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\u201cHow to deal with difficult people\u201d

Again I say, don\u2019t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights.\xa0A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 2 Timothy 2:23-24 (NLT)

2 Types of Difficult:

1. Difficult because they are DANGEROUS.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Romans 16:17 (NIV)

1. Difficult because they are DIFFERENT.

Therefore, I urge you,\xa0brothers and sisters, in view of God\u2019s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,\xa0holy and pleasing to God\u2014this is your true and proper worship.\xa0Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

Do not conform\xa0to the pattern of this world,\xa0but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.\xa0Then you will be able to test and approve what God\u2019s will is\u2014his good, pleasing\xa0and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

1. We don\u2019t follow the pattern of the world.

For by the grace given me\xa0I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.\xa0Romans 12:3 (NIV)

1. We practice self-awareness.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,\xa0so in Christ we, though many, form one body,\xa0and each member belongs to all the others.\xa0Romans 12:4-8 (NIV)

We have different gifts,\xa0according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,\xa0then prophesy in accordance with your\xa0faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;\xa0if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;\xa0if it is giving, then give generously;\xa0if it is to lead,\xa0do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:4-8 (NIV)

1. We respect each other\u2019s differences.

Love must be sincere.\xa0Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.\xa0Romans 12:9-18 (NIV)

Be devoted to one another in love.\xa0Honor one another above yourselves.\xa0Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,\xa0serving the Lord.\xa0Be joyful in hope,\xa0patient in affliction,\xa0faithful in prayer.\xa0Share with the Lord\u2019s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:9-18 (NIV)

Bless those who persecute you;\xa0bless and do not curse.\xa0Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.\xa0Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.\xa0Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil.\xa0Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.\xa0Romans 12:9-18 (NIV)

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.\xa0Romans 12:9-18 (NIV)

1. We have to make every effort.
2. We leave the rest up to God.

Do not take revenge,\xa0my dear friends, but leave room for God\u2019s wrath, for it is written: \u201cIt is mine to avenge; I will repay,\u201d\xa0says the Lord.\xa0Romans 12:19-21 (NIV)

On the contrary: \u201cIf your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.\u201d Romans 12:19-21 (NIV)

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21 (NIV)

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly\xa0point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.\xa0Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation\xa0has come:\xa0The old has gone, the new is here!\xa02 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV)

All this is from God,\xa0who reconciled us to himself through Christ\xa0and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:\xa0that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people\u2019s sins against them.\xa0And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.\xa02 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV)

We are therefore Christ\u2019s ambassadors,\xa0as though God were making his appeal through us.\xa0We implore you on Christ\u2019s behalf: Be reconciled to God.\xa02 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV)

God made him who had no sin\xa0to be sin\xa0for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 (NIV)