Loud, Obnoxious Neighbors? - UBM [David Eells]

I have a question concerning my neighbors. I have lived in this apartment complex for two years and these new folks moved in above me about six weeks ago. It's a young female with a child, and I think her mom. I have never had a problem until now with neighbors. They are extremely loud, unruly, and disrespectful. Within the first week they were trying to run a day care out of the place. There were at least five children up there and it sounded like a zoo. I have nothing against children, but living on the second floor is not wise. For six weeks I have put up with stomping, banging, jumping, loud music, loud TV, screaming, and yelling etc... I have filed two complaints with the manager of the complex. The manager offered them to move to a First Floor apartment so the child can run around and won't be as noisy. I have been nothing but nice to the people above me and to my manager. The manager told me that the people above me were non negotiable, hard to deal with, and did not care about moving. The manager told them if they get one more complaint they will be evicted. Now in order for an eviction someone else must file a complaint other than me. I can get my neighbor to file a complaint, but if I do that those people are out of here and it will be hard for them to find another place, I don't know for sure, but I would think an eviction notice on your credit would raise some red flags? I have prayed about this and prayed about this, and all my friends said they would have had them evicted a long time ago. My friends aren't Christian so I'm not inclined to listen to them, I do however want to hear their opinion. I have had enough of this and I'm not paying to live somewhere to listen to someone else. I know that I'm supposed to love my neighbor, but sometimes doing things you don't want to do might wake those people up to stop thinking about themselves. Is tough love scriptural?

My Answer:

I once lived on a corner in rural Louisiana where one of the neighbors started a night spot in a large building on their property. Noise all hours of the night and area teenagers were flocking there. One day in a casual meeting of the other neighbors they began to speak of a communal complaint to the law. I told them that I felt that God had a better way that was less offensive to our neighbor. I didn't feel that wrestling with flesh and blood was the way of the Lord. I told them that I was going to ask God to shut the place down, which I did that night. I then spoke some commands to that effect toward the building. In less than a week it was shut down and never reopened. Of course they weren't angry with us because they never knew what really happened. I didn't find out what was the earthly reason given for the sudden closing of the business but I know the heavenly reason was our Father.

P.S. to the brethren:

Even if you don't believe this method is necessary we must obey the Word for our own good! (Mat.5:38) Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: (39) but I say unto you, resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. We are however commanded to "resist the devil". He and his emissaries are the ones we do battle with.

The trials around us are from God not man. (Joh.19:11) Jesus answered him, Thou wouldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath greater sin. Like our Lord we are to receive everything as from God and leave retaliation up to Him. (Rom.12:17) Render to no man evil for evil. Take thought for things honorable in the sight of all men. (18) If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men... (19) Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto the wrath of God: for it is written, Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. (20) But if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Our old man wants to live by defending self and retaliating but God knows that our obedience to these commands crucifies that carnal nature in us.

(Mat.16:24) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (25) For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it. Even when we are at our best the hidden carnal nature must be crucified. (1Pe.2:20) For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted [for it], ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. (21) For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps: (22) who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: (23) who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. What could be clearer? We are to follow in Jesus' steps concerning God using people around us to bring us to our cross.

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