What was the first lie told in the Bible?

Question: What was the first lie told in the Bible? Was it the serpent talking to Eve? Answer: Yes, it was.  God had said, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you…

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My ex-mother-in-law made my husband divorce me

Question: Hello, I’m a minister of the gospel as well as my “ex-husband.”  He and his mother — yes, his mother — divorced me about several years ago.  He and his parents lived together before we were married, and we never had to an opportunity to live with each other. His father died last year…

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Does the husband have to be the provider of the family?

Question: Does the man have to be the provider or breadwinner of the family in all circumstances? Is it acceptable biblically for a family to be comprised of a house husband and a career-orientated wife? What advice would you give to someone who is about to be, or is in this situation? If it is…

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Controlling Our Temper

by R. J. Evans Brother John Clark once related a story about a woman who told a preacher she had a bad temper, but that it was over in a minute. “So is a shotgun blast, but it blows everything to pieces,” was the preacher’s reply. And far too many of us who are Christians…

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Should I give up my job because I cheated some in college?

Question: I cheated some during college. I regret this wholeheartedly. I have my current job as a teacher now because of my degree, which I view as tainted from cheating. Should I give up the benefits that have come with the possession of my degree? Does simply holding my degree constitute a sin? Are there…

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Do you support conscientious objection?

Question: Do you or your church support selective conscientious objection and conscientious objection? Answer: Registering for the draft is a government law that does not violate any teaching of God. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by…

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It is delightful to read all these answers and learn from them

Question: Hi, While doing some research on the net I found your site. I do not have any particular questions to ask, but I just wanted to encourage you in doing God’s work. It is really delightful to read all those answers and to learn from them. You are blessed by God, and I know…

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Dealing with Hostility

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/DealingWithHostility.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Acts 16:16-40   I.         You know you ought to say something, but you also know it isn’t going to go over well.             A.        They just won’t understand, so they will turn on you – I Peter 4:4             B.        They are going to hate you for standing for righteousness – Psalms 69:4             C.        Instead…

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What if I say you can’t prove God is real?

Question: If religion (Catholicism) is the absolute truth, then how come when questions are asked about it no one can ever answer with facts, only faith and belief? Basically, if I say “you can’t prove God is real”, you can only prove it with faith and belief, no facts. Why is this? Where’s all the…

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Should I go and see the man I love?

Question: Hello there, I need advice. I met a man through a Christian event a few years ago, and we became best of friends, which was fresh and exciting. I knew I was attracted to his godly nature and got so excited to see him every day for this event. He went to another country…

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Can the world repent enough to postpone the second coming of Christ?

Question: Can the world repent enough to postpone the revelation and the second coming of Christ? Answer: There is no way to answer this question. But why so tied to this world? “Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for…

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What do I need to learn to teach others?

Question: I have been baptized in Christ’s church since I was a teenager and I am now in my thirties. I’m married with children. I work and go to school. I attend services faithfully and try to work on the things in my life to live righteously. So I’m starting to learn how to teach…

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Stop criticizing what you don’t understand

Question: There is so much negative sentiment and false understanding of the Catholic church found on your website. I pray that someday you may have the opportunity to get the actual answers you seek and begin to understand the fullness of the Christian faith in his church. Until then please stop criticizing what you do not…

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What if a government gives false reasons for going to war?

Question: I am wondering what the Bible says concerning going to war for unjustified reasons? What if a country deceives its people and claims reasons for going to war, but there is evidence that does not justify war? How do Christians and Christians in the military handle this type of situation? Answer: A government’s authority,…

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Your answer to a question really helped me

Question: I am enlightened by the message on your question board in regards to spiritual immorality. It helped tremendously. The preacher here preached about a similar topic years prior, but I have lost my notes to it. As time went on, I’ve entered into college as well as involved in sex with a woman. During…

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I committed fornication today. How do I cleanse myself?

Question: Hello, I am very sorry for my sins today. I just committed fornication this afternoon and my conscience has been pricking me and I don’t know what to do. I am afraid if I cannot live to forget this. I am very sorry. What do I do now to cleanse myself and be free…

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It’s all my fault, but I can’t stop seeing my old boyfriend

Question: Hi, I am a Christian in a church in my country where my mother was pastor. I feel all frustrated, and I know I am the sole cause. I’ve been dating a guy for the past two years. We were supposed to get married but unfortunately, things didn’t work out properly because of family…

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Is the earth being saved by water and fire?

Question: I was studying baptism, and I looked up every verse I could find on baptism. I always believed that we have to be baptized to receive salvation, of course along with obedience to all the commandments and walking with faith in Jesus Christ. I read the verse in Peter where it is talking about…

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Can you be saved and in a denomination?

Question: I understand that the word “church,” as used in scripture, has two meanings: (1) the universal church – consisting of all redeemed souls that have obeyed the authorized steps of hearing the Word of God, believing (that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and our Savior), repenting (change in mind that brings about…

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Is it wrong to fantasize about sex with your future wife?

Question: My fiance and I have been together for several years. We have decided mutually that we would not have sex or any sexual contact until we are married. We are both very happy with this decision and plan on getting married shortly after I graduate college. We both know that it is a sin…

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Your article helped clarify when to stop praying

Question: Good morning and praise the Lord! I have had a question burning inside for a while about praying for a man who says he wants to be a Christian. I am not to judge him. I am also not to give pearls to the swine. The situation got really confusing and ugly, as I am…

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Do these studies on homosexuality have any meaning?

Question: I know, I know. We seem to discuss this a lot, but I ended up defending Christianity against my cousin, who I thought was also a good friend, but is trying to sway me with “scientific proof”. Now, I don’t believe for a moment that homosexuality is natural, but I’ve already sent her several…

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Is Romans 8:26 proof that people still speak in tongues today?

Question: Kenneth Copeland uses Romans 8:26 as proof that people speak in tongues.  I understand that tongue-speaking has ceased (I Corinthians 13:8-10). I don’t know what Romans 8:26 is saying so I can’t denounce it to a friend who believes she can speak in tongues.  Separate from the question I want to say thank you…

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I can’t go on in this marriage like this anymore!

Question: Hi Please help because I cannot do it anymore.  My husband told me almost a year ago he doesn’t love me anymore.  We have been married for over five years.  I kept on believing, praying, etc. that this will change but still no response from him that he loves me.  I am going mad. …

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How do I deal with the sins of myself and others?

Question: If “obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking” are immoral (which I agree with), then how do we as Christians, who encounter these jokes every day, continue to live a pure life, staying away from these things? How do we continue to be kind to those who do such things and steer far away from…

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Should I date a woman who divorced her husband because of his infidelity?

Question: There is a young woman who I’m interested in. Last year she divorced her husband because she found out through the woman he slept with and her friends that her husband was cheating on her. She said he also later confessed to her about sleeping around and that’s when she decided to file for…

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Why do I fear I’m going to lose my girlfriend?

Question: Why do I keep getting these bad thoughts and fear that my girlfriend is going to cheat on me or leave me? I want to know why. I pray and they go away, then they come back again. I want to know why. Do I need help or is there something wrong? I’ve asked…

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How do I forget that my fiancee had sex with her former boyfriend?

Question: First of all, I want to thank God and ask Him to bless you for taking the time to advise everyone who came looking for answers. I need help forgetting and forgiving her past. I have tried really hard. I’m a fellow believer and I’ve been dealing with a big dilemma in my life…

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I plan to use your illustrations in teaching children this summer

Question: Thank you for providing these priceless illustrations of the Bible stories.  I am truly thankful that we can still share these works of art with our children and grandchildren yet today.  I am using them in a ministry in our local park during the summer. Blessings upon your ministry. Answer: I’m glad you find the…

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Why Messianic Jews follow the Old Law

Question: Shalom brother, If the commandments of Yahweh were done away with by Yahshua, then why does it say in I John 2:4-7; II John 1:6; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 22:14. Yahshua also said in John 14:15, John 15:10.  Yahshua took away the sacrificial laws and the death penalty, his blood is so pure that there…

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Can a woman be a judge?

Question: Can a woman be a judge? Answer: “Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment” (Judges 4:4-5).

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How could there be cavemen?

Question: If Adam and Eve were the first people on earth, how did cavemen exist? I’m a Christian and don’t know how to answer people when they ask me that. Thank you! Answer: People have a strong tendency to assume that each prior generation lived more primitively than the current generation. It is true that…

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Don’t you dare change my mind, but why is homosexuality bad?

Question: Hello there. I am a thirteen-year-old open-minded female who accepts and respects anyone of any religion, ethnicity, sexuality, and tribe. Before I begin, please do not assume that I am older than I have stated, or have spoken out of influence because I have indeed not. Not all thirteen-year-old kids are idiots. I research…

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What about ghosts, sacrificing to the dead, and sin?

Question: I have doubts about certain religions. People have asked me what I believe regarding these things and I honestly don’t know what the Bible says about it. You probably know about religions that preach about “ghosts” or “spirits.” I’ve even heard about people who sacrifice animals or other people to get something they want.…

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Can you believe in the zodiac at least partially?

Question: Is it OK to believe in the zodiac, at least partially? I know that not everything relates to it or that it describes someone’s character, but some of that information seems too realistic. Is this some kind of tool the Devil uses to get us to believe in his lies and not the real Truth…

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