Not many people are confident enough  to ask “who do people say I am” for fear of them telling the truth. Something they might not want to acknowledge. Yet, we read that the “Son of Man, The Teacher, The Savior, Jesus Christ” was not afraid to ask. 

“But what about you? He asked. “Who do you say I am? Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” In my mind, that speaks volumes.

Unfortunately, we have to deal with mean people, that includes children at one time or another. Romans 1:28-30 contains a long list of unrighteous behavior, which includes malice, gossip, slander, insolence, heartlessness and ruthlessness. Not very good traits to have.

However, being the subject of mean behavior is hurtful and demoralizing. What does the Bible say about how we should treat mean people? The first proper response to mean people is empathy, especially when it is a first-time altercation or offense.

One of the most beautiful examples of empathy in the Bible is Jesus’ response to those who crucified Him and cast lots for His clothing. Instead of focusing on His own pain, he thought of their spiritual condition. Instead of responding with justified anger, He asked God to forgive them for their ignorant actions (Luke 23:34). Stephen, the first martyr, followed that example (Acts 7: 59-60).

We should be empathetic, and we should always respond with kindness. Being mean to a mean person only escalates the situation; we are called to be peaceful and “turn the other cheek.” If the mean person is a Christian, the Bible recommends confrontation. Not in a mean or violent way but to remind them of who they say they are and whom they say they belong.

Remember that sometimes we are the mean person. We should always remember, when people are mean to us that we owed God a huge debt. He forgave us, and we can forgive others.

Before we can answer the question about why Christians are so mean, we need to biblically define Christian and clarify the word mean. It has been said that in Western culture, the word Christian has come to signify anyone who likes Christmas and does not identify as belonging to any other religion.

The world is flooded with voices and opinions, many of them professing to speak for Christianity. At the same time, many of them are crude, foul, abusive, and hateful, which is everything  Jesus was not.

The behavior of some who call themselves Christian is dreadful, but we must remember that becoming a Christian does not result in instant maturity. Many enter the kingdom of God as uncivilized, evil people. They receive a new heart and the Holy Spirit at salvation, But His work in them takes time. Salvation takes a life time.

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Peter gave the correct answer.  Who do people say you are? I hope not Satan.