Answer
How do I talk to my fiance about my sin?
Question: Good day, pastor, I hope you are doing well. My fiancee and I have been engaged for almost three years now. There was a time when I was going on many business trips. During that period I met a lady and I developed feelings for her but I didn’t tell her about them. She…
Read MoreWhen does grace begin for an individual?
Question: When does grace begin for an individual? Before or after baptism? What about God’s grace before baptism? The grace that gives us a plan of salvation. Just a thought. Thanks. Answer: The difficulty with your question is that there is an assumption that grace is just a single thing. Grace is the giving of…
Read MoreWhat does “delight yourself in the Lord” mean?
Question: Good evening, I appreciate you! I have a question for you if you don’t mind. Psalm 37:4 says to “delight yourself in the Lord.” Is that the same as “rejoicing in the Lord” or are they different? Thanks. Answer: “Do not fret because of evildoers, be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither…
Read MoreIs my baptism invalid because I did it to avoid going to hell?
Question: When I got baptized, I was being baptized not necessarily wanting forgiveness but more about keeping myself from going to Hell. I was sincere in my commitment to God giving Him my life, but I was baptized out of fear of going to hell. This burdens my conscience every day and I don’t know…
Read MoreMy job requires lying and embarrassing people to get them to pay their loans
Question: Hi Jeff, Hope you’re doing well. I’m in a dilemma and in need of some guidance and counsel. I work in a loan company for close to 2 years. I’m a loan officer there but the job is affecting my spiritual life. The job requires I give people loans and collect the money back. The…
Read MoreMy husband hasn’t been the nicest to me lately
Question: Hello there, I just want to start off by saying I enjoy your website. Thank you for providing that for us. I am a Christian (member of the Church of Christ). My husband however is not. He started off as one and, well, just went back to his worldly ways. He is a good…
Read MoreWhy is the Bible ordered as it is?
Question: I want to and I am trying to understand the Bible completely. After reading your answers to my former questions, I realized I have to read the books you mentioned as references so that I will have the context of the verses and why they are written the way they are written. So, do…
Read MoreWhat is the power of God in I Corinthians 2:4-5?
Question: In I Corinthians 1:17 “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the Gospel – not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power” and I Corinthians 2:4-5 “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of…
Read MoreDid God purposely make the rulers unable to understand?
Question: Praise the Lord. In I Corinthians 2: 7-8, it says, “No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” Lord…
Read MoreHow Can I Control My Emotions?
by Jefferson David Tant Adapted from “Questions Young People Ask” What’s your thought? Is fire good or bad? You probably would say that it depends on the circumstances. On a cold winter night, logs burning in a fireplace can provide warmth. That’s good. Uncontrolled, however, the flames can quickly spread and destroy the entire house.…
Read MoreThe perspective in “At What Moment in Faith” was very helpful
Question: Thank you to Terry Wane Benton for your post “At What Moment in Faith?”. I am discussing scriptures on baptism with several others with denominational beliefs and the perspective you shared should be very helpful. At any rate, the points in your lesson were educational for me and I believe I will always remember…
Read MoreThank you for the outstanding website
Question: Greetings, I am a member of the Lord’s church. I am writing to tell you that I appreciate the answers on biblical subjects and the articles. Thank you for the outstanding website. Best wishes. Answer: You’re welcome. I do what I can to provide a good resource to brethren. I appreciate the encouragement.
Read MoreShould I not do things that might make others jealous?
Question: Hello, I have read through your site on a number of occasions. I have some questions regarding jealousy. When my husband proposed to me, a girl at church seemed very upset because her boyfriend had not proposed to her yet. I was concerned that she may have been jealous of that. Maybe I should not…
Read MoreIs it bad to date a worldly-minded person?
Question: I hope this email finds you well! I have a question for you about relationships as a Christian. I’m a Christian and a part of a denomination. I believe that loving God and praising the Lord is universal, and universally there are things you should and shouldn’t do. I have a few questions. I…
Read MoreDid I sin against my husband by not telling him when I was ovulating?
Question: If you feel like you may have sinned against your spouse years ago, but they don’t know about it, do you have to tell them now? I feel like I should give the backstory because no, it’s not adultery. We were going for our second baby and he wanted a boy and I wanted…
Read MoreDoes only the Holy Spirit know the mind of God?
Question: Hey, I have a question. In I Corinthians 2:11, the Holy Spirit is said to know the mind of God. Does that mean that the other members of the Trinity don’t know the mind of God? And since Jesus is called the Word by John, does that mean that He is the mind of…
Read MoreIs the reason I haven’t been healed that I haven’t confessed all my sins?
Question: Hi, In reference to James 5:16: “Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” I have a rare genetic condition that causes hearing and visual impairment. They are incurable and my vision is deteriorating and might lead to blindness. Many pastors and people in my church have…
Read MoreCan I be redeemed after my sin?
Question: Hi, I’m not sure how to greet you. I’m full of guilt and sadness. I came across this website when I was trying to find out if I could be redeemed. I had sex with my boyfriend. I always wanted to start only after marriage but this came so unexpectedly and led to sin. I’ve…
Read MoreWhy did Paul limit his right to marriage to a believing wife?
Question: While studying the scripture with this guide on your website: Paul’s Restraint in Exercising His Liberty, I found this question: Why do you suppose Paul qualified his right to only a sister in Christ and not claim a more general right to marry? It’s a question I have asked too, and I would like to…
Read MoreIs it fair that I leave her heartbroken?
Question: Praise the Lord to you all. I am writing this to you to find the answer for my situation that is according to the Bible and just, correct, right, and holy in the eyes of our God. I was born into a very respectful Christian family. My grandparents and my parents are all devoted…
Read MoreIs the use of a psychedelic drug a gray area?
Question: I ask this unconvinced. My father and mother, about a year ago, began using psilocybin (magic mushrooms), having not dabbled in it since they were teenagers. Both of them claim they underwent a spiritual renewal after tripping. Now they believe they are truly “saved” for the first time and that God used the shrooms…
Read MoreAre we wrong to stream services on Facebook?
Question: Hello! God bless the work you do always utilizing your page to study and to get answers. Great work and God bless you always. Question: Are we in the wrong in continuing to use Facebook Live for worship service on Sundays? Thanks! Answer: Video recordings of worship services are not a replacement for actually…
Read MoreWhy 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…
Read MoreI pray for your continued work
Question: I just wanted someone to know how much I appreciate being able to get online and study with your site. Thank you for your sermons, outlines, and audios. They have been a part of my everyday studies over the past year. I pray for your continued mission of evangelical work. God bless. Answer: I’m…
Read MoreDoes God want me to lose everything?
Question: Dear Pastor Hamilton: Thank you for always answering emails throughout the many years. I’m writing you to say that I lost my job. I thought it was God’s will for me to be at this job because it was only a block away from my home, it matched my job skills, and it gave…
Read MoreWhat if my husband becomes a non-believer?
Question: Hello Brother Jeffrey, I hope all has been well. The situation I face now is this: My husband and I are currently separated for several reasons (him mostly not wanting the marriage at the time). My husband was a baptized Christian in the church when we married. He was raised in the church. We got…
Read MoreI find myself lusting and I fear I lack self-control
Question: Hello sir, I have sinned. I lusted after a sister and it progressed so much that we kissed. Right now I am so broken. I have asked God for forgiveness but it seems I can’t forgive myself. I have had this dream of being a gospel teacher and an elder. I’ve been consciously building…
Read MoreIs there an explanation for a lack of sexual desire in the Bible?
Question: Good evening, I was reading many of your answers about homosexuality and was wondering if there was any explanation for a lack of sexual attraction in the Bible. This is related to homosexuals having a lack of interest in the opposite gender and people having no attraction to anyone at all. I am a…
Read MoreI didn’t give permission for my statements to be used!
Question: I noticed you posted something written by Terry on your website. This was shared publicly by Terry from a private group and was a casual conversation. I would appreciate it being taken down since it was shared publicly without permission by Terry and also done without my permission. If that won’t be done I’d…
Read MoreWhy would God let me be born with same-sex attraction?
Question: Why would God let me be born with same-sex attraction? Answer: Before answering your question, we need to come to an understanding regarding terms. Proponents of various sins like to play word games in order to disguise their intentions. “Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not…
Read MoreShould a new Christian go to a Bible school?
Question: The church recently received a new convert. I do follow-up studies with him after services. I introduced him to the idea of attending a Bible school, which he indicated interest in attending. But I read through your article on preachers, especially his qualification. You pointed out how dicey Bible schools can be. Of a…
Read MoreWhat is a good way to mark up a Bible?
Question: Does anyone have or know of a good Bible-highlighting strategy? Answer: Virtually all published methods I’ve seen are woefully complicated and even obscuring or distracting from the text. I use a very simple system based on the vocabulary of each book, or in the case of the Psalms, five books. Since even author groups…
Read MoreWhen should I share the pulpit?
Question: Greetings to you, sir, I trust you have been doing well with your family. I have this concern bothering me. As a preacher, I understand that at some point I will have to share the pulpit with others, but at what point should that be? I have some who are so eager to mount…
Read MoreHow do I deal with all the rules?
Question: First of all, you should know that I am only 12 years old. My main dilemma is this: I love my parents very much, and they love me. But I also love God, and my parents often do things that I don’t think would make God very happy. Don’t worry! It’s nothing illegal. I…
Read MoreWhat about using bulletins published outside the congregation?
Question: Hi Jeff, I pray for you and for your ministry in answering all of these questions. You have helped so many people in understanding the Scriptures. Thank you! What does the Bible teach about congregations utilizing evangelistic tools such as “House to House Heart to Heart”? If I’m understanding it correctly, an elder from…
Read MoreI find that I’m pregnant after having a child seven months ago. Should I get an abortion?
Question: Greetings brother, I am 29 years old and a member of the Lord’s Church. I got pregnant last year and God blessed us with a healthy baby boy, but I went through a C-section. Now the baby is 7 months old and I am pregnant again. Sir, my husband and I follow the Bible…
Read MoreCan I be baptized if I had sex with my boyfriend?
Question: Hello. I’m thinking about getting baptized, but also I’ve had sex with my boyfriend many times before. I just want to know, can I still be baptized even if I’ve done so? And can I be able to continue after baptism? Answer: “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise…
Read MoreWhat length pants or shorts should men wear?
Question: Hello, I attend a church of Christ here in a small town. I had a question regarding modesty. I’ve studied tremendously on this topic and am still left with questions. Your articles are very sound and accurate so I figured you could help: Are shorts ok to wear that don’t all the way hit…
Read MoreDo we need to confess our sinfulness every day?
Question: I grew up Catholic but have turned away from it and am finally learning how to/what it means to ‘walk with the Lord”. Is it correct to confess our sinfulness every day or necessary to do so before prayer? Do we confess to Jesus or Father God? How do we confess? This confuses me because…
Read MoreIs energy healing a form of witchcraft?
Question: Does the work of even a God-believing energy healer fall under witchcraft or some other condemned practice? Answer: One definition of energy healing is “A form of complementary and alternative medicine based on the belief that a vital energy flows through the human body. The goal of energy healing is to balance the energy…
Read More