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I realize now that I can be forgiven, so how do I get past the guilt?
Question: I’ve obsessed for a long time about committing the unpardonable sin, as some have called it. I have struggled with some addictions for a while (alcohol and pornography), and a few times had the thought come into my mind: “if you give in to certain temptations, you will lose the Holy Spirit.” Well, I…
Read MoreDoes ‘this form of doctrine’ in Romans 6:17 refers to a type?
Question: Good day, Does ‘this form of doctrine’ in Romans 6:17 refers to a type? This means things we do now will only get their true meaning in heaven. Answer: Good to hear from you! “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that…
Read MoreCan you record your own music with instruments?
Question: I am a member of the Lord’s church (Acts 2:41) and am fully aware and fine with the fact that instruments in worship toward God are unauthorized by Scripture (Acts 17:25), and thereby unacceptable (II John 9). However, I read your article Is playing an instrument for a person’s own enjoyment scriptural? and I…
Read MoreDoes a husband have to take care of children in a marriage who are not his?
Question: Does a husband have to take care of children in a marriage who are not his? Answer: When you marry a woman who has children from a prior marriage, you are accepting responsibility for those children. “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has…
Read MoreHow do you handle in-laws who are evil toward your child?
Question: What do you do in a situation when your in-laws are evil toward your child because they don’t like you? They take it out on her — nice one minute and evil demonic the next — even using profanity and bodily harm against her, and all you say is “I’ll pray for you.” Answer:…
Read MoreHow should transgenders be treated in business?
Question: I am an HR manager I must uphold laws that protect transgender rights. As a Christian can I do that? Answer: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). As best that I can tell, the laws basically demand…
Read MoreWould God give us more than we can handle?
Question: Hello, I have heard the saying, “God does not give us more than we can handle” being used quite a lot. Is this biblically correct? I am a Christian and I feel like I am being crushed. I am a teenager, but I cannot enjoy my youth. I have stomach issues, so there are…
Read MoreShould I leave this church where the pastor drives a luxury car?
Question: Hello. Thank you so much for taking the time to consider my question. I’ve struggled with the decision of whether to leave my church. The congregation is very loving and over the past two years, I have developed several good friendships. My dilemma is with the pastor. She is a very gifted speaker and…
Read MoreShould a Christian support capital punishment?
Question: Dear Minister, I read today in an article on your site that you approve of capital punishment. It is my opinion that capital punishment and the biblical teaching of loving and forgiving one’s enemies are not compatible. I am, however, willing to change my views upon sufficient evidence from the Bible. Kindly explain further.…
Read MoreHow can the Scriptures apply to me? Aren’t we called to love each other?
Question: Hello, I was raised Catholic. After trying out a couple of religions, I’ve come back to the Catholic Church. I also see myself closely identifying as a pansexual. I read in Romans what it says about homosexuality, but it states things that I am not, so how can the word of God say things…
Read MoreIf we continue to live together and have sex, are we still in sin if we are planning to get married?
Question: Hi, I have a question it lies heavy on my heart, and I have talked to many people about this and I still don’t have a correct answer, since everyone’s meaning and opinion differ from one another. But I would like to have the Christian way of doing it and understanding the situation correctly.…
Read MoreDoes someone have to repent of all their sins before baptism?
Question: Does someone have to repent of all their sins before baptism or can they repent of the ones they struggle with most? Answer: If you were poisoned and you were going to die and someone offered you the cure to save your life would you take it? There is a catch with the cure,…
Read MoreI told my wife I forgave her for her cheating, but I really haven’t
Question: Hello Minister, I write this with the hope that you’ll be able to help me to unshackle this chain that I’ve been hauling for many years. I’m a very angry man, and I find it difficult to forgive and let it go. I used to be a very kind and loving person, which I’ll…
Read MoreI had a relapse of my schizoaffective disorder and I fear I did something wrong
Question: Hello, I have schizoaffective disorder. I have had a recent relapse. I encountered many disturbing occurrences of racing thoughts and hallucinations from the enemy, and I did not do well. I rebuked and prayed, but I feel broken and lost like I did something wrong. I have been a Christian for many years, but…
Read MoreHow do I tell someone that having a child outside of marriage is not good?
Question: Hi! I just started hanging out with this girl from work lately, and she recently told me she had a miscarriage a month or so ago. She’s also had a few before that I already knew about. She’s not married, and she has only been dating this guy since she had the miscarriage. She…
Read MoreWhat do I do? A friend propositioned me
Question: One of my friends, who is also a male, has sexual desires for me. He says that he loves me a lot and this is something that will complete the cycle of love for him. He also says that he is not gay. He has never had sex with any other male, but he…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to give your problems to the Lord?
Question: What does it mean to give your problems to the Lord? Does it come down to the fact that things on earth are temporary and we should be looking at the bigger picture? Answer: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your…
Read MoreI struggle to fit in
Question: Hi, I am struggling a lot with fitting in. I was not raised in the church. I found the truth over 30 years ago. I have moved to different states for various reasons. I have had an ongoing struggle trying to find my place in each congregation. I feel sometimes it is a hard…
Read MoreHow do you know you’ve understood the Bible correctly?
Question: Hi there, I have a question about the different ways people read the Word of God. Overall each one has something right, but I would mainly like to know of a way of reading the Bible and taking it to heart. How is this specific method obtained through the Scripture? A fellow worker and…
Read MorePitch-Pipes and PowerPoint
by Bryan Hodge Members of the church of Christ have historically emphasized that the Bible teaches that we should have Biblical authority for what we do. God has required such. He did under the Old Covenant (e.g. Leviticus 10:1-2; I Samuel 13:9-14; II Chronicles 26:16-21). He does under the New Covenant (e.g. Acts 15:22-24; Colossians 3:17…
Read MoreShould the Lord’s Supper only be offered after the invitation?
Question: I have been a member of the Church for many decades and have never felt the Lord’s Supper should be served before the invitational hymn. We want to wait for those who care to join our work, so we should serve it after the hymn. Do you agree? Answer: The assumption is that most…
Read MoreI keep having sex because I’m looking for love and acceptance
Question: I am a mother of a teenage boy. I was traditionally married to his late father who died over a decade ago. I always find myself falling into the same sin: I cannot resist sex. I am HIV positive, and I always tell that to my partner. I am a Christian and have tried…
Read MoreYour site helps me answer questions quickly
Question: I would love to thank you for maintaining and publishing your website online at lavistachurchofchrist.org. It has helped me answer questions for friends quickly when I didn’t have my Bible with me at work. I am not always good at putting things into words well so that it comes across in a manner that…
Read MoreIs circumcision necessary?
Question: Do you consider male circumcision a necessary intervention in life – young or old? I only ask because some Christian denominations believe so. I was circumcised as an adult. I only ask for your guidance. I accept that Jesus was circumcised. It was my Sunday School teacher who broached the subject. She told us…
Read MoreWe just can’t get enough money for lobola in order to get married
Question: Good day, I have a very loving relationship with the father of my toddler. We love one another dearly, but unfortunately, we have no money. He has no money, and I cannot go on living day-to-day worried about the next meal. Our child lives at my home, where my parents cater to the child’s…
Read MoreMy nephew spends everything he makes and is always begging for money to pay bills. What do I do?
Question: I read your article on giving. Someone asked and you gave a lot of discussion around widows and orphans and want versus need. I have family members who look for ways not to work but continually seek help from us. My nephew and his wife do not go to church. My nephew was raised in…
Read MoreIs entertainment the devil’s substitute for joy?
Question: I recently listened to a sermon where the preacher said, if I remember correctly, “Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy. The more joy you have in the Lord the less entertainment you need.” Is that so? Before becoming a Christian, I had these habits of reading and consuming culture for selfish reasons, now…
Read MoreWill God punish me through my child because I sinned?
Question: Hi, I’m 20 years old and currently pregnant with my first child. Before I found out the gender, I would watch porn, even though I do have my boyfriend and he doesn’t know about that. When I found out that I’m having a boy, they also told me he has an abnormality that can…
Read MoreHow can I get closer to God and be filled with the Spirit?
Question: Hi, I was looking for a particular topic online when I came across your page where you gave advice about fornication and other matters. I’m 21 years old. I was baptized when I was 11 years old. Since then, I changed churches, and I’ve been at my present church for over five years. I’ve…
Read MoreI recently learned I have ALS
Question: I have recently been diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gerig Disease, I think it’s called in the US). I am a strong, committed, and faithful believer in God; however, I am not immune to fear of the unknown. I know I only have a very short time left on earth, and will soon be joining…
Read MoreI almost went back home until someone saw me and smiled
Question: Dear Brother Hamilton, I have more of a story to tell you than a question to ask. First, I want to thank you for the work you’ve done on this site. It was an instrumental force in restoring me to the Lord’s church after 20 years of being fallen away. I still use it…
Read MoreIf you’re shy, do you have to lead prayer in church?
Question: If you’re shy, do you have to lead prayer in church? Answer: That is a great question! Let us be honest, you don’t have to do anything if you do not want to! For example: When I was a child, I would try to keep a beat to the music, but to no avail.…
Read MoreWhat should be done about a woman who repeatedly has children by different men?
Question: Here is the situation: 4 years ago a member of our church got pregnant by her boyfriend and had a baby. She came forward and repented of her sins. 3 years ago the same member got pregnant by a different boyfriend and had a baby. She again came forward and repented of her sins.…
Read MoreHow do I get a hold of hymns written by members of the churches of Christ?
Question: Do you know of any way to get a hold of a collection of hymns written by members of the churches of Christ? I very recently joined the church and have been wondering why we sing songs that were written by unsaved people? I actually love these old hymns like “Sweet Hour of Prayer”…
Read MoreShould someone who says he is gay lead singing in a congregation?
Question: Yesterday my husband was disheartened to hear that one of our song leaders at our church of Christ is a confessed gay man who came out on social media and declared he has tried all kinds of treatment but just can’t feel differently. We both wish the best for all people in seeking their…
Read MoreI feel hopeless because I had sex with more than one guy
Question: Good Morning, I’ve been having a really hard time dealing with my past and my relationship. My ex-boyfriend of several years and I broke up. I lost sight of the Lord and I sinned. I had sex with other people, and I am full of so much guilt and shame. My ex and I…
Read MoreShould I move back in with my boyfriend if we don’t have sex?
Question: Hello, I recently went through a bad breakup with my boyfriend of several years. I moved in with him, and I sinned all the time by having sex and getting drunk. When we finally parted ways, I realized that I needed to change my ways and live for God. I have been on a…
Read MoreIs it wrong to have a picture of Buddha in our home?
Question: Hi, My wife and I are both Christians. My wife put a picture of Buddha in our home because it matches our furniture color and it is nicely painted. I almost fought with her to remove the picture because it contradicts our faith in Christ in my opinion. The questions are: First, is it…
Read MoreIs it acceptable to use songs that have humming for one or more of the parts in worship?
Question: Good evening brother Jeffrey, I pray this email finds you in good health. May God favor you for blessing us and teaching us. You and many have given me so much knowledge in God’s word and increased my faith. I am a member of the Church of Christ. I wanted clarification about how some…
Read MoreWas Jesus a pacifist?
Question: First of all, I love your website because it provides me with a tremendous amount of godly information. I have a two-part question that I was unable to find on your website: Should Christians always be pacifists. There are several who claim that we should be claiming that Jesus was a pacifist. Answer: A…
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