Should Christians do exploits? Should they scheme and plot to get their ways?
An exploit is to take advantage of or to act meanly or unjustly for one’s own advantage. Did Christ teach His followers to scheme to get ahead? No! Galatians 6:7, 8 states, “Do not be deceived. . . whatever a man sows, this he will [...]
In Hinduism, when people take ordinary food and offer it to their idol Krishna, it becomes prasadham, food sanctified by the Lord. Then the Hindus will eat it. Does this food become devil's food? Can Christians eat it? (meat offered to idols)
The church in Corinth had this same problem. Some of the believers were saying they should not eat meat offered to idols. Others said an idol is nothing, just rock, so it really doesn’t hurt the food. We can eat that meat. This is [...]
Is it scriptural for Christians to participate in get rich financial schemes like Ponzi schemes, pyramids, schemes that offer big interest in a short time?
In the United States, Ponzi schemes are illegal. Methods to "get rich quick" usually don't work. The perpetrator of these methods is trying to make money for himself. The poor investor will typically lose most or all of his capital. The Federal Trade Commission [...]
I wish to become the most positive person. Please help me to do this in the light of scripture.
We can be positive, thankful, and rejoicing only if our positiveness is based on God's word. "God cannot lie…" Titus 1:2. Therefore, let us look into God's word, the Bible, and base our positiveness on God's promises. First, God loves us and sent Jesus [...]
Satan fills my mind with thoughts of being sick and unworthy of the calling of God. My question is where in scripture do I find what God says?
Probably Satan’s greatest weapon against us relates to the sin that dwells within us. Satan uses it to try to discourage us into giving up. We need to look at the scriptures and realize that the very thing that Satan is trying to use [...]
How can I defend my faith as a Christian? Does the defense change in different cultures?
Yes, the defense does change in different cultures and locations. Consider the Apostle Paul’s example as recorded in Acts 17:1-12 (NIV): “When Paul and his companions…came to Thessalonica…Paul went into the synagogue, and …he reasoned with them from the Scriptures…Some believed… and joined Paul [...]
What does Mark 10:31 mean, "But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first?"
In the context of this verse, Jesus had just told the rich, young ruler to sell all he possessed, give it to the poor, and follow him. Jesus was able to read the heart of this man, and saw that although he was trying [...]
Where is it written in the Bible… God will not put more on us then we can bear?
1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, [...]
Kindly explain "it is easier for the camel to pass through the needle" than for the rich man to inherit or enter the kingdom of heaven (Luke 18:25)
At the time that Jesus made this statement (Luke 18:25) the city of Jerusalem had many gates, all of which were closed at sundown. It is said that one small gate was accessible to late-arriving merchants. (While there is no archeological evidence that such a gate [...]
What does the Bible say about a single person adopting a child? Can he ask God to send him a child?
James 1:27 “religion pure and undefiled with the God and Father is this, to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation.” To “look after” could mean helping in a variety of ways besides adoption. God originally instructed Adam and Eve to “be fruitful [...]
Is it wrong to tell on someone when they are doing wrong?
Tattling or reporting a wrong is a serious issue. We are all sinners and are thankful no one is reporting all of our errors to others. If a sin is very serious, however, then you need to weigh the matter in your mind and [...]
Is the Bible only for spiritual growth – not a guideline for people's welfare?
Spiritual growth and peoples’ welfare are not mutually exclusive issues. When the spiritually strong try to bless others, they themselves are blessed. The Bible is many things: It is a historical record of how the Israelites lived, biographies of various individuals, the laws and [...]
Please explain Ephesians 2:8-10, "by grace are ye saved through faith, not of works, for we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works."
In reading the context of this passage, we see in the 11th verse, that Paul is speaking to Gentiles who have converted to Christianity. It is by God's gift of grace and not through our personal merit that salvation is offered to us (verse [...]
Why would one be inclined to read and research the Bible in a state of inebriation whereas on days of sober mindedness not be inclined to even open the Bible?
It is well proven that alcohol impacts the judgment and executive functions of the brain. When drinking, the emotional centers of the brain begin to control that person's actions. Therefore, it would be that person's emotions (perhaps a guilty conscience) that may drive him to [...]
What does the Bible say about taking care of the elderly (male and female) in your family?
Jesus cared for his own mother. (Since there is no mention of his stepfather Joseph in the Gospels, it is thought that he had already died.) The Bible records that even while he was hanging upon the cross, Jesus provided for Mary’s needs. “When [...]
Are we destined by God to be what He wanted us to be in this world?
What God wants us to be in this world is loving, merciful, compassionate, obedient, and righteous people (Micah 6:8). He has given us free will to make our choices and that is His design. Genesis 1 & 2 record how God created mankind as [...]
Why did God take our loved one from us?
The loss of a loved one is a difficult and heart rending experience. Such loss began with the choice of Adam. He chose to disobey God and the result has been an inherited reign of sin and death. Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as through [...]
Is deliverance a process?
Deliverance is a process, whether it is situational or ultimate. There were numerous times that God “delivered” Israel from their enemies (situational). See Joshua 6-Jericho, Judges 6 & 7-Gideon, 1 Samuel 17-David & Goliath. Deliverance, as a Christian, from sin and from this life [...]