First Edition February 29, 2012 at 9:24am
Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior manifested by the use of force or coercion to affect the actions of others, particularly when the behavior is habitual and involves an imbalance of power. It can include verbal harassment, physical assault or coercion and may be directed repeatedly towards particular victims, perhaps on grounds of race, religion, gender, sexuality, or ability.[2][3] The “imbalance of power” may be social power and/or physical power. The victim of bullying is sometimes referred to as a “target”.
Bullying consists of three basic types of abuse – emotional, verbal, and physical. It typically involves subtle methods of coercion such as intimidation. Bullying can be defined in many different ways.
Bullying ranges from simple one-on-one bullying to more complex bullying in which the bully may have one or more ‘lieutenants’ who may seem to be willing to assist the primary bully in his bullying activities. Bullying in school and the workplace is also referred to as peer abuse. Peer abuse happens in the church to. Spiritual bully’s are as damaging in the church as they are on the school grounds. Guard your hearts against hardening with pain.
You can’t submit to a bully!
Jas_4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2 Ti_2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Our flesh is a bully, in agreement with the enemy….
Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. So this flesh of mine demands things we believe we shouldn’t have.
A good example is diet. Once I say Im on a diet, my flesh wants cake, ice cream, and a pizza on top. Why? Because it pulls/ wars against the spirit.
So Paul said in 2 Co 10:3 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. 2 Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; 2 Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
We have to resist the enemy and the lust of the flesh. I am not talking about cake here. I am talking about sin. I’m talking about resisting the bully. The one who draws, and pushes at us to do the things we know we shouldn’t do. The Bible says “resist the devil, and he will flee, or run away!” His voice is the one saying, “you are not saved,” you can’t serve God” or you don’t look like a Christian!” He is a liar, and nothing he says is true.
Where does he whisper these things? Our mind is the devils playground. While we are working or relaxing – he will insert thoughts that are not our own. You may also think, “ where did that thought come from” or “why did I think that!” Chalk it up to the enemy of your soul, resist his lies and praise God through it and he will run away!
Satan is a violent bully.
Satan is like a roaring lion. Have you seen a real lion? Maybe watched one on TV? They are frightening! Satan is like that lion. He is looking for someone to devour. He’s looking for weakness. The real lion looks for the weak prey in the herd. He prefers the straggler. The straggler falls behind, stops looking and just isn’t paying attention and then the lion pounces. Thats Satan! The bully ready to pounce! So Peter said in 1Pe 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 1Pe 5:9 Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”
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