“But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work.
And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other:
and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;”
Acts 15:38-39
The Christian life involves working with people. The more you know how to get along with people, the further your influence will go. God puts us with a family up to 18 years before we leave. That is longer than any animal stays with its parents! Then comes college dormitory life—more people. Then comes marriage—a person for life. Then comes a career—more people. During all this is church involvement—more people. People who do not know how to get along with others have problems all of their lives.
BIBLE CHARACTERS
Lot could not get along with Abraham. The brethren could not agree with Joseph. The people could not get along with Moses. Saul could not get along with David. The church at Corinth was filled with contention and discord.
HELPS
Remove Pride From Your Life
Proverbs 13:10, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” When someone is proud and backslidden they argue and have a hard time getting along with anyone.
Read Your Bible Daily
Psalms 119:9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” Psalms 119:165, “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” The Word gives you the mind of Christ. Philippians 2:5 says: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” If you are thinking like Jesus, you will treat people the way He would.
Daily Prayer
It is amazing how well you get along with someone you pray for. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Put the treasure of your time into praying for someone and your heart will follow.
Be Filled With The Holy Spirit
Ephesians 5:18, “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;” Let the Holy Spirit control you.
Learn To Keep Your Mouth Shut
Proverbs 13:3, “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.” Proverbs 17:27, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” Proverbs 29:11, “A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.” Ecclesiastes 5:2, “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.” Trouble comes as we open our mouth when we should remain silent. Many fights begin with words.
Do Not Talk About People
Great minds talk about ideas.
Average minds talk about things.
Weak minds talk about people. Gossip is sharing information with someone who is neither part of the problem nor the solution. Accusing people is doing the work of the devil.
Do Not Rebuke A Fool
Proverbs 9:8, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” A fool is someone who is not serious about practicing God’s principles. They cannot take reproof.
Do Not Give Your Opinion Unless Asked
Unsought advice is seldom followed and usually resented.
Do Not Wear Out Your Welcome
Proverbs 25:17, “Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee.” Familiarity breeds contempt. Do not spend too much time with any one person or family.
Guard Your First Words
Proverbs 15:28, “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” Be careful how you begin conversations.
Do Not Begin Conversations Negatively
A good word brings health.
Treat People As You Would Jesus
Matthew 25:40, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Give People Breathing Room
Do not insist everyone believe as you do on every subject.
Do Not Joke With People You Do Not Know Well
Do Not Take The Dog By The Ears
Proverbs 26:17, “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.” Do not get involved in disputes that do not concern you.
Do Not Insist On Your Way All The Time
Romans 12:10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
Do Not Give Your Opinion If The Person In Authority Has Given Their Advice In The Matter
Never Argue
Plan Your Fellowship Time
Ephesians 5:17, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”
Choose Your Friends Slowly And Wisely
Get with a group of people who already are what you want to be.
Spend 80% of the time with those stronger than you.
Spend 10% of the time with those on the same level as you.
Spend 10% of the time with those weaker than you (so you can help them).
