The Porcupine Reality

Acts 15:36-41

• Spiritual maturity does not erase personality differences.
• Personality clashes can occur between people who share the same basic beliefs.
• Personality clashes can occur between people who are godly and committed to the cause of Christ.
• Personality clashes can occur between people who have served together for years in the cause of Christ.
• Personality differences can lead to division among Christians. 1 Corinthians 13:5
• love does not provoke 1 Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 3:12-13; 2 Timothy 4:11
• A person’s greatest strengths can also be the cause of a great weakness. Romans 15:1
• Put your trust first in God and only secondarily in people.
• Christian unity comes from a shared life in Christ, not working closely with everyone.
• Paul speaks positively of Barnabas and Mark in 1 Corinthians 9:6; 2 Timothy 4:11
• Unity of Spirit Ephesians 4:3; 1 John 1:7
• Unity of Faith Ephesians 4:13
• Do not allow personality clashes to cause you to quit serving the Lord. Galatians 6:9-10
• Questions to ask your-self when facing a personality clash with another Christian:
• What is the real nature of the difficulty?
• Is there an important biblical principle at stake?
• What godly character qualities is the Lord trying to develop in me through this clash?
• Would the cause of Christ be furthered or hindered by my continuing to work closely with this person?