InstaEncouragements Building a worldwide online community of encouragers encouraging others in the faith of Jesus Christ. Join the movement!
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Christianity
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
    • She Loves Truth
    • Hey Mama! PRAY
    • Seeking Him
    • Aging With Grace
    • Choosing Gratitude
  • Library
    • 16 Names of God
    • Bible Reading Plan
    • The ABCs Study Guide
    • The ABCS Bible Study
    • Disciple Me Program
    • Come and Gather
    • She Loves Truth Guide
    • She Loves Truth Study
    • The Red Sea Rules
    • Praying Proverbs
    • 12 Letters I Wrote
    • Christmas Songbook
    • LOVE Coupons
  • The Heart That Heals
    • Read Chapter 1 of The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
    • The Heart That Heals printable package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God
TDGC shop now banner

​Dealing with Difficult People

6/28/2019

8 Comments

 
Dealing with Difficult People: Every day it seems we meet annoying people. People who are rude, negative, judgmental or just plain mean. Jesus encountered difficult people too.
Every day it seems we meet annoying people. People who are rude, negative, judgmental or just plain mean. Jesus encountered difficult people too. Matthew 22:15-40, tells us about three religious groups that tried to entangle and discredit Him with their confrontational questions.

Herodians ask about paying taxes 

​First, the Herodians, Jews who favored submitting to Rome, came to Him with a political question about paying taxes to Caesar. 
Jesus answered them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” When they heard these words, they marveled and went away.
"Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle Him in His words. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, 'Teacher, we know that You are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and You do not care about anyone's opinion, for You are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what You think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?' But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, 'Why put Me to the test, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin for the tax.' And they brought Him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, 'Whose likeness and inscription is this?' They said, 'Caesar's.' Then He said to them, 'Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' When they heard it, they marveled. And they left Him and went away." Matthew 22:15-22

Sadducees ask about the resurrection

Next, the Sadducees, who believed there was no life after death, hit Jesus with a doctrinal question about the woman who married the seven brothers. Whose would she be in heaven? Jesus answered, “You are mistaken and don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.” The Bible says they were astonished at His teaching.
"The same day Sadducees came to Him, who say that there is no resurrection, and they asked Him a question, saying, 'Teacher, Moses said, ‘If a man dies having no children, his brother must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers among us. The first married and died, and having no offspring left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, of the seven, whose wife will she be? For they all had her.'

But Jesus answered them, 'You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. And as for the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was said to you by God: ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of the dead, but of the living.' And when the crowd heard it, they were astonished at His teaching." Matthew 22:23-33

Pharisees ask about the great commandment

Finally, the Pharisees, the religious rulers of the day, testing Him asked an ethical question, “Which is the greatest commandment?” Jesus said the first commandment is to love God, and the second is to love others. No one was able to answer Him a word, and from that day no one dared asked Him any more questions.
"But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question to test Him. 'Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?' And He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'" Matthew 22:34-40

How did Jesus respond to these harsh enemies? ​

He responded with great wisdom and truth. 
Not only those who oppose us, but even people closest to us can misunderstand us or say things that hurt us. What about Jesus’s own followers, the people He spent time with and loved? 

Peter

Peter, one of His disciples, spoke out to correct Jesus in Matthew 16:21-23.
"From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, 'Far be it from You, Lord! This shall never happen to You.' But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are a hindrance to Me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'" Matthew 16:21-23
When Jesus began to tell His disciples about His coming suffering and death, Peter took Him aside to rebuke Him because he didn’t understand God’s ultimate plan. Jesus in turn sternly reprimanded Peter.

Martha and Mary

Martha and Mary, special friends of Jesus, struggled when their brother, Lazarus, died.  Both of them said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” They were disappointed Jesus had not responded and met their expectation to heal their brother. Jesus reminded them that He was the resurrection and the life, and He assured them their brother would raise again. He then raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11).

How did Jesus respond to His followers?  Jesus responded in truth with love. 

We are to be Christ-like, so we need to handle difficult people with wisdom and truth and love. This can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit within the believer.

wisdom | truth | love

Dealing with Difficult People: Every day it seems we meet annoying people. People who are rude, negative, judgmental or just plain mean. Jesus encountered difficult people too.
Allow the following verses to guide your responses when you have to deal with all of the difficult people that intersect with your life:
"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself." Proverbs 26:4

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Psalm 141:3

​"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1

​"Rather, speaking the truth in love..." Ephesians 4:15​a
Debbie
How do you deal with difficult people?
Please Share
8 Comments
Debra Jean link
6/28/2019 03:35:10 pm

Jesus spoke the truth in love! Yes, Yes, Yes! Another example of simple is not always easy. Like you said it takes the power of the Holy Spirit. Great post, Many Thanks 8)

Reply
Debbie Miller
6/28/2019 08:16:24 pm

When confrontation comes easy it's usually not in love. When confrontation is difficult it is often avoided. Any confrontation using truth should be bathed in prayer by a spirit filled individual presented in love. You are right, sounds simple enough but definitely not easy!

Reply
Laurie Hess link
6/28/2019 04:33:50 pm

Thank you for this good reflection on how to deal with difficult people following Jesus' example. I need to learn to deal with them with love and wisdom, not respond with anger or frustration. Learning a little bit every day!

Reply
Debbie Miller
6/28/2019 08:20:00 pm

We are all a work in progress. I love reading the gospels to see how Jesus interacted with people as our perfect example. God bless on your sanctification journey!

Reply
Rebecca Jones link
6/28/2019 07:08:00 pm

Great post Patsy, Jesus never ceases to amaze, If I only had that tact and diplomacy. I know plenty of believers who would be offended at the way He rebuked Peter. If the devil wanted to sift him, don't they realize he is after their testimony?

Reply
Debbie Miller
7/2/2019 04:12:06 pm

Thanks, Rebecca! Usually our first reaction to confrontation is to be offended and then we try to justify ourselves. Instead we should listen, evaluate any truth, swallow our pride, and change. This reaction is not natural but must be super natural through the Holy Spirit within. Speaking truth and receiving truth - neither are easy.

Reply
Tea With Jennifer link
6/29/2019 08:31:50 pm

Yes, Jesus is our greatest example, love covers so much but at times we need to allow the Holy Spirit to speak through as Jesus with Peter. His words are always far wiser than ours!

You're most welcome to join me in a cuppa Debbie,
Bless you,
Jennifer

Reply
Debbie Miller
7/2/2019 04:16:05 pm

Thanks, Jennifer! Jesus had the perfect balance of gracious words and truthful words - O to Be Like Thee!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Patsy
    Hi friend, welcome to InstaEncouragements. I am so glad you are here. You’re among friends. You belong here. 

    How would you like access to our online library of helpful eBooks, devotionals, printables, lock screens, and more? You’re going to love this library, there is all kinds of exclusive content, just for you!

    Join the movement by signing up below and I'll send you the link today. And no worries, We don’t spam. Promise! We don’t like spam either.

    After you've joined the movement, hop on over to our about page to learn more about us and then to our contact form and introduce yourself so we can be on a first-name basis. I'd like that!
    Patsy signature

    Join the movement!

    * indicates required

    Top Posts

    16 Names of God & What They Mean
    12 Things the Bible Says God Knows About Us
    6 Things We Can Learn From Habakkuk 
    18 Characteristics of True Christianity
    From a Proverbs 31 Woman to a Titus 2 Woman
    10 Favorite Bible Verses on Adoption
    12 Letters I Wrote to a Friend With Cancer
    A Lesson From King Jehoshaphat

    Featured

    Welcome Heart
    LaurenSparks.net
    beLydia.org
    Brave Women Series
    Grace & Truth
    Messy Marriage
    Money Wise Steward
    Wield The Word
    Woman of Noble Character
    The Best Bible Study Books For Women

    Categories

    All
    7 Things God Is Not
    ABCs Of The Bible
    Amanda
    Bible Emergency Numbers
    Bible Study
    Books We Love
    Cami
    Cancer
    Christine
    Come And Gather
    Debbie
    Elisabeth
    Family Life
    Guest Post
    Journey To The Cross
    Julie
    Kathy
    Link Ups
    Our Words Matter
    Printables
    Stephanie
    Summer Book Club
    Sweeter Than Honey
    The Bible

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018

InstaEncouragements participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program 
designed to provide a means for this site to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. 
This site also contains affiliate links for The Daily Grace Company, Faithbox, Minted.com,
​
Canvas Vows, Digital Grab Bag, Grove Collaborative, Faithful Life Planner, and Tailwind.
InstaEncouragements will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking one of these links or a link from one of our posts.
​​Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Terms & Conditions
InstaEncouragements logo
© InstaEncouragements |2022|  all rights reserved
IE blog footer image
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
    • Etsy Shop
    • Christianity
  • Blog
    • Guest Bloggers
    • IE Link-up
    • The ABCs of God's Love Letter
    • She Loves Truth
    • Hey Mama! PRAY
    • Seeking Him
    • Aging With Grace
    • Choosing Gratitude
  • Library
    • 16 Names of God
    • Bible Reading Plan
    • The ABCs Study Guide
    • The ABCS Bible Study
    • Disciple Me Program
    • Come and Gather
    • She Loves Truth Guide
    • She Loves Truth Study
    • The Red Sea Rules
    • Praying Proverbs
    • 12 Letters I Wrote
    • Christmas Songbook
    • LOVE Coupons
  • The Heart That Heals
    • Read Chapter 1 of The Heart That Heals
    • The Heart That Heals Media Package
    • The Heart That Heals printable package
  • Sweeter Than Honey
    • Sweeter Than Honey Media Package
  • 16 Names of God