By EEW Magazine Online // Spiritual // Wisdom

2 Timothy 2:23 advises against being quarrelsome and involved with foolish, ignorant controversies. But this is exactly what problematic people have a reputation for doing. They stay in the middle of mess. Their name is always in drama, and they are known for stirring up unnecessary trouble.

Don’t let this be you!

While no one is everyone’s cup of tea, and toxic types will find a reason to criticize and dislike anyone – even people that are doing good things – you can at least do your part to stay out of petty disputes, messy situations, and say no to inappropriate behaviors.

Here are 4 ways to be the unproblematic queen you should be, and avoid ruining your reputation and undermining your witness for Christ.

#1 Get good at minding your business. If it doesn’t have anything to do with you, stay out of it. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 plainly instructs us to mind our own business and work with our own hands. When you’re busy focusing on ways you can do and be better, grow in your faith, and live out your purpose, you’ll find that you don’t have a whole lot of time to inject yourself into the affairs of others.

#2 Don’t speak negatively of others. Get that tongue in check! Ever heard the saying, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all”? It’s a rule to live by and one that will keep you out of mess. These days, however, it’s way too common (and accepted) for us to highlight others’ faults and shortcomings, criticize their choices, and cancel them for what we perceive as bad behavior. But 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, we should build one another up, and encourage each other. Unproblematic people are experts at sweeping around their own front door.

#3 Think (and pray!) before you share. When it becomes necessary to weigh in on something – as there is a time and place for everything – don’t be rash or impulsive. Think before you share or offer advice of any sort. James 1:19 says we ought to be quick to listen and slow to speak, and speaking includes social media. When we apply this biblical principle, we are less likely to: say things we’ll later regret; spark controversy; spread misinformation; or wind up gossiping. Before sharing, you should think and pray. When you do this, you might even find that more often than not, you’ll feel led by God to zip your lips .

#4 Don’t be opportunistic. Problematic people often get into trouble because they are opportunistic. They deeply crave opportunities, recognition and influence and will do or say anything to work situations to their advantage. In today’s terminology, they are referred to as clout-chasers. They seek to build their reputation at any cost—something that makes them toxic and dangerous. James 3:14-16 warns against reckless, selfish ambition that leads to chaos and depraved actions. Being unproblematic in this respect requires you to trust God’s timing, be humble, and never compromise your principles for attention or an opportunity.

We can all agree that we have enough problems in our world to go around, right? So then, why add to those mounting problems by becoming one yourself?