Category: Christianity

[person] has the Samson Anointing

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Vain Jangling
[person] has [or had] the Samson anointing.

Samson was born during a time when the children of Israel were in the hands of the Philistines, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD. His mother [and he] was to drink no wine or strong drink, nor to eat any unclean thing. No razor should come upon his head. He was to be a Nazarite (unto God from the womb), blessed of the LORD, “and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.” He was set apart by God for God’s purpose, and “he judged Israel in the days of the Philistines twenty years.”

However, Samson lived a life of self pleasure. He married one of the daughters of the Philistines, because she pleased him. He ate honey from the dead carass of the lion. He slayed many Philistines in his anger (based on situations he created). He went after the harlot, Delilah. His pride delivered him into the hands of the Philistines; for he knew not that the LORD had departed him. His lustful eyes were put out and he was made to work as an animal for the Philistines.

At the end of his days, Samson was brought to where “the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god.” He asked a lad to lead him to the pillars which held up the place. “And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God…” Why? “…that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.” Not for God, not for Israel, but “for my two eyes.”

God chose and empowered Samson with the purpose to “deliver Israel out of the hands of the Philistines.” However, what is seen in Samson’s life (in his character) that would be worthy of claiming they or someone has the “Samson Anointing”? That we see a lustful man, living in the flesh, who God still used to accomplish his purpose? I dare say, it is mere vain jangling to try to ascribe some positive notion to an individual or try to validate their ministry by claiming they have/had the “Samson Anointing.” Samson was a judge of Israel, yet did not appear to be a good example for OT or NT saints to follow.

DEI is god

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Vain Jangling
“DEI as in deity, diversity, equity, and inclusion is god.”

DEI (Latin) = God (English)
via Google Translate

latin-dictionary.net
1. Divine essence/being, supreme being
2. god
3. God (Christian context)
4. Statue of god

The use of DEI to represent “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” seems to go back to 2021 (or possibly before). Some may note that “DEI is more than race and gender. It’s faith too.” While others ascribe to “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” claiming to “respect the separation of church and state as a constitutional principle and practice.”

D.E.I. has been defined, in part, as “a conceptual framework that promotes the fair treatment and full participation of all people.” However, neither Diversity nor Equity nor Inclusion individually or collectively as a sort of “trinity” = deity, a divine essence or supreme being. Although, some may worship them, the idea, or a dei as (a) god, it is mere vain jangling to believe (they are) or (it is) the one true God.

All Means All

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Vain Jangling
All means all and that’s all all means.

Sometimes in theology—especially within the scope of salvation—we hear such statements as, “All means all.” It is literally what the text says and we want to be true to the text. Right?

However, when we read such texts as:

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” — we claim it really means “mature” not “perfect”.

Matthew 5:48

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” — we claim it really means “awe” or “reverence” not “fear”.

Psalm 111:10a

We must be mindful not to base our choice of the strict or variant use of texts (or terms within texts) merely when it does or does not suit our personal theology. All does mean all, but its context determines whether it is all in the classroom, all who dwell in the city, all who reside in the state, all citizens of a country, or all peoples (not necessarily all individual persons) of the world.

My Pick Proves I Am Not Racist, etc.

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Vain Jangling
I will pick a (color) (gender) person.

It is quite interesting how one can claim it is wrong, racist, etc. to not pick a person based on their color, gender — yet feel empowered, woke, intelligent, fair, etc. by picking a person based on their color, gender.

What happened to choosing a person to fill a position based on character and qualifications? Is that so wrong these days? Is it biased to desire the best person for the job to be considered and blessed with the opportunity, regardless of color, gender? Perhaps that would make all of us strive to be better.

I Believe in Science

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Vain Jangling
I believe in science.

Make no mistake, Christians can and do believe in science. However, some professing Christians, along with non-Christians, sometimes use science in place of or in defiance to scripture. Then, there are times when some use emotion, opinion, choice, over scripture and science.

Science states that matter (energy) cannot be created or destroy, while some believe all of creation started with a Bang (without origin).

Science detects a heartbeat of a conceived child, while some believe it is not a separate being and can be discarded as desired by the woman (up to nine months, and, for some, even beyond birth).

Science acknowledges the assigned (male or female) gender of every conceived child, while some believe gender is based on personal choice, which can be defined or changed as desired.

The vain jangling is claiming to believe in science, yet deny it when convenient (or its inconvenient). Similar to professing belief in scripture, only to deny it when the (reasoning of) science seems to better fit one’s wants, desires, choice.

To the Best of My Knowledge

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Vain Jangling
To the best of my knowledge…no one told me or I didn’t know.

In truth, no one knows everything. That is a given. Such is why we have a wealth of knowledge in written form, along with parents, teachers, preachers, coaches, trainers, supervisors, and the like who help us read, study, understand, and exercise wisdom found in the vast information.

It is also a given, that there are times one can desire, even intentionally, to ignore, reject, or go so far as to try to silence that which ones does not want to hear, learn, know, believe, or be held accountable to. In direct contrast to one having a learning disability or mere laziness.

Examples would be…

A child who refuses to heed the wisdom of their parents or to pay attention to the instruction of their teachers. A Christian who refuses to read the Bible, lest they come under conviction for their fellowship—or lack there of—with the Lord. A politician who refuses to do what is morally best, because of arrogance or to evade the appearance of being too close to the other side.

Vain jangling is when you try to claim, “To the best of my knowledge…”
…but in reality you only listen to or allow one set of ideas, thoughts, conversation (and ignore, silence, reject any and all alternatives)…
…thinking you can (falsely) say you didn’t know or no one told you.

My Body My Choice

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Vain Jangling
It is my body, my choice.

Most gladly, even eagerly, claim ownership of their body. We eat what we want, we drink what we want, we wear what we want. We pierce and color, cut and conform ourselves how we see fit. In many ways, for countless reasons, we assume the role of potter over our own clay.

Few consider the concept of a Creator. One who has formed mankind from the womb [Jeremiah 1:5], in his image [Genesis 1:27]. Nor do many Christians live submitted to the fact that they have been bought with great price, and therefore should glorify God in body and spirit, which are his [1 Corinthians 6:20].

The vain jangling of “My body, my choice,” stands against the humility found in “God’s body, God’s choice,” through our obedience to him. It denies the person within our body, who is there—most often—by our choice. It fails to reconcile the consequences for our actions and hold us personally responsible. It sets us up as an idol god, which everyone and everything must please, for the sake of our own happiness.