By Mike Dykes

I saw a cute, short video clip recently that showed identical twin sisters having some fun with one’s little boy.

The child appeared to be about 8 or 9 months old and just wanted his mommy.

One would take him in her arms and he would look back at the other and cry, reaching for what seemed to be his birth mom.

They continued to pass him back and forth because they looked the same to him, and just as he would settle in one’s arms he would spy the other and cry for her.

The sisters were having a ball at the expense of the poor little guy until the real mom walked away with him in her arms.

I remember back in Bible school we had two sets of identical twins attending.

One set was the Hartzell brothers and the other set was sisters, and it was impossible to tell the twins apart.

They began to court while on campus, and it was a most unique sight to see both couples in class sitting near each other or walking around holding hands.

Both guys and gals dressed alike and it was like seeing instant replay all day every day!

The girls were pranksters and decided to have some fun with their suitors and switch out on a double date.

When the truth came out, the brothers could not believe that had been duped, and we all had a good laugh over it.

It was told the brothers made their dates place their hands on the Bible to swear to authenticity afterwards before allowing them in the car!

Years later, I had one couple come and conduct a revival while at Leakesville.

Tricks twins play.

But not all twins play fair or in jest.

I read in the Bible where there was another set of twins, and one played a trick on his sibling that has affected the world ever since.

Rebekah while carrying them questioned the Lord why they struggled within her, and He said there were two nations in her womb and two manners of people would emerge, with one being stronger than the other and the elder serving the younger. (Genesis 25)

Esau proved to be the stronger and the elder but was tricked by Jacob and as prophesied had to take a back seat to his younger brother.

Through beguilement Jacob stole the birthright from Esau and swindled him out of the patriarchal blessing as well.

They fought from the get-go and have been fighting ever since and as long as the world stands, they will continue to fight.

After thousands of our soldiers’ lives have been lost and trillions of dollars spent, nothing has been settled, as the late President Reagan’s advice rings true to stay out of that family’s business.

About the time you think peace has been secured, someone fires off another missile and here they go again!

All eyes are on this ticking time bomb and well should be, because time began in the Middle East and time will expire over there as well.

Tricks twins play.

Like Rebekah, you and I carry around two natures within us as well: the good strain of our Heavenly Father and the evil strain of this old Adamic nature.

Both are always at odds — like Apostle Paul, who discovered a law he had to deal with that when he wanted to do good evil was present.

What the old Indian chief told his young brave son is so right. “Have two dogs in heart, always fight. One I feed always win.”

All the more reason I go to church every time the doors are opened, why I drag this old worn-out body out of the bed early every morning and place it before the one who hung the stars.

I need help with this twin within that always is up to nonsense playing tricks on my good nature — like when we have a bad thought go winging through our mind or a foul word slip out our mouth and we say, “Where did that come from?”

Tricks twins play.

God bless you and God bless America.

Bro. Mike Dykes is associate pastor at Dexter Pentecostal Church and author of “Soldiers’ Angel on Watch.” Email angelsmannow@yahoo.com.