Posts Tagged ‘morality’
How could Adam and Eve not know of good and evil until they ate a fruit?
Question: Hi, How does one respond to someone who mocks the Christian faith by saying, “The first human did not have knowledge of right or wrong and only got such ability after eating a fruit.” He says that sounds like a far-fetched fairy tale. Answer: What changes between childhood and adulthood? Children do things that…
Read MoreHave Times Changed?
by Austin Hausner “For the Son of man came to seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). When we talk with people about Christianity or anything Bible-related we find there are many objections to Christianity. Some of these objections are fairly common. We want to be able to provide a counter-argument to one of the…
Read MoreWhat If God Sent a Prophet Like Jeremiah to the United States?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/What-If-God-Sent-a-Prophet-Like-Jeremiah-to-the-United-States.mp3 by Raymond Warfel
Read MoreMy boyfriend says times are different now for Christians
Question: My boyfriend and I have been together for over a year. After receiving the grace of God, I have come to the knowledge that sex before marriage is a sin, and I do not want to partake in this anymore but my boyfriend is not on board. I am a born again Christian who…
Read MoreThe Bible and the Poverty Problem
by Matthew W. Bassford In 2003, social scientists Isabell Sawhill and Ron Haskins noticed three striking differences between poor people in America and the nonpoor. First, poor people generally hadn’t completed high school; the nonpoor had. Second, nonpoor people kept a steady job; poor people didn’t. Third, nonpoor people got married before having children; poor people…
Read MoreFree Agents
by Ray Baker One of the many things the Scriptures teach with all surety is the free moral agency of men. The Lord did not create robots when He made us, nor did He fashion ‘puppets on a string.’ He made us creatures of choice, and His desire is that our hearts will choose to…
Read MoreThe Unwanted
Text: Psalms 10 I. How do we deal with those whom others don’t want? A. Terri Shiavo made the news and was the focus of attention for numerous months. 1. Her husband no longer wanted to keep her alive. He claimed that she wouldn’t want to remain in this state. 2. What I don’t often hear is that Terri…
Read MoreLying, Cheating, and Stealing
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/LyingCheatingAndStealing.mp3 Text: Revelation 21:1-8 I. What is it that we teach our children? A. What do tell them about lying, cheating, and stealing? B. Most of us would be confident that they understand these things are wrong. C. But are you certain? D. Far too often we send mixed messages. E. One very perceptive mother sent three examples from her…
Read MoreIt’s Not Fair!
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ItsNotFair.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 I. Parents of school-age children soon hear the argument, “But everyone else gets to. It’s not fair that I’m the only one who can’t.” A. The topic varies with the age of the child, but it ranges from a purchase of an item that you can’t afford or…
Read MoreThe Cultural Problem with Truth
by Doy Moyer The truth shall set you free (John 8:32). To borrow an idea from another well-known statement, had it not been for the truth, I would not have known lies. Oxford’s word of the year in 2016 was “post-truth.” That should not really be a surprise. For decades Postmodernism has eaten away at…
Read MoreThe Nature of Law (Sermon)
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/NatureOfLaw.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Romans 7:1-14 I. Laws can be irritating at times. A. Do this, don’t do that. B. Of course, we never get it right. C. Why do we need laws? II. Law defines right and wrong – Romans 7:7-13 A. The law does not make things right or wrong, it simply states what exists. 1. We…
Read MoreNot What They Told You
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Society often justifies sin by not portraying the complete facts and, thus, making dangerous things appear to be minorly harmful or even beneficial. Not What They Told You – Alcohol Not What They Told You – Marijuana Not What They Told You – Opioids Not What They Told You – Pornography
Read MoreAs Long As It Doesn’t Harm Anyone
by Doy Moyer One of the most prominent moral justifications heard today is that as long as the practice doesn’t harm anyone, then it is right and should be allowed. The primary argument this is being used for today is gay marriage, to no one’s surprise. However, it carries broader applications, and those applications aren’t…
Read MoreWhy Are They Unable to See?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/WhyAreTheyUnableToSee.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Psalms 19 I. I’m sure it has happened to you. You’re talking to someone and the point is clear and obvious to you, but the other person can’t see it. A. You can see it in the apostles when Jesus stated he was going to die – Mark 9:31-32 B. Some…
Read MoreThe verses in your study pricked my heart
Question: Hello! I just wanted to mention how I came across your church’s website and found your studies section. I really appreciate this resource you guys have. I have been a Christian for over five years and have struggled to read my Bible, but I am trying to improve on that. I read one of…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between moral and immoral sins?
Question: What is the difference between a moral sin and an immoral sin? Also, what are the moral sins, and what are the immoral sins? Answer: “Sin” is breaking the law (I John 3:4). “Moral” refers to the standards of correct behavior. There are a few people who what to make a difference between what…
Read MoreVessels Unto Honor and Vessels Unto Dishonor
by L.A. Stauffer via Son Rays, Vol. 30, No. 23, Sept. 7 2008 Paul writes to the young preacher, Timothy, and urges him to flee immorality so that he might be a “vessel unto honor.” His reference is to Timothy’s person or body and how he should engage in honorable conduct (II Timothy 2:20-21). The…
Read MoreHow could the Gentiles be guilty of sin when they did not have the Law?
Question: I was trying to figure out the comparison (or contrast) between Romans 2:12-16 and Romans 7:7-11 “For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who…
Read MorePearls from Proverbs: A Seemingly Right Course
by Irvin Himmel “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). So important is the thought of this verse that it is repeated in Proverbs 16:25. Things are not Always What They Seem To an infant, a pair of scissors may seem…
Read MoreWho Are You?
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/WhoAreYou.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: I Timothy 4:1-2 I. The news has been filled with people who claim to be something different than what they are. A. Bruce Jenners, claims he always felt he was a woman. Yet, he married three times and has six children (two from each marriage). His words and his action…
Read MoreShould I let the father of my child, who is a drug addict, see our baby?
Question: Hi, I am a recovering alcoholic. I started attending church while being a reckless fornicator, alcoholic and pothead. The Lord changed my life completely and eliminated all cravings and temptations to drink and smoke. I decided to leave all my friends and the life I had known because I did not want to be…
Read MoreRahab
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Rahab.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Joshua 2:1-24 I. Rahab has given many Bible students difficulty over the years. A. James 2:14-26 – James tells us she was an example of a working faith when she took in the Israelite spies and sent them out secretly. B. Notice that her action was listed as an example similar…
Read MoreTroubled Over Immorality
by Connie Adams Nothing can create more havoc in a home or a congregation than immoral behavior on the part of Christians or their children. Webster defines immoral as “Inconsistent with purity or good morals.” Immorality is defined by Webster as “the quality or state of being immoral: wickedness, esp. unchastity.” It is immoral to…
Read MoreBad Company Corrupts Good Morals
by Doy Moyer Most are familiar with Paul’s argument in I Corinthians 15, that if Jesus was not raised, and there is no resurrection, then our faith is vain, preaching is vain, and we are to be pitied for believing it all. Another argument that we often make has to do with how pointless life…
Read MoreWhat Do You Do For Fun?
by Jim McGuiggan in The Irish Papers A young man tried to talk a young lady into sexual intercourse but she wouldn’t hear tell of it. Then he offered her booze she wouldn’t touch. A little later he wanted to share some marijuana with her but she turned that down, too. By this time he was…
Read MoreArbitrary Morality
by Doy Moyer Society treats morality in an arbitrary fashion. Racism is condemned in the strongest of terms (rightly so) while openly practicing adultery and fornication is considered normal and acceptable. People use vulgarities as a regular way to talk, while the same people will craft a list of the politically correct terminology for the…
Read MoreIs Dominate Submissive role-playing bad?
Question: What I am doing does not involve sex. I just want to make that part of it clear This is something that brings in fast money, and I’ve been doing it for almost a year. I just don’t want people thinking I’m having sex for money. Everything done is consensual and agreed upon before…
Read MoreCreeping Toward Sodom
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CreepingTowardSodom.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Genesis 13:1-13 I. Lot’s problems began when his herdsmen could no longer get along with the herdsmen of Abram – Genesis 13:5-7 A. This is often the first sign of problems among brethren – they are no longer able to be of one mind 1. I Corinthians 1:10-13 – There were…
Read MoreHow do I deal with immorality in media?
Question: Hello Mr. Hamilton, I am struggling with a lot right now, but I don’t want to leave you with a massive email. I realize this is still a lot, but, some help would begin to clear things up. I realize a lot of this may just be a matter of personal faith, but any…
Read MoreWhat if God tells you to do something horrible, do you do it?
Question: Hello, Often when I hear religious people talk about this or that person in the Bible doing something that God asked, the phrase “Because God said so” is emphasized. It is also talked about how there can be no morality without God, and questions like “If killing you made my life better, why shouldn’t…
Read MoreIs it wrong to avoid doing something because I don’t want to be embarrassed?
Question: Hello, I have a question. Is not wanting to be embarrassed a sin? Or is fearing what people would think of you a sin? I really think I had some form of OCD years back that I am now trying to fully rid out of my life. I had this habit of picking up…
Read MoreIs it possible for a Christian lawyer to defend a known guilty client?
Question: Is it possible for a Christian lawyer to defend a known guilty client? Answer: What lawyers focus on is not whether a client is guilty or not, but whether the government can prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In other words, the lawyer makes a distinction between actual guilt and legally being found…
Read MoreMorality, The Government, and Christians
by Doy Moyer Moral statements and positions will, necessarily, impact political issues. This is not because morality is inherently political, but because the government has the task of recognizing the difference between good and evil, so moral issues will have to be dealt with (Romans 13:3-4). This means that, contrary to what is so often…
Read MoreShould a government legislate morality?
Question: I have had a question for some time now, and have found it difficult to find clear answers in the Scriptures. I know there are many Old Testament accounts, but as far as a New Testament church, it seems quite muddy to me: Should a government legislate morality? I attend a church that has…
Read MoreSince the Scriptures can be unclear, doesn’t it require an organization to state what is true?
Question: Scripture is unclear at times and at other times seems to be contradictory. With that in mind, there are many different interpretations from many different sources. So, my question is this; If what the Bible says is true, not according to personal interpretation, who or what organization is the true scriptural authority? It seems…
Read MoreHow do I decide what is acceptable? How do you deal with what you don’t know?
Question: Hello Brother Hamilton, I have two questions: As I grow as a Christian and as a musician, I’m having a hard time deciding what places are acceptable to visit to listen to music or play at. It seems like alcohol is served everywhere, now even at classical orchestra concerts during intermission. How do I…
Read MoreI so much appreciate your series of lessons entitled “Moral Principles for Young People”
Question: I so much appreciate your series of lessons entitled “Moral Principles for Young People”. The material is excellent. We are using the material as a study on Wednesday night for our teen class. The lessons are very practical and the kids enjoy them. Thanks for putting the series online! Answer: It is so good…
Read MoreYou’re in the Minority
by Wayne S. Walker One of the arguments often made by those who promote moral and social change away from God’s standards, for example in the matter of so-called “homosexual marriage,” is that “you conservative traditionalists are in the minority.” It is claimed that more and more people are “coming around” to support “homosexual marriage”…
Read MoreI’m having trouble not doing things I am unsure about
Question: I am having trouble not doing things that I am unsure about whether or not they are sinful, such as drinking soda, eating sweets, masturbation, and whether or not I should be playing certain card and video games. On the soda and sweets, I am wondering if I am harming my body by doing…
Read MoreWhen I am Old, Then I’ll be Good
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/WhenIAmOldThenIllBeGood.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Matthew 25:1-13 I. In Jesus’ parable of the vineyard workers we learn that salvation is available to all who will come to the Lord, no matter when it is done – Matthew 20:1-16 A. Jesus in his mercy chooses to treat all alike. B. When an elderly man wrote to me,…
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