Thanksgiving is almost here.

Families will be gathering.

Every family has that person who always has an explanation for their lamentable behavior (e.g. “I was just joking.” “I’m misunderstood.” “I’m being vilified for no reason.” “I had a physical ailment, and I am the victim.” Etc.). What this person doesn’t have is – – – > A HISTORY OF REPENTANCE.

Then John (son of Zechariah) comes along and confronts this family member saying, ““You viper! Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to offer your explanations and excuses!”

For additional imaginative mileage (and to more thoroughly explore the nuances and complexities of your family member’s pomposity) I invite you to ruminate on the following characters: Danglars, Caderousse, de Villefort, Nabal, King Saul, Ahab, Hymenaeus (Mr. Gangrene), and Phygelus …men who are superficially venerated, and who breed foolish ignorant controversies and quarrels.

What are you to do?

Just be nice to them?

Placate them under the “auspice” of the peace and purity of the family?

That’s not what Jesus of Nazareth does (nor John, son of Zechariah; nor Joseph, son of Jacob; nor Edmond Dantès – a.k.a. The Count of Monte Cristo, a.k.a. Sinbad the Sailor, a.k.a. Abbé Busoni, a.k.a. Lord Wilmore).

Correct them with gentleness (though they will claim that any correction is “abusive” and/or “inappropriate”; AND keep in mind that “gentleness” is defined by Jesus of Nazareth [e.g. Luke 2:48-49 and Matthew 16:23]). …God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

And after offering them correction – heartily aligned with the style and substance of Jesus of Nazareth – avoid their irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness. And understand this, that THERE WILL COME times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.