Tag Archives: bullies

Engaging Our Culture: January 30-Standing Up to Bullies

Posted on January 30, 2025 by expressyourself4him

Video of the Day: Scene from the 2005 film “The Pacifier”

Bible Verse of the Day:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms, Ephesians 6:12.

Biblical Connection:

 After recovering from a failed rescue operation, Navy SEAL Shane Wolfe played by Vin Deisel is handed a new assignment. Unlike any other detail, Deisel is tasked with protecting the five Plummer kids from enemies of their recently deceased father. With Mrs. Plummer overseas helping with the investigation of her husband’s death, Deisel is faced with taking care of an infant, 2 children and 2 teenagers. When Seth Pummer played by Max Theiriot is bullied by his wrestling coach, Deisel’s intervention turns into an afterschool wrestling match.

The apostle Paul points out a key fact about all bullies. Although certain types of people will rub you the wrong way, there are spiritual forces going on behind the scenes which prompt bullies to act out. Meanwhile, bullies often have a back story, something that triggered this type of behavior within them. Therefore, the next time you encounter a bully, you might want to pull them off to the side and start asking probing questions. If there aren’t willing to listen, wait for another moment as you pray for them. The more you see people through the realm of Ephesians 6:12, you’ll begin to understand why bullies act the way that they do.

Closing Song:

Don’t allow bullies of your past to continue to push you around. Rather, put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the Devil’s schemes.

by Jay Mankus

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Lurking in Darkness

Posted on January 13, 2014 by expressyourself4him

The term lurking means to remain hidden, waiting for the perfect time to ambush someone or something.  Whether an animal is preying on a lesser member of the food chain or a bully picks on a weaker individual, each attack if often unexpected, catching the victim off guard.  As a result, predators remain active today, searching for those alone, separated from society, lurking in darkness waiting to pounce on an innocent soul, 1 Peter 5:8.

Unlike Hollywood, the devil doesn’t have horns, a pitch fork or has steam coming out of his ears.  Rather, this spiritual creature is as sly as a serpent, slithering up on someone without any hints or warnings.    Like a chameleon, Satan is able to duplicate angelic acts, 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, similar to the magicians during the days of Pharaoh, Exodus 7:11.  Thus, when you hear in the news of another saint giving into temptation, committing the unthinkable act, the great deceiver was likely the root cause, convincing minds that wrong is right or okay.

You and I aren’t immune as any misstep can lead to a decision that will ruin your reputation.  While David beat Goliath once, devilish Goliath’s are nearly undefeated, dragging their victims into sin, one compromise at a time.  Its no wonder the apostle Paul includes 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 as a precursor to prevent anyone from becoming overconfident.   As the mysteries of the future will be played out tomorrow, make sure that you are ready for enemies who continue to lurk in darkness, Ephesians 6:11.  Remember great is He who is in you than he who is in the world, Romans 8:38-39.

by Jay Mankus

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Just Run Away

Posted on December 27, 2013 by expressyourself4him

In the film Forrest Gump, Jenny’s advice for her friend remains constant throughout, “whenever you find yourself in trouble Forrest, just run away as fast as you can.”  As for Jenny, this was similar to her childhood prayer, “please God, make me a bird so that I can fly far, far away.”  Initially, God answered her prayer, being set free from the sexual abuse of her father as the state gave her grandmother guardian status.  However, there are certain things like Soul Spirit hurts which you can’t run from as memories follow you wherever you go.

Meanwhile, Forrest Gump found safety, success and solitude from physically running.  Fleeing from bullies, Forrest realized that he could outran people riding bikes, especially through grassy areas.  Once safe from harm, Forrest fell in love with running, using it as his main mode of transportation.  This passion led to a college scholarship, success in the military and solitude when he struggled to find meaning in life.  Thus, Jenny’s advice worked much better for Forrest than for her, becoming the motto for his life.

In the spiritual world, fleeing from the devil is great advice, demonstrated by Jesus in Matthew 4:10.  The apostle Paul added to this concept, referring to running away from a desire to do things in secret, at night when the mind thinks God can’t see you, Romans 12:11-14.  The most vocal of the 12 disciples added his own 2 cents as well, recognizing the power of the devil and the need to just run away, 1 Peter 5:8-9.  Finally, Jesus’ earthly brother provides one last reminder with a promise, “if you submit yourself to God, the devil with flee,” James 4:7.  Don’t just run away like Jenny; rather run into the loving arms of God the Father who is waiting for all prodigals to come home, Luke 15:20.

by Jay Mankus

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Spiritual Bullies

Posted on September 29, 2012 by expressyourself4him

The term bully has various meanings surrounded by one key word, intimidate.  Bully’s often browbeat, harass, frighten, oppress, persecute, torment and terrorize people.  Their ultimate goal is to control others whom they deem to be weaker like the carp in the caption above.

A spiritual bully uses laws, teetotalism and theology to control people from questioning their authority.  Instead of  exploiting physical dominance over individuals, spiritual bullies verbally assault their victims with dogma, keeping them in check with threats of excommunication like the Pharisees in John 9:13-34.  In some cases, they might force you to choose sides, placing friend against friend or family member against relative.

At the beginning of John 9, a man born blind from birth is miraculously healed by Jesus.  If the word about Jesus got out, Pharisees feared that they might lose Jewish followers or worse yet, power to his sect.  Therefore, the Pharisees begin to interrogate this healed man and his parents, threatening to expel them from the local synagogue if they publicly confirm their son’s testimony.

Jesus was an expert at putting spiritual bullies in their place, John 9:35-41.  I guess if you are God and you know people’s hearts, its easy.  Nonetheless, Jesus exposed them for who they were, stubborn and spiritually blind, guilty of sin and judgment.  If you encounter someone who fits this description, pray for insight, meditate on Jesus’ words in John 9 and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a spirit of boldness, Acts 4:29.

by Jay Mankus

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