22 Comforting Bible Verses About Oppression & Abuse
The heart of God is deeply compassionate toward the oppressed. God’s Word reveals His desire for His people to seek justice, defend the vulnerable, and stand against injustice. Bible verses about oppression emphasize God’s heart for the oppressed and abused. God’s heart reflects His desire for mercy, fairness, and protection for those who are mistreated. In this article we will define and differentiate between oppression and abuse. Additionally, we will outline examples of oppression in the Bible and review specific Scriptures that point to God’s heart for those who are being mistreated.
Define Oppression & Abuse
To oppress means to subject someone to harsh or unfair treatment, often through the use of power or authority. It involves exerting control or dominance over others in a way that limits their freedom, dignity, or well-being. Abuse is pretty similar, referring to any action or behavior that intentionally harms, exploits or mistreats another person physically, emotionally, mentally or even spiritually. We will look at some examples through the lens of Scripture farther into the article.
Similarities/Differences Between Oppression & Abuse
Notice in both oppression and abuse, it is a misuse of power or authority in order to control either a person or group of people. Both abuse and oppression have lasting affects on it’s victims. Those effects include experiencing of trauma, fear and diminished sense of self worth. In summary, victims of oppression or abuse experience injustice, are taken advantage of and experience their basic rights being taken away.
While there are many similarities between oppression and abuse, there are also differences. Oppression usually refers to a larger group of people and in systems. For example, governement systems or within religious contexts. Abuse tends to refer to interpersonal relationships and is more direct. In both cases, the abuser or oppressor is exerting control over another for personal gain.
This is vital information for believers. We all live in the same fallen world filled with people that have a pattern of selfish ambition or self seeking behavior. It is important to be able to identify that oppression and abuse exists in order to protect ourselves or other experiencing this type of harm. This happens in churches, marriages, families and workplaces. No place is immune to such treatment. We even see this power over others in Jesus’s time in the New Testament (more on that later). Let’s dive into identifying some of the ways acts of oppression or abuse take place.
Acts of Oppression & Abuse
As you read through the following ways people or groups experience oppression or abuse, notice how power or control are wielded for one person’s benefit. That is the reality of oppression and abuse- the intention is to control and wield power. It is NOT intended for the good of the other person. In fact, it is to their detriment and the tactics are intended to gain and maintain power and control. God’s heart breaks over this. It is so opposite to God’s plan for His creation to reflect the light of Christ.
1. Control and Manipulation
Manipulation is the act of skillfully or deceitfully influencing or controlling another person or situation, often for one’s own benefit or advantage. It typically involves using subtle, coercive, or dishonest tactics to get someone to act, think, or feel in a way that serves the manipulator’s goals. This often happens at the expense of the other person’s well-being. Another tactic is gaslighting- a form of psychological manipulation in which an oppressor or abuser makes the other person question their reality through confusion.
Read about manipulation through a biblical lens and 15 dangerous manipulation tactics used.
Learn more about how the feeling of confusion is a major red flag.
2. Unequal Power Dynamics
In some relationships, one person assumes an overly dominant role, where they dictate decisions, control resources, or monopolize decision-making, leaving the other person powerless or voiceless. We see this in marriages, businesses relationships and even in church organizations. It creates an imbalance of power with the intention to hold more financial control, social influence or authority. This leads to the other person feeling powerless.
3. Verbal and Physical Abuse
Constant criticism, insults, or belittling remarks can wear down the sense of worth of an individual receiving this treatment. Wearing down someone’s sense of worth in order to gain control is actually the goal. Oppressive relationships can also involve physical violence or threats of harm, further instilling fear and a sense of powerlessness in the victim.
4. Exploitation of Vulnerabilities
To exploit a vulnerability means to take unfair advantage of someone’s weaknesses, limitations, or areas of need- all for personal gain or benefit. This can occur when someone recognizes another person’s emotional, physical, financial, or social vulnerability and uses it to manipulate or control them in a way that serves their own interests, often at the expense of the vulnerable person’s well-being or dignity. An example of this may be financial exploitation through controlling finances in order to create financial dependency. Another example may be exploiting someone’s emotional vulnerabilities making someone believe they need validation, security or love from the oppressor or abuser.
5. Spiritual Oppression
Sadly this was the situation during Jesus’s time. The religious leaders wielded power and control over God’s people. We saw that in how they used legalism- strict moral/spiritual codes that nobody could adhere to. They took advantage of the power they had as the spiritual leaders of their day. We see that play out in today’s world as well. More and more, pastors are being exposed for the wolves in sheeps clothing that they are in our congregations.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of tactics used by oppressors/abusers. God’s Word points out that selfish ambition (pride) is the root cause of every evil practice.
James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (NIV)
The Impact of Oppressive Relationships
Oppression and abuse have deep and lasting impacts on individuals, affecting their spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical health. People who endure oppression often have feelings of powerlessness, isolation, and worthlessness. This is due to their rights and dignity being denied or violated. This can lead to psychological consequences, such as depression, anxiety, and trauma, as they internalize the harmful treatment they endure.
Abuse, whether physical, emotional, or psychological, erodes a person’s sense of safety and self-worth. Victims of abuse may struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, and fear, often blaming themselves for the mistreatment. In the long run, this can lead to difficulties in forming healthy relationships, trusting others, and maintaining emotional regulation. Both oppression and abuse strip away a person’s sense of self, leaving wounds that require healing.
Bible Verses About Oppression & God’s Heart
God’s heart is firmly against oppressors, as Scripture repeatedly emphasizes His concern for justice and His opposition to those who exploit, harm, or dominate others. The Bible makes it clear that God defends the vulnerable and despises injustice, calling for the protection of the poor, the widow, and the orphan. God holds oppressors accountable for their actions. His heart is one of righteousness and compassion, standing against all forms of oppression/abuse and calling for fairness and mercy. Check out the following Bible verses about God’s heart for the oppressed.
Psalm 9:9 – The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
Psalm 82:3 – Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.
Proverbs 14:31 – The one who oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.
Isaiah 58:6 – Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Psalm 103:6 – The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
Isaiah 10:1 – Woe to those who decree iniquitous decrees, and the writers who keep writing oppression.
Jeremiah 22:3 – Thus says the Lord: Do justice and righteousness, and deliver from the hand of the oppressor him who has been robbed.
Deuteronomy 24:14 – You shall not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns.
Proverbs 19:17 – Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.
Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.
Zechariah 7:10 – Do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.
Micah 2:1-2 – Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds! When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in the power of their hand. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them away; they oppress a man and his house, a man and his inheritance.
Job 35:9 – Because of the multitude of oppressions people cry out; they call for help because of the arm of the mighty.
Psalm 146:7 – Who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets the prisoners free.
Luke 4:18 – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed.
Oppression of Israel
There are so many examples of oppression in the Bible. In Exodus we see the Israelites being oppressed by the Egyptians and the Lord delivers them. The book of Judges shows how neighboring nations (Midianites, Ammonites and Philistines) oppressed the Israelites. God raised up judges delivering the people from oppression. The Northern Kingdom of Israel was oppressed by the Assyrians leading to them being enslaved and deported. The Southern Kingdom was also oppressed, enslaved and taken away by the Babylonians.
During Jesus’s ministry the Israelites were experiencing oppression by Rome and their own religious leaders. The early Christian church also experienced oppression as they were killed for their faith. Oppression aligns with the enemy’s heart because he opposes God’s people and God’s plans. If oppression can exist on a grand scheme, why wouldn’t we believe it can happen on relational level? Sin and pride exist in this world and many people choose to pursue their own selfish ambition. And know this- some will stop at nothing to gain power and control over their relationships.
Teaching of Jesus Christ
Here are some Bible verses about oppression from the teachings of Jesus…
Matthew 5:3-4 – Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Luke 4:18-19 – The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
Matthew 11:28-30 – Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 23:4 – They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and they lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
Mark 10:42-45 – But Jesus called them to him and said to them, ‘You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’
Matthew 25:35-40 – For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 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.’
Final Thoughts: Bible Verses About Oppression
Bible verses about oppression reveal God’s deep concern for the suffering and vulnerable. Throughout Scripture, God commands justice and compassion, calling His people to defend the oppressed and uplift those marginalized by society. As believers, we are called to “seek justice, encourage the oppressed, defend the fatherless, and plead the case of the widow.” God’s heart is tender toward those experiencing oppression or abuse; These Scriptures remind us that God stands with the oppressed, calls for justice, and invites us to be His hands and feet, bringing light and hope into the world through compassion and active support for all in need.