Tag Archives: overcoming temptation

A Curse… Generational Sin… Or a Stern Warning to Repent?

Posted on August 29, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Today’s featured passage is the Old Testament’s version of the Prodigal Son without the happy ending. If Judah would have remained loyal to his father Jacob as a shepherd, the passage below would have never happened. Nonetheless, Judah appears to have become bored, withdrew to a foreign land and began to indulge his sexual desires.

At that time Judah withdrew from his brothers and went to [lodge with] a certain Adullamite named Hirah. 2 There Judah saw and met a daughter of Shuah, a Canaanite; he took her as wife and lived with her. 3 And she became pregnant and bore a son, and he called him Er. 4 And she conceived again and bore a son and named him Onan. 5 Again she conceived and bore a son and named him Shelah. [They were living] at Chezib when she bore him. 6 Now Judah took a wife for Er, his firstborn; her name was Tamar. 7 And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord slew him.

Depending on your personality type, if you begin to experience a stretch of bad luck and or a series of unfortunate events, you may start asking God, “why is this happening to me?” Meanwhile, the analytical tend to search for greater meaning by logically putting pieces together to comprehend what’s going on. Your answer is most likely some sort of curse, generational sin or life lesson that you reap what you sow.

Then Judah told Onan, Marry your brother’s widow; live with her and raise offspring for your brother. 9 But Onan knew that the family would not be his, so when he cohabited with his brother’s widow, he prevented conception, lest he should raise up a child for his brother. 10 And the thing which he did displeased the Lord; therefore He slew him also.

Perhaps, reading the words of Deuteronomy 28 will open your eyes to why bad things happen in life. The apostle Paul warns one church that you should prepare for spiritual attacks that often catch Christians off guard, Ephesians 6:10-12. Unfortunately, answers don’t always come right away. While Moses blames the deaths of Judah’s two sons on unholy tendencies, why bad things happen to good people isn’t always clear. Follow the advice of James 5:16 so healing comes quickly.

by Jay Mankus

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An Improper Response to a Moment of Weakness

Posted on August 10, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Some Hollywood movies are often inspired by the main character rebounding from a crushing moment in their lives. The context for someone’s irrational decision could be following an accident, broken relationship or death of a loved one. In the passage below, Moses touches on one such improper response to a moment of weakness. After Rachel’s sudden death, Bilhah, Rachel’s former maid and Jacob’s secondary wife, seeks comfort from Reuben which gets out of hand.

So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath, that is, Bethlehem. 20 And Jacob set a pillar (monument) on her grave; that is the pillar of Rachel’s grave to this day. 21 Then Israel journeyed on and spread his tent on the other side of the tower of Edar. 22 When Israel dwelt there, Reuben [his eldest son] went and lay with Bilhah his father’s concubine; and Israel heard about it. Now Jacob’s sons were twelve, Genesis 35:19-22.

As someone who grew up at a local pool, adult swim was a time where the kids went outside the gate to play whiffle ball as parents enjoyed a peaceful and quiet time swimming. However, Adult Swim is often the name of a cable program that airs mature content. As I continue my study of the book of Genesis, I’m shocked by the amount of X-Rated content that catches me by surprise. First Lot’s daughter’s get dad drunk and each have sex with him; now Reuben sleeps with his dad’s wife.

For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [b]adjusted and [c]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [d]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Human nature is one of those mysteries in life which clouds your judgement. Although Moses doesn’t give readers a play by play on what happened or any comments like, “we shouldn’t be doing this,” sin happens. This is why the apostle Paul urges modern day Christians to keep in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. Whenever a sweeping urge of temptation consumes your soul, fight back spiritually by looking for a way out. The more you begin searching for a better alternative, the less likely you’ll find yourself immorally responding to a moment of weakness.

by Jay Mankus

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Don’t Go There Again

Posted on July 6, 2023 by expressyourself4him

History repeats itself when individuals fail to remember past mistakes. To prevent this from reoccurring, Jewish families spent time each evening recalling the lives of their patriarchs. This practice began after Rachel’s life. Apparently, she hadn’t heard about Sarah’s irrational decision to let her husband sleep with Hagar. Or she was so desperate, Rachel would have done anything to have a child, even allow her own husband to sleep with her maid.

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, See here, the Lord has restrained me from bearing [children]. I am asking you to have intercourse with my maid; it may be that I can obtain children by her. And Abram listened to and heeded what Sarai said. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her Egyptian maid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his [secondary] wife. 4 And he had intercourse with Hagar, and she became pregnant; and when she saw that she was with child, she looked with contempt upon her mistress and despised her, Genesis 16:1-4.

When Hagar conceived and gave birth to Ishmael, Sarah was filled with envy and jealousy. Since Ishmael went on to become the father of the Arab nations, Israel is still dealing with the consequences of Sarah’s irrational decision. If only somebody warned Rachel of Sarah’s stressful ordeal, she might have been persuaded to not go there again. Nonetheless, human nature is a real force that leads many individuals into repeating the same mistake over and over again.

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister, and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I will die! 2 And Jacob became very angry with Rachel and he said, Am I in God’s stead, Who has denied you children? 3 And she said, See here, take my maid Bilhah and have intercourse with her; and [when the baby comes] she shall deliver it upon my knees, that I by her may also have children. 4 And she gave him Bilhah her maid as a [secondary] wife, and Jacob had intercourse with her, Genesis 30:1-4.

Looking back on my own life, high school and college relationships taught me a lot about myself. As long as I avoided desperate situations, I didn’t do something that I regretted, Romans 7:16-18. However, when I put myself into a tempting situation over and over again, I did the exact opposite of what I wanted to do. Therefore, if you find yourself slip, sliding away from the Lord, 1 Corinthians 10:13, look for the way out of temptation so that you don’t go there again.

by Jay Mankus

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If Three is a Crowd… Four is Absolute Chaos

Posted on June 21, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The origin of the expression “three’s a crowd” comes from John Ray’s 1678 collection of English Proverbs. While Ray does not record this exact saying, he was the first to suggest this notion: “One’s too few, three too many.” As Moses recounts the life of Jacob, the Bible provides readers with the first ever Soap Opera. Sister Wives isn’t just the name of a reality show, Jacob found himself in the midst of a bitter quest for attention between Leah and Rachel and their personal maids. After studying Genesis 29-30, three maybe a crowd, but four wives brought chaos to Jacob’s life.

When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, she envied her sister, and said to Jacob, Give me children, or else I will die! 2 And Jacob became very angry with Rachel and he said, Am I in God’s stead, Who has denied you children? 3 And she said, See here, take my maid Bilhah and have intercourse with her; and [when the baby comes] she shall deliver it upon my knees, that I by her may also have children. 4 And she gave him Bilhah her maid as a [secondary] wife, and Jacob had intercourse with her. 5 And Bilhah became pregnant and bore Jacob a son. 6 And Rachel said, God has judged and vindicated me, and has heard my plea and has given me a son; so she named him Dan [judged], Genesis 30:1-6.

The context of this family drama began with a promise from God to Abraham and Isaac: descendants as numerous as stars in the sky. When Jacob deceived Isaac into receiving the blessing of the first son, Leah and Rachel longed to fulfill this by having as many children as possible. The only problem was Rachel’s womb remained barren for years and Leah wasn’t able to have children for extended period of time following the birth of her third child. Subsequently, Rachel turned to her maid Bilhah as a secondary wife. Following this alternative solution, Leah tried to one up her sister by giving her maid Zilpah as a secondary wife as well. If 3 wives are a crowd, Jacob’s 4th wife resulted in a chaotic household.

When Leah saw that she had ceased to bear, she gave Zilpah her maid to Jacob as a [secondary] wife. 10 And Zilpah, Leah’s maid, bore Jacob a son. 11 Then Leah said, Victory and good fortune have come; and she named him Gad [fortune]. 12 Zilpah, Leah’s maid, bore Jacob [her] second son. 13 And Leah said, I am happy, for women will call me blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied); and she named him Asher [happy], Genesis 30:9-13.

According to 1 Kings 11:1-3, Solomon acquired 700 wives and 300 concubines. If the one of the wisest human beings to walk the face of the earth couldn’t resist the temptation of multiple wives, Jacob opened the door for polygamy by attempting to please his four wives. While Moses doesn’t spend that much time addressing Jacob’s chaotic household, you can sense the friction between Leah and Rachel. As each sister bases their happiness by the amount of children they provide for Jacob, a dysfunctional relationship develops. As you read Moses’ summary of Jacob’s life, may you learn to be thankful for what you have and not what you don’t.

by Jay Mankus

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Avoiding Another Hagar Scenario

Posted on May 10, 2023 by expressyourself4him

Forcing the issue usually doesn’t work out well in the end. Perhaps, this is what concerned Abraham about allowing Isaac to accompany Eliezer to find a future wife. Whenever something is not meant to be or not God’s will for your life, there’s a temptation to intervene to alter your destiny. This sense of desperation led Sarah to allow her maidservant Hagar to have a child with Abraham.

Abraham said to him, See to it that you do not take my son back there. 7 The Lord, the God of heaven, Who took me from my father’s house, from the land of my family and my birth, Who spoke to me and swore to me, saying, To your offspring I will give this land—He will send His [b]Angel before you, and you will take a wife from there for my son. 8 And if the woman should [c]not be willing to go along after you, then you will be clear from this oath; only you must not take my son back there, Genesis 24:6-8.

Whether you’re playing the role of an adult, coach, parent or teacher, anytime a child is specifically told not to do something, there’s the temptation to do the exact opposite. The apostle Paul addresses this in Romans 7:13-18. Even when God clearly lays out his expectations in Genesis 2:15-17 to Adam and Eve, the urge to cross this line comes naturally via freewill. Subsequently, Isaac is prevented from taking part in the search of his wife.

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had an Egyptian maid whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, See here, the Lord has restrained me from bearing [children]. I am asking you to have intercourse with my maid; it may be that I can obtain children by her. And Abram listened to and heeded what Sarai said. 3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar her Egyptian maid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his [secondary] wife. 4 And he had intercourse with Hagar, and she became pregnant; and when she saw that she was with child, she looked with contempt upon her mistress and despised her, Genesis 16:1-4.

Learning lessons from past mistakes may be painful at times, but 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 illustrates why its important to live and learn. Whenever you add desperation to human nature, minds don’t think clearly. Especially, if you’re tempted to seek an alternative solution on your own. May the passage above serve as a warning to avoid going outside of God’s will to achieve something you really want. Let go and let God lead the way.

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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S.A.N.S. Episode 224: Framing My Perception

Posted on September 13, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Today’s song reminds me of Barlow Girl’s hit song Mirror dealing with a girl’s struggle to overcome the imperfections of her appearance. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh or GFM for short sings about overcoming temptation in Framing My Perception. The attached video uses a bottle of alcohol as a means to kill your pain. The key to overcoming temptation is finding the way out.

No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

The lyrics of Framing My Perception serve as a call to action to stand tall when temptation arrives unexpectedly. The chorus of this song refers to opening your eyes to find a life that is worth living, John 10:10. Rather than repeat the mistakes of your past, may Framing My Perception inspire you to make a change for the better.

by Jay Mankus

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Where Do You Run When a Crisis Arises?

Posted on August 25, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Jesus saw potential in a first century fisherman. According to Matthew 4:18-20, Peter and his brother Andrew were the first two disciples called by Jesus. While asking his twelve disciples a question, Peter is the first to answer correctly in Matthew 16:15-16. Jesus goes on to refer to Peter as a spiritual rock in Matthew 16:18. Yet, when a crisis arrived, Peter fell just like Adam and Eve in Matthew 16:22-23, a foreshadowing of Peter’s future denial of Jesus in Matthew 26:69-75.

[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 7 So that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed, 1 Peter 1:6-7.

Peter writes about his failure in the today’s passage. These words appear to come from a humbler and mature man of God. Whether Peter learned this from his conversation with Jesus in John 21 following the resurrection or time reflecting upon past mistakes, trials are necessary in order for Christians to grow spiritually. Likewise, Jesus’ earthly brother who doubted his older sibling also speaks to the role that temptations play in your life. This determines where you run when a crisis arrives.

Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing, James 1:2-4.

While attending college at the University of Delaware, I met many Christians who used the phrase “Jesus in my crutch.” As someone who has broken my ankle and leg, I know the uncomfortable feeling of relying on crutches to walk until I got my casts off. Then I abandoned these crutches into a closet until my next accident. Yet, Jesus should be my crutch whether I’m healthy or hurt. The moment my Bible collects dust, or my prayers cease, I’m trusting myself and not God. The next time a crisis arises, may you run to God.

by Jay Mankus

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S.A.N.S. Episode 117: Pressure

Posted on May 28, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Paramore is another group that I was introduced to due to the music algorithm used by You Tube. After listening to a series of songs by FireFlight, a female Christian rock band, Pressure by Paramore followed. As someone who grew up as a fan of and attended numerous Philadelphia Flyers game, lead singer Hayley Williams is wearing a Flyers shirt in the attached video. This common trait led me find out more about this group from Franklin, Tennessee.

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.

Perhaps the title Pressure brought me back to my youth and Billy Joel’s version of Pressure. Human beings throughout the world understand pressure. Whether it’s a mother desperately searching for baby formula or a poor college student who doesn’t have enough money to fill up their car to drive home, pressure is that invisible force that overwhelms souls. May Paramore’s version of Pressure remind you to turn to the Lord as pressure escalates so that you’re not tempted to sin.

by Jay Mankus

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Is an Intervention Necessary in 2022?

Posted on January 11, 2022 by expressyourself4him

Every family has at least one member who looks like they are about to lose it. Perhaps, this individual’s name came up during private conversations over the holidays. Maybe this name has become a punch line for “did you hear what Uncle Larry did this time? Yet, you’ve been concerned for a while, but haven’t had the guts to come out and say it. If you’re slightly convicted about any of the following, maybe 2022 is the perfect time for an intervention.

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.

As a former coach and teachable, it’s hard to watch one of your prized pupils self destruct. While there may be a few moments when you are able to stop the bleeding so to speak, if someone doesn’t want to change this free fall will continue. Sometimes friends and or parents may enable certain behaviors, hoping that the person in need will simply grow out of this phase. If nothing changes for the better, prayer and intervention may be your only two remaining options.

Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin]. 13 For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not [b]adjusted and [c]adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to [d]a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.

An intervention is the act of interfering with the outcome or course especially if a serious condition exists. In the passage above, the apostle Paul refers to a way out of temptation. Yet, when individuals are enticed and baited by lustful passions, they are not looking for a way out. Subsequently, this is where Christian leaders must come side by side those who are fighting a losing battle. Any successful intervention begins with a mature believer helping the lost find the way out of temptation. If this situation arises in your life, this year is the time to act and intervene.

by Jay Mankus

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