Mark 9:39-40
“But Jesus said, ‘Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is on our side.’”
It is with some trepidation that I broach the topic for the final installment in my series on bullying — the spiritual kind. Yes, it is all too common that we encounter spiritual bullies. Interestingly, even the disciples of Jesus were prone to bully others who were not in their circle.
We often come across groups that display disgraceful conduct toward other believers for petty differences that have nothing to do with eternal salvation. While it is true that our actions must be grounded in God’s Word, the interpretations can often vary.
I once heard of a new pastor that was held in great suspicion and was subject to the wrath of his new congregation. He could not figure out the problem until he spoke with the church janitor. Apparently he was conducting the Lord’s Supper incorrectly. It seems that this new pastor was not touching the radiator first. The people were indignant!
When the perplexed pastor related his problem to the former pastor, the older man just roared with laughter. It seems that a new carpet had once been installed on the platform and it produced static electricity that sometimes caused an electric snap when he passed the cup. To prevent this he would touch the radiator first and had just kept up the habit. It led to a TRADITION that resulted in the congregation bullying the new minister.
Pastor J. Vernon McGee once shared that he held a different view than a fellow minister on the timing of the rapture of the church. Instead of causing bitterness and division, however, each man simply tried to show Biblical support for his particular view. They delighted in a deeper study of the Word to support their stance. He laughed as he said that he was not going to spend his time belittling the other pastor for his view, but on the way up in the rapture he would just say, “I told you so!”
It is important for each of us to examine our behavior toward others. Are we guilty of being spiritual bullies? Do we find ourselves trying to play the role of the Holy Spirit toward others? Remember … NO SPIRITUAL BULLYING ALLOWED!
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions and without bullying!
– – – Pastor Cecil