“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23KJV)

Poker is a game of bluffing.

Google defines bluffing as “try to deceive someone as to one's abilities or intentions.” ("he's been bluffing all along")

In the game of Poker you try to make the other players “THINK” you have the best hand that will win. You keep raising the size of the pot to force other players out of the game or to “Fold” their hand. Fold means to turn their hand end because they “THINK” they can’t WIN and the SIZE of the input for the pot has gotten to HIGH for them to continue.

The strategy in the game of Poker is one you need to look at concerning “TOXIC RELATIONSHIPS”

The questions are when to HOLD and when to FOLD?

The Bible states in John 10:10, (KJV) “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” The thief is the enemy or devil or Satan himself. His job is to make you FOLD! His strategy is to convince you that you can’t WIN! That God is NOT love and that you are DOOMED already, so follow him. He will mix the truth with a lie. Come on Jesus turn these stones to bread! You are The Son of God! “But Jesus answered and said “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.“ (Matthew 4:4 KJV)

He didn’t stop there. He took Him to the highest spot in the holy city and told another half truth or bluff if you are playing poker, cast yourself down and the Angels will catch you. Come on Jesus you are not going to hurt Yourself. Again, Jesus had to remind Satan of the real TRUTH, “Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (Matthew 4:7 KJV). Satan tried one last bluff! Jesus I am showing you ALL the kingdom’s of the world. I will give you ALL of this if you will just bow down and worship me! Where did Satan get a kingdom or WORLD to give away?

Put a pin there.

How is Satan promising to The King to bow down to him;

1. A defeated enemy
2. One that has already been cast out of heaven
3. Fired from the best job anyone could have: PRAISING GOD
4. Eternal damnation
5. Destination HELL where he will be
6. Tormented with fire and
7. Brimstone in the presence of Holy Angels and in the presence of the LAMB (Revelation 14:9-11 KJV)

So it is in Poker as it was with Satan and his BIG HEAD as stated in Isaiah 14:12-14 KJV; “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.”

When you THINK you have it and that you are in control and that you have the winning hand you become foolish, as did Satan! You make foolish bets (statements) that can not be fulfilled. You THINK you are winning when you are losing. That is something you need to ask yourself. Am I winning or losing?

Count up the cost of staying in a TOXIC relationship or getting out of a TOXIC relationship. Either way, a decision MUST be made by you.

It is time for you to realize and accept that this TOXIC relationship that you are in does not JUST affect you!

Count up the cost of the danger for YOU, YOUR CHILDREN and FAMILY!

Weigh the “pros and cons!”

STAY in! GET out! (HOLD or FOLD)

Is it worth it?