Who likes a bully? The bully prey's on those weaker than themselves, gains attention and inappropriate power, and creates conflict through meanness. A bully is an abuser. The prophets of old spoke up against abusers. "'I hate a man's covering his wife with violence as well as with his garment,' says the LORD Almighty... You have wearied the LORD with your words.' 'How have we wearied Him?' you ask. By saying, 'All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and He is pleased with them' or 'Where is the God of justice?'" Mal. 2:16-17 NIV
The Psalmist points out that the bully is devious. "In his arrogance, the wicked man hunts down the weak... He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims. He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net." Ps. 10:2, 8-9 NIV
God's purpose is to give deliverance from the bully. "You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and listen to their cry, defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more." Ps. 10:17 NIV
Jesus points out that bully begins with verbal abuse. "You have heard that it was said in the olden days, 'Do not kill, and whatsoever shall kill shall be liable for judgment.' But I say to you that anyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable for judgment. And whoever shall say to his brother, 'You numbskull,' shall be liable to the council. Whoever shall say, 'You imbecile,' shall be in danger of hellfire." Matt. 5:21-22
Give up your violence and oppression and do what is just and right. Ezek. 45:9
Rev. Patricia E. Walker, AlphaChurch.org
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