Are difficult people the enemy?

Romans 13
8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,”[a] and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 10Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. 11And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.[c] 

Are difficult people the devil? Are difficult people all sinners? I know you are probably thinking, YES! Well, maybe, and maybe not. What about people who are not difficult? Are they not sinners just because they are not difficult?

Well, let's look at difficult people. First, there must be some sin or they wouldn't be "difficult" right? However, we must never let ourselves fall into the trap of focusing on others' faults. Remember, we are ALL sinners! No one is perfect. So, we can't say they are sinners outright. Maybe they just disagree with us? Or maybe they really are bigtime sinners? Well, unfortunately for that argument, we all are!

So, let's switch our focus from the difficult person to perhaps a cause of their (and our sin). Let's look at the originator of sin, Satan. Satan came into the garden and really messed things up (remember Adam and Eve made some bad choices also). Eventually, Satan was thrown out of heaven and lost the battle in heaven when Christ died on the cross and God raised Him from the dead. Yea!  Well, guess where he is now! You guessed; right here! Satan and his cohorts are right here on the earth right now!  He is waging war here since he has lost in heaven. This won't last forever. He was only given a period of time by God to be down here, and then he is a goner. The Bible tells us he only has a limited time. However, while he is here, he wants to do as much damage as possible. How?  Well, the best way? Use the Christians!!!!  Make Christians think they are better than others. Make them think difficult people are the problem.

That brings us right back to difficult people in our lives. Basically, difficult people are not the problem; sin is.  Satan is. The good news is, God sent His son to cover all of our sins and set us free from the yoke of sin. If you know someone who is difficult, instead of complaining, share Christ with them. As a Christian, I am still a sinner, but I am a sinner set free from the guilt and shame of sin! So, I should want to share that with others. Shouldn't I?

What should we do everyday? Love everyone, and remember when they are difficult, it is the sin you should not like, not them. We must remember that we have the armor of God to protect us from falling for Satan's temptations. We must be in the Word and pray unceasingly! We must share the Good News!

Father,  please help me to remember that I should hate the sin and love the sinner of which I am foremost. In Jesus name.  Amen