🧱 Bullies, Protectors, and the Middle Ground: A Life-Long Line Drawn in the Sand

This is one of those "Holy Ghost hammer with a velvet handle" messages—strong enough to break chains, soft enough to heal hearts. I am going to build it like a mountain: start with childhood truth, rise through Biblical history, call out modern reality, and finish at the summit with a clear-eyed look at where the lines are being drawn today—not by skin, class, or denomination, but by Spirit:

Bullies or Protectors.

I am telling you this through the eyes and from the voice of a Southern Old Timer who’s seen a thing or two and loves Jesus enough to say it plainly.

🌱 It Started in Preschool, and It Ain’t Stopped Since

From as far back as I can remember (for me,1st grade)—presently, preschool playgrounds and grade-school hallways—there were always three kinds of kids:

1. Bullies – loud, mean, quick to knock others down.

2. Protectors – brave souls who’d stand up, say, “That’s enough,” and shield the weak.

3. Spectators – quiet, scared, or too unsure to choose a side, hopin’ to get by unnoticed.

   
   

Most of the time, the protectors weren’t the biggest or strongest. They were the ones who had a sense of right and wrong planted deep down in their bones. They couldn't stomach watching somebody get picked on.

And the funny thing? As we age, the playgrounds—schools, churches, social media, politics—and the bullies get louder. But so do the protectors... if they're walking with God.

📖 From Genesis to Revelation: Bullies & Protectors Have Always Existed

This ain't new.

• Cain killed Abel—the first bully on record. Jealous, angry, and with no fear of God.

• Moses stood between Pharaoh and the slaves—Protector, even when it cost him.

• Goliath was a giant-sized bully. David stood up when grown men trembled.

• Haman plotted genocide. Esther risked her life to speak for the silent.

• Saul (before Paul) was a religious bully—stoning Stephen and dragging off believers.

• But when Jesus knocked him off his high horse, Saul became Paul, one of the most excellent protectors of truth this world has ever known.

And yes, some flip the wrong way too.

• Judas started close to Jesus... but sold Him out for silver. Bullies don’t always look like bullies at first. Some smile while they betray.

  
  

🧠 Truth: It’s Not About Size or Strength—It’s About Spirit

The Bible says:

“The righteous are bold as a lion.” —Proverbs 28:1“Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter.” —Proverbs 24:11“Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” —Psalm 82:4

God’s people were never called to be passive observers in every generation. They were called to intercede, intervene, and interrupt evil—whether in the temple or the town square.

🍼 Babies, Politics, and the Most Telling Divider Today

Now, let me talk plainly for a second.

If you want to find out whether someone leans toward the spirit of a bully or a protector, ask them what they believe about babies.

• Do they believe in protecting the unborn?

• Or do they believe in the "right" to end a life in the womb?

That one answer alone will draw a bright line down the middle of every voting booth in America.

• One side defends life.

• The other bullies it before it takes a breath.

  
  

That ain’t politics. That’s the Bible.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” —Jeremiah 1:5“You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” —Psalm 139:13“Do not murder.” —Exodus 20:13

If God’s Word is our authority, we can’t twist it to match a party platform. But let’s be honest: those who celebrate abortion, gender confusion in children, and division disguised as diversity—are pushing a bullying agenda, no matter how pretty they dress.

🚩 Where the Lines Are Now

Look around, and you’ll see the spirit of the bully wearing many names:

• Progressivism that silences truth.

• Education systems that push perversion on children.

• Media that mocks holiness.

• Religious institutions fear man more than God.

  
  

And you’ll see protectors rising, too:

• Parents speaking out at school boards.

• Pastors preaching righteousness instead of popularity.

• Young people choose purity over popularity.

Then there’s the Middle Crowd—silent, scared, or spiritually sleepy.

But silence in the face of evil isn’t neutrality—it’s surrender.

⚖️ Three Kinds of People Still Exist Today:

1. The Bullies – Loud, proud, and forcing darkness into light.

2. The Protectors – Standing in love, without compromise.

3. The Middle Grounders – Watching, waiting, and wasting time.

But Jesus said:

“He who is not with Me is against Me...” —Luke 11:23There ain’t no neutral corner in a spiritual war.

🗣️ FINAL WORD FROM AN OLD MAN

Now, I’m just a man with a few more wrinkles and a whole lot of miles on the soul, but I’ll tell you this much:

• I’ve seen enough to know that pretending to be neutral when babies are dying, kids are being confused, and the church is being mocked—well, that’s a lie that smells like sulfur.

• I’d rather be called narrow-minded than eternally wrong.

• And if I’ve got to stand alone, I’ll do it because Jesus already stood alone for me.

  
  

🙏 CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, please and thank you for raising Protectors in this generation—mamas, daddies, teachers, pastors, and even politicians with a spine made of grace-covered steel. Wake up the sleepers, call out the middle-grounders, and shine a bright light that even the bullies might repent and come home.

Give us boldness wrapped in love, and may we never forget: truth without fear is what You called us to.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.