Bullying why?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#61
Kids will either imitate their parents or do a 180 and do exactly the opposite.
pray for this child, she's going to live with her 'aunty' who she says she gets on a lot better than her mum.

She did say to me that she was being hard on the juniors and was sorry she was having anger issues.

I was with them today, and they were playing hide and seek reindeer in the library. I could have kicked them all out, but, they werent annoying anyone, just having fun. I recall when this girl and her peers spend some time in the library with me, THEY wanted to play hide and seek too (and have me join in lol)
 

SoulWeaver

Senior Member
Oct 25, 2014
4,889
2,534
113
#63
Saul was a bully. JEsus asked him why do you persecute me?

Saul couldnt give an answer.

Interestingly I asked this on another christian forum which turns out several bullies came out of the woodwork and said why they bully people. And also when people tried to bully them they just punched them back. They claimed that this stopped the bullying but..anyone can see it just turned them into bullies themselves.

I thought about this for a bit and wondered if they ever prayed for their enemies isntead of punching them. Jesus was mocked and cursed and people were wanting to fight him to death but he never engaged in that. Even his disciples said why dont you just call fire down from heaven. But Jesus said you dont know what spirit you speak of. Jesus did rebuke and simply told them to get lost but never laid a hand on them.

Im very dismayed that some christians think to deal with bullies they need to fight back.
I think bully is a devaluated word and cheapens the conversation. Nowadays it's been tossed too much, if people aren't doing things our way or don't like us, they are now bullies. I think violence is a better word for discussing this as it is still not completely contextually destroyed like bullying.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,550
17,022
113
69
Tennessee
#65
pray for this child, she's going to live with her 'aunty' who she says she gets on a lot better than her mum.

She did say to me that she was being hard on the juniors and was sorry she was having anger issues.

I was with them today, and they were playing hide and seek reindeer in the library. I could have kicked them all out, but, they werent annoying anyone, just having fun. I recall when this girl and her peers spend some time in the library with me, THEY wanted to play hide and seek too (and have me join in lol)
This is a god report,. I pray all goes well with the child living with Aunty. It sounds like you get along with kids and that is a good thing.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#66
This girl has stayed in school this year and seems happier.

but my oh my I had an incident the other day when a boy came into the library and kicked a girl when I wasnt there. He'd been threatening violence the day before but he made it seemed like the was teasing and joking about wanting to kill her. He was also one of the boys who assumed he could just play video games on the computer and hog it and not let others return their books.

I really have to pray for this boy and hes only 7 or 8. What must his parents be like I shudder. Im like I dont want to pray for him cos this is a hard case. He sure got punished though (and a good talking to by the teachers) and nearly broke down the door to the library when the girls locked him out for fear he would kick or punch them again.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#67
Nope Paul used fear and intimidation towards those who were weaker. He admited them himself that he was the chief sinner and injured others. Otherwise why would Jesus ask him why he was persecuting Him and kicking against the pricks. See acts 9:15

And

1 timothy 1:13

Does this mean christians think its ok to persecute, do the same and intimidate and threaten anyone whos an unbeliever. I dont think so. we can warn, and just tell the truth - but everyone has to answer to God themselves on judgement day. Not us..God. Also its quite clear in revelation that the angels are a heavenly army sent to fight for us. Our weapons are not carnal.

For believers we can guide and teach but never Lord it over anyone. Why because Jesus is our Lord and saviour, not anyone else. Why some people seem to think its ok to act like a bully I dont know. Maybe they just dont know any better.

There is no justification for it. Ecclesiasites actually gives no justification for being a bully or to persecute anyone. This doesnt mean we cant rebuke. Casting out demons is not actually bullying its just telling them where to go. In the Bible its people who wanted to be free of demons that Jesus did this. And we can still do today, but that is not bullying.

Eccelesiastes actually talks about the differnece between the rightoeusnes and the wicked as He is the judge ecclesiastes. 3:17
But recall, ecclesiastes is a book that is about the time before Jesus.
Chapter 4 talks about there being no comforter, for the oppressed or the oppressor. The preacher did not yet know of the comforter that Jesus would send.
Yes he was the chief of sinners.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#68
glad that Saul saw the light and stopped being a bully...if he hadnt, gentiles would not have come to Christ in such numbers without his missionary efforts and loving example.
 
C

ChristianTonyB

Guest
#69
He was certainly a zealot, and sometimes they can sink to bullying or persecution tactics to close down any opposition.
 

Eli1

Well-known member
Apr 5, 2022
4,621
1,955
113
46
#70
If the meaning of this thread is to say that : Saul was a bully, then yes, I agree.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#71
saul was a bully because he was jealous of Jesus

I think that was the plain fact of the matter

Seems like a lot of bullies have jealous feelings.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,771
113
#72
saul was a bully because he was jealous of Jesus
If you are referring to king Saul then it was David who bore the brunt of his machinations. In those days there was no such thing as "bullying" but Goliath would take the prize.
 

swatfrog

Active member
Nov 19, 2022
187
86
28
#73
I attended several schools and was the “new” kid in class in both rural Alabama and the Windy City of Chicago. I wound up standing up to several bullies and actually became friends with them. Later in life I studied a variety of martial arts. I could break 3 bricks stacked. I never had to use it in a fight, but it gave me confidence. A single bully is quite different than a group. I’ve never had a problem one one one, it seems I can find words to diffuse their insecurities. At the root it seems most bullies I’ve seen were either evil or very insecure. The insecure ones I can deal with, the evil ones I prayed for.
ah, Sipsey , it sounds like you have learned the art of fighting without fighting , you have mastered the art , well done Sipsey-san :):cool:
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#74
Romans
12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
As for the bullies, they are of their father the devil, and the lusts of their father they will do.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
#75
If you are referring to king Saul then it was David who bore the brunt of his machinations. In those days there was no such thing as "bullying" but Goliath would take the prize.
Pretty sure she was talking about Saul Stoner (Paul).
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#76
the jealous principal turned out to be a bully and ended up cutting me in the library and trying to take my job. Because the children liked me more than her it seems.

But then. the first King Saul was also jealous of David and tried to kill him. It seems if you are good at something, someone whos insecure will pick on you.
 

Bruce_Leiter

Active member
Feb 17, 2023
427
191
43
#77
I understand your thoughts overall, but I disagree that Saul/Paul was a bully. He didn't personally do physical harm to people that I recall in Scripture. Yes, he was guilty of hunting down followers of Christ and arresting and imprisoning them. And, yes, many of them ( I suspect ) were physically harmed, and even killed. But Saul held the coats of the bullies!

(just saying)

As for bullies: There is a time for prayer and there is a time for kicking butt! Scripture teaches

Ecclesiastes 3:1) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.


God bless
What in this quote says to you that we need to "kick butt"? Yes, a "time to kill" but it doesn't say what or who we're to kill. Killing according to God, I believe, only can happen in self-defense when someone tries to kill us: "Love your neighbor as yourself." We must love and protect ourselves in such situations as war, for example.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#78
David killed Goliath but Goliath was intending to kill David first and didnt think David was strong enough.
However David said he killed lions, wolves and bears who were preying on his sheep, who are innocent and wouldnt have killed anybody.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#79
the school I was in encouraged war.

It grouped the students into seven different houses and played them off against each other. When I attended a staff farewell the first day, the Principal boasted that his office manager was a bully.

When I got fired, the primary principal said she was 'looking forward to our meeting'. They sure took pleasure in unrighteousness. she left students to fight it out and they were fighting IN my library. It was the most perverse school I had been to.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,885
5,630
113
#80
I understand your thoughts overall, but I disagree that Saul/Paul was a bully. He didn't personally do physical harm to people that I recall in Scripture. Yes, he was guilty of hunting down followers of Christ and arresting and imprisoning them. And, yes, many of them ( I suspect ) were physically harmed, and even killed. But Saul held the coats of the bullies!

(just saying)

As for bullies: There is a time for prayer and there is a time for kicking butt! Scripture teaches

Ecclesiastes 3:1) To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.


God bless
Amen it wasn't bullying Paul believed he was doing good for God stomping out heresy because Paul was a pharisee before his conversion he wasn't bullying he was blind yet to Christ and thought he was serving God by ending the" Christian heresy" like most of the Jews thought then . Interestingly when Paul converted he became enemy number one to the Jews at jersualem just like Jesus had been then his apostles and the whole church attr point we're considered just like Jesus heretics and blasphemers

He says Jesus chose to convert him, the chief sinner a blasphemer who persecuted the church of God , in order to how that if God can save a man set to destroy the church of god, his beloved , then any of our past sins can be forgiven and we roo can be converted like Paul was for his glory. Paul seemed to carry real regret and repentance for what he did before even knowing he ha been forgiven

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:


but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.


And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:12‭-‬17 KJV


He claims to have been a blasphemer but we have very little record of sauls life in scripture before his conversion he claims to be an injurious persecutor towards the church I would imagine they sort of were pretty rough believing they were heretics in those religious times but it's amazing God uses one of the main persecutors of the church to become one of it's most successful ministers and an author of more than half of the new testament writihgs he took an unbelieving sinners mess and made him a beloved apostle and hero of the faith