Standing Up to the Bullies in Your Life
Sharon Jaynes Today’s Truth
“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9b NIV).
Friend to Friend
Being from North Carolina, I love the old black-and-white Andy Griffith television programs. In one episode, the neighborhood bully is picking on Opie. This blond-headed newcomer taunts and makes fun of Opie /until he feels /as if he’s a total loser /among the buddies () he once enjoyed.
After Andy, the wise father, figures out [what is disturbing his moping son], he gives him a little lesson /in standing up to bullies. The next day, when the bully threatens Opie, the little freckle-faced boy looks his opponent in the eye and refuses to crumble under his threats.
*taunt; n; a remark made in order to anger, wound, or provoke someone.
v; provoke or challenge (someone) with insulting remarks.
*mope; be dejected and apathetic,
wander around listlessly and aimlessly because of unhappiness or boredom.
“Do you want to fight?” the bully taunts.
Opie doesn’t say a word, just puts up his fists.
“Oh yeah, well knock this rock off my shoulder and I’ll—”
Opie knocks the rock /off his shoulder /before the bully has time to finish his sentence.
“Oh yeah, well step into this circle,” the bully continues /as he draws a circle around himself in the dirt.
Opie steps into the circle.
Suddenly, the bully grows nervous. “You better be glad () I’ve got on my good pants,” the bully says /as he backs away.
Opie never had to throw the first punch. [All he did was] stand his ground and the enemy backed away. Bullies don’t like it /when we stand up to them. Never have. Never will.
And it is the same way with the devil. He’s just a bully...daring you to stand up to him.
In Ephesians 6:11-14,Paul admonishes us to stand three times. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then…”
No one can stand for us. We have to stand /on our own two feet and stand up against the enemy—and we stand on the Word of Truth.
*admonish; advise or urge (someone) earnestly.
stand up; to confront
The Lord said through the prophet Isaiah, “If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9b).
As the old songwriter penned, “On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
Paul wrote, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ,” (2 Corinthians 1:21 NIV).
Maybe you’ve been running from the bully for way too long. He’s all bark and no bite. He’s a toothless cowardly lion. Go ahead. Take your stand.
I’d like to say “amen” and stand with you. Click over to my Facebook page and leave a comment that says, “I’m taking my stand.” I’ll stand with you and pray for you.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, give me the courage to stand against the enemy today. I put on
the armor of God: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of
righteousness, the belt of truth, the sandals of the gospel of peace,
the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and the shield of
faith. Thank You for the promise that greater is He that is in me than
he that is in the world.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.