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Question from a friend of WordTruth Press:>>>Besides adultery, when is it okay to divorce? My husband is emotionally and verbally abusive with me and physically abusive with our son, who is seven years old. My husband has a very bad temper and has thrown even sharp knives at my children and I. I am afraid of him and I want to leave him, but my Christian faith tells me to stay! Certainly God would not want my children and I to stay in a relationship like this? Help!!!!>>> WordTruth Press Response:This is truly a terrible situation. I am very sorry you are going through this in your marriage. I'm not sure why the Christian teachings on marriage are often misinterpreted to mean that a wife has to stay in a home with a criminal. And that is what physical abuse to a child or a wife is - criminal. Your husband's anger problem is a danger to you and your son. If he is hitting a child and throwing knives, then it is just a matter of time before he hits you as well. Nowhere does the Bible teach that you have to stay in a home with someone who beats you or abuses you. What you husband is doing is wrong. Whether or not divorce is the right option, you need to get yourself and your son to a place of safety. The abuse has damaged you and your son emotionally and physically so that you are not necessarily thinking logically. You need to discuss this situation with your pastor or a counselor who can refer you to the appropriate places for help in your area. If you have family that can provide you with temporary housing, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of that. Your husband needs counseling help to deal with his anger issues and inappropriate behavior. As I said, the behavior you describe is criminal. If he attacks you or your son, you need to call the police who know how to deal with domestic violence such as this. Unfortunately, it may take some jail time for your husband to figure out how dangerous his anger problem has become.
I commend you for asking this question and hope that you will be safe and get the help you need. Please email me back in the future and let me know how you and your son are doing. May God bless you with His wisdom and the courage to follow Jesus! Rev. Randy Lariscy :-) |
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