Rude People

Rude people want us to either fear them or fight with them. When we obey Christ, showing them the respect they didn't show us, we avoid becoming like them. Our witness is that of Christ-likeness that destroys the tactic of the devil and leaves us with a clear conscience.

 
1 Peter 3:8-10 "8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded and sympathetic, love as brothers, be tenderhearted and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech."

The devil wants us to react to rude people so he can diminish our witness with those around us. To react to rudeness is to be self-focused. When Christ is our focus, we do not respond out of anger or frustration rather, we leave the unkind person to God. After all, He knows what He needs to do on our behalf.

Reacting in anger to anger is a violation of the scripture that says not to "return evil for evil."

Having said all of this, we must remember that continuing to tolerate rudeness, thinking we are going to influence the rude person to change, only solidifies their hardened heart. So, what is the answer? The answer if they continue to be rude is to walk away and stay away until they are shown by God their own hearts and repent.
Never worry about losing someone who is constantly rude. It is better to be alone than to be in contact with those who disrespect us repeatedly. And, the more we are around someone, the more we begin to take on their attitudes through frequent exposure to their ways.

We become like those we spend the most time with merely by continual exposure to their ways. This is why God told us to be diligent about who are our constant companions.

Proverbs 13:19-20 "…19 Desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but turning from evil is detestable to fools. 20He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed."

1 Corinthians 15:33
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Psalm 1:1
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of "

2 Corinthians 6:14
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?"

Proverbs 22:24-25
"Do not make friends with an angry man, and do not associate with a hot-tempered man, or you may learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare."

When we surround ourselves with those who love and seek Christ we will grow in holiness without the constant pressure against us to conform to the ungodly. We will live peacefully with great joy and hope when our companions love Christ as we do.