A shaggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite. O LORD my God, in you do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me Lest they tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is my enemy:) Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay my honor in the dust. Selah. Arise, O LORD, in your anger, lift up yourself because of the rage of my enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that you have commanded. Psalm 7:1-6
Abuse can come from pastors, government, teachers, parents, spouses, and many others. Abuse is wrong.
One of the best things to do is be aware. After being aware, one must challenge.
Here is an important article about fleshing out an abuser.
Recently I was reminded still once more of how the wicked react when their evil is exposed and they are called to account. The fangs come out. The bullying begins. They are like vicious, wild animals snapping at their prey. In this account here in Acts 7, Stephen has just confronted the Jews with their sins:Remember pastors can be abusers. We need to know. We need to be informed. Don't fall for an abuser.
"You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered." (Acts 7:51-52)
It sets them off like a pack of wolves and of course as we know, they murdered Stephen right there. https://cryingoutforjustice.com/2017/03/08/a-sure-sign-of-a-bully-or-abuser-the-gnashing-of-teeth/
Other articles on identifying abusers can be found here: https://cryingoutforjustice.com/tag/identifying-abusers/
Be serious! Be alert! Your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour 1 Peter 5:8
Since the devil is prowling around, we need to be alert for those who are like him.
