Is God Responsible for Ahab Doing Wrong?

by Tommy Peeler Is God responsible for Ahab doing the wrong thing? Ahab is ready to go to war without inquiring of God (I Kings 22:4-5). When 400 prophets tell him that he will take Ramoth-Gilead, Ahab is content, but Jehoshaphat wants to inquire of a prophet of the LORD (I Kings 22:6-7). Ahab does…

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Why are embellishments wrong?

Question: Hello brother, I have a question for you about the topic of “The Christian and Social Media” there is a statement: “Never lie (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9-10; Revelation 21:8). And embellishment is the same as lying.” What does “embellishment” mean and what do you mean by it? Can you give me more explanation about…

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Is my fiance’s behavior a red flag?

Question: Hello, I have a question. I found out my “fiancé” was texting another woman behind my back, in secret. He claims they are only friends and have been talking for two months. He says they haven’t seen each other the two times she visited his workplace for help, which is where he met her. When…

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The Root Cause of Violence

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton “For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do…

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Did the Hebrew midwives lie?

Question: In Exodus 1:15-20, do you think this was a lie told by the midwives to Pharaoh or was it really true that the Hebrew women gave birth before the midwives came to them? Answer: “Then the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah and the other was…

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How Satan Divides Brethren

by Larry Rouse The Three Pillars of False Movements   I.         We should not be surprised at the tactics of Satan.             A.        When working with other men we must constantly be humbled and because of that be willing to follow the wisdom of God. (James 4:13-18)                         1.         When we trust God it becomes all about Him and we…

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Lies People Protect

by Terry Wane Benton In the first century, Paul exposed the lies people were telling each other. It was that an animal is a god to be worshiped (Romans1:18-26) and that such gods allow us to make up our moral standards as we desire. Thus, one lie protected all kinds of sin. Since the moral…

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Handling the Crafty

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Handling-the-Crafty.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 9:3-16   I.         Some people don’t deal with others in a direct fashion             A.        Stating their goal would not allow them to reach their target because they know it would be rejected, so they manipulate others             B.        While both men and women engage in craftiness, it is often a complaint of…

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It Was Only a Small Fib

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/It-Was-Only-a-Small-Fib.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Revelation 21:6-8   I.         I have concluded that much of the work of psychologist, psychoanalysts, and even philosophers is to help mankind remove the guilt and shame of their own actions.             A.        People don’t want to hear that their actions are wrong, their conscience is bothering them enough, thank you very…

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Is it wrong to keep a secret?

Question: Is it a sin to keep secrets? I have some secrets I want to keep hidden at the moment. Only at the right time will I reveal it. However, this is a compounding issue. Since keeping secrets may often lead to lies, and (as I’ve read on your website) lying is not an option. If…

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I lied about my taxes. What should I do?

Question: About 3 years ago I received a tax credit that I shouldn’t have. I was claiming kids that I was legally allowed to claim but received a childcare credit for them also. Their mom paid the childcare fees and the daycare owner admitted to me that she altered the amount paid to be higher.…

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Should I quit because my boss insists that I falsify invoices?

Question: Please, my employer is always asking me to falsify invoices against my will, and I feel guilty about this. Please should I quit the job because of this? Please, I need your assistance. Answer: The simple answer is that Christians are not allowed to lie. It doesn’t matter what your employer wants. Your boss…

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Should I admit I lied about the number of days I completed in a class?

Question: Hello! Thank you all for your help through the questions and answers. Last year, I was homeschooled and I made the mistake of not completing the minimum number of days required for the class. They should have reported it, but the lady who was given the days (which I lied about on the sheet)…

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Can you change your mind?

Question: Hello! I have a question regarding keeping your word. In Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus talks about letting your yes be yes and your no be no. We need to keep our word and yes lying is sin (Revelation 21:8). I do have a question regarding this though. In my case, someone asked me if I…

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The Better Way

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/The-Better-Way.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Peter 4:1-6   I.         What is accepted and praised in the world isn’t always what is best for people             A.        Jesus’s sermon on the mount began with startling facts – Matthew 5:3-12                         1.         When you take the opposites of what Jesus states brings true happiness, you find a list of things…

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How do I clean up my life before Jesus returns?

Question: Hello. I was hoping to receive some help and answers. With the shape the world is in, I can’t help but foresee Jesus coming soon. Frankly, I just read Matthew 24:1-31 and can’t help but feel fear. I struggle with a lot of things that I can’t seem to break. How do I turn…

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I lied to my pastor about sleeping with her daughter

Question: Please, sir, there is something I want to discuss with you. I lied to my pastor and since that time I have been thinking about it. I am in a relationship with her daughter. We are planning to marry. I slept with the lady and the church members found out that I am going…

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Is it wrong to say something that is not true when joking?

Question: Sometimes when I’m joking, I will mostly say jokes like “There’s a cockroach on your shoulder!” when there isn’t. I like to use sarcasm too. Are these jokes counted as sin? Is sarcasm bad? Answer: Lying is always wrong. “But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers…

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Should I admit that I ignored the recruiter at my interview?

Question: Hello, This might be confusing, but I’m going to try to explain this the best I can. I apologize in advance. Recently I have been searching for jobs. I have had two businesses interested in me (we will call them Companies A and B). I chose B over A because company A wanted me…

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What about people who play the victim card?

Question: Hi, I was wondering what the Bible has to say about those who play the victim card to deceive people. Answer: All lying is wrong, regardless of the motivation behind the lies (Proverbs 6:16-19; Revelation 21:8). Thus, to do something with the intent of deceiving people is sinful. There are various reasons people play…

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Is it a sin to not tell a child that they are adopted?

Question: Is it a sin to not tell a child that they are adopted? Answer: There are many times when we restrict access to information to only those who need it. A government does not tell everything about its security preparations because those against the government will use that information to find weaknesses. A salesman,…

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Is a marriage valid if it was only done to gain citizenship?

Question: If a man was married for 3 years only because he wanted to come to the USA and then divorced can he remarry? The marriage in his eyes was only for US citizenship. Answer: What is missing is a respect for the marriage covenant (Malachi 2:13-16). A covenant is a special vow before God…

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Hypocrites

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Hypocrites.mp3 Text: James 3:13-18 I.         How often I have been told, “I don’t like going to services. I know that so many of the people there are just hypocrites. They say one thing, but they don’t live it.”             A.        It is true. In religion, hypocrisy is a major problem.             B.        But before we can solve the problem, we…

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Men of Honor

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MenOfHonor.mp3 Text: Philippians 2:14-18   I.         It was not long ago that people admired men of integrity. People whom you could count on to act honestly, even if it was to their disadvantage.             A.        In 1999, a prisoner escaped and the papers were tracking his movements through the state. He had robbed people, killed policemen, and still…

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Lying, Cheating, and Stealing

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/LyingCheatingAndStealing.mp3 Text: Revelation 21:1-8   I.         What is it that we teach our children?             A.        What do tell them about lying, cheating, and stealing?             B.        Most of us would be confident that they understand these things are wrong.             C.        But are you certain?             D.        Far too often we send mixed messages.             E.        One very perceptive mother sent three examples from her…

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Was David’s “trick” on Ahimelech a sin?

Question: Hi Jeff, Is a trick a sin? When reading I Samuel 21:1-9, can we say that David lied to Ahimelech or tricked him? In many cases in the book of First Samuel David used a trick to get himself out of trouble. Answer: “David said to Ahimelech the priest, “The king has commissioned me…

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Spiritual Wisdom and the Internet

by Matthew W. Bassford The Internet is one of the most powerful inventions in human history. If we use it to seek the Lord, it can accomplish great things for Him. Without the Internet, I certainly wouldn’t be able to blog, and I probably wouldn’t be able to write hymns. This is to say nothing,…

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The Difference Between Truth and Lies

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/DifferenceBetweenTruthAndLies.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: John 18:33-38   I.         Truth is critical             A.        Truth brings stability to a nation – Proverbs 29:14             B.        Truth makes us free – John 8:32             C.        Jesus is the way and the truth – John 14:6             D.        Jesus’ words, which are truth, judges us – John 12:48             E.        What distinguishes truth from lies? Pilate asked…

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I caught my fiance lying and now I can’t trust him

Question: Hi and good day, My fiancé and I have both been Christians for some years now; however, I strongly believe that he has a problem with lying. He lies and makes others look bad, and he looks like the victim. Accidentally, I found out the truth about a matter, and only when I confronted…

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Is it wrong to give a bribe in a country where bribery is prevalent and demanded?

Question: Please, is paying a bribe to someone who demands it before justice is practiced a sin? The public sector and almost every institution in my country are choked with extortioners and people expecting bribes. Employment in the public sector is found by paying something to politicians and “middlemen” before one is given employment. This…

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My girlfriend lies about her past all the time

Question: Good evening sir, I am in a relationship with a girl whom I love. The only problem I have with her is that she lived a sinful sexual life in the past, and it makes her continually lie to me. Most of the time she tells me that she regrets her past and has…

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Trapped in a Lie

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/TrappedInALie.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: James 3:8-14   I.         I ran across an article titled, “The Philosophical Contradictions of the Transgender Worldview” by Ryan T. Anderson             A.        The transgender movement claims “that people are what they claim to be, regardless of contrary evidence.”             B.        The lengths the promoters of transgenderism go to deny the obvious is mind…

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