Tag Archives: a second glance

Running Away from Temptation

Posted on September 2, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former long-distance runner, I understand that dangers that a cross country runner may encounter. Holes, roots, and rocks are the most common hazards. However, when you throw in rain and wet leaves, a competitor is one wrong step away from twisting, turning and or spraining an ankle. Yet, in the passage below, Moses is referring to spiritual running to escape temptation.

Then after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, See here, with me in the house my master has concern about nothing; he has put all that he has in my care. 9 He is not greater in this house than I am; nor has he kept anything from me except you, for you are his wife. How then can I do this great evil and sin against God? – Genesis 39:7-9

It’s not every day that an attractive woman flirts with a single guy. When that woman is your bosses’ wife and she attempts to make a pass at you day after day, running away from temptation is exactly what Joseph did. Although Moses jumps ahead in this story, Potiphar’s wife likely wore less and less clothing in Joseph’s presence so that he would finally give in and sleep with her.

She spoke to Joseph day after day, but he did not listen to her, to lie with her or to be with her. 11 Then it happened about this time that Joseph went into the house to attend to his duties, and none of the men of the house were indoors. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me! But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out [of the house]. 13 And when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled away, Genesis 39:10-13.

The apostle Paul builds upon the concept of running away from temptation in 1 Corinthians 10:13. Whenever a Christian or anyone else is confronted with a tempting situation, Paul urges first century believers to look for a way out. Unfortunately, those who give into temptation are led astray by a second glance, 1 John 2:15-17. This glance is what the earthly brother of Jesus writes about in James 1:13-15. When temptation comes your way, avoid lusting by running away.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

The Age of Deception and Seduction

Posted on October 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

The signs of this new age are everywhere. Advertisements, commercials. grocery store magazines, social media, and television. Sex sells went from a marketing plan in the 1980’s to a reality that has ushered in the age of deception and seduction. The American rock band Van Halen sang about a fantasy in Hot for Teacher in 1984 but this is now a weekly occurrence as female and male teachers are having sex with minors.

Why do you misunderstand what I say? It is because you are unable to hear what I am saying. [You cannot bear to listen to My message; your ears are shut to My teaching.] 44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false, John 8:44.

One of Jesus’ disciples’ points to the source of this deception and seduction. John remembers the day that Jesus blamed the Devil, giving this spiritual creature a nickname that still holds true: the father of all lies. Nonetheless, a second glance at the Tree of Knowledge is no different than any other daily decision to give into temptation. Like the prodigal son, the ecstasy of earthly pleasures replaces common sense.

And when the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his place of confinement, 8 And he will go forth to deceive and seduce and lead astray the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth—Gog and Magog—to muster them for war; their number is like the sand of the sea, Revelation 20:7-8.

Unfortunately, it takes reaching the bottom of the barrel to wake up, Luke 15:15-16, and snap out of deception and seduction. As one of my former pastors preached about, sin stays longer than you ever expected. Like breaking any bad habit, you have to develop a sense of urgency to break free from addiction. May today’s blog serve as a turning point so you escape the wrath of God, Hebrews 10:26-27.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

I Saw I Thought I Felt

Posted on May 20, 2021 by expressyourself4him

The spirit of lust was conceived with a second glance at a ripe piece of fruit in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 3:6. One of Jesus’ disciples refers to this internal desire as the lust of the flesh. Eve’s lustful glimpse started an unhealthy trend that now pushes the envelope further and further with each passing generation. According to Jesus, you can break one of the ten commandments, committing adultery when a look leads to a sexual longing, Matthew 5:27-29.

Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one’s own resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. 17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever, 1 John 2:15-17.

When Eve began staring at forbidden fruit hanging from the Tree of Knowledge, thoughts began to race through her mind. Instead of obeying the only rule laid out by God, Genesis 2:15-17, a cunning serpent planted ungodly beliefs into her brain. The apostle Paul explains this internal battle in the passage above and in Galatians 5:16-18. When thoughts switch your focus from God toward selfish desires, it’s only a matter of time before sin is conceived, James 1:13-15.

For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit. 6 Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. 7 [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot, Romans 8:5-7.

After you see and think, lives will begin to chase after feelings. Immediately following the first act of sin, Adam and Eve were overwhelmed by a feeling of guilt, Genesis 3:7-11. If you keep breaking God’s laws or can’t escape falling prey to temptation, people gradually change for the worse. Spiritual leaders in the Old Testament began to do what was first in their own eyes, Judges 21:25. This course of action is a byproduct of seeing, thinking, and feeling. The next time you sense yourself sliding in the wrong direction, look for the way out, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Don’t Give Sin the Attention it Desires

Posted on November 30, 2020 by expressyourself4him

As someone who’s life revolves around sports, the best way I can describe sin is like experiencing a bad losing streak. Sometimes you can try so hard to stop something from happening that your mind gives up before you achieve your desired outcome. Subsequently, you find yourself in bondage, held captive by an invisible force that makes you do the opposite of what you really want, Romans 7:15-16.

In the spring, when kings go forth to battle, David sent Joab with his servants and all Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites [country] and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, when from there he saw a woman bathing; and she was very lovely to behold, 2 Samuel 11:1-2.

Sin has a way of casting spells on weak individuals, distracting them from the way out of the mess they’ve created, 1 Corinthians 10:13. In the passage above, David was tired, didn’t feel like going to work so he took the entire spring off. After a few days, David got bored, talking an evening stroll on top of his castle. Instead of being rejuvenated from rest and relaxation, a second glance at Bathsheba caused David to give sin the attention it desired.

But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15 Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death, James 1:14-15.

Perhaps, speaking from personally experience, the earthly brother of Jesus writes about the powerful force known as temptation. When wandering eyes stray from the cross of Jesus toward earthly pleasures, you open the door from sin to come into your life. If enticement, lust and passions are allowed to stick around, sin will take you further than you ever imagined or wanted. Newspaper archives is filled by shocking stories from people of faith who gave sin the attention it desired. This is why we should flee sin, James 4:6-8, while there is time to come to our senses to escape sin’s grasp.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Recovering from a Spiritual Hangover

Posted on August 15, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Hangovers from drinking are a chain of reactions going on within your body following the consumption of alcohol. Once inside your body, alcohol affects your gastrointestinal tract, urine production, and blood sugar levels. Depending upon your age, gender, and weight, hangovers result in fatigue, headaches, cognitive, mood, and sensory issues. Meanwhile, biological rhythms and sleep patterns are hindered as individuals attempt to recover from these painful experiences.

For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do, Galatians 5:17.

According to the apostle Paul, alcohol is merely one aspect in life that is abused. Anger, bitterness, conflict, division, envy, and sexual desires are avenues that can result in spiritual hangovers. Following an emotional outburst, fits of rage or a second glance, the human conscience will begin to reveal symptoms of this spiritual condition. Any combination of conviction, guilt, remorse, and shame will rock human souls. King David compares a spiritual hangover to having your energy zapped by heat and humidity, Psalm 32:3-4.

Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, 20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), 21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God, Galatians 5:19-21.

The apostle Paul suggests that the road to recovery begins by keeping in alignment with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. The first step to recovery begins by acknowledging that you have a sin problem, unable to control one or more fleshly desires. Just as alcoholics rely on anonymous groups, Christians should search to find a small group that serves as a form of accountability. While it may take some time to feel comfortable to bear your soul to strangers, the sooner you confess, the better you’ll feel. However, remember that life is a marathon so pace yourself by walking with God, Hebrews 12:1-2. May your recovery go well, without any relapses.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Taste Test

Posted on July 31, 2015 by expressyourself4him

Young people tend to break into the work force at some sort of restaurant.  The idea of free food, drinks or both is enticing.  One of my favorite parts in this occupation was taste testing, giving out samples to customers as well as trying new items on the menu.  Only when you take a bite can you explain to others what to expect.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”- Genesis 3:1

In the case of Eve, one item was forbidden, banned from her daily diet of fruit and vegetables.  Despite this knowledge, an evil voice whispered, promising enlightenment for those who indulge.  After considering this, a second glance planted the seed of lust within her heart.  Without any resistance from her husband, Eve participated in the first taste of sin.

“For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”- Genesis 3:5

While the settings have changed, a similar voice exists today.  However, the message isn’t focused on food for the soul.  Rather, this taste test involves a flesh hungry for pleasure.  Unfortunately, this experience is only temporarily satisfied, craving more and more with each encounter.  Guilt, shame and sorrow are common aftertastes.  However, only when you gather the courage to say no, can you escape the trial of destruction awaiting the addicted.  May you have the resolve to avoid the second glance and experience victory over temptation.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.