Little Leaguers: Punks Without Peace
Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.
2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NKJV)
Be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
Titus 3:1-2 (NKJV)
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 (NKJV)
A punk looks, acts, or speaks like a bully: 'a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates smaller or weaker people' (Random House Dictionary).
Before I met Jesus, I was a punk, (not toward smaller or weaker people). I was a work punk. and I mostly won. (Good thing I wasn’t known as Christian…yet)
It's bad to be any kind of bully, but it's worse to be a Christian bully. Consider:
Aren’t Christians called to be gentle and kind?
Do overbearing Christians follow Christ?
If we don't follow Christ, are we Christians? *
Tragically, 'bullies' bearing His Name push outsiders in the wrong direction. Knowingly or not, Christian bullies work for the enemy.
Actors, models, and talent for Christ: You rarely commit this grievous error, but do you step up for a helpful save?
Here it is: When you see a Christian speak unkind words, call him out on his un-Christ-like conduct. But do it privately, with gentleness.
Yet if the mean words were said in public, calmly present a better way… with love.
Set the record straight, so your King’s Great Name… isn’t tarnished by argumentative or arrogant mouths.
The result? You’ve defended the Utmost Defender– in front of people who don’t know Him yet. You’ve gently corrected a confused brother. You’ve fulfilled one of God’s prime Commandments… to 'Seek peace and pursue it' (Psalm 34:14).
A bonus! If the Christian bully sees his error, you may help set up a life-saving run:
'Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently' (Galatians 6:1).
'He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins' (James 5:20). 'Because love covers a multitude of sins' (1 Peter 4:8).
'Love never fails' (1 Corinthians 13:8) to bring the victory.
Little Leaguers: Punks Without Peace (Part 5)
* Every Christian makes mistakes every day. But… the repetitive practice of willful sin (without repentance), especially sin that leads people in the wrong direction to the wrong conclusion… is harmful and dangerous.
NOTE: This is a 2023 update of a 2013 Carey Lewis Devotion. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players. Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.