Tag Archives: catching a common cold

Crafty Cunning and Treacherous

Posted on June 28, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Crafty is having or showing skill in achieving one’s ends by creative, deceitful or evasive ways. The first mention of this term in the Bible is in association with the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. Based upon the account of the prophet Ezekiel, the archangel Lucifer was kicked out of heaven along with 1/3 of all the angels in heaven. This crafty serpent planted the seed of doubt into Adam and Eve’s mind which eventually gave birth to sin.

Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden? 2 And the woman said to the serpent, We may eat the fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 Except the fruit from the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die. 4 But the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die, Genesis 3:1-4.

According to the apostle Paul, there is no one righteous as all have fallen short of God’s glory, Romans 3:23. This is the direct consequence of original sin. From a spiritual perspective, sin is like catching a common cold that lingers without seeking any help or treatment. As public education becomes more and more sexualized as early as kindergarten, it doesn’t take much for the innocence of a child to be lost forever.

[Isaac] said, Your brother came with crafty cunning and treacherous deceit and has taken your blessing, Genesis 27:35.

Prior to Genesis 27, Jacob was a momma’s boy. Moses describes Jacob as a shy, quiet and insecure teenager. Yet, once influenced by a loving mother, Jacob placed pleasing his mother over doing the right thing. As my Junior High principal used to say, “it takes two to tango.” Even if something isn’t your idea, if you join in and participate, you’re just as guilty, Psalm 1:1. If you notice your own children, slip sliding away from God, pray that any crafty, cunning or treacherous spirit is broken.

by Jay Mankus

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Weaned From Violence

Posted on April 30, 2014 by expressyourself4him

Unfortunately, a day rarely goes by without a fight, shooting or stabbing making headline news.  Students, workers and innocent bystanders are being caught in the cross fire of violence.  As a vehicle of peace, Gandhi believed you had to slowly wean people from violence without force.  Over time, you will win people toward your point of view.

Jesus demonstrated this belief during his 3 year ministry in the late 20’s of the first century.  When his fellow Jews flirted with the idea of overthrowing the political leaders in Israel, Jesus chose peace.  Despite being falsely accused of crimes he did not commit by the Sanhedrin, Jesus gave up his right to life so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled, Matthew 26:52-56.  Although he invested 3 years into 12 men, the temptation to fight back could not be quenched.

Today, domestic violence is a common occurrence, like a nagging cold that won’t go away.  Instead of demonstrating temperance, going the right distance and no further, human beings have lost control of their emotions.  Patience has been discarded, as anger, control and power is urging frustrated souls to lash out, often harming family members.  The only way I know to wean people from violence is to adhere to the apostle Paul’s advice in Ephesians 4:25-32.  When you reach this state of mind, God will lead you to lay your weapons down.

What’s your solution to wean Americans from violence?

by Jay Mankus

 

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Why The World Is “Full of It.”

Posted on August 21, 2013 by expressyourself4him

As a child, my father regularly used the expression “you’re full of it!” Whenever anyone in my house appeared to bend the truth, exaggerate a little or attempt to tell a whopper of a lie, he confronted them with these words.  While not 100% perfect, most of his inclinations were spot on, as one by one, my sisters and I were guilty as charged.  When you peal back the pages of history, this web of deception rises to the surface.

In the beginning, Satan introduced the world to questioning authority in Genesis 3:1.  Moments later, Eve taught individuals to be curious, going beyond the boundaries established by God, Genesis 2:16-17.  Adam modeled blaming others instead of taking responsibility for your actions, Genesis 3:12.  If this wasn’t enough, Cain illustrated denial in Genesis 4:9, Abraham mastered trusting in yourself instead of God (Genesis 12:10-13 & 20:1-2) and this nature was past on to his son Isaac in Genesis 26:7, grand children and so on.  Like catching a common cold, the sin of lying has become air born, influencing the hearts and minds of mankind, Romans 3:23.

Today, you can turn on any cable news network, then wait for someone to mislead a commentator, journalist or reporter.  At a moment’s notice, a politician will dodge a question, answer the part they want to and move on without any consequences.  Professional athletes like Lance Armstrong, A-rod and others in the future will hold a press conference, deny accusations only to be proven guilty later on.  It’s time for the world to come out of the closet and confess, “we’re full of sin!”  Only then, can you move on to the healing process, James 5:16.  May these words strike a cord, Hebrews 4:12, helping habitual liars make their way toward the road to recovery through Christ the Lord, Romans 7:24-25.

by Jay Mankus

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