A Factual Bully
Websters Dictionary defines a bully as “a blustering, browbeating person, especially one who is habitually cruel, insulting or threatening to others who are weaker, smaller or in some way vulnerable or ignorant of established facts.”A Factual Bully is a person who usually possess exceptional knowledge of the subject, but it will usually be an accurate knowledge. Many times they have carried out a tremendous amount of research and study to the point of it being obsessive. However, there is often a desire to impart this knowledge and, where there is no outlet for them to share this knowledge, they can fall into a trap which can even lead to narcissism. It can lead to instilling a conversation full of argumentative anger simply to create a platform where their accumulated knowledge, which has masticated into a narrow-minded opinion, can be used to control a conversation or discussion. The forcefulness of their argument will most probably manifest itself as an angry outburst, shouting or even a physical threat such as you can see in the image above.
However, the bully either is oblivious to the other person’s understanding or opinions because, when faced with any kind of rejection from that person comes about, the bully cannot understand why and will try enforce theirs upon the other. Hence, becoming the bully. Believe it or not, this person is being used as a tool of our enemy, Satan. If what is being presented to you is an untruth that you recognize, you are most likely to respond by arguing against the bully and the mere fact that you do (especially if you are both Christians) gives Satan the victory over you both!
How you handle argumentative situations is by not being the one who shouts the loudest or bangs their fist on the table the hardest. The “winner” is the one who brings the other into understanding with confirmation and agreement of the fact(s) that are being presented. When this is achieved, you are in unison with your brother and now there are two who can walk together and battle against the enemy. Sometimes, it can be perceived that the person who is trying to enforce an opinion is a bully where in fact, they are not. Scripture tells us that there are some whose calling is that of a teacher or that of an apologist. It’s therefore important that we recognize the teacher and/or the apologist. Neither of these servants was created to harm but to edify the church. The apostle Paul carried out his ministry on the basis of an accurate truth taught in such a way that those who were under his care were edified, educated. His goal within this was to arm the student, the disciple with the weapon of knowledge and the method and ability of how to use it with a result of bringing others into Salvation and then sending them out “into all the world to preach the Gospel” to bring as many as who will hear, “Home” to the Father.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
But covet earnestly the best gifts: ………. (1st Corinthians 12:28-31)
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
But covet earnestly the best gifts: ………. (1st Corinthians 12:28-31)
How to avoid being a bully
When you consider the fact that if you are bullying somebody into a belief, or doctrine, that is not scripturally true or accurate, you are sinning. It is simply that you are leading someone astray, and God will not tolerate that. So, don’t be a bully. Follow Paul’s continued gift that he offers at the end of 1st Corinthians 12:31:
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way…….
1st Corinthians 13 – Charity =Love
(1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
(2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
(3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
(4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
(5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
(6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
(7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
(8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
(10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
(11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
(12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
(13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
(2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
(3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
(4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
(5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
(6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
(7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
(8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
(10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
(11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
(12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
(13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
The Apostle Paul aims to highlight how believers depend on one another. Each person provides support where others may be lacking, while also receiving assistance in return. The Christian Church should not be viewed as a passive group of learners who are simply taught and governed by a select few. Instead, it functions as an active, cooperative community where “each is for all and all are for each.” The objective is to bring Christ into every area of our lives and our relationships, just as life-blood nourishes the human body. Recently, the term “solidarity” has come into use to describe the interdependence and shared interests of individuals and nations, and this word perfectly captures the Apostle’s vision.
Bullying is a choice so, make the right choice not to be a bully but to be a defender of any who are being put under that kind of oppression.