The newest insult on the playground is, “You’re a bully!”  How common are bullies and how are we to respond?

 

I dislike bullies.  As long as I can remember I have championed the underdog.  When I see an individual being bullied by another, my blood boils.

Nothing stirs my emotions quite like the story of Naboth’s vineyard.  Naboth’s property butted up to King Ahab and Queen Jezebel’s palace.  Ahab coveted the fertile ground upon which Naboth grew his grapes.  When Ahab offered Naboth a deal to swap properties, Naboth refused.  Ahab slunked home and sulked to his wife.

So, Jezebel concocted a passive-aggressive plan that conspired to frame Naboth.  The plan worked to perfection.  Naboth was murdered as a result and his property was subsequently absconded by the two heads of state.  The bullies had won the day.

Now, I can offer a great deal of commentary with respect to this story.  There are many lessons one can glean from this tale.  My present question, however, is how did Ahab and Jezebel become bullies in the first place?

 

Naturists would argue that the drive to subjugate others to suit our whims is genetically programmed.  Having watched my fair share of toddlers take toys away from one another lends credence to such a theory.  However, as a parent, I made it my life’s mission to limit my children’s behavioral aggression.  I reinforced the understanding that while it is often necessary to advocate for oneself, doing so at the expense of others is unacceptable behavior.

 

What’s more, I also became keenly aware that my children learn more by watching me than by anything I may say to them.  For example, if I decry the act of bullying yet treat a restaurant server with harsh criticism, which of the two lessons is more influential?  Was I to rail against the young man refereeing my grandson’s soccer game for calls with which I disagreed, what kind of example am I setting for my family?  As the old adage goes, the best lessons are more often caught than taught,

 

Sadly, the act of bullying has become rather ubiquitous at all levels within our society.  However, you and I have a choice not to add to the angst.  Even when we feel passionately about a particular matter, knocking down those who stand in opposition to our views only serves to undermine our message.  Besides, Christian civility never steps on the throats of others in order to make its own voice heard, particularly in the cases of those who cannot speak for themselves.