Over the years/decades there have been the individuals or groups who seek to write God out of various parts of our society or indeed out of our nation. Where this has happened, we have seen a subsequent erosion of values/morals/behaviour and in some cases, what was illegal now being legalised. Marriage and family values have not been exempted from this.

Unless we are careful, we and our families can be overwhelmed by the violence that seems to be occurring around the world and is reported within a very short time of its’ occurrence in our media and internationally. International ‘news items’ get pushed aside by our media to report violence in our own nation, as has been the case recently. Alongside the news that is reported, there is a continued flow of films and other media that are based on violence in many media outlets.

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 [NLT]

“Tell Him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always. Put into practice the example of all that you have heard from me or seen in my life and the God of peace will be with you in all things.” Philippians 4:6-9 [TPT]

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2 [NKJT]

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 [NLT]

Amongst this reporting, over the last few months there has been a regular flow in our media relating to domestic violence or abuse.

Early in 2023 NSW police began ‘Operation Amarok’, a recurring operation, which targets the States’ most dangerous domestic violence offenders. The most recent of these 4 day State wide operations occurred, ‘Amarok V’ in early February in this year. In those 4 days the police arrested and charged 590 people with 1193 serious domestic violence offences. Of those apprehended in ‘Amarok V’, 229 people were wanted for serious domestic and family violence offences. Since the start of the operation in 2023 there have been 3000 offenders arrested. It was also reported by the ACT police in January this year that the ACT saw a 20% increase in “Family Violence” in 2023 compared to 2022.

These figures are bad enough, but they are only part of the domestic and family violence scene in NSW, ACT and Australia it is believed there are many cases unreported to the police. Apart from physical abuse there is verbal/mental abuse, financial abuse all of which can also affect the children.

The men and women who are the aggressors potentially are employed somewhere and their behaviour in these places and in their social life is completely different to that when they are with their spouse and or children. Some years ago, John C Maxwell went to dinner in New York with the chairman and CEO of a well-known media/publishing group; at one stage in their conversation, the chairman/CEO said, “You know John, I think you would be the perfect person to do this: what would you think about writing a book on business ethics?” His response was “there’s no such thing” he went on to explain “There’s no such thing as business ethics -there’s only ethics. People try to use one set of ethics for their professional life, another for their spiritual life, and still another at home with their family. That gets them into trouble. Ethics is ethics. If you desire to be ethical, you live it by one standard across the board.” A few months later John Maxwell wrote a book entitled “There’s no such thing as Business Ethics”. In the book time is spent discussing what he learnt from one of his leadership mentors the ‘Golden Rule’ – this rule exists in many cultures their wordings maybe different but come to the same meaning. That rule for the Christian is:

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.”

Matthew 7:12 [NLT]

Whatever our role, our employment (the mission field that we are in) we are always the ambassadors for Christ and His love should be flowing through us as we seek to live and speak out kingdom values throughout all parts of our life. This from time to time will need difficult questions to be asked, in a friendly loving way, such as “Are you really okay” or “Is your marriage okay”; knowing that God is always with you and because “greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Whilst we may not be equipped to minister in all situations, we do have the power of prayer, the lines for which are always open, and where there are difficulties be ready to point people in the right direction.

Regrettably the church is not necessarily exempt from abuse in marriages and families as victims are often fearful of speaking out. We need to ensure that the church of God is that safe, secure, and loving place. Whilst encouraging all to follow the ways of Jesus 24/7 particularly encourage those who are married to have their eyes on Jesus ahead of their marriage then all will go well with marriage and family.

Should we enlarge the idea of the “R U Ok? day” and from time to time ask “Is your marriage (and family – if appropriate) OK?” Also, the prayers by intercessors and others within the church specifically regularly include the binding of abusive/coercive spirits in marriages and families, then releasing the Holy Spirit into these situations. Prayers should also be made for righteous and justice to prevail in all areas of our legal system.

“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”

Ephesians 6:10-12 [NLT]

If you are in need of further resources in this area that are specifically aimed for use in the church then “Safer” maybe the place for you to find them see: https://www.saferresource.org.au/

If not already in place within the church and with the leaders of home, youth groups etc have listed outside help organisations and phone numbers ideally printed on cards that can be taken by those in need. These are the commonly listed organisations:

Organisation	Telephone	Website
Lifeline	13 11 14 Available 24/7 crisis support	https://www.lifeline.org.au
DV Connect	1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT Available 24/7	https://www.1800respect.org.au
Women’s Crisis Line [DV Connect]	1800 811 811 Available 24/7	https://www.lifeline.org.au
Mensline [DV Connect]	1300 789 978 Available 24/7	https://www.dvconnect.org/mensline/
Family & Community Services	132 111 Available 9am – midnight, 7 days (Reporting Line)
MensLine Australia	1300 789 978 Available 24/7	https://mensline.org.au
Kids Help Line [ 5yrs to 25yrs]	1800 55 1800 Available 24/7	https://kidshelpline.com.au
Domestic Violence Line	1800 656 463
Relationships Australia	1300 364 277	https://www.relationships.org.au
Men’s Referral Service	1300 766 491	https://ntv.org.au/
Christian Counsellors Association of Australia		https://ccaa.net.au