Tag Archives: scapegoat

When You Want to Become the Fall Guy

Posted on October 17, 2023 by expressyourself4him

The origin of the expression fall guy comes from the Old Testament in Leviticus 16:1-34. Moses introduces the concept of a scapegoat in this passage. In recent years, scapegoat has been replaced with fall guy, using prison terminology meaning let me take the blame, become the fall guy by receiving the punishment. This is what Judah attempts to do in today’s featured passage.

Now therefore, when I come to your servant my father and the lad is not with us, since his life is bound up in the lad’s life and his soul knit with the lad’s soul, 31 When he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die; and your servants will be responsible for his death and will bring down the gray hairs of your servant our father with sorrow to Sheol, Genesis 44:30-31.

In the second year of the great famine in Egypt, Joseph’s brothers weren’t able to return to buy grain unless they brought their younger brother with him. The governor of Egypt, Joseph in disguise, wanted to physically see his baby brother. Initially, Jacob was not going to let his youngest boy old of his sight. However, Judah realized that the only way to buy grain was for him to become the fall guy if anything happened to Benjamin.

For your servant became security for the lad to my father, saying, If I do not bring him to you, then I will bear the blame to my father forever. 33 Now therefore, I pray you, let your servant remain instead of the youth [to be] a slave to my lord, and let the young man go home with his [half] brothers, Genesis 44:32-33.

When a practical joke played by Joseph goes too far, Judah pleads with the governor of Egypt. Judah asks to speak alone with the governor, revealing the promise and vow made to his father. When Benjamin is set up, framed for a crime he didn’t commit, he was facing a lifetime commitment to become the governor’s slave. This is Judah’s inspiration for wanting to become the fall guy. When you face future dire situations, may you stand tall to do what’s necessary to help those in need.

by Jay Mankus

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A Special Endowment from God

Posted on May 24, 2020 by expressyourself4him

Leadership is the action of leading a group of people through hardship, ordeals and trials. Genuine leaders cast a vision, take the initiative as a trail blazers to show the way and direct and guide followers through difficult times. Researchers have uncovered 12 different leadership styles that exist. A leadership style is merely the way a person uses power to lead other people. If you are still stuck at home as a non-essential worker, you’ve probably seen rogue governors of several states using the national guard and police officers to enforce their specific declarations. Several of these ordinances are unconstitutional, but these leaders are using fear of the Coronavirus to control American citizens.

Let no one despise or think less of you because of your youth, but be an example (pattern) for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity, 1 Timothy 4:12.

The older I become, the more I hear and see people blame God for disasters, failures or setbacks that they face in life.  Meanwhile, these same individuals, especially politicians, grandstand by taking credit for any accomplishment, success or victory in their city, state or county.  Instead of spreading around the praise to all the parties involved, press conferences are used to deflect blame while hoarding the credit.  Natural leaders don’t have to pretend to be successful as their labor is on display, a visible sign of spiritual fruit.  Unfortunately, God has become the scapegoat when things go wrong, a proverbial punching bag at the center of many complaints.

Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination]. 15 Practice and cultivate and meditate upon these duties; throw yourself wholly into them [as your ministry], so that your progress may be evident to everybody, 1 Timothy 4:14-15.

The passage above is a blue print for spiritual leadership. According to the apostle Paul, everyone is given a special endowment from God. This spiritual gift often lays dormant until the Holy Spirit enters your life through a personal relationship with Jesus, Romans 10:9-10. In the first century, the laying on of hands was a common practice for healing and prayer. The apostle Paul urges Timothy to fan into flame the spiritual gift revealed to him in 2 Timothy 1:6. In other words, you can’t be the leader God wants you to become until your spiritual gift is discovered and implemented. While you can’t control what others do or say, may this blog inspire you to show others the way as action speak louder than words.

by Jay Mankus

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When Someone Else Screws Up

Posted on April 22, 2016 by expressyourself4him

When someone else screws up, there is a dark side within human beings that tends to come out.  Anger, disappointment and frustration converge to form a lethal combination.  If you don’t believe me, just spend a few minutes on twitter or any other social media outlet.  Words filled with venom trash, trample and attempt to ruin the life of those at fault.

But no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison, James 3:8.

A few nights ago in Philadelphia this atmosphere played out at the Wells Fargo Center.  When the Flyers gave up 6 consecutive goals, three in the third period, some fans began to throw bracelets on to the ice used as a pre-game ceremony to honor their former owner Ed Snider.  This behavior led to a delay of game, allowing the Washington Capitals to play the final seven minutes of the game on the power play.  In the heat of the moment, people justify their reactions, blaming it on the person or team that screwed up.

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear, Ephesians 4:29.

In life, we’ve all been on the losing side, the weakest link or the person to blame.  When the shoe is on the other foot, its not fun being the scapegoat, the one everyone despises.  Thus, whether you are the hero or the chump, its vital to remember the words of the apostle Paul.  Stay positive during periods of failure is crucial to surviving these difficult times in life.  May the encouragement of others build up and give those who screw up the grace to carry on.

by Jay Mankus

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