Of Bullies and Tyrants
Read Proverbs 22:1-29
17. Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.
18. For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.
19. I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the Lord.
20. I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge.
21. In this way, you may know the truth and take an accurate report to those who sent you.
22. Don’t rob the poor just because you can, or exploit the needy in court.
23. For the Lord is their defender. He will ruin anyone who ruins them.
24. Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people,
25. or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.
26. Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt or put up security for someone else.
27. If you can’t pay it, even your bed will be snatched from under you. Proverbs 22:17-27
With few exceptions, bullies use fear and intimidation only against people who are weaker than they are. They don’t threaten those who are bigger and stronger because they don’t want to lose. Their reign of terror depends on scaring people. That’s why they’ll hurt people just to make a point.
In Proverbs 22 you will find warnings for leaders who rule by fear and intimidation, just like bullies. Take heed.
You will also find thoughts on pursuing a good reputation; responding to dangers and hazards; rearing children; being rewarded for doing good; avoiding the sure road to poverty; and learning a skill.
God hates it when people use fear and intimidation to control others. Although he has given leaders the freedom to lead as they see fit, he doesn’t stand back and ignore their abuse of power and influence. When abuse of power occurs, God will sometimes intervene directly and destroy the tyrant, but more often he uses other rulers or even the oppressed people to remove the tyrant from power (Proverbs 22:8, 22-23).
If you must live or work under an abusive leader, take these verses as a message of hope: God has not forgotten you and does not overlook your leader’s abuses. If you lead or have any authority at all—either at church, work, or home—remember what happens to tyrants.
Leadership through kindness works better and lasts longer than leadership by force. Fear and intimidation are the human way, not God’s way. Jesus never led by fear and intimidation and neither should we.