Galatians 5:14,15 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Bullying has become a serious problem in today’s society. Countless school children and college students have been scarred by verbal attacks launched at them from mean-spirited individuals who feed on controversy and strife. Paul informs us that bullying in the body of Christ is nothing new. Note that the opposite of walking in love towards one another is biting and devouring one another. Isn’t it ironic that Peter would say that our adversary the devil goes around, seeking whom he may devour. Thus, unbeknownst to themselves, Christian bullies are assisting the devil in devouring their brothers and sisters whenever they launch out with unkind or unloving words or actions.
Sadly, the vast majority of Christian bullying revolves around different views of the Word of God. I am not talking about absolute doctrines that are non-negotiable, but views regarding issues where Scripture tells us to be fully persuaded in our own minds. Christian bullies insist that their personal convictions or preference of worship styles become the 11th commandment for the rest of the body of Christ. Christian bullies are always looking for a good fight. They tend to be in your face and intimidating, all in the name of taking a stand for the truth of God. Jesus Christ was anything but a bully. He knew who were for Him and who were against Him. Do you?
Pastor Ray,
We all have witnessed or at times participated in “Christian bullying”. Duking it out with non believing family members, theology battles between proponents of the various “isms”, blasting without mercy believers of works-based salvation, getting into heated arguments with atheists while evangelizing in the field.
Let me be blunt: Why do we condemn (or bully) others? Are we trying to rise above those who we believe are beneath us as measured using our personal faith yardstick? Gently and humbly pointing out unbiblical behaviors is serving. Telling a Christian “you are not my brother” because they follow an “ism” different from ours damages unity in the body. 1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Unfortunately some of the battles I have witnessed (and been part of) wind up being jousting matches to see who wins. Do we show love, grace, and compassion as in 1 Peter 3:8? Or does our bullying reflect our pride? After a heated back and forth do we end up trying to prove we are right and “they” are wrong? Do we believe Jesus seeks their condemnation? John 3:17 “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Let us follow Him and not bully or condemn. It is THROUGH HIM, not through us.
God bless,
JoseM