A brother who was helping me in the Lord’s work left. What can I do?
Question: A brother here was very involved in a ministry that we were a part of. He and I were both the male figures who were coordinating this ministry. Because of his addiction, he has recently left the church and ministry thereby leaving me by myself to manage it. I feel as though l have…
Read MoreHow do you deal with an addict?
Question: I wanted to know how the church deals with a member who practices self-destruction? The individual is a brother who has so much potential to excel in the church but has demons he is facing (e.g. alcohol). He is full of energy and commitment but had a recent incident that could possibly alienate him…
Read MoreWill a person who dies at the same hour as Christ go straight to heaven?
Question: I heard at Mass, during the Liturgy, that one of our church members died about 3:00 on Divine Mercy Sunday. The priest explained that she will go straight to heaven, for having died during the third hour, the hour in which Christ breathed His last breath. I have been looking for a reference to…
Read MoreHow should sexual immorality be addressed with the elderly?
Question: I read many of your very fine Q&A, articles, and sermons on your web site. Your candor is refreshing as well as offering much. We are searching for conclusions on how to address one aspect of the sexual immorality subject and, perhaps, your study of the subject might help us shed some light on…
Read MoreCould my girlfriend get pregnant from what we did last night?
Question: Hey, I was wondering: I had sex with my girlfriend tonight. I was wearing a condom, I cummed, and then pulled out right away, while my penis was still firm. It then went limp, and I took off the condom. I looked at the condom, all my cum was inside of it, and there…
Read MoreWater
by Wayne Greeson via Guardian of Truth XXXIII: 14, pp. 426-427, July 20, 1989 Water is truly an amazing substance, yet it is so common, so abundant that we take it for granted. Its chemical composition is the bonding of two gases, hydrogen and oxygen and it is identified in a chemist’s notation as H2O. We are…
Read MoreHow can a congregation stay focused?
Question: I attend a small church of Christ which is faced with challenges, such as members leaving to go to other churches, brethren falling away because of their selfish ambitions, and family issues. The reason I bring it up is that we have so much potential to grow as we have a beautiful church building…
Read MoreShould the man always make the first move in a relationship?
Question: I am now in a community where most men at my age are married; only one is single. I think he is a very good person, I don’t dress immodestly like I used to. I think physical attraction would not be important for a man seeing a good woman, although, yes it is a…
Read MoreThe Value of Hope
by Dee Bowman via Plain Talk, November 1977 The Scriptures have considerable to say on the subject of hope. And yet I am convinced that many of us are not enjoying and appreciating our hope as we should, simply out of a failure to really understand what it is and how it affects us. Hope…
Read MoreThe Valley of the Shadow of Death
by Earl Kimbrough Via Guardian of Truth XXXII: 17, pp. 534-535, September 1, 1988 The beautiful twenty-third Psalm is a song of faith. It abounds with an assurance of God’s guidance and protection. There is mention of the danger of enemies, both past and present, but it is muted by David’s trust in the perpetual presence…
Read MoreUnwanted Children
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton It seems strange, but I’ve started writing this article numerous times. Each time I’ve tossed it because I found myself unable to express exactly what was going through my mind. Many years ago I realized that our country contains a lot of unwanted children. The circumstances which lead to the situation…
Read MoreIs oral sex between a married couple a sin?
Question: Is oral sex between a married man and woman a sin and if so where can it be found in the Bible? Answer: The act of sex is to be restricted to married couples. “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4). Such acts…
Read MoreUnplanned Consequences
by Ethan R. Longhenry The girl heard the news and began to sob. She could feel all of her dreams and expectations for life changed on account of the unplanned consequences of her fornication. When the drunk finally regained consciousness and the news of his actions and upcoming trial were brought to him, he was…
Read MoreShould I continue talking to a co-worker who only wants to talk about sex?
Question: People say I’m crazy when I say to them that married men should not think about the opposite sex other than their wives. As a single person, I can think of a person who is single like me, not in an unclean way of course, but a person who has husband and wife should be content…
Read MoreIs donating blood or organs wrong?
Question: Is donating blood bad? Is donating it sinful if someone needs it right away to live? What about donating organs when someone is in need? What about allowing the government to relinquish your organs after your death? This is a big problem within the confines of our youth. There are two sides to them,…
Read MoreIs it wrong for a Christian woman to wear pants?
Question: Is it wrong for a Christian woman to wear pants of any kind? I always see references to not wearing tight pants but very little on the actual subject of whether pants are wrong, immodest, or a man’s clothing. The Bible teaches that there is to be a definite distinction between the dress of…
Read MoreCan you prove God exists?
Question: I’ve been reading your website for days and now I decide I have to say something: You mentioned in one of your letter to a reader that “a drunken atheist living on the streets of New York.” Well, is that the impression from atheists to you? I can tell you that I’m not drunk,…
Read MoreThere’s too much to learn. How can you not sin?
Question: In my frustrated life, I began to search for answers and clues and anything that could lead me to answer what on earth am I here for and found your website. I found it insightful and thought-provoking. My question to you is how can you be sure to know God’s plan for your life…
Read MoreIs a person condemned if others hate him?
Question: Is it really possible that a person is condemned to hell if people fight with him or still hate him after an incident that he is perhaps sorry about but has no courage to talk about it? He would think he has nothing against his past friends in his heart. I don’t think that…
Read MoreWhat do you think about the divisions among the churches?
Question: I wanted to ask you a question about Romans 16:17 and I Corinthians 1:10 about there being divisions in the church. I have been a member of the church since 1960, at the age of 13, and led singing most of the years since. My dad preached over twenty years in a central Texas…
Read MoreCan I use your pictures on my website?
Question: I was led to your website and had a chance to view these very beautiful and symbolic pictures. I am an evangelist for the Lord, and I feel so many teens need to see these pictures. I was going to put some on my page. I also do Christian Rap music. God has shown me…
Read MoreIsn’t spanking sexually stimulating to most people?
Question: I hate to tell you this, but spanking is sexual to most people and spanking bring on sexually feelings of a perverted matter later in life. If you don’t believe me, I am living proof. Answer: You’ve drawn a false conclusion based on incidental evidence. The reason people conduct large and numerous studies on…
Read MoreHow should I handle out-of-control teenage boys?
Question: First, let me apologize for not giving you enough details upon which to base a recommended course of action. Actually, the answer you gave, even without specifics, makes good sense: go after the most serious problems first and then move down the line, without dropping the ball on the first set of issues. I think…
Read MoreShould I only listen to “Christian” music?
Question: What kind of music is prohibited? For the longest time, I have been listening to music that isn’t “Christian,” but nothing that is profane or that gives a bad message or talks about lewd or gross things. When I listen to my music, it makes me happier and helps me deal with some of…
Read MoreShould I continue a relationship with someone of a different religion?
Question: I am involved with a young lady who is of a different denomination (AME). We’ve had a relationship for four years and have yet to make any decision on our future. She is convinced she saved but does not want to attend the Church of Christ because it is boring or does not appeal…
Read MoreTrials of Life
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, believers have been told that God knows our hearts (I Samuel 16:7, Luke 16:15). He not only knows what we at thinking at this moment, but he also understands our inclinations and desires. God knows each of us better than we understand…
Read MoreHow do you build trust in a marriage?
Question: I thank you for the lovely rebukes and instructions. While the instruction lines up with the word of God, so do the rebukes. Perhaps I do need to be utterly disgusted with some chemical controlling my life. I Corinthians 6:12, I’m sure, will guide me there through a study of the Word and its…
Read MoreShould I spank my stepsons?
Question: I have just married a wonderful woman with two teenage boys who are out of control. They have not been spanked in years and I think it is time to re-institute that form of discipline into their life; at least until their behavior improves. My wife agrees to abide by your decision and recommendations,…
Read MoreWhere do the Arabs come from?
Question: Where do the Arabs come from? From which patriarch? Many people say Ishmael, but Ishmael had an Egyptian mother. Where in the Bible is the name Arab first used? Answer: In the answer to a prior question, “What happened to Ishmael’s descendants?” I gave a detailed list of the various Arab nations who descended…
Read MoreWhat can be done for a man who continually falls back into sin?
Question: I have another question that relates to a brother who is dealing with some personal issues. Basically, he is a good brother who is ambitious and devoted to the church. However, he has gone through a lot and is continually fighting the temptation of allowing the old man to return, especially when negative situations…
Read MoreHow does one know if he has faith in God?
Question: I have this question: how does one know if he has faith in God or not? For example, I find it hard to talk to people who fought with me, but not all people. Some I talk to without fear that they might yell at me and they forgive me. With a few, I…
Read MoreHow can I grow my faith in God?
Question: How can I grow my faith in God? I feel I’m a bad person because I know that Jesus died for us, but I still sin. I know that God forgave me, but when I look back I think that I have been really bad and I feel very sorry for it. What is…
Read MoreLessons from Jonah
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I. The book of Jonah is unique among the prophets A. The emphasis of the story is upon the messenger instead of the message. B. We learn lessons from the actions of the prophet, instead of the message he delivered. C. The tale of a man being swallowed and living three days in a great…
Read MoreCan a girl get pregnant before her first period?
Question: Hi! I was wondering if it is possible for a girl to become pregnant before menarche (before she has her first period). My friend and I were fooling around and I fingered her, but I am curious. I realized that she has really minimal pubic hair and underarm hair. What are the symptoms of…
Read MoreHow do I defend against Satan?
Question: I was reading the article of the seven-year married woman who committed adultery with a “Christian” man and is now afraid of the possible consequences. I noticed a piece of advice that could be applied to almost anything. The advice is: “Implement plans to keep yourself pure by avoiding tempting situations.” I have an addiction…
Read MoreHow do I teach a stubborn person the truth about baptism?
Question: Thank you for your response. I did have another question that touches on your response. The same goes for denomination such as the AME. They teach false doctrine when it comes to baptism and yet proclaim to be saved. I have a female friend that swears to be saved and gave an account of her…
Read MoreWhat do I do about a person involved in witchcraft?
Question: I’m having extreme difficulty protecting myself and family from a pagan ‘elder’ who has admitted to trying to destroy me. He was instrumental in the premature death of a family member by removing life support illegally for over 33 hours! My daughter is in counseling for the abuse she received from him. He practices…
Read MoreTo My Generation
by Joshua Visga I know a lot of people our age who are conceiving babies or have conceived in just the past few years. You bore a healthy boy whom I have enjoyed being around. He is a bright young lad. Boys grow into men and men are appointed by God to be the leaders…
Read MoreTo Be a Parent
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton I ran across an article recently that makes a point that every parent should consider. Too many parents are abdicating their responsibility to raise their children, especially when they reach their teenage years. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and…
Read MoreThree Quotes on Forgiving a Brother
From Questions Answered, Lipscomb and Sewell, Kurfees, pg. 260 Question: If a brother in the church offends us, is it right for us to forgive him whether he comes and asks us to or not, or must we hold it against him until he comes and asks our pardon? Would it not be more Christlike…
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