What should be our motivation when dealing with (difficult) people? Try to find peace – Rom. 12:18 & Heb. 12:14 Try to defuse a volatile situation – Prov. 15:1 To uphold God’s Will – Acts 5:28-29 To save the lost – 1 Cor. 9:22 Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. Acts 5:28-29 saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" (29) But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. 1 Corinthians 9:22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Traits of a difficult person Often self-centered – James 3:16 Often has to have his own way – 2 Tim. 3:1-5 Often volatile – 2 Cor. 12:20 James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: (2) For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, (4) traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, (5) having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;

Traits of a difficult person Often self-centered – James 3:16 Often has to have his own way – 2 Tim. 3:1-5 Often volatile – 2 Cor. 12:20 Often willing to say or do anything – Rom. 16:17-18 Difficult admitting he is wrong – 1 John 1:8-10 Romans 16:17-18 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. (18) For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 1 John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (9) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (10) If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Character traits to help us deal with difficult people Lowliness of mind – Phil. 2:3-4 Gentle and affectionate spirit – 1 Thess. 2:7-8 Willing to yield – James 3:17 Willing to suffer wrong – 1 Cor. 6:6-8 Philippians 2:3-4 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-8 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. (8) So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 1 Corinthians 6:6-8 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! (7) Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? (8) No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!

Character traits to help us deal with difficult people Lowliness of mind – Phil. 2:3-4 Gentle and affectionate spirit – 1 Thess. 2:7-8 Willing to yield – James 3:17 Willing to suffer wrong – 1 Cor. 6:6-8 Love – 1 Cor. 13:4-8 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; (5) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; (6) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; (7) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (8) Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.