Christ's Instructions

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197) Eph 6:1 . . Children, obey your parents in The Lord, for this is right.

The Greek word translated "obey" in that verse basically means to pay
attention; viz: to heed; to mind.

The primary reason given for children minding their parents is simply that
it's the right thing to do.

The parents of the command are "in The Lord" in other words, this rule
doesn't pertain to kids with secular parents; which is a good loop hole
because there may come times for kids to disobey their parents out of
loyalty to a higher power. (cf. Matt 4:10, Matt 10:37)

Incidentally, notice how little the respect that parents get from their insolent
progeny in modern television sit-coms, Hollywood movies, and advertising.
It's a reflection of modern American culture's attitude towards doing what's
right. Kids today are encouraged to do what's wrong in their homes instead
of doing what's right. Modern entertainment trains children how to be
demonic instead of divine.

* Kids that mind their parents are usually much the happier for it. The brats
and the rebellious typically end up living in a home that's more like Hell than
Heaven.
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198) Eph 6:2-3 . . Honor your father and mother-- which is the first
commandment with a promise --that it may go well with you and that you
may enjoy long life on the earth.

The promise doesn't guarantee long life; it promises that, should a child
perchance survive to a ripe old age, they'll be good years. In other words;
though a demon seed may live long and prosper, that doesn't necessarily
mean they'll have a pleasant time of it. Things like happiness, peace, love,
understanding, satisfaction, and contentment may end up eluding them
every step of the way.

The Greek word translated "honor" in Eph 6:2 basically means to prize, viz:
to fix a valuation upon; to revere, to think highly of.

The very same word is used at Matt 15:4-6 where Jesus related the fifth
commandment to caring for one's dependent parents. Compare that to 1Tim
5:4 where it's said:

"If a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to
put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying
their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God."

I should point out that one's parents need not be deserving of honor. They
only need to be one's parents; whether good parents or bad parents makes
no difference. Compare that to Lev 19:32 where respect for senior citizens is
required merely because God says so. The citizen need not earn people's
respect; all that's required of them is old age.
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199) Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring
them up in the training and instruction of The Lord.

Too often the first half of that verse is omitted and the focus swung entirely
upon the second. Well; let's break ranks and include the first half for a
change because a daddy's parenting style has far more effect upon a
growing child than his religion.

To begin with: despotism, tyranny, totalitarianism, and injustice are not The
Lord's way of raising kids; but rather; His way is the manner of a shepherd;
and "good" shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.

Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their
eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but
do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule
them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny
them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to
their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak
and under their control?

Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level
of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of
their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging
in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an
uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.
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200) Eph 6:5-6 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear,
and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not
only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ,
doing the will of God from your heart.

The Greek word translated "slaves" is ambiguous; it can mean slaves by
either voluntary or involuntary means.

The first would be something like an indentured slave; which Webster's
defines as a contract binding one person to work for another for a given
period of time. Jacob is a good biblical example of indentured slavery. He
sold fourteen years of his life to uncle Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand
in marriage. (Gen 29:18, Gen 29:27)

The practical application applies to giving one's employer an honest day's
work for an honest day's pay. But pay is not really the primary issue.
Subordination is the primary issue, and has been in this epistle since 5:21.
Christ's followers may not like the idea, but they are not independent agents
with Christ; no, he owns them: bought and paid for as flesh on the line.

● 1Cor 6:19-20 . .You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your body.

So then, the Father's people really ought to serve workplace employers with
a conscientious regard for their indentured-slavery status with Christ; which
is really difficult for American believers because their country has such an
abhorrence for slavery and such a high regard for freedom, revolution, and
independence; and when they're mistreated and/or treated unfairly, they
react; which is not always a good thing for Christians to do.(1Pet 2:18-19)
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201) Eph 6:9a . . And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not
threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is
in Heaven,

* I have yet to discover a passage in the Bible either condemning or
forbidding slavery. I'm not saying there are none; it's just that as for myself,
I have yet to run across one. But I have discovered passages related to the
treatment of slaves.

"in the same way" hails back to Eph 6:7 where it says:

"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men"

Note that herein Christian masters are not required to liberate their slaves;
rather, to treat them with good will; roughly defined as benevolent interest
or concern, i.e. kindness and charity.

In a situation where both the slave and his owner are Christians, things
become just a bit complicated because they're siblings together in God's
family circle (Gal 3:28). Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both
the slave and his master.

● John 15:12-13 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends.

A slave owner willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be an
unusual master; but that is the very thing expected from him when he's a
Christian and his slaves are Christians; and should probably be the attitude
of a Christian supervisor towards his Christian employees: which is the
attitude of a good shepherd rather than that of a self-serving predator.
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202) Phil 1:27 . .Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy
of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear
about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit,
contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.

"conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" is talking
about Christian social skills, e.g. kindness, courtesy, tact, diplomacy,
tolerance, lenience, civility, encouragement, sympathy, compassion, etc.

Those kinds of behaviors have the effect of bonding people instead of
alienating them. When people are bonded, they are more likely to pull
together instead of working independently and/or against each other as
competitors, i.e. rivals.
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203) Phil 1:28 . . In nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them
an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

That terror is likely relative to threats, coercion, intimidation, public opinion,
vandalism, rumors, 24/7 surveillance, tattling, lock downs, filtered
information, censoring, isolation, searches and seizures, raids,
imprisonment, privation, insanely huge bail bonds, long prison sentences for
minor infractions, travel restrictions, denial of basic human rights and civil
liberties, limited medical care, frozen bank accounts, black-outs of financial
services (credit cards, debit cards, and ATM machines) watch lists, and
physical violence, etc.

NOTE: The Greek word translated "granted" basically means to bestow as a
favor, i.e. a gratuity. In other words: the adversities described above should
never be cursed as bad luck when they just might actually be providential
blessings.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,
as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as
you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be
revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy." (1Pet 4:12-13)
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204) Phil 2:1-2 . . If you have any encouragement from being united with
Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any
tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like
minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

These particular instructions are limited to a very narrow cross section of
society whom Jesus labeled: "those you have given me" (John 17:9). It is
they for whom Christ prayed for unity. (John 17:11, John 17:21-22)

The Greek word translated "tenderness and compassion" pertains to one's
bowels which is where we "feel" pity and/or sympathy for others. Well,
needless to say: feelings are easy to imitate, but not so easy to duplicate.
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205) Phil 2:2-3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves.

If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same
plane with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human
nature values status, and it's prone to rivalry.

Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and
shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted,
they have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody,
they have to be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower;
they have to have their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight.
And above all; they have to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's
nature to be wrong about anything; even superfluous minutiae.

If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an
usher or a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure
your heart's in the right place because there is coming a performance
evaluation for the Lord's sheep where some of the elite are going to be very
embarrassed when they're exposed for the ambitious achievers they really
are.

● 1Cor 4:5 . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will
expose the motives of men's hearts.

* An especially bad case of "vain conceit" is on display at 3John 1:9-10
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206) Phil 2:4 . . Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but
also to the interests of others.

The "others" in that verse are exclusive. Paul's instructions pertain only to
the fraternity to whom he penned his letter; viz: "saints in Christ Jesus . .
together with the overseers and deacons" (Phil 1:1)

Seeing as how The Lord expressly forbids selfish ambition amongst his own,
then before proceeding to implement an idea, be very sure to ponder all the
possible ramifications of your actions first; and for sure avoid Machiavellian
thinking that asserts the end justifies the means. Also to be avoided is the
tiresome excuse that what you're doing is for the greater good; which has a
lot in common with collectivism wherein the individual is marginalized and
has little to no value.

Stepping on people's toes, and/or thwarting their ideas so that yours prevail,
fails to satisfy the law of Christ; which requires his followers to have the
same care for their fellows as Christ cares for them (John 15:12). It also
fails to satisfy the Golden Rule which says: So in everything, do to others
what you would have them do to you. (Matt 7:12). Always looking out for
No.1 just simply isn't very nice.
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207) Phil 2:5-8 . .Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something
to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a
servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a
man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a
cross.

That's an interesting contrast between Christ and Adam. He and his wife
made a definite grab for equality with God. (Gen 3:4-5)

It's just amazing how well Christ played down his origin and conducted
himself as a common man. Even the people with whom Jesus grew up in his
home town were highly doubtful Jesus was so well connected because there
was really nothing particularly distinctive about him to indicate he was a
divine aristocrat.

● Isa 53:2 . .There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance,
nothing to attract us to him.

● John 6:42 . .They said: Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father
and mother we know? How can he now say: I came down from heaven?

And his cousin John, whom he'd known since childhood, had no clue that
Jesus was the very person for whom he was the forerunner.

● John 1:33 . . I would not have known him, except that the one who sent
me to baptize with water told me:

During the thirty years leading up to Jesus' public ministry, he could've
easily made a name for himself, but didn't because that wasn't his superior's
time for it.

● John 6:38 . . I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but
the will of Him who sent me.

Point being: we should avoid striving to be the big man on campus; so to
speak.
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208) Phil 2:12 . . As you have always obeyed-- work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling

FAQ: Seeing as how Christ paid with his life the penalty for every sin that his
followers committed in the past, plus every sin they are committing now,
and every sin they will commit in the future; and God is no longer building
an indictment against them, then what's left to work out?

REPLY: A rapport with God, and a life of piety. (Gen 17:1, Rom 6:1-23)

FAQ: What's with the fear and trembling?

REPLY: That was one of Paul's favorite figures of speech; for example:

● 1Cor 2:3-4 . . For I determined not to know anything among you except
Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in
much trembling.

And another:

● Eph 6:5-8 . . Bond servants, be obedient to those who are your masters
according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to
Christ; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bond servants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as
to The Lord, and not to men

"fear, and in trembling" doesn't mean Paul recommends shivering in terror
and anxiety like a frightened gerbil; but that a believer's attitude should be
free of pride, arrogance, and conceit, i.e. free of a superiority complex
and/or a master-race mentality; for example:

Paul was very courteous to the Corinthians and came to them not as a
celebrity even though he was one of The Lord's hand-picked apostles and
they were a bunch of pagan heathens at the time who deserved nothing but
the cold shoulder. Paul's attitude rubbed off on the Corinthians because they
in turn deferred to Paul's associates with fear and trembling just as he had
treated them all at one time.

● 2Cor 7:14-15 . . I had boasted to [Titus] about you, and you have not
embarrassed me. But just as everything we said to you was true, so our
boasting about you to Titus has proved to be true as well. And his affection
for you is all the greater when he remembers that you were all obedient,
receiving him with fear and trembling.

So then, what we're talking about here with "fear and trembling" is honor,
respect, submission, deference, and reverence rather than terror and
anxiety; and those attitudes are actually inferred in one of the Beatitudes.

● Matt 5:3 . . Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.
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209) Phil 2:14 . . Do everything without grumbling or debating

It used to be an unwritten rule in the US Army that GIs could complain all
they wanted just so long as they did what they were told. Well; Christ isn't
pleased with that.

● Col 3:23 . .Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for
the Lord, not for men.

The problem with grumbling is that it's an attitude of rebellion; for example:

● Num 21:5-6 . . And the people spoke against God and Moses saying: Why
have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no
food and no water, and we loathe this miserable food.

Well; long story short, God dealt with the people's grumbling by sending a
swarm of deadly reptiles among them, and many were bitten and died
because the venom wasn't just lethal, it was 100% fatal.

The Greek word translated "debating" is sometimes translated "evil
thoughts" for example:

● Matt 15:19 . . For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders,
adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.

Evil thoughts sometimes keep people awake at night as they obsessively re
wind and re-play a conflict with somebody over, and over, and over again in
their heads.
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210) Phil 3:1 . . Finally, my brethren, rejoice in The Lord!

The Greek word for "brethren" is a masculine noun for a male relative. But
its use is flexible, e.g. when Paul wrote to a church, he oftentimes addressed
the entire congregation by that word-- sort of like how the word "Man"
speaks of the whole of humanity regardless of age, race, and/or gender
identity.

Rejoicing "in The Lord" is way different than rejoicing in yourself; which is
vulnerable to one's mood and/or circumstances. The Lord once told his
disciples that they shouldn't rejoice that demons obeyed them; but that their
names were written in Heaven.

To wit:

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things
above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on
things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden
with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will
appear with him in glory." (Col 3:1-4)

That passage could be said to be a light at the end of the tunnel.
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211) Phil 3:2a . . Beware of dogs,

The beasts we're talking about here are treacherous. (Matt 7:6)

We're looking at a class of rather impious folk who not only don't want to
hear what you have to say, but will take drastic steps if necessary to insure
you have no say; using methods like censoring, canceling, shouting, bull
horns, spurious legal procedures, imprisonment, slander, a hoax, and even
assassination, i.e. whatever it takes to thwart your influence, destroy your
credibility, and suppress your thoughts. For example Jesus' opponents
among the Jews.

"Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have
pierced my hands and my feet." (Ps 22:16)

Jesus' opponents were counting on trumped-up charges and execution to
silence him once and for all while never dreaming he would become even
more effective by his resurrection. But this gives us an idea of how low that
dogs are willing to go in order to accomplish their ends.

Dogs turn up again at Rev 22:15 as unfit to enter the holy city; possibly
because of the uncivilized nature of their conduct. In other words: they're a
very real and present danger to decent folks; especially to the genuinely
God-fearing elements of society.
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212) Phil 3:2b . . Beware of evil workers,

"evil workers" probably refers to ersatz missionaries, e.g. Mormons and
Jehovah's Witnesses. In the apostles' day, it was followers of Judaism going
'round making a nuisance of themselves, e.g. Acts 15:1.
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213) Phil 3:2c . . Beware of mutilation.

Mutilation in this particular instance isn't criminal mischief, rather; it refers
to voluntary ritual circumcision; viz: initiation into the covenant that Moses'
people agreed upon with God per Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and
Deuteronomy. There were Jews in various cities back in the apostles' era
telling Christians that protection from the sum of all fears depends upon
circumcision.

● Acts 15:1 . . And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the
brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye
cannot be saved.

The apostles disagreed.

● Acts 15:24 . . Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out
from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye
must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such
commandment:

The primary reason the apostles disagreed is simply because Christians don't
associate with God via Moses' covenant, rather; they associate with God via
a covenant whose language is very different. (Jer 31:31-34)
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214) Phil 3:17 . . Join with others in following my example, brothers, and
take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I
have often told you before, and now say, again even with tears: many live
as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is
their appetites, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly
things.

* The Greek word translated "brothers" technically pertains to one's male kin
or to one's fellow members of a college fraternity or an outlaw biker club like
The Mongols. However, when Paul wrote to congregations, his use of the
word commonly pertained to both genders sort of like how "man" pertains to
both genders as they are defined in the early chapters of Genesis. (e.g. Gen
5:1-2)

The Greek word translated "appetites" not only refers to one's tummy, but
also the natural urges everyone experiences due to human nature. Natural
urges are a force to be reckoned with. For example: libido is just as strong
a motivation for marriage as it is for adultery. Hunger is just as strong a
motivation for nourishment as it is for gluttony. Ambition is just as strong a
motivation for legitimate success as it is for fraud.

"glory" is somewhat ambiguous. It can indicate illumination and it can also
indicate accolades where accolades are due. For example the universe proclaims
the glory of God, i.e. it speaks of intelligence and abilities without equal. But when
a cheap politician throws scruples to the wind and achieves office by dishonest
means, they have nothing to brag about, i.e. they're disgusting, and sometimes
even downright criminal.
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215) Phil 4:4 . . Rejoice in the Lord always. I say again: Rejoice!

Now the thing is: rejoicing in the Lord is not the same as rejoicing in life. In
point of fact, there's really not all that much to be perpetually happy about
relative to life on earth.

● Ecc 1:2-3 . . Utter futility! --said Koheleth-- Utter futility! All is futile! What
real value is there for a man in all the gains he makes beneath the sun?

We can name lots of things in life that bring us happiness and satisfaction,
but it's all fleeting, i.e. it's all temporary, viz: transient. There's very little
that brings us lasting happiness and satisfaction. And then on top of that,
there's the specter of death; viz: it's only a matter of time when our life on
earth-- everything we've accomplished, everything we've accumulated, and
everyone we've ever known --is separated from us like a young military
recruit's hair falling to the floor in a Marine Corps barber shop.

The negativity of life on earth can be greatly moderated by always keeping
one's eye on the future as it's revealed in the teachings of Christianity's lord
and master.

● John 15:11 . .These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might
remain in you, and that your own joy might be full.

● John 16:33 . . I have told you these things, so that in me you may have
peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have
overcome the world.

For example: the current political situation in my country is rapidly
approaching critical mass, so to speak. It's as if The Lord has sent a myriad
of evil spirits into the minds of many of America's movers and shakers
similar to what He did with Saul in the book of 1Samuel. How our situation
eventually plays out is anybody's guess but at least we are assured that no
matter how much worse things become, none of it will indicate that God is
out to harm folks unified with His son. No; we are but collateral damage
forced to endure strong winds of change thru no fault of our own. (Rom
8:35-39)
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216) Phil 4:5 . . Let your gentleness be evident to all.

The Greek word translated "gentleness" basically means mild.

Webster's defines "mild" as gentle in nature or behavior, moderate in action
or effect; not sharp or bitter, i.e. mellow; which is just the opposite of fierce,
harsh, rough, scathing, mean, abrasive, stormy, intemperate, strict, reactive
and/or severe.

Though a mild/mellow person is affable, they aren't necessarily a wimp; no,
they're just not easy to provoke. The quite opposite would be a thin skinned,
defensive personality that goes to war at the drop of a hat.

Mild people don't threaten, nor come at you with bared teeth and narrowed
eyes. They're reasonable and rational, rather than emotional and
frightening. Assertive, confrontational people have no clue what it is to be
mild; and those are the very ones losing sleep with evil thoughts as they
obsessively re-wind and re-play a conflict with somebody in their heads
over, and over, and over again rehearsing things they should've said, and
would've said, had they thought of them.

● Matt 5:5 . . Blessed are the meek.

Moses was meek (Num 12:3) and Christ was meek (Matt 11:29, Matt 21:5).
Personally I wouldn't categorize either of those two men as meek. So then,
what really is meekness?

Primarily, to be meek, in the Biblical sense of the word, is to be temperate;
yet firm when necessary. A temperate person isn't eo ipso a cowering milk
toast. Anybody who's studied the life of Moses and Jesus can easily testify
that neither of those men were timid; no, they walked softly but carried a
big stick, so to speak. Never mistake true meekness for a yellow streak.

Jacob and his dad Isaac were temperate men; but could be very strong
when the situation called for it. Temperate people pick their battles carefully,
and never waste anger and energy on trifles.

There are Christians in this world who're simply implacable. They just cannot
live and let live. Turning the other cheek is to them a worn-out cliché that no
one takes seriously anymore. For them rivalry, conflict, revenge,
competition, retaliation, recriminations, and grudging are a way of life: every
disagreement is an act of war-- they're peevish, emotional, bitter, harsh,
unloving, cruel, thoughtless, and reactive; and they thrive on complaining,
criticizing, chafing, carping, finding fault, tattling, bickering, retort upon
retort, rejoinder upon rejoinder, sarcasm, endless debate, dredging up old
unresolved conflicts, gainsaying, and getting in people's faces and giving
them a piece of their mind.

It seems like those people are always getting indignant about some petty
outrage or another. Well; those kinds of Christians are definitely not in the
"gentle" category. They're hellish, toxic demons who relish letting their
wrath be evident to all instead of gentleness because when they're upset;
they want everybody to know it.
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