What Does the Bible Say About Abusing Children (25 Bible Verses)

The well-being and safety of children are of utmost importance, and the Bible strongly condemns any form of abuse or harm towards them. In this blog post, we will explore Bible verses that address the topic of child abuse, highlighting the significance of protecting and nurturing children.

These verses serve as a reminder of the love and care we should show towards the youngest members of our society. Join me in this exploration as we seek to create a safer and more compassionate world for children, guided by the wisdom of the Scriptures.

Bible Verses About Abusing Children

Psalm 127:3

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.”

Children are precious gifts from God, and this verse reminds us of their inherent value. It emphasizes the responsibility we have to protect and nurture them, treating them with love and respect rather than subjecting them to abuse or harm.

Matthew 18:6

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.”

Jesus emphasizes the seriousness of causing harm to children, warning that severe consequences await those who lead them astray or cause them to stumble. This verse highlights the need to create a safe and nurturing environment for children, where their innocence and faith can flourish.

Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

This verse underscores the importance of providing children with proper guidance and instruction. It speaks to the significant role adults play in shaping a child’s character and values, emphasizing the need for positive nurturing instead of abusive or harmful practices.

Mark 10:14

“But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.’”

Jesus’s words here highlight the value and significance of children in God’s eyes. He not only welcomes them but also uses their innocence as an example of how we should approach His kingdom. This verse serves as a reminder to treat children with love, kindness, and respect, ensuring their well-being and protecting them from any form of abuse.

Ephesians 6:4

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

This verse addresses fathers specifically, urging them not to incite anger or resentment in their children. Instead, they are encouraged to raise them with godly discipline and instruction, fostering an environment of love, support, and respect. It emphasizes the responsibility parents have to care for their children’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, promoting a healthy and nurturing upbringing.

Deuteronomy 6:7

“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

This verse emphasizes the importance of actively and consistently teaching children about God’s ways. It encourages parents to instill godly values, principles, and teachings into their children’s lives, integrating them into everyday conversations and activities. By doing so, parents can help protect children from the influences of abuse and guide them towards a path of righteousness.

Proverbs 13:24

“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”

This verse should be understood in the context of discipline, not abuse. It reminds parents of the importance of discipline in a child’s upbringing. However, discipline should always be administered with love, patience, and fairness. It should never involve harmful physical or emotional abuse. True discipline, when done correctly, is an expression of love and care for a child’s well-being.

Isaiah 54:13

“All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.”

This verse speaks of God’s promise to teach and guide our children. It assures us that when children are brought up in the ways of the Lord, they will experience peace and security. As caretakers and guardians, it is our responsibility to create an environment where children can grow, learn, and experience the loving presence of God, free from any form of abuse or harm.

Proverbs 19:18

“Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.”

This verse stresses the importance of disciplining children as a means of correction and guidance. It reminds us that discipline, when done properly and without abuse, can lead to positive outcomes and give hope for growth and maturity. The verse also serves as a warning against extreme forms of punishment that may harm a child physically or emotionally.

Colossians 3:21

“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”

This verse addresses fathers, urging them not to provoke their children in ways that would lead to discouragement. It highlights the importance of creating an atmosphere of love, encouragement, and affirmation within the family unit. By fostering a positive and nurturing environment, we protect children from emotional abuse and help them develop into confident individuals.

Psalm 103:13

“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.”

This verse draws a parallel between the compassion of earthly fathers towards their children and the boundless compassion of God towards those who fear Him. It encourages parents to emulate God’s compassion by treating their children with love, tenderness, and understanding, guarding them against any form of abuse or mistreatment.

Matthew 19:14

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.’”

Jesus’s words emphasize the significance of children in the kingdom of God. He welcomes them openly, indicating their inherent value and purity. This verse serves as a reminder to treat children with respect, dignity, and care, protecting them from any form of abuse and creating an environment where they can grow in their faith and relationship with God.

Psalm 22:9-10

“Yet you are he who took me from the womb; you made me trust you at my mother’s breasts. On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother’s womb you have been my God.”

These verses express a profound trust in God from the earliest stages of life. They acknowledge God’s role in creating and nurturing us from the moment of conception. By extension, they highlight the importance of valuing and protecting children, recognizing their vulnerability and dependence, and shielding them from abuse or harm.

Proverbs 29:15

“The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.”

This verse underscores the role of parental discipline in a child’s development. It emphasizes the need for guidance, correction, and instruction in order for a child to grow in wisdom. However, it is crucial to note that this verse does not endorse abusive behavior but rather encourages parents to fulfill their responsibility of providing a nurturing and disciplined upbringing.

Mark 9:37

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

This verse highlights the value Jesus places on the treatment of children. It emphasizes that when we welcome and care for children, we are also receiving Jesus Himself. It reminds us of our responsibility to protect, nurture, and advocate for children, ensuring they are shielded from abuse and harm while providing them with love, support, and guidance.

Psalm 34:11

“Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”

In this verse, the psalmist invites children to listen and learn. It illustrates the importance of teaching children about God, His ways, and the importance of reverencing Him. By imparting spiritual wisdom to children and helping them understand the fear of the Lord as a healthy reverence and respect, we equip them to navigate life’s challenges and protect them from abusive ideologies or influences.

Ephesians 6:1-4

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

These verses speak to the responsibilities of both children and parents. Children are encouraged to honor and obey their parents in a manner that aligns with the Lord’s will. Parents, on the other hand, are instructed not to provoke their children but to raise them in an environment of godly discipline and instruction. These verses promote mutual respect and love within the family, guarding against any form of abusive behavior and nurturing a healthy parent-child relationship.

Isaiah 1:17

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”

This verse emphasizes the importance of seeking justice and defending the vulnerable, including the fatherless. It reminds us of our responsibility to protect children who may be at risk or lack proper care. This includes guarding them against any form of abuse and advocating for their well-being. It is our duty to ensure they are treated with fairness, love, and compassion.

Proverbs 31:8-9

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

These verses call for us to be advocates for those who cannot speak for themselves, including children. It urges us to defend the rights of the destitute, including protecting them from abuse and neglect. By speaking up against child abuse and standing up for their rights, we play a crucial role in creating a society where children are valued, protected, and cherished.

Matthew 18:10

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”

Jesus highlights the importance of valuing and respecting children. He warns against despising or looking down upon them. This verse serves as a reminder of the significance of each child’s life and the need to safeguard their well-being, ensuring they are shielded from abuse and treated with love, care, and dignity.

Proverbs 22:15

“Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.”

This verse acknowledges the natural tendency for children to make mistakes or act foolishly. It recognizes the need for discipline to correct and guide them. However, it is essential to interpret discipline as an act of love and guidance, not as an excuse for abuse. Proper discipline involves teaching, redirecting, and guiding children towards making wise choices, allowing them to mature and grow in character.

James 1:27

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

This verse emphasizes the essence of true religion and faith. It urges us to extend care and compassion to orphans, symbolizing vulnerable children who have lost parental care or protection. By reaching out to support and protect orphaned or neglected children, we demonstrate the love of God and fulfill our duty to prevent child abuse and neglect.

Proverbs 23:13-14

“Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.”

These verses emphasize the importance of discipline in a child’s upbringing. While they mention the use of a rod, it is essential to interpret this within the context of guidance and correction, not as an endorsement of physical abuse. The focus is on the role of discipline in saving a child’s soul from the destructive paths that lead to spiritual death. It highlights the significance of guiding children towards righteousness and protecting them from harmful influences.

Proverbs 31:9

“Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

This verse emphasizes our responsibility to advocate for justice and protect the rights of the vulnerable, including children who may be exposed to abuse or neglect. It encourages us to use our voices and take a stand against injustice, ensuring that the rights and well-being of children are safeguarded. By defending their rights, we create an environment where children can thrive and grow without fear of harm.

Psalm 10:17-18

“O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.”

These verses express trust in God’s justice and compassion for the oppressed and fatherless. They reassure us that God is attentive to their cries and will act on their behalf. As followers of God, we are called to emulate His heart for justice and protection, standing against child abuse and ensuring that children are shielded from harm, both physically and emotionally.

Matthew 25:40

“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”

This verse reminds us that our actions towards the least among us, including children, have a direct impact on our relationship with Jesus. It challenges us to treat children with kindness, compassion, and respect, guarding them against abuse and harm. By caring for and protecting children, we demonstrate our love for Christ and honor His teachings.

Isaiah 11:6

“The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.”

This verse depicts a vision of harmony and peace where even the animal kingdom coexists peacefully. The image of a little child leading these animals symbolizes the innocence, purity, and vulnerability of children. It reminds us of our duty to protect and preserve their well-being, ensuring they grow up in an environment free from abuse, violence, and exploitation.

Proverbs 14:21

“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”

Children, as our neighbors, deserve our care, love, and protection. This verse calls us to be generous, not only in material possessions but also in providing a safe and nurturing environment for children. It challenges us to reject abusive behavior and instead extend compassion, support, and advocacy to those who need it most.