what bible says about how to deal with difficult people

What does the Bible say about dealing with hard people?

Hard people are everywhere. Hostile, rude, mean, selfish, impatient, uncaring, and worse (Romans one:29–31; 2 Timothy three:1–4; Galatians 5:nineteen–21; 1 Corinthians 6:nine–11). What may exist shocking to many of united states is that we accept and tin act the same as these people. Are we ever hostile, rude, mean, selfish, impatient, and uncaring? No, just we all have the seeds of all such attitudes in our hearts (Matthew fifteen:19; Jeremiah 17:9). Therefore, the first step in helping u.s. bargain with difficult people is agreement that we are not better than such people past nature (Ephesians two:1–3). Nosotros alive in a fallen world filled with sinful people. We must remind ourselves of this fact so that we are not surprised when we meet hard people, or when we find ourselves being a difficult person.

If we have received Jesus Christ, then we are forgiven for these sinful attitudes and behaviors. When we discover ourselves displaying such attitudes and behaviors, we confess to God and trust that He has already forgiven usa and will cleanse us (one John 1:eight–9). We make amends when possible and seek to live differently. God'southward forgiveness of our difficultness/sinfulness is the footing for how nosotros are to answer to hard people, which is with grace.

Equally believers in Christ our mandate is not to get even or return evil for evil simply to return evil with good (Romans 12:19–21). Nosotros are called to love our enemies and to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:43–45). This may seem impossible, and in our own ability information technology is incommunicable. All the same, with God working in us it is possible (Matthew 19:26).

To render evil with expert may abrasion at our sense of justice, and sometimes rightly so. However, we must call up that information technology is God's role to mete out justice. We are to leave the matter in God'southward hands and trust that He will guess justly (Romans 12:19). Nearly importantly, we must realize that we take not received what we deserve from God but take received mercy and unmerited favor instead. While nosotros were hostile and at enmity with God, He sent His Son to die for our sins (Romans 5:6–8; Ephesians 2:1–10). Jesus, even while He was being persecuted, prayed for His tormentors (Luke 23:34).

As a signal of clarity, it is not wrong to involve legal authorities. Criminal behavior is not what nosotros are referring to when we talk about "hard people." Social authorities have been put in identify past God to uphold the law, and it is not wrong to utilize them (Romans 13:one–7). Withal, nosotros are not to seek societal justice out of vengeance. Similarly, depending on the difficult behavior, it is not incorrect to involve church regime. Matthew 18:15–20 outlines the proper procedure for addressing grievances amid church building members. Again, the intent is not to seek vengeance, simply to bring virtually peace.

As believers in Christ we are indwelt by the Spirit of God who produces the attitudes of beloved, joy, peace, longsuffering (patience, forbearance), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-command (Galatians 5:22–23). Therefore, we are to pray to be filled with the Spirit and to go along in step with the Spirit, and not grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30; v:18; Galatians five:25). If nosotros are to respond to difficult people with grace and beloved, nosotros must depend upon and draw upon the power of God's Spirit. When we become angry and render evil with evil, we must quickly confess our sin and ask God for the grace to imitate Jesus Christ and show ourselves to be sons and daughters of our merciful Father (Luke half dozen:36). If we refuse to love our enemies then nosotros are imitating not our Heavenly Begetter, but the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21–35). It is in our eternal best interest to imitate the former and not the latter. How can we who have received such grace and forgiveness from God refuse to show the same to others?

Often it is uncomplicated to know how we should human action toward difficult people, but information technology can exist quite a challenge to exercise so in our daily lives. The Proverbs have some excellent practical advice. For example, Proverbs 15:1 says, "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." We can memorize this verse and, when confronted past a hard person, effort to respond with gentleness. You might be surprised how the situation de-escalates. Proverbs 12:xvi says, "The vexation of a fool is known at one time, but the prudent ignores an insult." Rather than take insults personally and respond with immediate offense, we can learn to simply ignore them. Proverbs twenty:iii says, "It is an honor for a human to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling." Titus three:9 has like encouragement to "avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels almost the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless." Proverbs 17:xiv similarly encourages catastrophe quarrels earlier they begin. We can remind ourselves of the things that actually thing and call up that some quarrels are simply pointless. There is no utilise getting entangled with a difficult person when the end issue is "unprofitable and worthless."

In some situations, it is best to try to avoid certain hard people altogether. Proverbs 22:24–25 says, "Make no friendship with a man given to acrimony, nor go with a wrathful homo, lest y'all learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare." Starting time Corinthians 15:33 says, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins proficient morals.'" As much as we are able, we should make friendships with those who are seeking to award God the same mode nosotros are. We are too called to live peaceably with others as far as nosotros are able (Romans 12:eighteen; Hebrews 12:14).

We tin can exist proactive in dealing with hard people past reading and even memorizing God's Word to give us the right perspective on life. His Word tells united states of america that all people are made in His epitome (Genesis 1:26). When nosotros view others every bit paradigm-bearers, nosotros may detect information technology easier to bear with them. Nosotros tin besides recognize that dealing with difficult people is a trial that God can use to produce good things in us. For example, see how Romans 5:iii–5 and James 1:2–v address trials and hardships.

Dealing with difficult people becomes easier when we seek to showroom empathy for others. We know that we ourselves can be difficult, particularly when tired or stressed or hungry. How would we want to be treated in such situations? Matthew 7:12 talks near doing unto others every bit we desire them to do unto us. James two:8 talks about loving others equally we love ourselves. Start Peter four:8 says, "Above all, go along loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins" (see also Proverbs 10:12). As nosotros proactively seek to dear one another, nosotros will be more able to forgive offenses and deal with difficulties in a way that honors God.

Difficult people are frequently difficult every bit a result of their own pain. Seeing difficult people as those who are hurting and in need of Christ's impact can encourage the states to forgive them. We can also pray for their healing. Possibly in showing them kindness their hearts will exist softened to Christ.

At times we will need to confront a difficult person or indicate out challenging inter-personal behaviors. This will hopefully help them stop inflicting damage on others around them too every bit aid them in their own spiritual growth. Christians are called to speak truth in dearest (Ephesians 4:15). This ways that we speak truth because we honey and too do and so from a heart of love. Truth can sometimes exist hard to share and hard to receive, only we speak it with grace out of beloved for others. If the hard person in our life is an unbeliever, we share the truth of the gospel with them besides.

Dealing with difficult people requires prayer and the power of God. When nosotros know nosotros are going to encounter a difficult person, nosotros should pray beforehand. Ask for God'due south wisdom and His force to respond well. Pray for the person and for God'southward work in his or her life. Remind yourself of some of the biblical truths shared here. Then seek to honey equally best equally you lot tin. Take any frustrations or emotional pain from your interaction with the difficult person straight to God and seek His healing and comfort.

---

Related Truth:

What is the significant of agape love?

Does the Bible say anything about empathy?

Does the Bible say anything about friends?

Does the Bible say annihilation virtually loneliness?

What does the Bible teach about patience?

---

Return to:
Truth about Relationships

forsythesawelistme.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.compellingtruth.org/dealing-difficult-people.html

Share this post