I still struggle with sin

Question: Hi, I came to your website to get answers to hard questions in life, and it is a blessing that you are willing to address the questions of people no matter their background. I have been baptized in the church of Christ so please don’t be so hard on me because I should know…

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Can a woman teach Scriptures through writing?

Question: I’m a Christian woman who writes Christian fiction novels meant solely for other women. I frequently include biblical truths. Is this form of teaching okay because it’s directed only to other women? Do I need to make sure I’m not too authoritative in what I say? Thanks! Answer: “Older women likewise are to be…

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I’m confused by the names of Esau’s wives

Question: Hi, I have a question regarding the question asked to you: “Was Mahaleth a Canaanite and did Esau marry her to get back at his father Isaac?” Part of your reply mentioned Genesis 28:9, “so Esau went to Ishmael and took Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael.” In my Bible, it says that Esau took…

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How do I give if I’m a student and not making any money?

Question: Good evening, I attend graduate school. I just came across your website when I did a Google search about the collection if you’re unemployed. I wanted to ask a question based on the response that was given. I used to be employed last year, but now I am not. Because of my previous employment,…

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Is reporting a possible theft gossiping?

Question: This is complicated so I’ll sum it up for you: I play a sport and there is a guy who runs the state championship tournament. Our team and a few local teams in the area think he’s been possibly pocketing money from us because of recent events that have gone down. Anyway, we don’t…

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Did I sin by not talking to my stepfather?

Question: Hi, My stepfather passed away unexpectedly and I feel extremely guilty for not reaching out beforehand and trying to save his soul. He “raised” me, but love from my stepfather was never shown. I don’t remember him ever telling me he loved me and only twice telling me he was proud of me. I…

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Man Up

by Doy Moyer I’d like to talk again with the men here. Men blaming women for their own sins is as old as Adam and Eve. Literally. You remember what Adam did when confronted by the Lord: “the woman you gave me…” It didn’t work then and it doesn’t work now. That blame game gets…

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Is it wrong to wear a cross as jewelry?

Question: Thank you for the information you present on your site. My question is: Is it sinful or unwise to wear a necklace with a small cross (nothing flashy)? I Peter 3:3-4 and Matthew 23:5 are two verses that may shed some light on it, but I am still not clear. Thank you. Answer: Our…

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Is it a sin to be overweight?

Question: Jeffrey, I have a couple of questions on things I’ve been having personal struggles with. We know that gluttony is sinful. I know, or at least believe, that means in all things, not just foods. However, there are so many of us who are overweight. I recently have let myself gain a substantial amount…

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Why was there a need for the interpretation of tongues?

Question: Greetings Brother, Thank you in advance for answering my question, which is: Why did the disciples, who received the Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues by the laying on of the hands of the apostles, need interpreters when employing that gift and the apostles did not? Thank you so much for your help. Answer:…

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Instrumental music was not replaced, so it must continue

Question: I came across your answer to instrumental music quite by accident and I found it revealing. I wouldn’t call blunt rude, but it was near the line. I hope to be treated in your response less close to the line, but I have a different take on this issue and wish to explore your…

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Who gives permission to marry if your father isn’t around?

Question: Hello I’ve been having problems with what to do when it comes to my wedding next year. My parents and my fiancé’s parents have separated. According to our African customs, the father should be the one to give permission on whether we get married or not. He is also the one to receive the dowry.…

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How should we treat a homosexual?

Question: Hello Mr. Jeffrey, I have this question that has been bugging me for a while. The Bible says homosexuals are bad. Now how should we treat if we meet someone like that? Is it rude to ignore them? What if a close friend or a family member comes out as one and they don’t…

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When is judging a sin?

Question: I have a question about when judging people becomes a sin. I was thinking about how my friends take the Lord’s name in vain sometimes. And I was thinking to myself well if they don’t confess then they might not end up where they expect (when they die). Then I thought well they might…

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I’ll lose my health insurance if we get married

Question: Hello, My partner and I had planned on getting married soon, but due to insurance reasons, we may have to wait. We live together, have kids, and know it isn’t right. I have recent health issues that are covered by Medicaid but I will lose my benefits and the children’s benefits when we marry.…

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Why was flour allowed as a substitute for a sin offering?

Question: Dear brother in Christ, I am seeking your kind guidance for the following: When blood was required to be shed for sin as an atonement, how is it that a flour offering can be considered where there is no blood present in it? Can you please kindly clarify? Answer: For a sin offering, a person…

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Can my former fiancè and I be friends after committing fornication?

Question: Hello, I am a young woman in my early twenties who has been on and off in my relationship with God. I have grown, in a sense. I’ve memorized several Scriptures, read my Bible, and involved myself in a girl’s Bible study. I’ve struggled with sexual sin most of my life. When I started…

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Does God only care about our salvation?

Question: Hi, I am struggling with my faith. It is hard for me to trust God to answer my prayers for friendship and marriage because I think God only cares about my eternal destination and not about my life here on earth. God has given me everything I need like food and clothing but He…

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I decided to change my wardrobe

Question: Hello, I’m really grateful for the advice you gave to a lady battling with guilt and issues about whether to break up with her fiancé. I had the same thoughts today, even though we have been trusting God for our wedding next year. I felt the standards I had at first have diminished and from the…

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I want my friend to be saved but she isn’t listening

Question: Sir, Keep up the good work. I want my friend to be saved. She is falling away from Jesus Christ constantly and she is only fifteen! She knows the truth, but she just does not want to listen. She is falling away like Sodom and Gomorrah! My question is who are the two witnesses?…

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Is online worship acceptable?

Question: Good morning, I hope this email finds you well. During the national lockdowns in my country, the church moved to online worship and this was beneficial in many ways. Now national lockdowns have ceased and the building is open for members to return. Attendance within some congregations has not returned to its normal level…

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What happens to people who die without being baptized?

Question: Hello, I have been reading about the church of Christ and the issue of baptism. If baptism is required for salvation, what happens to people who die without being baptized? Thank you. Answer: What happens to a person who disobeys God? “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all…

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Can God only act if man permits it?

Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I came across a theory by the late Myles Munroe, and that is the idea that God needs our permission to act on Earth and gets this permission by way of our prayers. His premise for this theory is this: All spirits need a dirt body to act upon the Earth. Since…

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Is it wrong to sing and play with unbelievers?

Question: My friend studied music in a university, graduated, and joined the state music band, which means he will always play in state events. However, He was disfellowshiped by the church on the grounds of playing instruments and singing with unbelievers. Is this right or wrong? In addition to this, I have another friend and…

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When is it permissible to change congregations locally?

Question: Dear Brother, I’ll get right to the point with my question, and then some brief context. When is it permissible scripturally for a member and or their family to switch local congregations? The context We live in a town with several [perceived] biblically sound congregations, of which my family and I are a part…

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How can you add to the Word?

Question: There is a teaching that says “adding or subtracting” from God’s word is a sin. My question is how can you add to the word? My congregation teaches that if you add musical instruments to worship, you are adding to the word because the word states “to sing and make music in your hearts”. The word…

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When is restitution required?

Question: I’m aware that I am very scrupulous. I’ve become very very numb to God because on one end I’m entirely too obsessive and want to be perfect. Then on the other end, I become numb to avoid trying to gain perfection. I’ve quit jobs due to my religious anxiety and feeling the need to…

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What is your experience with marketing your church?

Question: Hi, I am forming a team to explore how to market our church. We are only 5 years old and have about 60 members. We have a thin website and a members-only Facebook page. Please share your lessons learned on marketing your church. Thank you. Answer: We don’t have a church. We belong to…

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Meet the Preacher

by Danny Dodd You may know us, but then again you may not. Preachers have a way of hiding behind the pulpit. We can easily be stereotyped. Through experience, we often learn to become very guarded and protective of our hearts and homes. Paradoxically though we often feel obligated to give even more of ourselves…

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Should past sexual sins be discussed before marriage?

Question: Hello, I’m a 30-year-old female Christian. My boyfriend is a few years older and a Christian as well. We have been together for several months. He is a wonderful man. However, he has a sexual past that he refuses to discuss. He says that it has no benefit and will cause jealousy and insecurity…

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How can a girl and boy be pure again after committing fornication?

Question: It really amazed me to cross your path this afternoon. I’m a 24-year-old youth who has been seeking the correct answer about how can boyfriend and girlfriend be clean and pure again before God after they have committed fornication. I am in a similar situation for a long time now, just as how this…

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Am I lost because I passed up an opportunity to teach?

Question: Since being baptized, I have been interested and active in soul winning. I taught Bible classes for children, worked with VBS, worked with a bus ministry, showed the Jule Miller Film Strips, and sent out Bible correspondence course lessons. I attend worship and Bible study three times a week. When my husband was in…

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How do you repent of childhood sins?

Question: My brother and I do not get along. When we were kids we experimented with sexual sins. It was years ago. My mother mentioned that maybe, because of the things that I confessed had happened between my brother and me, we opened some demonic portal and need to repent. How does one repent from…

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Is it wrong to do volunteer work that may interfere with attending services?

Question: Jeffrey, I want to ask a question concerning non-government operations (NGOs) and volunteer groups. I have this desire to be part of such organizations and groups to help humans and contribute to society and humanity in general. But my challenge is that it can be time-consuming, which is affecting my presence in church (mostly…

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Challenges to positions on the death penalty and abortion

Question: [The following was sent in multi-color, multi-font format, which I find is usually done to distract readers. I removed all of it.] Good evening sir. Death Penalty After reading your article on ‘Early Christians and Abortion’ you seem to support the death penalty because you said, “When a criminal is put to death, it…

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How do I find a godly man?

Question: I Corinthians 7:9 says it’s better to marry than to burn, but what if I can’t find anyone willing to build a godly marriage and abstain from premarital sex? I’m a 26-year-old woman and I have been faithful in respecting my body and God’s commandments. I’m still a virgin and haven’t fallen prey to…

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What do I do about my abusive husband?

Question: Sir, good morning. I am in my mid-twenties. I married a guy from the same church I attend. He, also, is in his mid-twenties. He is a very short-tempered man. I have completed my master’s and he is completed high school. He trained to teach the Bible. He is a song leader and a…

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