Tag Archives: hooked

Hooked, Lined and Sinking

Whenever anyone has made up their mind to do something, whether good or bad, it’s nearly impossible to prevent them from acting out what has been conceived within their mind. Jesus’ earthly brother, son of Mary and Joseph, compares this to a hungry fish. While some fish are smarter than others, a particular bait is too enticing to resist. From a spiritual standpoint, this is called hooked, lined, and sinking further and further away from a sound mind.

But before they lay down, the men of the city of Sodom, both young and old, all the men from every quarter, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said, Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, that we may know (be intimate with) them, Genesis 19:4-5.

As someone who has lived in the city and country, every area possesses what locals refer to as relatively safe and unsafe places. As a new resident to South Carolina, I may have ventured into danger without knowing about it. Nonetheless I try to stay alert so I don’t wander into trouble. Unfortunately sin clouds the minds of the addicted and those struggling with bad habits. Anyone who falls under the influence of temptation will likely emulate the enticed fish in the passage below.

Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. 14 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 1:13-15.

While Lot lived in a he city of Sodom, he kept to himself based upon Moses’ description. However as two angels visit Lot, it’s clear that the residents are open about their sexuality. Moses’ words highlight the enticement and lust inside their hearts. When human beings don’t care about changing for the better, it’s like a hooked fish sinking closer and closer toward death. Wake up before it’s too late.

By Jay Mankus

Seven Days in Utopia

While its’ unclear actually who coined the phrase, “timing is everything,” this nugget of truth still applies today.  Whether you are engaging in a conversation, watching a movie or reading a book, if the timing isn’t right, your interest will quickly fade.  Such is the case of a film I recently enjoyed, 7 Days in Utopia.  As a channel surfer like most bored Americans, I stumbled across this film a few times in the past, catching it at the wrong moment.  However, last night, shortly after the opening scene, I was hooked til the conclusion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2MZi9M9QrE

Robert Duvall plays a Yoda like character, training Luke Chisholm, a talented but hot tempered young professional, played by Lucas Black.  Duvall takes a person who is a cross between Tin Cup and Happy Gilmore for 7 days to work on his beliefs, mind and perspective.  Trying to overcome the demons in life, Duvall reveals the scars from his past that cut short his own professional career.  With a different focus each day, Chisholm is caught off guard, realizing there is more to life than hitting a little white golf ball into a hole.  On Easter Sunday, this week comes to an end while another journey is about to begin.

Seven Days in Utopia is based upon David Lamar Cook’s novel Golf’s Sacred Journey, Seven Days at the Links of Utopia.  Although, the movie portrays Utopia as a place, its actually a state of mind.  As citizens of earth prepare for an eternal resting place, the power of the Holy Spirit can transform neighborhoods into pieces of heaven on earth.  Whether you play golf or not, I recommend this film to all who seek a higher calling, looking for more than just living 9-5.  May God lead you to a spiritual utopia.

by Jay Mankus

Demonic Seduction

In their movie productions over the last 25 years, Hollywood has a way of de-emphasizing the role demons play in life.  Instead, a typical plot places good against evil, with the enemy usually clearly defined after 2 hours.  Unfortunately, the spiritual realm keeps most people in the dark for years, opening the door for a demonic seduction.  Usually, for victims, by the time this spiritual reality is revealed, its too late to turn back as powers of darkness are too great to overcome, Ephesians 6:12.

As an optimist, I tend to believe human beings have good intentions, yet develop bad habits over time which lead to trouble.  This is where the father of lies enters the arena, John 8:44, using fallen angels to influence worldly leaders, Revelation 17:2, with tempting thoughts whispered into minds, “go ahead, try this or that, it will make you feel unbelievable?”  James 1:13-15 describes this slippery slope, comparing it to a fish who is unable to resist a worm placed right in front of its mouth.  Demon seduction begins as soon as you are hooked, enticed and lured away by a soul longing for  emotional, physical and social needs that have not been met by anyone or anything else in your life.

When I turn on the news or listen to the radio, I am not deceived by the headlines: drug overdose, school shooting, serial killer or teenage suicide.  Rather, I am reminded by Ephesians 4:26 of a demonic seduction brought on by anger, jealousy or rage.  While the cable news networks may get excited by a jump in their ratings when the next tragedy occurs, most people are missing the real story of a demon seduction that has stolen one person’s soul and left a path of destruction reminiscent of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:13.

If you want to know more about this topic, watch a recent episode of the Haunting on Destination America entitled the Demon Seduction.  If you want to talk more about this please email me at jlmankus@aol.com or send me a private message on Facebook.  Whenever you encounter this phenomena, don’t fight it alone.  Call on churches, prayer warriors and spiritual leaders to wage this war with you.  Although this topic may be hard to believe, its real.

by Jay Mankus