I learned a new word today - polemic. A polemic is a strongly written or verbal attack on someone and comes from the Greek word, polemikos. Apparently, polemical debate has been going on for multiple millennia and continues vividly today. Jesus was frequently the subject of polemics, but he almost always chose a different response in his debates. His most famous debate was with the most powerful opponent the world has ever known, Satan himself. The story told in Matthew 4, 1-11 first tells of the devil tempting Jesus to perform a miracle turning stones to bread, as Jesus had been fasting for 40 days. Jesus responded, "Man should not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the Word of God". Satan then tempted Jesus to save himself after jumping from a cliff. Jesus responded, "It is written, 'do not put the Lord your God to the Test'". Then Satan offered Jesus the whole world if Jesus would bow down and worship him and Jesus responded, "Away from me Satan for it is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'" In the face of polemics, I pray that I might have more of what Jesus has, so that I can respond like he would.
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