What does the Bible say
What Does the Bible Say About Difficult People?
The Bible is realistic about difficult people and gives practical wisdom for living among them: answer gently, be patient, forbear one another in love, and as much as depends on you, live at peace. It does not promise everyone will be easy, but it shows how to keep a soft heart and a clear conscience when they are not.
What Scripture says
Here are real verses on difficult People, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.Romans 12:18 (KJV)
As much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.Proverbs 15:1 (KJV)
A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.Colossians 3:13 (KJV)
Forbear one another and forgive, as Christ forgave you.
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;Ephesians 4:2 (KJV)
With all lowliness and meekness, forbearing one another in love.
The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.Proverbs 19:11 (KJV)
The discretion of a man defers his anger, and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.1 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
Do not return evil for evil, but blessing, that you may inherit a blessing.
What this means for you today
Some people are hard to be around, and Scripture does not tell you to pretend otherwise. It tells you to keep control of your own responses: a gentle answer, patience, and the freedom to overlook small offences.
Living at peace is qualified by as much as depends on you, which honestly admits you cannot control the other person. Sometimes love also means healthy limits, said kindly and firmly.
The deepest answer is Jesus
Jesus was patient with slow, proud, and difficult people every day, and he gives us both the example and the strength to be gracious when others are not.
Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.
This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.
Common questions
What does the Bible say about difficult People?
The Bible is realistic about difficult people and gives practical wisdom for living among them: answer gently, be patient, forbear one another in love, and as much as depends on you, live at peace. It does not promise everyone will be easy, but it shows how to keep a soft heart and a clear conscience when they are not.
What does the Bible say about dealing with difficult people?
It calls us to answer gently (Proverbs 15:1), be patient and forbearing (Ephesians 4:2), refuse to repay evil for evil (1 Peter 3:9), and live at peace as far as it depends on us (Romans 12:18).
How do I stay kind to someone who is hard to love?
Keep control of your own response with a soft answer and patience, overlook small offences (Proverbs 19:11), and lean on Christ's example and strength. Loving limits, offered kindly, can also be part of it.
Come and see for yourself
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