| Bullies - article by Joel Hempel No one likes a bully unless you are the bully or the bully’s behavior benefits you. Admittedly, I have a particular disdain for bullies. The roots of my disdain reach back into my childhood. I remember the upperclassmen in high school who bullied me on the bus and repeatedly in the locker room. Thankfully, we reconciled, but my middle brother knocked me around quite a bit, and my dad was harsh when distressed. But worst of all, I regret bullying our sons when they were disobedient, and I was impatient and too quick to become angry. Bullies! What are the characteristics of bullies who repeatedly and unrepentantly bully? If you do a Google search, you will find differences of opinion. So, I sought the counsel of Scripture. Although the word bully does not appear in the Bible, Jesus and John the Apostle provide a pretty good description of bullying behavior.1 Scripture portrays bullies as egotists who put themselves first, are authoritarian, and too often disregard the rights of others. They burden others without remorse, are self-promoting, and love places of honor. They are controlling, exalt themselves, are hypocritical, punish the innocent, talk vile nonsense, are lawless, and forcefully shut down those who are weaker. They look pretty on the outside, but are internally disgusting. To the extreme pain of others, they lack mercy, justice, and faithfulness to God. It’s quite possible that as you read the above description, you had someone in mind. But I encourage you to look behind the bully to their influencer: Satan! Satan’s full-time job is to bully, bruise, and belittle all of us. And sadly, he has plenty of helpers who serve his calling. So, what do we do when we find ourselves oppressed by such broken people? Get out from under their abuse? That would be understandable, if possible. Tough it out? If you need to, and if you can handle it with God’s strength. Get even? Not a good idea.2 Love them? Yes! That is who we are as Christians! Jesus modeled that radical life from the cross: Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. 3 The bullies in our lives may be well aware of what they are doing. But we can still learn from Jesus. How did Jesus, the man, forgive the bullies who brutally beat him and nailed him to the cross? Where did he find the strength, the courage, the love? The same place you and I can find it. In the heart of God, who is love, 4 within the same Merciful Patience that embraces us when we are unnecessarily aggressive or don’t receive God’s strength to stand up to bullying behavior. Father, increase our love for the one who bullies so that we may pray relentlessly for the bully’s conversion and submission to Your will. And if I am the bully, forgive me, please, and give me the courage to repent. 1. See 3 John 1:9-11; Matthew 23:2-6, 23-34. 2. See Matthew 5:43-44; Romans 12:19-21. 3. See Luke 23:34. 4. See 1 John 4:7-21; Psalm 103:10-12, 17; John 3:16. | 
