Tag Archives: humanism

This World Doesn’t Need Another Pharisee

Posted on November 9, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As a former seminary student, I’m turned off by individuals who like to brag and show off. As a young college student just starting my faith journey with God, there was always at least one person who tried to impress my Sunday School teacher. While some of the information shared was beneficial for the topic at hand, this world doesn’t need another Pharisee.

Now listen and give heed, O Israel, to the statutes and ordinances which I teach you, and do them, that you may live and go in and possess the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, gives you. 2 You shall not add to the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you, Deuteronomy 4:2.

Unfortunately, human nature causes many people in life to fall back on humanism, Judges 21:25. Rather than honoring and holding fast to the Bible, doing what’s right in your own eyes is the easy thing to do. When you add pride to this equation, no one wants another leader to live by the motto, “do what I say, not as I do.” These are the kind of people Jesus confronted in His day.

Now when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced ([d]muzzled) the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of their number, a lawyer, asked Him a question to test Him. 36 Teacher, which [e]kind of commandment is great and important (the principal kind) in the Law? [Some commandments are light—which are heavy?] 37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect). 38 This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. 40 These two commandments [f]sum up and upon them depend all the Law and the Prophets, Matthew 22:34-40.

Another subtitle for Matthew 22 could be,” I’m smarter than you” as a number of Pharisees tried to trick Jesus. One by one came and each left disappointed as Jesus was unwilling to over emphasize or minimize commands in the Bible. Matthew points out that Jesus muzzled the Pharisees by shutting down their attempts to add and subtract to the Bible. Rather than correct everyone, avoid the urge to be a modern-day Pharisee by demonstrating God’s grace and love daily.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

Standing in Fearless Faith

Posted on October 31, 2023 by expressyourself4him

When I attended high school, there was always at least one person in my numerous classes that wanted to be known as the teacher’s pet. Whether this was out of some sort of emotional or psychological need, teenagers back in the 1980’s didn’t care about having this label attached to them. When I started teaching in 2002, a spirit of apathy prevented most of my students from raising their hands. Perhaps, a fear of embarrassment kept hands from being raised.

And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none, Ezekiel 22:30.

Back in the days of the Old Testament, faith became more like a fad, especially in the days of the Judges. When everyone started doing what’s right in their own eyes, Judges 21:25, humanism replaced a fearless faith. Subsequently, when the prophet Ezekiel asked someone from Israel to stand in the spiritual gap that existed, no one responded to this call. Apparently, complacency reigned during this period in the history of Israel.

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love [g]turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear [h]brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection], 1 John 4:18.

The New Testament addresses fearless faith by a couple of authors. Paul suggests that fear comes from pleasing people rather than God, Galatians 1:10-11. Peter uses an open-ended question asking Christians why they’re afraid of doing what’s right, 1 Peter 3:12-13. Finally, John highlights how fear comes from a lack of maturity in God’s love. When you add this all together with Jesus’ advice in Matthew 10:28, standing in fearless faith is possible with God’s help, 2 Timothy 1:7.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

Daily Subtle Choices Result in Major Spiritual Consequences

Posted on August 21, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Whenever anyone threatens to make a decision outside of the spiritual advice and direction offered by the Bible, choices have consequences. Moses points this out in Deuteronomy 28, serving as the pros and cons to obeying God. From a strictly numbers point of view, 14 verses are highlighted as blessings for making wise decisions. The remainder of this chapter, verses 15-68, 53 total, magnify that daily subtle (poor) choices result in major spiritual consequences.

Now this is the history of the descendants of Esau, that is, Edom. 2 Esau took his wives from the women of Canaan: Adah daughter of Elon the Hittite, and Oholibamah daughter of Anah, the son of Zibeon the Hivite, 3 And Basemath, Ishmael’s daughter, sister of Nebaioth. 4 Adah bore to Esau, Eliphaz; Basemath bore Reuel; 5 And Oholibamah bore Jeush, Jalam, and Korah. These are the sons of Esau born to him in Canaan. 6 Now Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, his cattle, all his beasts, and all his possessions which he had obtained in the land of Canaan, and he went into a land away from his brother Jacob, Genesis 36:1-6.

According to Moses, Esau had a tendency to make decisions based upon how he was feeling, Genesis 25:29-34. When he was starving one day, Esau’s first knee jerk decision resulted in selling his birthright to Jacob who was cooking dinner at the time. Wanting instant gratification rather than thinking about long term gain, also seems to influence Esau in his choice of women. Instead of waiting for a godly woman to come into his life, Esau put beauty in front of godliness.

Come near, you nations, to hear; and hearken, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it; the world, and all things that come forth from it. 2 For the Lord is indignant against all nations, and His wrath is against all their host. He has utterly doomed them, He has given them over to slaughter. 3 Their slain also shall be cast out, and the stench of their dead bodies shall rise, and the mountains shall flow with their blood. 4 All the host of the heavens shall be dissolved and crumble away, and the skies shall be rolled together like a scroll; and all their host [the stars and the planets] shall drop like a faded leaf from the vine, and like a withered fig from the fig tree. 5 Because My sword has been bathed and equipped in heaven, behold, it shall come down upon Edom [the descendants of Esau], upon the people whom I have doomed for judgment, Isaiah 34:1-5.

Selling your birthright for a great tasting meal doesn’t sound that bad on the surface. However, Esau appears to live like the Judges of Israel, doing what’s right in his own eyes, Judeges 21:25. Esau followed humanism “an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human nature rather than the divine.” Subsequently, when Moses records the direct descendants of Esau, the Edomites, in the remainder of the first 5 books of the Bible, Esau’s subtle choices result in major spiritual consequences. May the troubled past of the Edomities serve as a wakeup call to make Jesus your main priority in life, Galatians 2:20.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

The First Age of Enlightenment on Earth

Posted on January 9, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The Age of Enlightenment can be illustrated by a famous painting entitled the School of Athens. This painting was one of the commissioned artworks by Pope Julius II when artist Raphael moved to Rome. This two-year project began in 1509 and was completed for public viewing in 1511. The School of Athens contains two great philosophers: Aristotle and Plato. While one scholar points to the sky, the other is pointing to within. This signifies the transition of seeking truth from God above toward humanism, searching for truth from within your own heart and soul.

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, 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing the difference between good and evil and blessing and calamity, Genesis 3:1-5.

If the serpent above is either the fallen angel Lucifer taking possession of this serpent or merely the first voice of temptation, this is the Bible’s first age of enlightenment. As a former Bible teacher, King Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs for one of his sons to set spiritual boundaries for life on earth. This invisible line is designed to protect human beings by keeping danger out of their lives. This was likely the same reason God only had one rule in the garden, not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge, Genesis 2:16-17. The apostle Paul once urged the Church at Corinth to look for the way out of any temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

When men began to multiply on the face of the land and daughters were born to them, 2 The sons of God saw that the daughters of men were fair, and they took wives of all they desired and chose. 3 Then the Lord said, My Spirit shall not forever dwell and strive with man, for he also is flesh; but his days shall yet be 120 years. 4 There were giants on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God lived with the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. These were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown. 5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually, Genesis 6:1-5.

Jesus refers to the Devil as the father of all lies in John 8:44. The first lie is introduced to Eve as Adam was standing right there with her. Psalm 1:1-3 compares everyday life to talking a walk. Who you associate with, and join will influence the decisions that you make in life. Whenever a lie is passed onto to you, Christians must filter any content with the Bible, Acts 17:10-12, testing this to determine if it’s true. Unfortunately, when lies are repeated over and over again, social media elevates lies to truth status. Rather to repeat historic mistakes by doing what’s right in your own eyes, Judges 21:25, test everything and cling to God’s truth.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

Sin’s Impact on Mental Health

Posted on August 13, 2019 by expressyourself4him

According to a 2019 article, the mental health of teenagers is at risk.  Based upon a recent study, 15% of teenagers seriously consider taking their own life.  Another 12% actually make a plan to commit suicide.  Nearly 8% of teens make at least one attempt to implement their plan.  Meanwhile, 2% of these botched attempts of suicide result in medical intervention.  This healthyplace.com piece has motivated me to contemplate sin’s impact on mental health.

For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose]. 6 Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever]; 7 the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God, Romans 8:5-8.

According to the apostle Paul, sin’s initial impact influences minds.  Human minds serve as a bodies compass.  When minds fixate on fleshly desires. decisions gravitate toward pleasing your own body.  Meanwhile, individuals whose minds are directed by biblical principles are more likely to listen and obey God’s still small voice via the Holy Spirit.  Inside of human beings there is a spiritual gravitational pull, tugging at hearts and minds.  The hardest part of this decision making process is that sinful pursuits gradually results in minds actively hostile toward to God.

“The heart is deceitful above all things and it is extremely sick; Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives? 10  “I, the Lord, search and examine the mind, I test the heart, to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds, Jeremiah 17:9-10.

An Old Testament prophet adds to sin’s impact on mental health in the passage above.  Known as the weeping prophet after proclaiming bad news given directly to him from God, Jeremiah reveals another troubling problem.  Human hearts are deceitful and extremely sick.  Jesus expands upon this diagnosis in Luke 6:43-45.  Mouths speak out of the overflow of your heart.  Depending upon what your heart stores up inside will reflect your vocabulary, the content of your words.  Thus, anyone who holds on to roots of bitterness will negatively influence and impact your mental health.

However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God]. 10 If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides]. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11.

Based upon the passage above, the apostle Paul points to daily spiritual decisions, who or what are you going to live for?  You don’t have to live in bondage to a flesh that craves humanism, whatever feels good must be good.  However, those who possess any empty heart, void of any meaning have an option to choose life by becoming a new creature in Christ Jesus.  Yet, words mean nothing until you act upon your faith.  Therefore, if you are tired of feeling spiritually dead, may the power of the Holy Spirit free you from sin’s impact on mental health.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

Fulfilling the Common Good

Posted on January 3, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Good is one of those words that is overused.  As absolutes are becoming replaced by opinions fueled by cable news and talk radio, what is good and what is bad varies.  In the days of the Old Testament, Judges began to do what was right in their own eyes, removing the Bible as a measuring stick.  Similar to modern day humanism, anything that feels natural is deemed good.  On the other hand, anything that results in unpleasant experiences is considered bad.  Those who adopt this mentality place self seeking endeavors above the common good.

Now there are [distinctive] varieties of spiritual gifts [special abilities given by the grace and extraordinary power of the Holy Spirit operating in believers], but it is the same Spirit [who grants them and empowers believers]. 5 And there are [distinctive] varieties of ministries and service, but it is the same Lord [who is served]. 6 And there are [distinctive] ways of working [to accomplish things], but it is the same God who produces all things in all believers [inspiring, energizing, and empowering them]. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit [the spiritual illumination and the enabling of the Holy Spirit] for the common good, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7.

During the first century, there was some confusion due to how God was allocating spiritual gifts among church members.  Apparently, jealousy distracted Christians from accomplishing the common good for society.  People who were blessed with special abilities that demonstrated God’s extraordinary powers were placed in higher esteem that those with more traditional gifts like discernment and hospitality.  This rift within Corinth inspired the apostle Paul to remind believers that without displaying love, spiritual gifts are meaningless, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

“Each of us… must rededicate ourselves to serving the common good.  Our individual fates are linked, our futures intertwined.  And if we act in that knowledge and in that spirit, together, as the Bible says, we can move mountains,” President Jimmy Carter 1978.

Jimmy Carter is the last evangelical Christian to hold the presidency of the United States.  Although most Americans would refer to the Carter presidency as a failure, this man has held a higher calling.  Known for his service to Habitat for Humanity, founded in his home state of Georgia, Carter has embraced the concept of providing homes for the homeless.  While most former presidents end up going on book tours, concentrate on speaking engagements or traveling the world, Carter volunteered his time to build homes.  The quote above serves as a great example of what it means to fulfill the common good.  Just as the city of Babel came together with a common purpose to erect a tower, Christian’s united under one spirit can move mountains.

by Jay Mankus

Leave a comment

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

Character Education

Posted on November 16, 2017 by expressyourself4him

As societies evolve, the meaning of words change to reflect this evolution.  In the early stages of American history, character referred to personality, nature and qualities.  One of the synonyms for character is ethos, where we derive the Greek term ethics.  Ethics is the system of philosophy where individuals develop their basis for defining right and wrong.  Today, character education focuses on an initiative to foster global citizenship.

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out, Proverbs 10:9.

Based upon the United Nations global education initiative, character education is based upon three core philosophies: humanism, socialism and utilitarianism.  Utilitarianism teaches actions are right if they are useful or for the benefit of a majority.  Socialism advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.  Finally, humanism denies the presence of a Creator, seeking solely rational ways of solving human problems.  Signed by former president Obama, this curriculum is now being implemented into public education within K-12 schools across the country.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect, Romans 12:2.

When I first heard of Character Education on the Rush Limbaugh Show, I thought this sounds good, a step in the right direction.  Yet, as I began to hear and read more about this as a former teacher, I was horrified.  This attempt to erase the biblical influences within the foundation of America is unsettling.  Nonetheless, unless parents begin to challenge what their children are being taught, the true history of America will be forgotten.  May this blog awaken believers to stand up to this indoctrination by studying and teaching God’s divine intervention upon the founding fathers of this country.

by Jay Mankus

 

3 Comments

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

Understanding Evil

Posted on November 11, 2017 by expressyourself4him

As someone who has grown to love history, you can likely predict what will happen in the future based upon previous events.  Although past civilizations may have possessed good intentions, the temptation for control, fame and power has a way to side track the most disciplined individuals.  Subsequently, enticement opens the door for evil to corrupt formerly innocent souls.  This shocking reality is where understanding evil begins.

The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time, Genesis 6:5.

In the years leading up to the biblical flood, a spirit of wickedness spread throughout the earth.  While specific acts aren’t mentioned, murder, violence and war are assumed based upon the accounts within Genesis 4.  As human beings gave into every kind of inclinations, cravings, desires and feelings, hearts became set on evil.  Without any voice of truth holding people accountable, humanism was conceived by doing what’s right in your own eyes.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20

Today, a similar culture exists where absolutes are considered old-fashioned, stale and not worth the hassle to follow.  When rules become lax in any society, integrity, morality and values tend to decline.  If this trend continues for years or decades, you can easily recognize this in day to day interactions.  This environment allows evil to enter souls through compromise.  When confronted by an authority figure, evil is often discarded by justifying and rationalizing behavior.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs, 1 Timothy 6:10.

When it comes to explaining the New York City terrorist attack with a dump truck, some are inspired by extreme religious beliefs.  Mass shootings like in Las Vegas and the small church outside of San Antonio, Texas typically reveal some sort of troubled past.  Like a fuse waiting to go off, evil takes over at some point, paralyzing the human conscience.  This sets the stage for disaster.  Until conviction, truth and revival return, evil will continue to reign throughout segments of society.  Only when souls ask God to return can evil be defeated.  May the presence of evil today inspire individuals to open their hearts to Jesus, Romans 10:9-10.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

Leave a comment

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

Films that Persuaded a Generation

Posted on January 25, 2016 by expressyourself4him

1. Fast Times at Ridgemont High

While cable television first became available in 1948, it wasn’t until the early 1980’s that the Home Box Office was made available to greater metropolitan areas.  About the same time, 1982, Fast Times at Ridgemont High was released nationally in theaters.  After going undercover in 1981 at Clairemont High in San Deigo, California, Cameron Crowe received the material he needed to complete this script.  Subsequently, this film persuaded a generation of teenagers to alter their values.  Instead of falling in love, sex became the ultimate goal of a relationship, fueling the sexual revolution that began at Woodstock.

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body, 1 Corinthian 6:18.

2. Animal House

Four years earlier, National Lampoon magazine created a movie based upon Chris Miller’s experiences as a fraternity member of Alpha Delta Phi at Dartmouth College.  Additional influences came from Harold Ramis and producer Ivan Reitman during similar encounters of fraternity life in college.  Although this comedy was meant to laugh at these endeavors, a generation of college students were inspired to emulate similar practices.  Since art often imitates life, ethics, faith and morality are being discarded or put on hold until fantasies and the pleasures of this world have been satisfied.

The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever, 1 John 2:17.

3. Fatal Attraction

This final film is geared toward adults, for those individuals who have considered, contemplated or fallen into an extramarital affair.  In the 1987 thriller, Michael Douglas hooks up with a woman, Glenn Close, when his wife and daughter are away for the weekend.  When Close becomes obsessed with Douglas, this fatal attraction takes a toll on his life and marriage.  While couples initially flocked to the theaters to salvage their marriage, conviction and guilt did not last long.  Nearly thirty years later, fatal attractions seem to be a weekly occurrence either in high schools, college or the work place.  Somewhere along the way, these three films have persuaded a generation to abandon Judeo-Christian values for humanism, secularism or to satisfy worldly desires.  May a new film or movement shift the tides of change to prevent Americans from slipping closer over the edge toward hell.

by Jay Mankus

 

Leave a comment

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

God isn’t the Solution?

Posted on December 5, 2015 by expressyourself4him

As the print media tries to survive in an age of instant information, journalists are encouraged to write provocative pieces.  Such is the case of this week’s headline in the New York Daily News, “God isn’t fixing this.”  The premise of this article is based upon two opposing worldviews, Theism verse Secularism Humanism.  After several conservative politicians offered thoughts and prayers in response to the San Bernardino shooting, liberals are demanding actions, not words.  Thus, the title suggests God isn’t the solution.

When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide my eyes from you; even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening. Your hands are full of blood! – Isaiah 1:15

According to Webster’s Dictionary, humanism is any system of thought or action concerned with the interests or ideals of people characterized by an emphasis on human interests rather than religion.  In the mind of those who think government is the answer or solution to life’s problem, God isn’t fixing America’s problems.  Thus, Communists, Progressives and Socialists believe gun control is the ticket, the cure to eliminating crime.  The main flaw is if officials get their way, only the criminals will gain access to guns, leaving law abiding citizens defenseless, without anything to protect their families.

However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you, Deuteronomy 28:15.

On the other side of the worldview spectrum is Christian theism, holding to Judeo-Christian values.  Instead of trusting in science or self, this ideology leans on God’s understanding, rather than trusting in man.  This blind faith baffles those who deny God’s existence.  Thus, the debate commences on whether or not prayers can fix America’s current situation.  Beyond the realm of prayer, you must consider blessings and curses.  If America continues to reject God, move away from their with alliance Israel and disobey the Bible’s commands, then words of the Daily News will become a self-fulfilled prophecy.

by Jay Mankus

 

 

 

Leave a comment

Posted in Truth and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.
← Older Posts
→