Tag Archives: Better Off Dead

The Lie that Leads to Death

Posted on December 13, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Every time I watch It’s a Wonderful Life I discover something new.  As I listened to a conversation between George Bailey played by James Stewart and Mr. Potter (Lionel Barrymore), God revealed to me a spiritual truth.  After Uncle Billy loses $8000 at the bank, George panics, begging Mr. Potter for a loan.  A series of questions during this exchange leads Mr. Potter to proclaim, “George, you worth more dead than alive,” referring to George’s fifteen thousand dollar life insurance policy.  These words lead George to contemplate jumping off a bridge to save his family from experiencing bankruptcy.

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, 2 Corinthians 11:14.

In the 1985 comedy Better Off Dead, John Cusack plays Lane Meyer, a high school skier who get’s dumped by his girlfriend.  Desperately trying to win Amanda (Beth Truss) back, a series of stunts go unnoticed.  While everyone in his family is succeeding, Lane sees himself as a failure.  With his only friend a nerd, Lane comes to the conclusion that he would be better off dead, then people would miss him.  At the time, watching someone attempt suicide unsuccessfully day after day seemed funny.  What I realized last night is suicide is the lie from the Devil that leads to death.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, 1 Peter 5:8.

During my days as a junior high student,  I was a mess.  My mood swings were volatile, usually more down than up.  Since I lived for the moment, living and dying with the outcome of every sporting event that I competed in, I experienced emotions like a roller coaster ride.  Depression influenced me to believe that I too would be better off dead.  After devising a plan, I changed my mind when a friend from school beat me to it, hanging himself.  While I haven’t had an angelic encounter like George Bailey, the thought of suicide blinds you from realizing the gift of life is wonderful.  May this blog help you expose the lie that leads to death.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Better Off Dead

Posted on March 25, 2016 by expressyourself4him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWTouGjZt6A

In 1985, John Cusack starred in Better Off Dead.  While this movie would be considered politically incorrect today for making fun of suicide, some high schools are now using this film in Sociology classes.  The idea for the title is based upon lonely and suicidal individuals who think that it would be better if they were dead.  The rationale is that killing yourself will make those who never noticed your existence feel bad through guilt and shame.

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds, John 12:24.

This concept also applies to the first century.  Sometimes in the late 20’s, early 30’s AD, Jesus began to share God’s grand design to his disciples.  Essentially, Jesus would be better off dead, needing to die once and for all, for all sin.  This message didn’t go over well as in the back of their minds, the disciples thought Jesus would become an earthly king.  Perhaps, this confusion and disappointment with Jesus might explain their actions following his betrayal and death.  John was the only disciple who wasn’t afraid to be seen with or associated with Jesus.  Beside Judas Iscariot who thought he would be better off dead, committing suicide, the other remaining ten men went into hiding.

Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life, John 12:25.

Since Jesus spoke in parables, only the discerning were able to figure out the point Jesus was trying to make.  Maybe John was the only one who understood the kernel analogy.  Nonetheless, the Bible exists today so that we can be certain of this life and the afterlife.  So if you too are fearful or worried about dying, remember you have to pass before you can be reunited with believers who have already entered the grave.  In case you’re still up in the air, make your reservation for heaven today, 1 John 5:13.  When you do, you might come around to embracing the notion of being better off dead.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

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