BullyChristianity and the Culture of Bullying

What is BullyingBullying: Negative verbal or physical behavior that is done (a) directly to a person or person’s property, (b) with the conscious intention of either upsetting the person or manipulating the person’s behavior, which (c ) God would not approve of. – Bullying and the Bible

http://stmonicaindy.org/mediafiles/uploaded/b/0e2388741_1376773269_bully-bibleages10-16.pdf

4 Types

• Verbal• Physical• Relational

• involves deliberately preventing someone from joining or being part of a group, whether it's at a lunch table, game, sport, or social activity.

• Cyber • involves haranguing someone by spreading mean words, lies, and false

rumors through e-mails, text messages, and social media posts.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied."Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mat 5:3-12)

Most Common Christian Response

5 Biblical Stories with Bullies

• Joseph – Gen. 37• Moses – Ex. 3,4• David and Goliath – 1 Sam.

17• Jesus – Matt. 13• Women caught in adultery

– John 8

Using Our DefinitionBullying: Negative verbal or physical behavior that is done (a) directly to a person or person’s property, (b) with the conscious intention of either upsetting the person or manipulating the person’s behavior, which (c ) God would not approve of. – Bullying and the Bible

• Bullying is not• Suffering justly for our sins• Failure to have others treat

us the way we want them to• Conflict and tension allowed

by God to mature us (discipline)

Joseph and Jealousy

• Joseph was from a blended family, one dad many moms• Joseph was favored, given special gifts• Joseph told brother that they were going to serve him,

bow down to him• Joseph was not humble about his calling, he was immature

emotionally• Jealousy, insecurity and anger may have been the cause of

Joseph’s attack by his brothers

Biblical insight to help Joseph's Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. (Jas 3:13-16)

"You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's." (Exo 20:17)

Moses and Fear

• The people of God had been bullied by Pharaoh• God called Moses to stand up to him• Moses feared being assertive, saw himself as powerless

Biblical Insight for Moses

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (2Ti 1:7)

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. (1Co 12:4-6)

David and Insults

• A gang conflict was happening, two groups were fighting• Goliath, a big intimidating man was belittling, mocking,

insulting GOD• Goliath was demoralizing people too but the real issue

here is God• David felt called to stop this bully based on

• Past experience with killing a bear and lion• His heart compelled him to honor God

Biblical Insight from David

"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. (Joh 15:12-13)

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Eph 6:13)Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law. (Pro 29:18)

Jesus and Wrath• Jesus was teaching in His home region and people saw him as just another kid, they got

mad that he thought he was someone special.• Jesus was speaking the truth in love desiring to set people free, but they wanted to fight• Jesus resisted their efforts to harm him. Jesus knew it was not God’s will to be hurt now.

When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away. (Luk 4:28-30)

Biblical Insights for JesusPray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (Mat 6:9-13)

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. (1Pe 5:8-9)

Women and Justice

• A women was caught sinning and people passionate for truth and justice caught her while sinning and drug her before Jesus. They forced her to go.

• Publically, openly they told everyone what she had done wrong and wanted to kill her in front of everyone for it.

• People passionate for their cause often loose sight of how they are treading others and see only the cause.

Biblical Insight for WomenWhy do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Mat 7:3-5)

But Paul said, "I am standing before Caesar's tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I have done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar." (Act 25:10-11)

What to do

• Live humble• Live with faith not fear• Be willing to lay your life

down for others• Do the will of God on earth• Don’t live on passion alone

• Deal with coveting and Jealousy

• God gives gifts to empower us

• Resist evil• Be intentional and

assertive• Call for authorities to help