Dealing with Difficult People
Paul had to deal with difficult people. Many of these people were in the church. We can learn from Paul how we too can deal successfully with difficult people.
2 Corinthians 1:12-14
12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you. 13 Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand. I hope someday you will fully understand us, 14 even if you don’t understand us now. Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.
Examine the scriptures:
2 Corinthians 1:12-14 (NLT)
12 We can say with confidence and a clear conscience
Paul responded with confidence and a clear conscience in defense against the slanders spread about his character and integrity (Paul was accused of being proud, self-serving, untrustworthy, inconsistent, incompetent, unsophisticated)
- Speak with confidence and a clear conscience when others accuse you falsely.
Don’t make yourself out to be the bad guy.
Don’t be afraid of what people say or think about you.
Proverbs 29:25 (NLT)
25 Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the Lord means safety.
Note:
It is possible to have a seared conscience.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT)
1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.
More importantly, it is possible to have a clear conscience
Acts 24:16 (NLT)
16 Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.
Imitate Paul
1 Corinthians 11:1 (NLT)
1 And you should imitate me (Paul), just as I imitate Christ.
Take the first step to a clear conscience.
Confess your sins.
1 John 1:9 (NLT)
9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Understand where a clear conscience comes from.
Romans 12:2 (NLT)
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT)
19 Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.
Hebrews 5:14 (NLT)
14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings.
- Conduct yourself with integrity, honesty, sincerity, and pure motives in all of your dealings.
Philippians 1:27-30 (NLT)
Live as Citizens of Heaven
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. …. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.
Galatians 6:10 (NLT)
10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom.
- Always depend on God’s grace.
Philippians 3:9 (NLT)
9 … I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
2 Thessalonians 3:5 (NLT)
5 May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.
Galatians 5:16, 22-23 (NLT)
16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
13 Our letters have been straightforward, and there is nothing written between the lines and nothing you can’t understand.
- Communicate in a clear, easy to understand manner. Say what you mean, and mean what you say. Let your yes be yes, and your no be no.
I hope someday you will fully understand us, 14 even if you don’t understand us now.
You can’t fully understand this now.
Then on the day when the Lord Jesus returns, you will be proud of us in the same way we are proud of you.
- God blesses those who patiently endure testing …
James 1:12 (NLT)
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
