Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise (Ephesians 6:2).
Usually this devotional blog is on the lighter side; today is different.
I grew up in a home of abuse. There were good times, as there are in every home, but there were also very bad times. My father abused my mother and the four of us children in unspeakable ways.
When my mother gained the courage to speak up, her pastor told her she had no alternative but to stay in the abusive relationship. Divorce is the modern unpardonable sin.
Shamefully, Christian leaders have for too long failed to address the issue of domestic abuse, whether of children against their elderly parents, spousal, or parent against child. They have only one answer for abuse: stay even if it kills you or scars your children for life. This is not God’s design for the home, it is not godly, nor is it an expression of love to be emulated in the church.
As the eldest child of a pedophile, how am I to “honor” my father?
Let me begin by saying that honor doesn’t mean staying in an abusive or neglectful relationship. Neglect and abuse are sin, and as a Christian, staying in that relationship is enabling that sin to continue. It’s as wrong as giving meth to an addict or providing drugged women to a rapist.
Honor isn’t pretending the spouse or parent is “good” and that everything is “fine.” Honor isn’t giving in, keeping your mouth shut, or accepting how you’re being treated. Dishonorable people – parents or spouses – demand respect for their sin; to enable them is also sin.
Sometimes the only way to honor someone who isn’t honorable is to walk away, “divorce” yourself from that person and situation, and never look back. Value the dishonorable parent as the one who gave you life, but a parent (or spouse) who refuses to acknowledge his sin and persists in it to the physical, emotional, or spiritual harm of his children or spouse shouldn’t be rewarded with more victims.
And spiritual leaders must not cover their eyes, ears, and mouths like monkeys answering with the “no divorce” mantra. God hates abuse too.
Where Living Begins 
A very Courageous post Richard. And a very important one. My professional background is that of 20+ years as a domestic abuse and sexual assault counselor. I too am a survivor of childhood abuse.
By God’s Grace I found a voice and have continued to use it to reach out to those who have yet, not found a way out. I reach out my hand to them. And together we stand and walk out of the pits of abuse.
Only when the abuse stops can healing begin, both for the survivors and the abuser as well.
Thank you Richard for being a strong and compassionate voice.
Reblogged this on 1smiles and commented:
Sharing a post today from the blog, “Where Living Begins”
Thank you Richard.