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| http://www.learningexpress.com/parenting/learn-more-to-prevent-bullying/ |
What is Bullying?
Bullying involves aggressive behavior towards someone that can involve teasing, taunting, leaving someone out, embarrassing someone, or physically harming someone.
Bullying can take place at school, in social media, in clubs and organizations, and can have long lasting effects on the bully and the person being bullied. Approximately 20% of students in grades 9-12 experience bulling. The statistics are increased to 28% when including students in grades 6-8.
What does the Bible say about bullying?
Ephesians 4:29 states, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”
Romans 12:18 states, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Matthew 5:44 reads, “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
and
Psalm 82:4 reads, “Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
From these verses we can see that Christians are not to bully others, but that they are to live in a peaceable way with all people. However, they are also to rescue and come to the aid of those who are oppressed. Standing up to bullies and standing up for those being bullied is in line with the precepts of Scripture.
Watch this video, about bullying at work. The PSA closes by noting that this doesn’t happen at work and that it shouldn’t happen at school. While I admit that it is not likely that bullying in this magnitude goes on at work, there are still bullies in the workforce.
Have you been bullied? Have you witnessed bullying without saying anything? What can you do this week to raise awareness and put a stop to bullying in the world around you?
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