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My 14-year-old has become rude, a poor student, and mean to his younger brother. What do I do?
Question: I have a fourteen-year-old son. In the past year, he has become very verbally rude. He is not doing well in school. He cannot get along with his little brother, who is seven. He used to be so sweet and loving and now I’m so worried about him. I know drugs are not an…
Read MoreDoes Satan know our weaknesses?
Question: Does Satan know our weakness? If so, does he use people in our lives in ways to get us to fall? I mean is he able to influence relatives, friends to cause one to stumble? Is he able to put people in our lives who seem to be genuine but have evil intentions to…
Read MoreYou should stop bullying people about sexual sins
Question: Preaching fire and brimstone to young, confused and naive children when they turn to you for advice and help in what is surely a very scary time is despicable. I suggest in the future you direct their questions to reliable medical sites that might actually help them with their problems rather than scare them…
Read MoreHow can miracles cease if God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow?
Question: In Acts 9:40-41 it states that Peter kneeled down and prayed and turning him to the body said; Tabitha, arise [ exactly the same as that said by Jesus when He raised the daughter of Jairus from the dead. (Mark 5.41)] And she opened her eyes and when she saw Peter, she sat up.…
Read MoreDo you have something on the use of instrumental music under the Old Law?
Question: Do you have any articles or sermons on the instrumental music used to worship under the Old Law? I understand that the Old Law has been done away with and we don’t use instruments in today’s worship, but I am just curious about the use of instrumental music in worship under the Old Law.…
Read MoreDo you believe that the only way to heaven is by accepting Jesus as your Savior and not by good deeds or grace?
Question: Does the church of Christ believe that the only way to heaven is through the Lord Jesus Christ, by accepting Him as your Savior and not by good deeds or grace? Thanks. Answer: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). You cannot claim to accept the Lord as your Savior if you…
Read MoreIt’s people like you who make young people fear to turn to God for help
Question: I am 23 years young, Christian married mother of one and I was so upset with the comments you made about these young kids who are having sex. Unless you are God Himself, which I highly doubt, you should not be judging and make them feel foolish about the choices they make. It’s people…
Read MoreDoes the Bible say we will be greeted by our loved ones after death?
Question: Hello, You, so far, are the only person I trust to tell me the truth of the Bible. I am so confused trying to understand it. But, anyway, when we die does it say in the Bible if we will be greeted in Paradise by our loved ones who already passed on? Thank you…
Read MoreIs it okay to pray for my dad or does he hear my prayers?
Question: My dad just passed away and I’m worried about his soul. My question is: Is it okay to pray for him and does he hear my prayers? It’s a calming thought that your parents are in heaven watching us like angels. Is this possible, or do they really have no more knowledge of earthly…
Read MoreMy girlfriend’s past is making me uncomfortable. Should I break up with her?
Question: I was so close today to cutting ties with my girlfriend. Each day something happens and I get more tired of her antics. Yesterday, we didn’t talk all day because my friend was coming over in the morning and in the evening I was leaving to go to an event that was an hour…
Read MoreIs rough sex a bad thing?
Question: Is rough sex a bad thing? If so, why? Answer: Much is going to depend on how rough you think rough is. There have been numerous trials where someone was badly injured or even killed and the defendant claimed “We were just having rough sex. She liked it that way.” The flaw in that…
Read MoreI found your articles pertaining to eternal security to be excellent
Question: I read some of your excellent articles pertaining to eternal security on your web site. It is unfortunate that more people do no share your discernment. Even though I was raised with this teaching, I have never been able to make peace with it. Answer: Thank you for your kind words.
Read MoreMy pastor says God told her that I shouldn’t marry my fiance. What do I do?
Question: Hi! I am 19 years old and I have been a Christian all my life. I am a Pentecostal. I have fallen in love with a man the same age as me and we both agree it’s better that we get engaged and seek the Lord in everything we do rather than falling into…
Read MoreI noticed the more good I do, the more I am tempted. How do I deal with this?
Question: I noticed that the more good I do, the more I get tempted. So if you can give me some advice on how to deal with this and have stronger faith. Answer: You’re not the first to notice this. “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.…
Read MoreDoes it please God when we preach and teach His Word?
Question: Does it please God a lot that we try to preach His Word and teach about Him to people? I have a gift. I can communicate very well with people, and I have the power to convince them. I am never scared of public speaking, I am an excellent speaker. When I talk to…
Read MoreI think my girlfriend is making a mistaking in finding a new place to live. What can I do?
Question: I’m curious to hear your two cents on this situation I’m stuck in right now. So here’s the story: Since my girlfriend and her daughter live over two hours away, she’s looking to move closer since it’s very hard for us to see each other. We only do that about once a month, twice if…
Read MoreMy ex-girlfriend is caught up in emotionalism. How can I get her to see the truth?
Question: I just wanted to know if you had any advice to assist me in dealing with this particular situation. I have tried to approach my ex-girlfriend about allowing emotions to lead you to follow false doctrine and learned that she has a new boyfriend, who apparently she believes is the ideal person because they…
Read MoreIs playing an instrument for a person’s own enjoyment scriptural?
Question: Is playing an instrument for a person’s own enjoyment scriptural? For example, can I play the guitar and piano, and write my own songs — not in worship to God, but for my own enjoyment? I feel somewhat at odds because I think about how we are to give thanks to God and in…
Read MoreHow could a good God allow sex to exist in the world?
Question: How could a good God allow sex to exist in the world? Answer: Your question implies that “sex” is oppositional to “good.” Just because man has found ways to corrupt the use of sex does not imply that sex is without a righteous purpose. See “Why is sex a sin?” for an earlier response…
Read MoreI’m depressed and about to be homeless. At 64 years old, I cannot live like this
Question: I am depressed and about to be homeless. I am mentally and physically sick. 64 years old I cannot live like this. I feel that wanting to die, attempting suicide, or just waiting to die on the street are all the same. I do not feel any connection to God anymore so I know He has…
Read MoreThank you for the great marriage study information
Question: Brother, I just wanted to thank you for the great marriage study information on the La Vista website. My fiance and I have read through much of it before deciding to get engaged. Answer: Thank you very much for your kind words. It is nice to know that the work is being used profitably. You and…
Read MoreDoes a Christian have the right to privately criticize an elder?
Question: Does a church member have the right to privately confront or send a message to an elder, for the purpose of disagreement or criticism? If this not acceptable, what consequences should follow a disagreement? Answer: “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who…
Read MoreHow were the Thessalonians taught by God to love one another?
Question: In I Thessalonians 4:9, how were the Thessalonians “taught by God to love one another” so that Paul did not need to write to them? Are we taught in a similar way? Were other New Testament Christians taught in the same way? If so, why did apostles write to them telling them to love,…
Read MoreDoes fornication include adultery, or are people only looking for another way out of marriage?
Question: I emailed you before regarding marriage and divorce and remarriage. I must admit I emailed hastily before reading your entire view on this. After reading more, I agree with most of what you said on this highly debated topic of the Bible. As a new Christian and one that is going through a very…
Read MoreIf a husband commits adultery after his wife divorces him, can she remarry?
Question: My sister has decided to leave her physically abusive, alcoholic husband. She doesn’t have plans to divorce him and is hoping that eventually, he’ll realize he needs help. She knows what a scriptural divorce is and that this does not constitute remarriage. I don’t think he will ever change, but it would not surprise…
Read MoreIf a person is in an adulterous relationship, must they leave their partner and children?
Question: If a person marries a person who had been divorced but not for a scriptural reason though he presented himself as having a scriptural reason for divorce and so they marry. Then later, the innocent party finds out that the other party did not, in fact, have a scriptural reason for divorce. What then?…
Read MoreIs baptism required to go to heaven?
Question: If you don’t get baptized, do you not go to heaven? Answer: Assuming you are talking about responsible adults, consider the following: Can the disobedient enter heaven? “But to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness–indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does…
Read MoreIf, after being divorced, a person found out that his spouse was married to another at an earlier time, is he free to remarry?
Question: I have a question regarding divorce. If a person marries another knowing the person has been married before but understood this person was divorced scripturally from the first marriage. Years later, trouble begins and one spouse files for divorce. Therefore, leaving the one spouse not free to marry again since there was no adultery…
Read MoreI keep questioning my beliefs. Does that mean I’m no longer saved?
Question: I need help in reconciling what I have always been taught and what I am being taught now. I was baptized a few years ago in the church and at the time I did truly believe that it was necessary, since then I begin to question whether it was necessary and I question many…
Read MoreDid the Jesuits develop preterism and futurism?
Question: Is it true that ‘preterism’ and ‘futurism’ were Jesuit interpretations of prophecy that were contrived during the counter-reformation? I’ve read that in a couple of places and wondered what your study has led you to about that. Thank you. Answer: Preterism is the view that the prophecies concerning destruction, especially those found in Revelation…
Read MoreHow do we teach against bad language?
Question: How do we teach against bad language with easy steps for rectification? Answer: The number one way to prevent bad language is for the parents and anyone else involved in the training of the child not to use bad language. Children imitate what they see and hear around them. That is their primary way…
Read MoreWill Jesus come again when everyone has heard the gospel?
Question: I know that Jesus Christ will come again when everybody has heard the gospel. Right? Well, a lot of people at school say that the world is going to end in 2012. Why are they saying this? Answer: “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but…
Read MoreIs the song “Light the Fire” scriptural?
Question: Have you ever heard the song “Light the Fire?” I have heard some objections to this song because of the “fire” mentioned and “breathing new life.” Doesn’t it just depend on how you look at it? Denominational people would probably look at it the wrong way. Doesn’t Hebrews 12:29 say, “For our God is…
Read MoreI love web sites like yours that help to clarify the Gospel
Question: Hello, I just wanted to thank you for your site. I am a recovering Catholic and am always looking for more history to plead my case with the rest of my family. I was saved a year ago and am now engaged in a mission to save the rest of my family from the lies…
Read MoreWhy do you say that sex without being married is a sin?
Question: Hi! I’m a 21-year-old girl from Iceland and I found this site by accident as I was looking for answers on the Internet about the chance of getting pregnant when using withdrawal as contraception. I found the answer here and want to thank you for a good explanation. I have a boyfriend and we are…
Read MoreDoes the Holy Spirit really come inside a person at conversion or only upon a person?
Question: Does the Holy Spirit really come inside of a person at the time of conversion? Or, after true discipleship and the timing of God, does the Holy Spirit come in? However, during that time the Spirit is upon you? Answer: It appears you are creating a distinction that is not supported by the Scriptures.…
Read MoreHow do I teach a young woman who harbors anger over the past?
Question: Would you recommend specific passages that I can use for a girl who still harbors pain, anger, resentment, but who is looking for acceptance and love? I have tried to express love and acceptance to her. I think she believes me but doesn’t believe that God loves her. What can I do? Answer: You…
Read MoreHow do I get back to God?
Question: I was a spiritual person until certain events took place in my life. Having God in my heart is what got me through my very unstable childhood, and most of my military career. While deployed I did and saw things no one should ever have to do or see. I saw true evil in…
Read MoreWhat makes some fantasy stories wrong?
Question: Hi! I asked in the past if imagining ideas for a story was OK, and you said that you couldn’t see anything biblically wrong with it. But I feel like I need some details. For example, I heard of some Christians (not that I judge their opinions or anything) saying that they should ban…
Read MoreYou have one of the most sensible articles concerning Jephthah’s daughter
Question: You have one of the most sensible articles concerning Jephthah’s daughter. Thank you for sharing it on the web. Answer: You are welcome.
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