Posts Tagged ‘temptation’
I’m obsessing over my sinful thoughts. What can I do?
Question: Hello. I am a member of the church of Christ and have been for a while now. However I have been plagued by many tormenting, fearful, and bad thoughts on a daily basis. I have talked to many doctors, psychiatrists and church counselors who chalk it up to anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which causes…
Read MoreIf God gave us free will, why is it Satan can still tempt us?
Question: Okay, I don’t really know how to put this so here goes: If God gave us free will, why is it Satan can still tempt us? Answer: A good question. Free will means that God allows you to make choices in your life. God decided before making the world that He wanted people who…
Read MoreIs there a conflict over whether God tries men?
Question: The Bible says God tries men in Hebrews 11:17, but James 1:13 says God does not tempt us. Is there a contradiction? Answer: “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son” (Hebrews 11:17). “Let no one say when he…
Read MoreGod cannot be tempted, but Jesus was tempted; so, is Jesus not God?
Question: My friend, who is an Arian, gave me this puzzling logic: God can’t be tempted, but Jesus was tempted; therefore, Jesus is not God. Is this true? Answer: For a Christian, it would be easy to spot this line of reasoning as a falsehood because it ends with a statement that contradicts the Bible.…
Read MoreBeware of Satan’s Tactics
by Rickey Shive via Lost River Bulletin, Vol. 58, No. 2, June 8, 2008. The book of Job is a marvelous piece of ancient, Scripture Although scholars are uncertain who the author of the text actually is or the exact time period when it was written, they have speculated that it may be the oldest book…
Read MoreIs sin causing God to be sad because we turned away from Jesus?
Question: Something that I was told recently really makes sense to me, and I really want your input. When I used to repent of my sins, I would repent for the sin, such as masturbating, lust, lying, or whatever it was. I felt like I was talking to a wall because I knew that tomorrow…
Read MoreWhich book can I commit to memory to overcome sexual lusts?
Question: My Christian life hasn’t been very fruitful, to say the least. I still engage in the same sexual lusts that I once did and I am searching for the right book in the New Testament to commit to memory so that I can combat these temptations. I can’t win unless I have the sword…
Read MoreI’m finding myself attracted to a woman who is undergoing a divorce and I know the situation isn’t right. What do I do?
Question: God teaches us lessons in many ways. The new one He is teaching me is when I stand on something I need to be innocent in the situation myself. Such as the situation with the people who are married and living with someone other than their husband or wife. Recently I have been tempted…
Read MoreCan I tell you a bit about my past?
Question: You have given me insight into my life and that I appreciate it a lot. I would like to tell you more about my life’s story now that you know some things about me. I want to show how great God is — not me or how good I am, but God’s love for…
Read MoreI feel so stupid. I just told a child that looking at pornography was a sin and then the next evening did it myself. Can you give me some advice?
Question: Good day. I never realized before. I wish I knew Him so much closer and understand His plans better. I never really realized how great He is. I have so many questions. I know we sin each and every day, but I would like to know more when I am giving advice to children…
Read MoreDoes Satan know our weaknesses?
Question: Does Satan know our weakness? If so, does he use people in our lives in ways to get us to fall? I mean is he able to influence relatives, friends to cause one to stumble? Is he able to put people in our lives who seem to be genuine but have evil intentions to…
Read MoreI noticed the more good I do, the more I am tempted. How do I deal with this?
Question: I noticed that the more good I do, the more I get tempted. So if you can give me some advice on how to deal with this and have stronger faith. Answer: You’re not the first to notice this. “For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.…
Read MoreI think my girlfriend is making a mistaking in finding a new place to live. What can I do?
Question: I’m curious to hear your two cents on this situation I’m stuck in right now. So here’s the story: Since my girlfriend and her daughter live over two hours away, she’s looking to move closer since it’s very hard for us to see each other. We only do that about once a month, twice if…
Read MoreForeseeing Evil and Avoiding It
https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/2008Spring4ForeseeingEvilAndAvoidingIt.mp3 by Whit Sasser Lessons in Christianity
Read MoreWhy did God put the tree in the garden if He knew man would sin?
Question: “Why Does God Allow Evil?” was a great explanation about why sin exists in the world, I enjoyed reading it and it has been a helpful tool when people ask me about sin and why God allows it to happen. I would like to ask you a question about the tree of knowledge that…
Read MoreIs living together, but not sleeping together, a sin?
Question: I’ve just got back from my youth group after having a discussion about living together before getting married. I’ve searched your articles and I don’t think they quite answer the question “Is living together before marriage a sin?” We actually want to know is living together, but not sleeping together, before getting married a…
Read MoreHow can I overcome my evil thoughts even though I am Christian already?
Question: How can I overcome my evil thoughts even though I am Christian already? Answer: I’ve always been amazed at how many people think that Satan gives up and goes away just because a person has become a Christian. Satan isn’t going to stop tempting you with sin (evil thoughts), he is going to work…
Read MoreI can’t seem to stop thinking about sinful things. What can I do?
Question: I came across your site today and have been able to get my answers to a lot of questions I had from there. I am a new believer and my faith is about one and a half months old. I have been exhilarated at the beginning of the faith. But now it has become…
Read MoreHow does Satan know what to use to tempt us?
Question: How does Satan know what to tempt us with? He is not God, so how does he know what tempts us? Answer: The simple answer is he doesn’t know. He makes guesses and is sometimes wrong. You can see this when Satan attempted to bring down Job. “So Satan answered the LORD and said,…
Read MoreWhy is pornography so addictive and how can I help someone stop looking at porn?
Question: We were just hanging out after school as usual when one of the guys borrowed a mobile phone from a close friend of mine. There were six or seven of us and there were just two girls there. Now this guy who borrowed the phone took a good look at the phone’s features and…
Read MoreIs thinking about sin a sin?
Question: It is a sin to have that thought? Even though I didn’t act upon it? Answer: A thought is not a sin. Otherwise, there would be no temptation — only sin. Satan has to get us to think about sin to lure us into it. What should happen is that we immediately follow the…
Read MoreWhy did God put the forbidden tree in the garden?
Question: I have a couple of doubts and am hoping to get an answer from you. Adam and Eve ate the fruit of the forbidden tree, which was a sin. Why did God has created that tree? If there is no tree, then there would have been no sin. Why do the innocent suffer? Answer:…
Read MoreWe’re thinking about getting married, so how do I get him to be honest with himself?
Question: Hello. I want to thank you so much for the information because it helped me out a lot. I have one problem: telling him that he is not a virgin. Every time I try to tell him it bothers him to talk about it because he knew it was wrong and stuff. I know that…
Read MoreHow to Defeat Temptation
by Kent Heaton Whenever we think of something as a temptation we consider it evil. The original Latin could suggest something good or bad but the evil sense has taken a predominant role in its definition. The idea of temptation is rooted in the challenge of character. Trials rightly faced are harmless, but wrongly met…
Read MoreSince sin comes from our thoughts, does this mean there is no Satan?
Question: Does the following passage mean that there is no Satan or demons that cause men to do evil?: “He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.” Then the disciples…
Read MoreWere Adam and Eve bound to sin?
Question: My thesis is that Adam was bound to fall. How long Adam or Eve could resist not eating the forbidden fruit? Because as long as Adam and Eve were in the garden that tree was always before them. As long as they resist eating the fruit they would remain in the garden. The tree…
Read MoreThe Temptations of Jesus
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton Text: Luke 4:1-13 I. We all face temptations – I Corinthians 10:13 A. But Satan’s power to tempt is limited. He only has so many tricks to use. B. Consider the temptation of Jesus 1. We understand that Jesus is the Son of God 2. So often we believe that Jesus’ temptations were not like…
Read MoreMy girlfriend wants me in her bed, but I know it is wrong. What do I do?
Question: I am troubled by certain things in my life. As a young man, it is a challenge to deal with young women because I am in somewhat of a relationship (although we are not physically active) it is still a struggle. Even though I am not active physically, I am tempted daily. I desire…
Read MoreHow do I keep focused and not be tempted and fall?
Question: I realize that this world is not for us. What advice could you give to help me to be focused and not allow the things of this world to tempt me and cause me to fall? Question: This is quite a large topic that is covered in many aspects within the Bible. I won’t…
Read MoreWhat can be done for a man who continually falls back into sin?
Question: I have another question that relates to a brother who is dealing with some personal issues. Basically, he is a good brother who is ambitious and devoted to the church. However, he has gone through a lot and is continually fighting the temptation of allowing the old man to return, especially when negative situations…
Read MoreHow do I defend against Satan?
Question: I was reading the article of the seven-year married woman who committed adultery with a “Christian” man and is now afraid of the possible consequences. I noticed a piece of advice that could be applied to almost anything. The advice is: “Implement plans to keep yourself pure by avoiding tempting situations.” I have an addiction…
Read MoreCoed Slumber Parties?
by George Hutto That’s the title of a recent article in the teen section of the local paper, (Times Daily, Florence, AL, June 1, 2005, p. 6e). “Innocent fun or danger zone?” is the subtitle. The simple asking of the question is disturbing. In this article the author, Helena Ollviero from Cox News Service quotes…
Read MoreI’m addicted to pornography and masturbation. How do I stop?
Question: I’ve been addicted to porn and masturbation for two years. Everyone around thinks that I’m a right on Christian, but I’m not. Do I have to tell people what’s going on? I’m trying to stop. Will God still forgive me? Answer: Before any sin can be addressed, there has to be a period when…
Read MoreThe Nature of Sin, Temptation, and Lust
I. The pathway to death – James 1:13-16 (handout) A. Desire 1. Each of us is born with a normal, natural set of desires. 2. Those desires are the consequences of the operation of our bodies. a. What is the purpose of thirst? Hunger? b. Does sexual desire have a purpose? B. Temptation 1. Satan tries to place us in situations where it…
Read MoreCan I as a homosexual change if I start going to church?
Question: I always thought I was born a homosexual, everybody thought I was because I was very feminine. I read in the Bible that it is a sin, and now I have constant worries about being gay, but I have desires for sex with other guys. Do you think I can really change if I…
Read MoreWhat was so bad about Jesus turning stones into bread?
Question: What was so bad about Jesus turning stones into bread? Answer: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are…
Read MoreHow does adultery start?
Question: How does adultery start? In what way then is it looked upon as adultery Answer: James describes the steps leading to death from sin as thus: “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each…
Read MoreWhy are boy-girl relationships not advisable at a young age?
Question: Why are boy-girl relationships not advisable at a young age Answer: Youth is a time of impatient desires. They want the things available to adults, but adulthood seems so far away. The typical teenage boy enters puberty around the age of 11. The typical teenage girl enters puberty around the age of 10. Two…
Read MoreThe Temptation
by Bob Waldron via Truth Magazine XXIII (Part 1: 31, pp. 504-505, August 9, 1979; Part 2: 32, pp. 520-521, August 16, 1979; Part 3: 33, p. 533, August 23, 1979) After Jesus was baptized, He was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. The account of the temptation of…
Read MoreWhere was God’s protection for those caught in the September 11th tragedy?
Question: I recently read a piece lauding the blessings of the people who were supposed to be at the World Trade Center the morning of September 11, 2002, but in small ways, they were detained by the mishaps of life, faulty alarms, children dallying, traffic, etc. These people were saying how good and protective God…
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