When we see and deal with consistent pride and contempt in someone, we are watching someone who is dominated by demonic spirits. I am not talking about normal human flaws, but rather the intense, consistent anger that functions from the need to control and dominate others.
In these relationships, we encounter competitiveness, phoniness, flattery, and contempt back and forth as though on a roller coaster ride. Every tactic is to confuse and manipulate emotions.
The answer to this problem of spiritual domination in people is to seek Christ in us so that we do not become like those who think they are in control but are controlled by a demon. If we operate in the flesh we will be like those who resist God, but if we walk in the Spirit and trust in Christ we will not give into the temptation to answer a fool according to their follly.
Proverbs 26:4-5 "4 Do not answer a fool according to his foolishness, Or you will also be like him.
5 Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be wise in his own eyes."
Ephesians 6:11-13 "11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13 Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand."
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 "For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
Galatians 5:17 "For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want."
