HARASSED & BULLIED?

Jesus: “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and at peace. In this godless world you will experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

John 16:33 (Mes) 

Jesus: “The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. Remember, a servant is not greater than the master. Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you too.”John 15:19-20 (NLT) 

HOW TO RESPOND TO HARASSMENT

1. RECOGNIZE  

the source behind the bully.  

“We are not fighting against human beings, but against wicked spiritual forces . . .” Ephesians 6:12 (TEV) 

2. REMEMBER  

who you are.  

“You, dear children, are from God and you have overcome the world, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world!”1 John 4:4 

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you O God and I praise your word! I trust in you God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT)   

3. REFUSE  

to retaliate. 

“If someone has done you wrong, NEVER pay back evil with evil. Instead try to do what everyone considers to be good. Do everything possible on your part to live in peace with everybody. Never take revenge, my friends, but instead let God’s anger do it. For the scripture says, ‘“I will avenge you and, I will pay them back,” says the Lord.’”Romans 12:17-19 

4. RESPOND  

positively.  

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 

5. REFOCUS  

 on what God says this means.  

“If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because it means God’s Spirit rests on you.” 1 Peter 4:14 

• It means God’s Spirit  

can be seen in my life.   

“The apostles were full of joy that God considered them worthy to suffer disgrace for Jesus’ name.” Acts 5:41 

• It means  

God can trust me.  

“These troubles . . . won’t last very long. Yet this short time of distress will result in God’s richest blessing upon us forever and ever!” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (LB) 

• It means  

God is going to bless me.  

6. REMEMBER  

your eternal reward.  

Jesus: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”Matthew 5:11-12 

“Since we are God’s children . . . if we share Christ’s suffering, we will also share in his glory!” Romans 8:17 (TEV) 

7. REMAIN  

faithful. 

“So those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.” 1 Peter 4:19 

“Everyone who wants to live as God desires, in Christ Jesus, will be hurt.” 2 Timothy 3:12 (NCV) 

Jesus: “Anyone who has given up houses, or lost brothers or sisters or father or mother or children, or lost property for my sake, will receive back a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life.”Matthew 19:29 

Jesus: “If you are ashamed of me and my commands in this godless and sinful generation, I’ll be ashamed of you when I come back in glory with the holy angels.”Mark 8:38 (TEV)  

“But for those who declare publicly that they belong to me, I will do the same for them before my Father in heaven!” Matthew 10:32 (TEV)  

THE SPIRITUAL HAZARDS OF DIGITAL TOOLS (smart phones, iPads, laptops, Internet devices, etc.)

1.  

I can waste precious time.   

“Be careful how you live. Don’t live foolishly, instead live as wise people, making every minute count, because these are evil times.” Ephesians 5:15-16 

2.  

I can become like worldly people.  

“Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2a (NLT) 

3.  

I can be drawn into arguments.  

“Never get involved in foolish controversies, useless arguments, disputes about your personal pedigree, or fights over interpreting God’s Law. All of these are useless and do not help anyone.”Titus 3:9  

“You can be sure that on the Judgment Day you will have to give account to God of every careless word you have ever spoken.” Matthew 12:36 (TEV)  

4.  

I can be driven by things that do not matter.  

Jesus: “Be careful! Don’t do your acts of righteousness publicly to be admired by others. If you do, you will lose your reward from your Father in heaven.”Matthew 6:1 (NIV) 

5.  

I can become a people pleaser instead of a God pleaser.  

“Am I trying to win the approval of people or the approval of God? Am I trying to be popular people-pleaser? No! If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”Galatians 1:10  

6.  

I can become distracted by things that do not matter.

“Mary sat quietly at Jesus’ feet listening to everything he said. But Martha was distracted by all she had to do. She said, ‘Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha’ the Lord said, ‘you are worried and too distracted by many things, but really there is only one thing that is truly important, and Mary CHOSE it.”’Luke 10:40-42  

“So, whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 

HOW CAN I USE MY SMART PHONE FOR GOD’S GLORY?

(Purpose Driven Technology!)

1. USE IT  

to express my worship using worship apps.  

“ . . . true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23 (NLT) 

“All day long I put my hope in you.” Psalm 25:5 (NLT)  

“Honor the Lord by giving him the first part of all your income.” Proverbs 3:9 (LB) 

2. USE IT  

to encourage fellowship. 

“Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:10 (NLT)  

“Encourage each other and give each other strength.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NCV)  

3. USE IT  

to enhance my spiritual growth.  

“Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18 (LB)  

“Keep me from looking at worthless things. Let me live by your Word.” Psalms 119:37 (NCV)  

4. USE IT  

to expand my ministry.  

“What can I GIVE BACK to God for the blessings he’s poured out on me?” Psalms 116:12 (Mes)  

5. USE IT  

to extend my witness. 

“Through Christ, God has made peace between us and himself, and He gave us the work of telling everyone about the peace we can have with Him . . . So we have been sent to speak for Christ!”2 Corinthians 5:18,20 (NCV) 

“Publish God’s glorious deeds among every nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does!” 1 Chronicles 16:24 (NLT) 

RECOMMENDED BOOKS

• 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You- by Tony Reinke (Crossway)
• The Tech-Wise Family- by Andy Crouch (Baker)
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HOW TO S.P.E.A.K. SO OTHERS WILL LISTEN

S  

Save it for the best time and place.  Timing is everything.  Do it when they're at their best to receive it.  Wrong timing means conflict. 

"There is a time to be silent and there is a time to speak." Ecclesiastes 3:7 (NCV)

"There's a right time and a right way for everything, even though, unfortunately, we miss it for the most part." Ecclesiastes 8:6 (Mes) 

P  

Pray and plan.  Plan what you're going to say, and how you're going to say it.  Pray and ask for wisdom. 

"Jesus said, 'I have not spoken on my own power. Instead, the Father who sent me told me what I should say AND how I should say it."' John 12:49 (GW)

"Intelligent people think before they speak; then what they say is more persuasive." Proverbs 16:23 (TEV)

"Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone." 


Colossians 4:6 (GW)

E  

Empathize with their needs first.  Start with their agenda. Not yours.  Learn their needs.  Let them speak first without interruption.  Summarize and paraphrase back.
 

"Speak. . . only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (NIV)

A  

Affirm the positive alternative.  Transition from what's wrong to what's right.  What you hold up is what they move toward.  Don't tell it like it is. Tell it like it could be.  1. Explain benefits.  2. Say it like it could be.  Say it offensively.  It will be received defensively.  3. Offer hope.   

"When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive." Proverbs 15:2 (TEV)

"A mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is." Proverbs 16:21 (TEV)

"We have this HOPE as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure!" Hebrews 6:19 (NIV)

K  

Keep calm and don't argue.   

"Those who are sure of themselves do not talk all the time, and people who STAY CALM have real insight." Proverbs 17:27 (TEV) 

"Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry."