How 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…

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Honor Your Parents

by Whit Sasser In the list of things worthy of death found in Romans 1:30 is disobedience to parents. Proverbs 30:17 says, “The eye that mocks his father, and scorns obedience to his mother, the ravens of the valley will pick it out, and the young eagles will eat it.” It is clear, that God’s…

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Can you explain more about the need for parental consent before marriage?

Question: Greetings beloved in the Lord, I hope you’re waxing strong in the vineyard of our Lord and Master. In Africa, it is cultural to seek parental consent before marriage. But there are instances where this consent is denied for personal and immoral reasons. Can you avail me with materials that one can use to…

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My fiance’s family will never love me

Question: Dear sir, Please, I need your advice. I was dating this young guy, who I thought we would spend much time together for the rest of our lives. Instead, little did I know that he was just playing with me, after some time the communication just started breaking down. It came from nowhere. I…

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Do we need her father’s blessing?

Question: I bring you greetings, Please, sir, I have a pressing question that demands an urgent answer. I proposed to a girl and she accepted after praying about it. We both belong to one group in our church and according to the ethics of the group, every member of the group must attend an interview…

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Is it wrong to cut ties with my father?

Question: My father is an evil narcissist. I feel my life is in danger if I show up at his home unannounced because he has threatened me and then he apologizes when he feels good and ready. His words are routinely evil, piercing, and hurtful. He has said he doesn’t need a daughter like me.…

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Honor Your Father and Mother

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Honor-Your-Father-and-Mother.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 6:1-3   I.         One of the Ten Commandments of the Old Law is brought to the New Law intact. It is the commandment to honor our parents             A.        The word “honor” in this passage means to fix a value on something, to consider it a prized possession.             B.        The original Hebrew…

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Love and Respect

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Love-and-Respect.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Ephesians 5:25-33   I.         There are some topics that are joined such that you cannot have one without the other.             A.        Faith and obedience are two sides the same subject.                         1.         You can’t really have faith without obedience – James 2:14-18                         2.         And you can’t really have obedience without faith – Romans 4:2-5…

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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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How do I not let my mother’s statements hurt me?

Question: Hello, I read the following answers about dealing with an ungodly parent: How do you honor an abusive parent? How do I honor abusive, ungodly parents? They resonate with me as I am having similar issues with my own mother. I realize people are responsible for their own behavior just as I am for…

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My parents have become heretics. Should I cut them out of my life?

Question: My mother and father have latched onto what I consider to be a heretical theology with fervor. My father, who is the reason I am a Bible-believing Christian today, has become a Full Preterist. He is radical, aggressive, and has tried to convert everyone he knows. Both my parents believe that Satan, Hell, and…

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What Are Mothers Made Of?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/What-Are-Mothers-Made-Of.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Proverbs 31:27-30   I.         To prepare the children for making a sweet Mothers Day card, the elementary school teacher asked her class some questions that she thought would cause them to appreciate their mom’s more, then they could think of something sweet to write when it came time to make…

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Exactly Who is Influencing Who?

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Exactly-Who-Is-Influencing-Who.mp3 by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: II Chronicles 13:4-12   I.         Most Americans tend to have an independent streak.             A.        We would like to think that we think for ourselves.             B.        As Christians, we aim to influence those around to do good.             C.        But influence is not a one-way street. II.        Our thoughts are shaped by many things             A.        Parents                         1.         Seth…

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A Father’s Gift

by Jefferson David Tant Fathers are often clueless about gift-giving for their children. That’s Mom’s job. But when we think of gifts, we usually think of material gifts—toys for toddlers, clothes, games, and sports equipment for teens. Or maybe the ultimate gift for a teen—a car! Many who are reading these words are prosperous by…

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Can a father prevent his daughter from marrying?

Question: Good evening Jeff. I have some questions that I need Bible facts to support, so I need your help. It is whether a man can prevent his daughter from getting married? If a girl’s father doesn’t agree to her marriage, can she still be scripturally married? Does I Corintians 7:37 mean that the above…

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I have problems with my mom

Question: I have problems with my mom. She and my dad have issues, and she’s taking it out on me. Every intention I have to make things better between us is bad to her. She pushes me away and doesn’t want to talk to me nor see me. Please help me. I know I need…

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Will I still be a mother in heaven?

Question: Will I still be a mother in heaven? I know that we won’t be married in heaven and that we will have some recognition of others that are there with us, but if I am in heaven and so is my daughter will we still be mother and daughter? Answer: To be a mother…

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I want to move out but I’m scared to tell my parents

Question: My parents are Christians and refuse to accept that drinking is wrong. I live with them and I want to leave because of this, but I’m terrified to tell them. I’m more than old enough, but they’re my parents and I’m afraid they’ll make me lose my nerve and I’ll stay. I’m sick to…

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I want to be a Christian, but my parents are Hindus

Question: Praise the Lord. I’m Hindu, but I accepted Jesus as my God and Savior. In my family, all are unbelievers. My brother and I were baptized. I praise God for His grace upon us. My family forces us to bow before Hindu idols. It hurts a lot. When the world rejected me, Jesus loved…

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How do I honor my stepmother and accept her?

Question: How do I honor my stepmother and accept her? What are our places now in the family? I am just looking around in all sorts of places for answers, so I hope this is something that is appropriate to ask you. Recently my family has grown as my dad has remarried. My mother passed…

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Do I need her mother’s permission to get married?

Question: Greetings in the name of God! I’ve read through your response to a mail from somebody whose fiancĂ©e’s parents denied them consent to become one. Mine is a bit similar, except that my fiancĂ©e’s father is deceased and the mother is insisting her daughter cannot marry me. Initially, she was in full support of our…

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Do I have to support my father, who refuses to work and smokes marijuana?

Question: Hello, First of all, I love your site. I have spent many hours happily reading the archives of the questions asked, which has helped me. That’s why I’m coming to you with this. Because he doesn’t “feel like it,” my father has not worked for fifteen years; instead, relying on my mother to support…

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I want to join the military, but my parents object

Question: I’m 17 years old and am about to graduate. Recently I have been given the opportunity to either go into the military or attended a university. I’m wanting to go into the military. My reason is that I want to help protect the U.S. from foreign dangers, but my parents don’t see it like…

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My parents object to my becoming a missionary

Question: Hi, I am currently a senior in high school. I have been considering the idea of becoming a preacher sometime in the future. I am considering doing some mission work before committing to the pulpit role. My parents are not in great support of the idea of mission work. They are concerned about how…

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Can parents annul their daughter’s marriage?

Question: Please Minister, Can it be right for a parent to annul the marriage of their daughter based on disrespectful behavior shown toward them by their son-in-law? Can a married woman divorce her husband based on the same reason? Answer: A marriage covenant is between a husband and wife (Matthew 19:4-6). Parents are not a…

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Do parents need to explain why they made their decision?

Question: Not too long ago, I asked you a question about honoring parents. You led me to some very helpful links. Thanks. My new question to you is: What if the parents abuse their power? For example, what if a child owns a car and wants to drive it, and the parents tell him not…

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My parents don’t want me to be a Christian

Question: I believe in God, but my parents don’t. They don’t want me to be a Christian, but I do. I don’t know what to do. Please help. Answer: It is a tough situation when a young teen realizes the truth, but his parents reject it. Most countries have laws that state that parents can…

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How do I confront my dad about his viewing pornography?

Question: Hello, Thank you for taking the time to read this question. I have read your replies to others in the past and appreciate the biblically based advice you give. My father is a Christian man, married to my mom for over 30 years. Unfortunately, a few years ago, I accidentally discovered he has been…

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Am I bad because I wasn’t with my mother when she died?

Question: I am a 22-year-old woman who is having a crisis. I have spoken and confessed to God my transgressions for my sins against Him and others; and yet, fear still takes hold of me. How can I cleanse both my mind, heart, and soul of this taint? I still feel guilt over what happened…

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How do I convince my Pentecostal parents of God’s truth?

Question: Dear Minister, My father and mother are pastors of a Pentecostal church. I do not agree with what they believe — relying on experience and emotions rather than being fully grounded on the Word of God. I do not want them to stay in that belief forever. I want them to be brought into…

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How do I grow as a Christian? How do I handle my abusive father?

Question: I’m 18 years old. I’m new to religion and seeking wise words and maybe some answers to where to start. I have a girlfriend who, after a while, convinced me to become religious. She lives far away, so she can’t really teach me much. There is also a small language barrier because what she…

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The things my dad listens to scare me

Question: Sorry to bother you mister, but I need some guidance from someone who knows what he’s talking about. I have read a few of your questions and answers hoping to find a person who has similar issues as mine but I have come across none so far. OK, so my dad is a firm…

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My parents don’t get along. How do I fix the situation?

Question: Hi, I feel so sad right now. I’m a 23-year-old female. I have my parents who never got along well. They’ve been having problems since I was young. They would always complain and talk badly about each other to my siblings and me. They would blame each other for everything. One brother never got…

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Can parents deny consent to their adult children getting married?

Question: I read this from your site: Do adults need to honor their parents by obeying them? I have actually read your responses and the whole Question and Answer to the end. My situation with my fiancee’s parents is almost similar to the one quoted below. “You’ll be surprised as to how many Asian parents…

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