Scripture & Rights — the United States
What Does God Say About Domestic Violence?
What does the Bible say about domestic violence in the United States? Scripture verses grounded in US law — your rights in God's word and the law of the land.
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6 Scriptures
US Law
God created every person with dignity, and the Bible is clear that violence against those we are meant to love is a profound injustice. In the United States, the Violence Against Women Act and state domestic violence statutes provide legal protection — giving victims the power to act in alignment with the safety God intends for them.
What Scripture Says
Key Bible Verses
Psalm 11:5 (NIV)
“The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.”
God's attitude toward those who "love violence" — those for whom abuse and domination are a pattern of life — is stated with unusual force: he "hates with a passion." This is not mild disapproval. God stands firmly against the person who uses violence against a partner or family member.
Psalm 140:1–2 (NIV)
“Rescue me, LORD, from evildoers; protect me from the violent, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day.”
David prays for rescue from people who use violence as a daily weapon. This prayer — prayed by a king who understood both being hunted and being in danger — is a model for anyone living under threat of domestic violence. Praying for rescue is not a failure of faith. It is honest before God.
Proverbs 3:31 (NIV)
“Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways.”
Scripture explicitly warns against imitating or admiring those who use violence to get what they want. Staying in a relationship with a violent person, over time, can normalise violence. God says: do not choose those ways.
Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
Jesus quoted this passage to define his own mission (Luke 4:18). "Release from darkness for the prisoners" and "freedom for the captives" applies to every form of captivity — including a home in which a person is trapped by fear and violence. Jesus came to set the captive free. Leaving an abusive relationship is consistent with, not contrary to, the gospel.
Micah 6:8 (NIV)
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Acting justly includes acting justly toward yourself. Walking humbly does not mean accepting violent treatment as deserved or God-ordained. Mercy includes extending mercy to yourself — allowing yourself to seek safety, legal protection, and healing.
Romans 13:10 (NIV)
“Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
Love, by Paul's definition, does no harm. Violence is not love. Control is not love. Isolation, threats, and degradation are not love. Calling abusive behaviour "love" is a fundamental category error that contradicts the plain meaning of the New Testament.
US Domestic Violence Law
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) provides federal protections and funding for domestic violence services. State courts issue civil protection orders (also called restraining orders) — the process is free, and you can apply without a lawyer. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) operates 24/7 with confidential help in 200+ languages.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Bible say I must stay in an abusive US marriage?
No. The Bible calls us to love and protect the vulnerable — including ourselves. Many theologians recognise abuse as grounds for separation. Your safety is not a lesser concern than your marital status, and God does not require you to remain where you are in danger.
How do I get a restraining order in the US?
Go to your local courthouse and ask for the forms for a civil protection order (called a restraining order or protective order in most states). Emergency or temporary orders are usually granted the same day. The process is free. Domestic violence advocates at your local shelter can guide you through it at no cost.
Can my abuser be deported if they are not a citizen?
This is complex, but VAWA includes protections for undocumented immigrants who are abuse victims. You can self-petition for immigration status independently of your abuser. Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline for referrals to immigration legal aid.
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