childhood. Victims may have a trauma bond with their partner and feel they can’t break free from them. But there is hope…
Need to get out of an abusive relationship? Desire help? Call/Text the National Domestic Abuse Hotline:
Call 800-799-7233 or Text BEGIN to 88788
–With love always,
Keturah
Read more @ https://naomisgirls.com/2025/08/22/its-the-peace-for-them/
Keturah Teasley 
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