Is Matthew 5:25-26 a reference to the Catholic Purgatory?

Question: Is Matthew 5:25-26 a reference to the Catholic Purgatory? Answer: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger…

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Does God get angry and hates?

Question: Since humans were created in God’s own image then does that mean we are sort of like God or that he imagined us? I am guessing that we are sort of like Him. (Why do we say “Him?”) Does this mean God gets angry and hates because in the Bible it says He doesn’t…

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Is it OK to divorce because of violence?

Question: Hello, My husband and I married less than a year ago. We are both young. Of course, when it happened I felt so happy and felt as if my life was complete, until recently. My husband and I get along for the most part, but the thing is when we argue we get into…

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As a couple, we seem to be arguing too much

Question: What advice would you give a Christian couple dealing with a long-distance relationship for a while? We’ve had several arguments over the phone, and it seems like things aren’t going well and might not get better. I feel like there’s something going wrong that can be helped with scriptural advice, but I have no…

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What does Jesus mean by the “last penny?”

Question: In Matthew 5:25-26, it reads:  “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come…

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How do you handle a violent father?

Question: I am really disturbed. My dad who has been very violent since my mum joined him in a foreign country. He was broke and moved to this new country for business. Several years down the line, my mum came and joined him, but he has become proud and arrogant. Worse still there are rumors…

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When is anger appropriate and when is it sinful?

Question: I’ve been pondering this for some time, and I’d like to hear your thoughts.  When, if ever, should we be angry, and if there is such a time, what should we do with that anger?  I know that feeling angry is not necessarily a sin (Eph. 4).  And I know that God and other righteous…

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How do you deal with an easily angered father?

Question: How should a Christian deal with a person who is easily angered? Well, let me rephrase that — how can a Christian deal with a very easily angered father, who is always speaking negatively about people, things, and me? Answer: I’m not certain how old you are, so let me cover a few points.…

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Should I ask my girlfriend to marry me when we tend to argue a lot?

Question: I have a question which you may know a little about. In my relationship with my girlfriend, we tend to argue a lot. She will say something and I will explode or vice versa. This has left me without peace and asking if this relationship is God’s will. I wanted to ask my girlfriend…

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Controlling Our Emotions

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/ControllingOurEmotions.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Mark 7:18-23   I.         From the heart comes the emotions which affect all aspects of our life – Proverbs 4:23             A.        We can poison the well with evil thoughts – Mark 7:20-23             B.        We can sweeten it with righteous ideals – Philippians 4:4-9             C.        It affects our outlook on life – Proverbs 15:13…

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What can I do about getting annoyed with people?

Question: I have a problem with my attitude. I am a medical professional and I work in a very stressful environment. I choose this profession because I truly believed I wanted to help people to learn more about their medications.  I find myself getting frustrated and tend to sin when people come in with fake…

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Why do I get so angry at my boyfriend all the time?

Question: Why do I get so angry at my boyfriend all the time, he doesn’t do anything negative? I feel as if I should control him. I can’t stand him not listening to me. I know this is wrong. How can I change? Answer: There isn’t enough to go on, but it appears you see your…

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How do I manage thinking bad things about other people?

Question: I have offensive thoughts toward other people, including God Himself, and religious things and that’s what I am worried about. They can be angry thoughts or simply disrespectful thoughts. Other times I make fun of things or I think “dirty” thoughts about things, not as in me lusting for anyone, but just because the…

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I think spanking leads to more aggression

Question: I think spanking a 14-year-old young man is unreasonable and will lead to more aggression.  My parents spanked me with the belt and left bruises.  It left scars on my soul and was not focused on loving correction. I am very conservative in my theology and think this Scripture did mean spanking when younger…

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How 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…

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Why do I still not have control over my anger?

Question: This morning, I found that I still have problems with anger management. I had to go to a doctor’s appointment again, and when I went to the front desk, the secretary mentioned my bill. I have been unable to pay, due to no work, and many health problems which prevent me from working. Sad…

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Can you help with a Women’s Day theme around Proverbs 15:1?

Question: We are having a Women’s Day program and our theme is from Proverbs 15:1. How would you explain this in relation to a Women’s Day program? How would you write an occasion for this theme? Answer: I have this general rule to avoid answering questions which are obviously homework or test assignments. In much…

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A Soft Answer vs. A Soft Answer

by Steven Harper The wise writer once said, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). Good advice, indeed. We would be wise even today to admit that it is much better to give a soft [as opposed to harsh] answer because we will be more successful in our attempts…

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What does “gnashing of teeth” refer to?

Question: I hope you are doing well. I really like your new look on your web site, and the convenience it offers. Great work! Thanks, it makes it easier to navigate. I have a question about something that Jesus said more than once, usually (I think) during the telling of parables. It concerns passages in…

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How can I serve God when I am so angry at Him?

Question: Again, sincere thanks for your responses. I sense that despite my style, deep frustration, and unfortunately a measure of anger in my effort to understand Christianity, etc. you can see that I am, at least in part, honestly and sincerely seeking answers. If, in fact, the bulk of what you believe is true, my…

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Any suggestions for handling an angry member?

Question: Well, we had a stormy night at services!  A brother lost his temper and made a big scene just at the end of class and was upset so far as I can tell that we did not get to the next lesson as I reviewed the one we were on for the benefit of…

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I think I’m being too controlling

Question: My being too controlling on the kids is generally directed toward my eldest. He is a great child: very respectful, wins awards for citizenship, and all the teachers adore him and praise him. My problem is I snap at him for anything. Instead of being able to let it roll off, I have to…

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Notes on Anger

Matthew 5:22 II Corinthians 12:20 Galatians 5:20 Ephesians 4:24-26 Ephesians 4:31 Colossians 3:8 James 1:19-20 see Notes on Patience see Notes on Vengeance

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Anger

by Jeffrey W. Hamilton There are many misconceptions about anger in our world. The misunderstandings do not come from a lack of experience with anger. Far too many people have never attempted to control their rage. They have daily experience with anger. The misconceptions about anger come from taking extreme positions. Some people have hot…

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Am I being too controlling?

Question: My being too controlling on the kids is generally directed towards my eldest. He is a great child: very respectful, wins awards for citizenship, and all the teachers adore him and praise him. My problem is I snap at him for anything. Instead of being able to let it roll off, I have to put…

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My child is constantly angry

Question: My 6 (almost 7) year old daughter is constantly angry. Anytime we tell her, “no,” or she doesn’t get her way, she gets this “angry face” and stomps around and pouts, or runs to her room to have a fit. I don’t give in to her when she behaves this way, so I figured…

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Love Is …

In learning the craft of needlepoint, a person will sometimes work on a sampler. The sampler generally contains a notable quotation and a variety of images and scrollwork to demonstrate the different stitches mastered. Bible verses are often selected for the basic text, and one of the most popular selections is I Corinthians 13:4-8: Love suffers…

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How do you handle people with hot tempers?

Question: How do you handle people with hot tempers? Answer: The Bible speaks of two types of anger: the quick, fly-off-the-handle, hot-tempered people; and the slow, methodical, vengeance seeking people. Both are dangerous, for different reasons. We are told, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language…

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