Dealing with negative people—what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org

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Hi there, many others like you have asked, what does the Bible say about dealing with negative people?

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Let's find out, shall we? You can discover this answer and more on GotQuestions .org.

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We all have occasions that require dealing with negative people. There are two categories of negative people, believers and unbelievers.

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The Bible offers insight and wisdom on how to handle both. Negative people tend to focus on others' faults or their own faults.

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They may regularly point out shortcomings with their comments, attitudes, and frowns.

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Negative people will approach situations from a pessimistic viewpoint, assuming the worst in any given situation.

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Sometimes people disguise their negativity by using humor or sarcasm, but ultimately it results in someone being put down.

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In dealing with negative people, one serious consideration is if they're a fellow Christian. For dealing with negative people in the believers category, we turn to Matthew 18, 15 -17.

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That passage clearly lays out the progression of how a fellow Christian should lovingly point out their fault just between the two of you.

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Again, this is a responsibility all believers have to each other. For non -believers, it's different, since they do not fall under the rules of church discipline.

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How you approach negative unbelievers must be decided on by a case -by -case basis. You do not have a responsibility to show them their fault, according to the

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Bible. But there are godly tools that can help you proceed with an unbeliever. Humility, prayer, wise counsel, and tact are great assets in handling a negative person.

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Not proceeding with wisdom can be dangerous. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the

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Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

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First, humility is crucial, and your perspective is critical to handling the person how

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Jesus desires. Try not to view the person as a negative person, but rather as a creation of God who was caught in a sinful habit.

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He still deserves your respect, attention, and love. Do not violate his dignity.

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Before approaching the person, try to determine, through prayer and counsel, if you have a plank in your own eye.

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This will help you walk in love toward the negative person, and handle the issue in a loving fashion.

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Additionally, there may be an attitude or assumption in you, making it harder for you to deal with negative people.

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Give it to God, and the situation may become easier. Next, it's important to pray for the negative person in question.

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Also, pray for wisdom, and for God to reveal to you what to do next. It's always smart to get wise counsel from a pastor or trusted believer who won't turn it into gossip.

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Then, once you have a plan of action, be tactful. Meekness is part of wisdom.

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In conclusion, be aware that the best way to deal with a negative person may simply be to limit your contact with him if possible.

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However, God gives wisdom to those who ask, so hearing from him and trusted godly people in your life is the best place to start.

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Alright, that answers your question, what does the Bible say about how to deal with negative people? On our website,

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GotQuestions .org, you'll find an in -depth article with citations and resource suggestions. If this helped you as much as it did others, like this video and subscribe to the

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GotQuestions channel. Meanwhile, if you'd like to study more, as always, just keep asking.