Introduction

• Luke 6:40

Focus on joy with God instead of conflict with people.

• Acts 5:40-42
• Acts 8:1
• Acts 13:51
• Acts 14:7, 19-21
• How does the devil look at us? Are we easy to knock down or distract from serving God?
• Acts 18:2
• Acts 16:22-25 – Paul was not congratulated for freeing the girl from her condition. He was thrown in jail! Instead of being downcast, though, Paul and Silas rejoiced.
• Acts 9:31
• Acts 15:3

Maintain honor instead of “fighting fire with fire.”

• Christians are tempted to lash out.
• Sometimes we assume the worst about a situation. Acts 21:27-29
• Sometimes we blame the wrong person. See Acts 16:27-34. Paul could have turned on the jailer, but helped him instead.
• If something goes wrong, we can’t give up and act like the world.
• We are trying to be like Jesus – not the world.
• I Corinthians 6:1-8

Love people’s souls.

• Acts 26:24
• Acts 7:59-60 – This is a good attitude!
• Matthew 5:44
• I Corinthians 8:7-14