Bullies

Bullies are everywhere.

at work, at home, your neighbor, in church, in your head and heart. Don’t let situations put you back in bondage. 2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” You are free indeed.

Aggressive behavior

Passive aggressive behavior

Lacks empathy for others

Needs to control others

Gets angry quickly

Constantly reminds others of their weaknesses

Attacks those who don’t respond to their threats

Makes others afraid

Defies any who would challenge, or try to correct.

Goliath - Israel’s Bully

Israel - “We are in trouble

King Saul - “This is a hopeless situation”

David - “Goliath is a bully, and God is about to deal with him!”

1 Samuel 17:1–4 “Now the Philistines gathered their armies together to battle, and were gathered at Sochoh, which belongs to Judah; they encamped between Sochoh and Azekah, in Ephes Dammim. And Saul and the men of Israel were gathered together, and they encamped in the Valley of Elah, and drew up in battle array against the Philistines. The Philistines stood on a mountain on one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side, with a valley between them. And a champion went out from the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, from Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.”

Goliath was a Philistine. A member of the giant clans with the purpose of thwarting the line of David. David had to protect his line to bring forth Jesus. Before he even knew the Davidic Covenant.

A giant from Gath was sent to settle the battle one on one. 9’ 9” tall. His armor weighed 200 lbs. His spear weighed 25 lbs. He was a tank.

Bullies use “words” - Goliath challenges and mocks Israel. He defies them. Calls them cowards. Calls for a fight, twice a day (persistent)for forty days. Taunts. Determined to get what he wants at the cost of the people of Israel.

Giants’ results - “Fear, dismay, break down in fear, dreadfully afraid, exceeding great terror.” The people were terrified, petrified, frozen in indecision. Intimidated. He held them in his power with fear. Are there problems that have power over you?

Do you fear people, when talking about Jesus?

Are there circumstances you avoid that overwhelm you?

Does sin, wrongs, unforgiveness, the old man.

You can defeat this bully

The Bully Defined

How God sees this bully - through David’s eyes

David’s viewpoint was through the finished work. To see things that are not as though they are. Faith in God’s promises.

Some Saw Goliath as a Formidable Bully

- He instills fear. God wants to use him to help you grow! It is all for His glory. Romans 8:8:31-39 God uses our trials to make us more like Him.

Some saw Goliath as an obstacle.

Something in the road to stop them from getting somewhere, something they want. David saw Goliath between God and what God wanted. David saw beyond sight and dwelt in the realm of faith. God will be glorified in this situation.

There are preacher who won’t preach the whole truth afraid the church will leave

There are Deacons who won’t support their Pastor because they are afraid of someone in control.

There are church members who won’t tell a gossip to stop because they are afraid of being gossiped about.

There are saints who won’t share their faith because they are afraid of peoples faces.

There are parents who won’t parent because they have raised bullies and the parents are afraid of them

There are wives who live in fear of their husbands

There are husbands who are henpecked by their wives

There are children bullied in school go home and are bullied some more.

There are churches who are bullied from the pulpit instead of encouraged by grace. Mt 23:15 legalistic preaching

There are people who go along to get along because they don’t want to be bullied in a church meetings

Bullies are trouble, bullies are obstacles, bullies need to go!

Some saw Goliath as an Obligation

You‘ll get your kingdom, the girl, the money…

1 Samuel 17:25 “So the men of Israel said, “Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel; and it shall be that the man who kills him the king will enrich with great riches, will give him his daughter, and give his father’s house exemption from taxes in Israel.””

David didn’t do it for riches or because it was opportune, but because he was the anointed king.

1 Samuel 17:29 “And David said, “What have I done now? Is there not a cause?””

The bully, Goliath, was threatening God’s people, God’s plan, and God’s glory. There is no other choice - The bully has to go.

Goliath was Defeated by Courage

1 Samuel 17:34–36 “But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.””

David has seen a giant or two in his short life and he was not afraid. It is not a walk in the park. No guarantees of an stress-free experience. Giant slaying isn’t for the faint of heart.

Goliath was Defeated by David’s Convictions

1 Samuel 17:36 “Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.””

1 Samuel 17:38–39 “So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail. David fastened his sword to his armor and tried to walk, for he had not tested them. And David said to Saul, “I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them.” So David took them off.”

David knew his success wouldn’t be in trusting in carnal weapons and traditional methods. He would use a familiar strategy that worked for him before, shepherd tactics. He would trust in the Lord 1 Samuel 17:36–37 “Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.” Moreover David said, “The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!””

He may have used stones, but the Lord was the source of his success.

God gives us the victory - we are not victims

Goliath is defeated by face to face confidence

David ran to meet Goliath

As he is running he gets one smooth stone out

He swings the stone and hits Goliath between the eyes

The stone disappears into Goliath’s head and he is dead before he hits the ground.

Lest any should doubt, David cuts off Goliath’s head with his own sword.

This inspires those in fear to slay their own bullies and the enemy is rout.

David walks off the battlefield with the enemies sword and his head - total victory.

The Lord did not save us to let us be defeated and held in bondage by life’s bullies.

How about you? What is your conviction?

Are you going to hide from your bullies?

Are you going to let them stand between you and what God has for you in life?

Are you going to stand up in faith like David did?

Today is the day of freedom… Take it

If your bully is sin, come to Jesus

If you are saved, face you bully knowing Jesus will win you the victory