3 Bible Tips: Dealing With Difficult People
1. Don't let them rub off on you.
"Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul" (Proverbs 22:24-25).
2. Ask God for help.
"I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies" (Psalm 18:3).
3. Overcome evil with good.
"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:17-21; Jesus even said to "love your enemies" in Matthew 5:44).
For more about dealing with difficult people, see Win-Win: Who Says There Has to Be a Loser? and our new Bible Study Guide on Bible Answers for Dealing With Difficult People.