Dr. Lawrence Butler

The Bridge Church, Pembroke

His name was Ben (not his real name). I first met him in the sixth grade. Being a year ahead in school as a result of transferring from one school to another, I was already younger and slightly smaller than most of my classmates. Because most of my friends had not yet quite hit big growth spurts, I was able to compete with them and belong to the group. Everyone, that is, except Ben. A head taller and several pounds heavier gave him the opportunity to force his will on us. He did unforgiveable things, like breaking in the lunch line.

We’ve all faced bullies somewhere in our lives. They tend to be uncaring and overwhelming. Somehow, we learn to deal with them, either by giving in or just avoiding them. We lose confidence in our ability to handle these situations, finding it easier to fade away and blend into the background, hoping to go unnoticed. But what happens when that is no longer an option.

David had such an experience upon visiting his brothers who were in the army of King Saul. The entire Israeli army was hiding from this bully. He challenged the Hebrews to send out their best and watch him be destroyed.

This guy was really intimidating, and no one would go do battle with him.

That is, until David went with his sling and brought Goliath down. The real battle was won when David agreed to go fight the giant, who never stood a chance, by the way. Those Israelite guys were really good with those slings.

We have a bully that stands in our way every day. We know him as Satan, and he portrays himself as bigger, stronger and smarter than us. The Bible describes him as a “roaring lion” and “seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8). The roar of a lion is both exhilarating and frightening. The sound can carry for about 5 miles, calling pride members and warning foes.

Satan’s roar is intimidating also, and it is easier to give in to fear than to stand by faith. However, the only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them.

That’s what happened to Ben the sixth-grade bully. I remember the day when the playground noise rose to a fever pitch. When I turned to see what was happening, there was Ben-the-bully on the ground with one of my friends on top of him. We were never again afraid of this fellow. He had lost his power over us. Jesus said, “Fear not: believe only” (Luke 8:50). He defeated our bully and took his power!