Condescending ‘Christian’, what did Paul say about conceit? Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly . Do not be conceited .” - Berean Standard Bible This page is of course only for those whom the shoe secretly fits. Paul explicitly demands from his Roman followers to live in harmony with one another, because where there’s harmony there’s no conceit present from any member . Paul said in no uncertain terms for them to associate with the low in status and that means of course never to look down upon them in a condescending manner. Condescension is nothing else than conceit and in this case, spiritual conceit . What’s more, it’s a phenomenon that exists in your ‘Christian’ community around the globe on a daily basis and not only today, but back in the apostle Paul’s time already as well. The reason for this is quite explainable, as it portrays man’s innate insecurity since the departure of the first two citizens of this world. Adam and Eve had their identity secured within heaven, therefore within Christ, but only until their fateful disobedience towards Him under the tree of knowledge, of good and evil, having eaten its forbidden fruit ( Genesis 3:2-3 ). That moment they died into spiritual death and insecurity became part of their make-up. See, spiritual life in only possible within the true Christ, the Christ the world doesn’t know about to this day. An identity crisis only always has its roots in dead   soil , soil deprived of sensing Christ’s loving Presence. And the only way to hide this identity crisis is with the help of its buddy, called superiority obsession , with conceit and condescension as two of its branches, in chronological order of course. See what Paul says to Titus ( 2 Corinthians 8:23 ), his gentile- and close companion below, with specific emphasis on the “ rebuke ” part. Titus 2:13-15 “ 13  as we await the blessed hope and glorious appearance of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ . 14  He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession , zealous for good deeds. 15  Speak these things as you encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you .” - English Standard Version See Paul’s unwavering loyalty towards the true Gospel of Jesus Christ below: Galatians 2:3-5 “ 3  Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4  This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. 5  We did not give in to them for a moment , so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.” - English Standard Version What did Paul say to his younger colleague, Timothy? 1 Timothy 4:12 “ Let no   one despise your youth , but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” - Berean Standard Bible Youth plays no role when it comes to a conduct of authority, cloaked in love and purity of heart. Timothy was a young Jewish/Greek disciple ( Acts 16:1-3 ) of Paul and had an excellent mentor in this extraordinary apostle. Conceit is a out and out a result of insecurity and for insecurity to be masked, a demeanour of superiority is applied. However, it’s not only the youth that falls victim to a patroniser, but ‘threatening’ adults are likewise targets of those suffering from an unnecessary inferiority complex. The baby talk of an adult towards another adult A patroniser usually has the intent of being condescending, in order to make the other person feel inferior and is, however subtle, a form of bullying verbal abuse. It displays an infantilising dominance towards an adult, an adult perceived as a threat to him or her, for whatever reason. Overexpression of both flattery and condescension typifies insecurity and, coming from a Dutch Reformed church community way back, these two were by default outstanding characteristics of its members amongst themselves. Moreover, it has become such an automatic- and ingrained demeanour that most aren’t even aware of it, to this day. And, it doesn’t go by unnoticed to those outside at all. So then, if you say you are a Christian, but believe in everlasting damnation and the shoe of condescension fits you, has it ever occurred to you that the roots of this very behaviour of yours solidly lies within lifeless soil that is deprived of the true Christ’s Presence? Only you know your insecurity and misery deep inside of you. Within the true Christ you can not, but feel good enough as a done deal. Since Christ IS the Kingdom of heaven , being within Him one not only has rock-secured hope, but already feels being a citizen of that domain of peace and joy. Stop being stubborn and complacent and have the courage to step out of your denial of both. Proverbs 1:32 “For the waywardness of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.” - Berean Standard Bible May God grant you the courage to pursue their opposites.