2 Tim 2:24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

Did you know that as a Spirit-filled believer you have the ability to get along with difficult people? Just like you don’t have to live in constant sin, you don’t have to live in constant quarrel and fighting but can live in harmony with everyone.

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks.

1. LOOK AT NO MAN AFTER THE FLESH
2 Cor 5:16 KJV Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh…

Look at NO MAN after the flesh. The flesh is the part of you that resists God and His requirements. Don’t look at people from a fleshly point of view. See people the way Jesus sees people. Don’t look at people where they’re at, look at where God destined them to be.

2. WALK IN LOVE
If you were to ask me the number 1 key to being patient with difficult people, it’s the love walk. Years ago I started to take those difficult people in my life (I had plenty) and used them as an opportunity to work on my love walk. That was the best decision I ever made. If you want to live a peaceful life with everyone, look at everyone through the lens of love.

Ephesians 4:2, “Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.”

Walking in love is a part of the suffering we’re called to as Believers. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s suffering to walk in love towards a difficult person. Sometimes it’s not comfortable and sometimes it hurts to do, but that is why we pick up our cross daily and follow Him. The Cross was the ultimate expression of love. Jesus said there is no greater love than to lay down your life.

3. KEEP NO RECORD OF WRONGS
1 Cor 13:5 Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

The Bible says we know we passed from death to life because we love the brethren. It’s not optional to walk in love towards those God put in your life. Part of walking in love means you are not touchy, fretful or resentful. It also means you don’t keep a record of wrongs.

You don’t meditate on what any person has done wrong to you. You literally cause yourself to forget about it and move on. I had someone ask “Well Pastor, I’ll forgive them but they need to ask for forgiveness first” No. You forgive them the moment they wrong you.

The roman soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross, they didn’t ask Him for forgiveness, yet He said “Father, forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing” We should have the same attitude. Forgive people the moment they offend you.

It’s a choice to walk in the love of God, it’s activated by your faith. The same place your prayer language (tongues) comes from, is the same place the love of God flows, your inner most being. Yield to him more than ever before.
– Pastor Zach