2 Timothy 2:24 says “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.” What!!? Paul doesn’t know what he’s talking about! That was my first reaction to this verse.

I reacted this way because I had met some very difficult people in my time. I used to handle that situation with “the way of the fist”. Upon becoming a Christian, I learned that I had to be “slow to anger” and to “have self-control” and so I changed. Then I came across a “difficult” person, and that was my real test to see if I had changed. And I passed! I was able to look at that person as someone who needed Jesus, and not an enemy. See them as a lost child and not an adversary. Like the saying goes “hurting people, hurt people”. We must remember to have compassion for them. Because they don’t have the “Joy” or the “Peace” of the Lord. Through our “Joy” and “Peace” from the Lord, we can be an example to them and show them the Love of the Lord. Hopefully, we just might win them over for the Lord! Jesus said, “Pray for your enemies” and maybe we should also pray with them. I find that asking to pray with somebody changes their demeanor. Remember that there is a spiritual battle we’re fighting.

Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places”. And Mark 12:31 says “… you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

So do not quarrel with difficult people, pray for and with them, teach them the love of God through your example. And may the Peace and Joy of God bless you always. Amen!

Pastor Perry Stands