It’s nothing to do with our culture; let’s condemn abuse.
Reports of the so called “Facebook assault lover” 42 year-old Zimbabwean man Fredson Nkomo, who beat up his mistress as was reported on the newzimbabwe.com website made very sad reading most regrettable was the silly excuse given by Nkomo who claimed “such savage attacks were common” in his homeland, inferring that it was a cultural thing to beat up women in (Zimbabwe).
I do not know what culture he is referring to here because wife beating has always been frowned upon in the Zimbabwe that I come from. One of the most tragic and disgusting phenomenon of our generation is the abuse of women. Any man who abuses his wife, who demeans her, who insults her, who, exercises unrighteous dominion over her is unworthy in God’s sight.
I regret to say that there seems to be much more of this ugly phenomenon in our time. There are men who cuff their wives about, both verbally and physically. What a tragedy when a man demeans the mother of his children. If there be any that read, or hear these words, who are guilty of such behaviour I call upon you to repent. Get on your knees and ask God to forgive you.
Pray to Him for the power to control your tongue and your heavy hand. Ask for the forgiveness of your wife and your children. I am confident that when we stand before the bar of God there will be little mention of how much wealth we accumulated in life, or of any honours which we may have achieved.
Nevertheless, there will be searching questions concerning our domestic relations. Moreover, I am convinced that only those who have walked through life with love and respect and appreciation for their companions and children will receive from our eternal judge the words.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant…enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”(Matt.25: 21).
I mention another type of abuse. It is of the elderly. “Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee”(Exodus 20:12). But how tragic it is, how absolutely revolting is abuse of the elderly. Increasingly, we are living longer, thanks to the miracle of modern science and medical practice.
But with old age comes a deterioration of physical capacity, and sometimes mental capacity. How beautiful is the picture of a son or daughter going out of his or her way to assist with kindness and benevolence and love an aged parent? Most Zimbabweans have always taken great care of their elderly and I am proud to say that is part of my/our culture as Zimbabweans.
Now I wish to mention another form of abuse, child abuse, reports from Zimbabwe that a 19-year-old headboy of a school in Murehwa allegedly sodomised 10 boys he shared a dormitory with, made very sad reading. Any sort of abuse of children is sordid and evil; it is despicable, tragic, and terrible.
The Lord Himself said: “But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matt. 18:6). That is very strong language from the Prince of Peace, the Son of God.
Nevertheless, we recognise, and must always recognise, that when the penalty has been paid and the demands of justice have been met, there will be a helpful and kindly hand reaching out to assist.” What more can I say. He that has ears let him hear.
Those that practice any form of abuse, now is the time to repent. Pray to the Father, for power to control your tongue and heavy hand. Seek counselling from your ecclesiastical leaders.
I pray that we will give heed to this counsel and help stop people from becoming suicidal. Abuse in any of its forms must be condemned. Let us love one another. Learn to do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.
The Saviour himself said, “As I have loved you. Love one another. This new commandment: love one another. By this shall men know ye are my disciples. If ye have love one to another (John 13: 34-35). We are all God’s children and in as much as this was directed to his disciples it is equally sound counsel to us.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
