EssayPERSPECTIVE: Domestic Violence: Speak Up, Cast The Dragon Out And Save Your Soul– The Holy Bible Perspective

PERSPECTIVE

Domestic violence as witnessed in the case of a popular gospel singer in Nigeria reveals that most often the abused covers up for the abuser; could it have been out of love, naivety, or matters of belief?

Given Osinachi Nwachukwu’s accomplishments, her continued stay in the toxic relationship clearly was not out of financial dependency on the abuser but something deeper, her belief as insinuated by her mum in an interview granted on BBC Igbo.

Her infamous exit opened up cans of worms and testimonies of the inhumane treatment this soft-spoken, unassuming Isuochi-born damsel was subjected to in the hands of her dragon husband Peter Nwachukwu of Ukpo Nnewi South Local Government area.

If these ones had spoken up earlier, would Osinachi be still alive? Would the deceased have fought them for invading her privacy, lying to cover up for the husband, or taking the olive branch?

Although cultures, financial insecurity, and environment amongst others are contributory factors to most abused remaining with their abuser, the most difficult to counter is belief.

One’s belief informs his actions over any subject matter, hence belief cannot be swept off with a wave of hands but such a mind be transformed through counseling and follow-up.

The basis of most arguments of believers on the subject of divorce is as stated in the Holy Bible as recorded in Mark 10: 9, “Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

However, this instruction is not without conditions and we need the wisdom to apply it appropriately.

In St. Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians 5:33 says, “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

No doubt, Peter Nwachukwu’s feelings for the deceased could only be deep-seated hatred born out of wickedness, hardened heart or reasons best known to him alone; the bottom line is that he has failed the condition attached to the instruction on divorce.

What then is the way out for a believer at such a crossroad in life? The scripture says in 1 Corinthians 7:10-11, “Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

Cases of the abused holding unto a failed marriage, praying for a turnaround of their beloved has led to avoidable deaths as in the case of Osinachi and numerous others unheard of.

Yes, we ought to pray for one another but as we pray we must be watchful and apply wisdom for hardhearted men are incorrigible. By their fruits, you shall know them, and the way outgoing by the aforementioned scriptures is to separate or divorce them.

One may divorce or separate especially for life-threatening reasons or in cases of adultery. However, there is a clause attached, you have to remain unmarried and keep serving your God after all there is no marriage in heaven.

As simple as this decision sounds, executing it is not for the fainthearted or those who live in the shadows of what men will say.

Truth be told, it is not an easy decision a Minister of God takes because everything she has worked for in years could crumble in seconds if not well managed. Society and other Ministers of God may no longer identify with your ministry but with God on your side and wisdom, you will excel again.

Effective communication is the key; any woman in constant abusive relationship should learn to speak up using the appropriate media backing your claims with substantive evidence. Only then can sanctimonious church leaders accept the exigencies of exit, if not by divorce at least a separation.

7And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. 9So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation12:7-9).

The above scripture reveals three salient points applicable in relationships; relationships gone soar, separation inevitable and God prevailed casting the devil out of His domain.

Praying and believing is vital in any relationship but we must be sensitive and sincere in assessing the situation without sentiments or fear.

Pertinent to note also is that the above scripture records that the dragon was cast out of heaven to the earth with his angels; some persons are his angels and by their fruit, you shall know them.

The big question now is, if God who has the ability to change a man could not condone Satan’s wickedness but cast him out, what more you?

The assignments of these dragons are clearly written in Revelations 12:4, they lookout for great stars, drag and throw them to the earth; the obsession of these dragons is to cleverly thwart the purpose of God being worked out through believers and the Christian community.

4 his tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.”

Having said this, there is a place for the ministry of the Holy Spirit who will guide you into all truth; the problem however is will you subdue your feelings and obey His counsels?

It is not God’s will that we die but that we have life and have it more abundantly and so anything that threatens that life is contrary to His Word.

Without mincing word, God can never tell a man or woman to stay in a relationship that is filled with violence, wickedness and so much hatred because such attributes contravene his instructions in John13:34-35.

34. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

God is love and a lover of peace and concord. Anything or situation that takes away your peace surely is not of God and as the Israelites move from their camp once the cloud is lifted, so in my opinion should children of God move but remember to leave still serving God in Spirit and in truth which is the ultimate purpose of our creation.

Osinachi’s death teaches all to speak up, seek help and run for your dear life; Jesus Christ died on the cross for us and the cross we are meant to bear is only cross of righteousness and living by His Word not by what men think or would say.