A look at cases of bullying in the Bible and what we can learn from them

1. Bully
Christianity and the Culture of Bullying

2. What is Bullying
Bullying: 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

3. 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.

4. "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. 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

6. Using Our Definition
Bullying: 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)

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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)

13. 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)

14. Biblical Insights for Jesus
Pray 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)

15. 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.

16. Biblical Insight for Women
Why 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)

17. 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