Believers being bullied by other brothers and sisters in Christ.

[JO Standing firm in Jesus]

Recently, I have been hearing experiences from other believers in Churches of being bullied with God's word and by aggressive verbal abuse
from their brothers and sisters in Christ. God's house is supposed to be full of God's love and prayer for those who are not coping with things within their lives.
Jesus is the prince of peace not the prince of hardness and from what I hear these brothers and sisters in Christ are weary because of the bulling. The Bible verses that come to mind are, Matthew 11:28-30 which says, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and learn from Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The other verse is from Isaish 33:2 which says, "Lord, be gracious to us. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble." Worthwhile thinking about??

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Recently, I have been hearing experiences from other believers in Churches of being bullied with God's word and by aggressive verbal abuse
from their brothers and sisters in Christ. God's house is supposed to be full of God's love and prayer for those who are not coping with things within their lives.
Jesus is the prince of peace not the prince of hardness and from what I hear these brothers and sisters in Christ are weary because of the bulling. The Bible verses that come to mind are, Matthew 11:28-30 which says, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and learn from Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The other verse is from Isaish 33:2 which says, "Lord, be gracious to us. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble." Worthwhile thinking about??

I have been thinking of this too. I don't think the church was ever like that. (what various people think it should be)

Jesus had it right, if you want peace and quiet, go pray on the mountain.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

God's house is supposed to be full of God's love ...

It is a misconception that a brick and mortar building filled with individuals with varying degrees of love is called a house of God. That very "House "is actually within each individual through His Holy Spirit. Some are true followers of Jesus Christ of Nazareth displaying His fruits. At the other end of the spectrum there are those who are Christian in name only displaying little or no fruits of His Spirit.
That being said, it is the function of a true Church, those in His flock, to help one focus on growing in the likeness of Jesus Christ of Nazareth in love through, edification, fellowship, mutual support and service.
Blessings

 

[timothyu]

A clubhouse for the fire and brimstone gangs

 

[timf]

1Co 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Contention has been with us from the first. Paul describes it as a result of immaturity. The solution is to complete the transition from the flesh to the Spirit (from selfishness to love (selflessness)).

2Co 5:15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

 

[bèlla]

Bullying is a popular practice on social media and many behaviors are emulated outside of the internet. But the reverse holds true and we’re living in a period where disagreement can be interpreted as the same. We need to weigh each situation to determine if the behavior is truly bullying or otherwise.

~bella

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

There is bullying but there is also holding one another accountable. There is needed correction.

Where does on cross the line?

 

[Michie]

Recently, I have been hearing experiences from other believers in Churches of being bullied with God's word and by aggressive verbal abuse
from their brothers and sisters in Christ. God's house is supposed to be full of God's love and prayer for those who are not coping with things within their lives.
Jesus is the prince of peace not the prince of hardness and from what I hear these brothers and sisters in Christ are weary because of the bulling. The Bible verses that come to mind are, Matthew 11:28-30 which says, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke and learn from Me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The other verse is from Isaish 33:2 which says, "Lord, be gracious to us. Be our strength every morning and our salvation in time of trouble." Worthwhile thinking about??

Spiritual bullying is a long standing problem within some churches. There are a lot of things taught within those churches that feed it. WOF, etc. I think a lot of certain teaching is what fuels the fire of spiritual bullying.

 

[Michie]

There is bullying but there is also holding one another accountable. There is needed correction.

Where does on cross the line?

Scripture is pretty clear on disciplining a brother within the Church. Bullying? Not so much. As I said, I think the root of it is caused by what is taught or not taught.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Scripture is pretty clear on disciplining a brother within the Church. Bullying? Not so much. As I said, I think the root of it is caused by what is taught or not taught.

But I think the bullies see themselves as offering loving correction. At least defend themselves with that excuse.

And those getting correction tend to be defensive....like me.

Maybe it goes back to the thread on Emotional Intelligence. Awareness of how we come across to others. Is there love in it?

 

[Michie]

But I think the bullies see themselves as offering loving correction. At least defend themselves with that excuse.

And those getting correction tend to be defensive....like me.

Maybe it goes back to the thread on Emotional Intelligence. Awareness of how we come across to others. Is there love in it?

I think no matter the approach, there are some people that are going to take offense no matter what. I think Scripture is pretty clear how to go about disciplining another within the Church. To me, that’s different than spiritual bullying. An example is if a prayer is not answered or a healing does not take place it is because the person questioning or suffering is accused of lacking faith. Then there is the typical jockeying and gossiping within the Church. That’s bullying. Disciplining should always be done in love for the other’s soul and to protect the rest of the flock within the Church. Not simply to bring another person down a couple notches. I’m not sure a lot of people know how to discern bullying from discipline the majority of the time. Today’s culture in the world influences how we take that as well. Sincere discipline within the Church would most likely be seen as bullying within the world where pretty much anything goes.

 

[The_Mantis]

I’ve never experienced anything like that going to churches. What I found is that a lot of churches treat it like entertainment. One pastor was a comedian, others were completely different people when not preaching, huge bands that put in a concert for at least an hour before preaching. But for the most part I just experienced kind welcoming people from the “audience” lol. I went to a lot of churches before I found one that was good and not about entertainment. But now my back is too screwed up to go to church. But never bullying.

 

[Michie]

I’ve never experienced anything like that going to churches. What I found is that a lot of churches treat it like entertainment. One pastor was a comedian, others were completely different people when not preaching, huge bands that put in a concert for at least an hour before preaching. But for the most part I just experienced kind welcoming people from the “audience” lol. I went to a lot of churches before I found one that was good and not about entertainment. But now my back is too screwed up to go to church. But never bullying.

Those entertainment Churches are something I have a hard time tolerating anymore.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

An example is if a prayer is not answered or a healing does not take place it is because the person questioning or suffering is accused of lacking faith. Then there is the typical jockeying and gossiping within the Church. That’s bullying.

Yes, for sure.

Sincere discipline within the Church would most likely be seen as bullying within the world where pretty much anything goes.

Or even instruction on social issues from the pulpit.

What I found is that a lot of churches treat it like entertainment.

I guess another fine line between worship and entertainment. Music can be powerful either way.

 

[Michie]

Or even instruction on social issues from the pulpit.

Our Church gives voting guides along with the teachings of the Church. Never experienced bullying from the pulpit on the RCC.

 

[timothyu]

Contention has been with us from the first. Paul describes it as a result of immaturity. The solution is to complete the transition from the flesh to the Spirit (from selfishness to love (selflessness)).

Yes, stop serving ourselves and serve God and each other as commanded. A simple start is to be polite and helpful to all in need. People love living in valleys for the abundance of worldly produce there but when the floods come they scramble for higher ground. Will more survive if its every man for themselves or if they reach down and help each other climb above the fray?

 

[timothyu]

Bullies are those who demand we be like them rather than like God.

 

[bèlla]

Will more survive if its every man for themselves or if they reach down and help each other climb above the fray?

I don’t know if this the appropriate thread for that question but I’ll comment if you ask elsewhere. ;-) And I believe we’re in that time.

~bella

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

Our Church gives voting guides along with the teachings of the Church. Never experienced bullying from the pulpit on the RCC.

It can be taken as bullying when it isn't. Words sort of take on a life of their own. People hear things the speaker never intended. Or take them in a way the speaker never considered. People have told me stories of how they left the Church because of something a priest said. Sad that thy blame the Church and never go back because of a few words. Or perhaps just an excuse.

 

[Michie]

It can be taken as bullying when it isn't. Words sort of take on a life of their own. People hear things the speaker never intended. Or take them in a way the speaker never considered. People have told me stories of how they left the Church because of something a priest said. Sad that thy blame the Church and never go back because of a few words. Or perhaps just an excuse.

That’s why we should always err on the side of mercy when it comes to our brethren. I do feel it’s a convenient excuse most of the time. People easily offended or hot tempered are likely already angry before the perceived offense.