Sometimes, when someone is bullying you or spreading rumors about you, it can be our first response to want to fight back or gossip about them behind their backs. (I personally struggle a lot with gossip so this lesson is just as much for me as anyone else who might read this.) However, God calls us to react differently. If we are living as Christ followers, we should be marked by our love for others-even those who treat us poorly. No, not even those who treat us poorly--especially them. That's the thing that makes us unique, in that we love when everyone would seem to say that we don't have to love anymore. This is a supernatural thing that God helps us to accomplish. Below are some Bible verses about dealing with difficult people. Memorize these now so that the next time you have to deal with someone difficult, the Spirit can remind you how to react.
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (ESV)
Romans 12:18-21 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV)
Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (ESV)
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (ESV)
Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (ESV)
James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (ESV)
Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. (ESV)
Romans 12:18-21 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." To the contrary "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (ESV)
Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (ESV)
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (ESV)
Romans 13:10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (ESV)
James 1:19-20 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (ESV)
Comments
Post a Comment