“Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit, but in humilityconsider others better than
yourselves.” (Phil. 2:3)
There are those within the church who love to be
first, causing serious problems just like Diotrephes in 3 John
1:9-11. They bully weaker Christians with their 'superior knowledge'
and overbearing attitude resulting in some leaving the congregation
while others are told to leave. Diotrephes wanted things his own way,
refusing to welcome certain people into the church and maliciously
gossiping about others in his efforts to build himself up and keep
control. In 3 John 1:11, we are told not to imitate this evil
practice because those who do are not of God. Now that is a seriously
damning statement.
The greatest command we have is to love one another
and lording it over others is far from loving. Bullying is completely
foreign to the fruits of the Spirit. Those who bully are either
ignoring the witness of the Spirit within themselves (to their peril)
or they do not have the Spirit, that is, they are not saved. If
someone is not showing the fruits of the Spirit then how can they
claim to be saved? Where is lording it over others found in love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness or
self control? It's not there because it's a fruit of the Devil.
Peter had good reason to put himself above others
yet despite the fact that he was an Apostle who performed many
miracles, personally walked with Jesus, and was one of the three who
witnessed Jesus' transfiguration, he still referred to himself as a
“fellow elder”. In 1 Pet. 5:1-3 he said,
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder,
a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the
glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your
care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you
are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager
to serve; not
lording it over those entrusted to you, but being
examples to the flock.” Peter was a mighty,
miracle-working Apostle who chose to be a humble servant rather than
lord it over the flock.
As we all know, Jesus was the greatest servant and
1 John 2:6 tells us, “whoever claims to live in Him must
walk as Jesus did”. He made Himself nothing to suffer
and die as the Servant of all mankind and in Mark 9:35 He said,
"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very
last, and the servant of all." Jesus served God's
purpose by denying Himself, even to death, whereas bullies are
servants of their own lusts. However, their reward is limited to this
life. If they do wash someone's feet, it is only for their personal
gain. Rather than bully fellow believers, Christians should “be
devoted to one another in brotherly love [and] honor one another
above yourselves (Rom 12:10)”
We are often bullied by unbelievers but that is
part of being a Christian and we are told to bear it. 2 Tim. 3:12
says, “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ
Jesus will be persecuted”. Then 1 Pet. 2:21, 23 tell us,
“... Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,
that you should follow in his steps ... When they hurled their
insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no
threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges
justly.” So, when we are pushed
around by the world we are to turn the other cheek. 1 Pet. 2:19 tells
us, “it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain
of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God.”
If someone is being bullied by a fellow believer
then they should follow Matt. 18:15-17 and approach the bully
personally to try and fix the issue. If that does not work then take
others along and try to resolve it. If that fails then take it to the
church and have the bully removed. However, if the bully is the
leader of the church then it may not be possible to have him removed
in which case the person being bullied may have to move on in order
to find peace and good fellowship. Tit. 3:10 says, “Warn
a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that,
have nothing to do with him. You may be sure that such a man is
warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Amen.