Tag Archives: overcoming addiction

Getting this Condition Under Control

Posted on April 8, 2023 by expressyourself4him

My daughter Lydia, a freshman at Liberty University, usually calls home once a week to check in. During a conversation over Spring Break, Lydia shared how excited she is about one of her classes. Global Studies sounds like one of those easy A’s students take to boost their GPA. However, the name is based upon the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20. Lydia’s latest project focuses on how to share the gospel , the good news about Jesus Christ, with someone from another country or religion.

For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [[b]which my moral instinct condemns]. 16 Now if I do [habitually] what is contrary to my desire, [that means that] I acknowledge and agree that the Law is good (morally excellent) and that I take sides with it. 17 However, it is no longer I who do the deed, but the sin [principle] which is at home in me and has possession of me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot perform it. [I have the intention and urge to do what is right, but no power to carry it out,] Romans 7:15-18.

While I never took a Global Studies class, I did attend a student leadership conference as an adult chaperone when I taught high school Bible at Red Lion Christian Academy. The guest speaker was Dr. Jeff Meyers who spoke on a series of topics that built upon one another. During one session, Jeff shared that atheist, agnostics, and other world religious know what sin is, but they refer to it in various terms. If you want to follow in the footsteps of C.S. Lewis to using apologetics to reach a broad audience, speak in terms of addiction and bad habits.

For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and [d]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 [e]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 [f]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. 8 So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him, Romans 8:5-8.

While listening to one of my old Christian mixed CD’s on my long commute to work, I was reminded of a theme within one of DC Talk’s classic songs. In the Light contains the line “getting this condition under control.” Since everyone understands addictions, bad habits or unwholesome cravings, there is always something human beings need to reign in or work on. The apostle Paul explains this internal struggle in the passage above. While you will experience the agony of defeat, if you learn to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25, getting your sinful nature under control is possible with God’s help, 2 Corinthians 12:7-12.

by Jay Mankus

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The Truth Be Told

Posted on February 14, 2023 by expressyourself4him

As good and decent as some human beings appear on the outside, an internal struggle occurs daily. Human nature places a desire within hearts to be accepted, cool, and embraced by their peers. After graduating from high school, I was playing in my last competitive tournaments as a junior golfer. As I was walking up the 18th fairway about to conclude my round, I thought I was cool with a sly comment to my playing partners. The truth be told, I was merely a foolish immature Christian.

And when he was about to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, I know that you are beautiful to behold. 12 So when the Egyptians see you, they will say, This is his wife; and they will kill me, but they will let you live. 13 Say, I beg of you, that you are [c]my sister, so that it may go well with me for your sake and my life will be spared because of you, Genesis 12:11-13.

From Abram’s perspective, God had just introduced Himself while living in Haran. The promise spoken in Genesis 12:1-3 seemed far-fetched for a man with a barren wife. Throw in the bad timing of a severe drought. which put Abram’s journey to this promised land on hold, doubt began to creep into Abram’s mind. Perhaps the same Devil who persuaded Eve to break God’s only rule in the Garden of Eden, planted the thought of lying into Abram’s head.

And the men of the place asked him about his wife, and he said, She is my sister; for he was afraid to say, She is my wife—[thinking], Lest the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah, because she is attractive and is beautiful to look upon. 8 When he had been there a long time, Abimelech king of the Philistines looked out of a window and saw Isaac caressing Rebekah his wife. 9 And Abimelech called Isaac and said, See here, she is certainly your wife! How did you [dare] say to me, She is my sister? And Isaac said to him, Because I thought, Lest I die on account of her, Genesis 26:11-13.

Any sinful decision has lasting consequences. As for Abram, this tiny white lie turned into a generational sin passed down to Isaac, and Jacob. One poor choice leads to a bad habit. If this bad habit isn’t addressed quickly, addictions are formed that bind souls for months, years and in worst case scenarios, a lifetime. While not human being is tempted by lying, everyone has their own kryptonite. The sooner you address this fatal flaw, the better your chances will be for finding a way out of temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

by Jay Mankus

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The Line Between Seizing the Day and Being a Workaholic

Posted on November 11, 2022 by expressyourself4him

As an aspiring screen writer, I spend as much of my free time away from work writing. Unfortunately, my productivity is often inconsistent. Every once in a while, I will seize every spare moment that I have. Meanwhile, the majority of my days are a struggle as exhaustion keeps me from fulfilling my weekly writing goals. Yet, when I pursue my writing schedule with a passion, I find myself crossing the line from productive toward a workaholic.

Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching, Luke 10:38-39.

The Line between seizing the day and being a workaholic is indirectly touched on by Jesus during an encounter with two sisters. Martha is the doer of the family, always working hard to make sure every meal is prepared for the family. After cooking is complete, Martha races to straighten up the house and vacuum before anyone arrives. Meanwhile, Mary is a people person, eager to get caught up on how everything is going in your life. Before Jesus arrives, Martha is upset by the lack of help she receives.

But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! 41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42 There is need of only one or but [i]a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [[j]that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her, Luke 10:40-42.

In the passage above, Jesus draws the line between working hard and missing out on why we are here on earth. God created human beings to be in relationships with one another. When individuals become so busy and consumed by work that they ignore the people right in front of you, you are a workaholic. Like AA, the first step to recovery is acknowledging that you have a problem. Therefore, my name is Jay Mankus and I am a workaholic. I spent most of my days like Martha rather than enjoying relationships like Mary. May we all strive to seize each day centered around relationships and not just work.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 253: Free

Posted on October 12, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Freedom has been a constant struggle for lower class citizens, peasants and slaves through history. Israel spent 400 years under the oppressive rule of Pharaohs in Egypt. Yet, when Moses finally led Israel out of this state into the wilderness, it didn’t take long for bickering, complaining and grumbling to begin. Ginny Owens sings about joy the freedom brings in her hit song Free,

In [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off], Galatians 5:1.

Ginny is best known for her song “If You Want Me To.” Meanwhile, she also recorded a song called Blessed with Cindy Morgan which also gained national recognition. Despite these songs, I decided to select Free as all Christians wrestle with some sort of unhealthy addiction, bad habit or sinful craving. May Ginny’s song and the apostle Paul’s advice in Galatians 5:7 help you to finally break free to a better place in life.

by Jay Mankus

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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

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A Request for Protection to Save Us from Ourselves

Posted on November 29, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Temptation and trials tend to co-exist, going hand and hand throughout life. Depending upon your own faith journey, most people usually wait until temptation arrives before prayers begin to flow. To the spiritually inexperienced and young, the Lord’s Prayer provides a guide for protection. This simple outline serves as a point of reference when Satan turns up the heat, Job 1:10-12 or when you begin to lose control of your earthly desires.

And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. 14 For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses, Matthew 6:13-15.

The earthly brother of Jesus clears up any confusion over who is to blame for temptation. According to James, God allows temptation to occur, but is not the source of it. When a trial enters your life, Satan attacks your sinful nature using evil to force some sort of compromise. When your body becomes weak and vulnerable, this is where prayer requests for protection are essential. Job prepared for his own trials by using prayer to establish a hedge of protection to avoid self-destruction from sinful desires.

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.

According to James, enticement, lust and passions dictate what your spiritual pulses will is. While wondering thoughts are the root of this spiritual problem, acting upon these is when sin is conceived. Thus, before you self destruct by allowing an addiction or bad habit rule your life, lean on prayer to turn back evil. The moment you develop this spiritual discipline, prayer can save you from yourself when temptation begins.

by Jay Mankus

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Conjugal Rights

Posted on June 28, 2020 by expressyourself4him

From time to time, I will come across foreign concepts when I study the Bible. While studying a chapter written by the apostle Paul, one translation uses the term conjugal rights. Conjugal refers to marriage and the relationship of a married couple. The rights in this context applies to sexual relations, regarded as exercisable in law by each partner in the covenant of marriage. According to the beginning of chapter 7, the Corinthian Church wrote Paul a letter wanting to know what Christian’s should believe about relationships, remaining single and marriage.

But because of the temptation to impurity and to avoid immorality, let each [man] have his own wife and let each [woman] have her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights (goodwill, kindness, and what is due her as his wife), and likewise the wife to her husband, 1 Corinthians 7:2-3.

While this chapter in the Bible isn’t R rated like the Song of Solomon, Paul does go into graphic details. Conjugal rights includes goodness, kindness and loving spouses as Christ loved the church. This final call to love serves two purposes. The first is designed to live out your faith when you are with your soul mate. The second is a safe guard against controlling your spouse by using sex as a form of manipulation. Paul reminds couples that partners don’t have exclusive authority over their mate’s body. Rather, part of making vows to become one includes marital rights.

For the wife does not have [exclusive] authority and control over her own body, but the husband [has his rights]; likewise also the husband does not have [exclusive] authority and control over his body, but the wife [has her rights]. 5 Do not refuse and deprive and defraud each other [of your due marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves unhindered to prayer. But afterwards resume marital relations, lest Satan tempt you [to sin] through your lack of restraint of sexual desire, 1 Corinthians 7:4-5.

While there may be exceptions to abstaining from sex for a mutually agreed upon time, Paul is clear about the dangers. When a communication gap occurs, often due to anger, Ephesians 4:26-27, the Devil has a way of ruining relationships. When you add this factor to a growing number of Christians addicted to pornography, temptation is awaiting and lurking around every corner of the internet, social media and television. In view of this dark reality, offering your spouse conjugal and marital rights is essential to save the institution of marriage in America.

by Jay Mankus

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Unfinished

Posted on June 12, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Every once in a while, I will get ahead of myself. Instead of finishing strong, I will celebrate too early, before an outcome has been determined. This premature response often causes individuals to take their foot of the gas, coasting the final portion of a contest, day or game. Whether arrogance, overconfidence or pride is to blame, victory tends to slip out of your hands as you try to run out the clock.

For it is impossible [to restore and bring again to repentance] those who have been once for all enlightened, who have consciously tasted the heavenly gift and have become sharers of the Holy Spirit, 5 And have felt how good the Word of God is and the mighty powers of the age and world to come, Hebrews 6:4-5.

The author of Hebrews writes about a similar mindset, Christians who want to fast forward to heaven. Although a specific person is not mentioned, it appears that first century converts from Judaism to Christianity became complacent. Instead of growing closer to God day after day, spiritual exercise was replaced by a casual faith. One of Jesus’ disciples refers to this condition as a lukewarm spirit in the first century.

If they then deviate from the faith and turn away from their allegiance—[it is impossible] to bring them back to repentance, for (because, while, as long as) they nail upon the cross the Son of God afresh [as far as they are concerned] and are holding [Him] up to contempt and shame and public disgrace, Hebrews 6:6.

Those who allow this trend to continue end up an unfinished product, not fulfilling God’s calling, plan or will. The words used in the passage above imply a stubborn heart has resulted in a lack of urgency. Like a scene from the 1993 film Groundhog Day, souls keep falling prey to temptation, committing sins over and over again. If want to break free from this addictive pattern, it’s time to invite Jesus to become the Lord of your life so that unfinished areas are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.

by Jay Mankus

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Rebounding Like a Boomerang

Posted on March 5, 2020 by expressyourself4him

The oldest surviving Australian boomerangs come from a cache found in a peat bog in the Wyrie Swamp of South Australia. Boomerangs date back several thousand years to some of the earliest Aboriginal tribes of Australia. Boomerangs had several initial uses such as hunting weapons, percussive musical instruments, fire-starters and decoys for hunting waterfowl. When thrown with a high spin, the boomerang flies in a curved manner rather than in a straight line. When thrown correctly, boomerangs return to its starting point.

And David says, Let their table (their feasting, banqueting) become a snare and a trap, a pitfall and a just retribution [rebounding like a boomerang upon them]; Romans 11:9.

King David suggests that God allows individuals to stumble and fail. Whenever you experience failure, there are consequences. For example, if you reap what you sow, seeds of doubt, envy or hatred can boomerang back upon you. This is the retribution referred to in the passage above. Addiction, bad habits and poor choices can leave long lasting effects. Yet, humility opens the door for repentance. When individuals learn from their errors, mistakes and sin, faith can rebound like a boomerang.

For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint, Galatians 6:8-9.

Perhaps, this explains why the apostle Paul urges believers against giving up. Although your life may be currently falling apart, starting to sow spiritual seeds can turn your life around. Instead of giving into hopelessness, God is not done with you yet. To those who persevere, rising from the ashes of despair is possible with the help of the Holy Spirit. Do not lost heart as Spring is right around the corner. May this blog inspire you to rebound like a boomerang. With God, anything is possible, even a faith in desperate need of renewal and revival.

by Jay Mankus

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Perhaps It’s Time to Sober Up?

Posted on February 9, 2020 by expressyourself4him

I have what medical professionals refer to as an addictive personality. An addictive personality is a hypothesized set of personality traits that make an individual predisposed to developing addictions. I can’t just have one drink; everything I do is to the extreme. Whether it’s playing golf every day in high school, running 6 miles for fun in college or playing sand volleyball up to 8 hours a day each summer that I lived in Ohio, my motto for life is all or nothing. This aspect of my DNA puts me at risk of becoming an alcoholic.

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a riotous brawler; and whoever errs or reels because of it is not wise, Proverbs 20:1.

When it comes to alcohol, I was a quick learner. Sure, there was a temptation in college to act cool by drinking. Yet. after one semester of partying, I grew out of this stage by sobering up. While I still went clubbing along the Flats in Cleveland, Ohio each summer, I usually went as the designated driver. From time to time, I let my guard down by drinking to excess. Following a severe hangover that last 2 days and an alcohol poisoning scare at a wedding reception, my drinking days ended.

Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world, 1 Peter 5:8-9.

The Bible uses sober in a different context. While sober can refer to the practice of abstinence, one of Jesus’ disciples writes about becoming alert, clear-headed and spiritually awake. In this context, alcohol isn’t the enemy. Rather, the Devil possesses angelic powers, roaming the earth like a predator eager to pounce on the unprepared. Although quitting drinking can be extremely difficult, demonic influences and oppression seek to keep the powerless addicted. In view of this, it’s to sober up by joining Jesus, teaming up through a personal relationship so that freedom and victory is achieved.

by Jay Mankus

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