Why is the love of money the root of all kinds of evil?

The apostle Paul, in his first letter to his young disciple, Timothy,
had this to say: "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of
evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and
pierced themselves with many griefs" (1 Timothy 6:10). Now this verse
is often misquoted as saying, "Money is the root of all evil." Notice
how "money" is substituted for "love of money" and "the root of all
evil" is substituted for "a root of all kinds of evil." These changes,
while subtle, have an enormous impact on the meaning of the verse.

The misquoted version ("money is the root of all evil") makes money
and wealth the source (or root) of all evil in the world. This is
clearly false. The Bible makes it quite clear that sin is the root of
all evil in the world (Matthew 15:19; Romans 5:12; James 1:15).
However, when we reflect upon the correct citation of this verse, we
see that it is the love of money, not money itself, that is a source
of all different kinds of trouble and evil. Wealth is morally neutral;
there is nothing wrong with money, in and of itself, or the possession
of money. However, when money begins to control us, that's when
trouble starts.

With that said, let's consider the question before us: Why is the love
of money a root of all kinds of evil? To help us answer this, we must
look at the passage in its greater context. Near the end of the letter
(1 Timothy 6:2–10), Paul is exhorting Timothy regarding the need to
"teach and urge these things" to his congregation, "these things"
referring back to earlier material in the epistle. Paul then warns
Timothy about false teachers who will seek to warp and pervert the
content of sound doctrine for their own greedy gain (verses 3–5). Now
notice what the apostle says at the end of verse 5: "Imagining that
godliness is a means of gain." These false teachers do what they do
for the fame and notoriety they achieve, along with the financial
rewards it brings.

Paul wants to steer Timothy away from that trap. In doing so, he tells
him the real source of "great gain;" namely, godliness with true
contentment (verse 6). Contentment, in a biblical sense, is the
recognition that we come into the world with nothing and that
everything we have is a gift from God's hands (verses 7–8). Yet those
who desire to be rich (i.e., those who have the "love of money") are
the ones who are led into temptation and fall into a snare (verse 9).
Paul concludes the passage by telling Timothy that the love of money
leads to all sorts of sin and evil.

Simple reflection on this principle will confirm that it is true.
Greed causes people to do all sorts of things they wouldn't normally
do. Watch any number of TV courtroom dramas, and the crime under
consideration is usually motivated by jealousy or greed, or both. The
love of money is what motivates people to lie, steal, cheat, gamble,
embezzle, and even murder. People who have a love for money lack the
godliness and contentment that is true gain in God's eyes.

But the Bible makes an even stronger statement about the love of
money. What we have discussed thus far simply describes the horizontal
level of the love of money. In other words, we have only mentioned how
the love of money can lead one to commit greater sins against his
fellow man. But the Bible makes quite clear that all sin is ultimately
against God's holy character (Psalm 51:5). We need to consider the
vertical dimension to the love of money.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters,
for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be
devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and
money" (Matthew 6:24). This verse comes at the end of a passage in
which Jesus tells us to "lay up treasures in heaven" (v. 19). Here,
Jesus likens a "love of money" to idolatry. He refers to money as a
"master" we serve at the expense of serving God. We are commanded by
God to have "no other gods" before the only true and living God
(Exodus 20:3; the first commandment). Anything that takes first place
in our lives other than our Creator God is an idol and makes us guilty
of breaking the first commandment.

Jesus had much to say about wealth. His most memorable conversation
about money is His encounter with the rich young ruler (Matthew
19:16–30). The young man asks Jesus what he must do to obtain eternal
life, and Jesus tells him to follow the commandments. When the man
tells Jesus that he has done all that, Jesus tests his ability to obey
the first commandment and tells him to sell all his possessions and
give it to the poor and to follow Him. The young man couldn't do this;
his wealth had become an idol—it was his master!

After this encounter, Jesus turns to His disciples and says, "Truly, I
say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom
of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through
the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of
God" (Matthew 19:23–24). This is a hard saying, especially for
21st-century people living in North America. Jesus is saying that
wealth is one of the biggest obstacles to coming to faith in Christ.
The reason is obvious: wealth becomes a slave master in our lives and
drives us to do all sorts of things that drive us further and further
away from God. The good news is that what is impossible for man,
entering into the Kingdom of God, is possible with God (Matthew
19:26).

How can we recognize the voice of God?

This question has been asked by countless people throughout the ages.
Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was
instructed by Eli (1 Samuel 3:1–10). Gideon had a physical revelation
from God, and he still doubted what he had heard to the point of
asking for a sign, not once, but three times (Judges 6:17–22,36–40).
When we are listening for God's voice, how can we know that He is the
one speaking? First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel
did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to
read, study, and meditate on. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is
useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in
righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for
every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16–17). When we have a question about a
certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible
has to say about it. God will never lead us contrary to what He has
taught in His Word (Titus 1:2).

To hear God's voice we must belong to God. Jesus said, "My sheep
listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27).
Those who hear God's voice are those who belong to Him—those who have
been saved by His grace through faith in the Lord Jesus. These are the
sheep who hear and recognize His voice, because they know Him as their
Shepherd. If we are to recognize God's voice, we must belong to Him.

We hear His voice when we spend time in Bible study and quiet
contemplation of His Word. The more time we spend intimately with God
and His Word, the easier it is to recognize His voice and His leading
in our lives. Employees at a bank are trained to recognize
counterfeits by studying genuine money so closely that it is easy to
spot a fake. We should be so familiar with God's Word that when
someone speaks error to us, it is clear that it is not of God.

While God could speak audibly to people today, He speaks primarily
through His written Word. Sometimes God's leading can come through the
Holy Spirit, through our consciences, through circumstances, and
through the exhortations of other people. By comparing what we hear to
the truth of Scripture, we can learn to recognize God's voice.

How can I know if I am hearing God, hearing Satan, or hearing my own thoughts?

Life is full of decisions we must make that do not have absolute,
specific-by-name, how-to directions in the Bible. How many hours a day
should my kids watch TV? Is it okay to play shoot-ʼem-up video games?
Am I allowed to go on a date with a co-worker? Does God get mad if I
miss work because I stayed up too late the night before? We all have
notions about the truth, but how do we know for sure that these ideas
are coming from a Divine Source? Am I hearing God? Sometimes
distinguishing our own ideas from God's leading is difficult. And what
if our urges are actually coming from the enemy of our souls and not
from God? How do we "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5)
when we aren't sure where the thoughts are coming from?

The most common ways God communicates are through the Bible and the
leadings of the Holy Spirit. Also, God can use a godly mentor to
provide wise counsel (Proverbs 12:15). If God wants to speak to us,
nothing can stop Him.

Pray
If we are confused about whether or not we are hearing God, it is good
to pray for wisdom (James 1:5). We should ask God to clearly make His
will known to us. When we pray, we "must believe and not doubt,
because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed
by the wind" (James 1:6). If we have no faith, we "should not expect
to receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:7).

Talk to God in prayer and earnestly wait for His response. However,
keep in mind that sometimes He doesn't give us all the answers we
desire. He knows what we need to know at any given time, and He will
tell us if it is best.

Study the Word
Reading the Bible is the primary way God speaks to us. It is also the
best way to learn about God's character and His dealings with people
throughout history. All Scripture is "breathed out by God" and is the
guide for a righteous life (2 Timothy 3:16). While we speak to God in
prayer, He speaks to us through His Word. As we read, we must consider
the words to be the very words of God.

Listen to the Holy Spirit's Voice
The Holy Spirit is God—a divine Being with a mind, emotions, and will.
He is always with us (Psalm 139:7–8). His purposes include interceding
for us (Romans 8:26–27) and making decisions to benefit the church (1
Corinthians 12:7–11).

When we feel that we have received personal instruction from God, we
need to remain wise (Proverbs 4:7). We must "test the spirits" (1 John
4:1). The world is full of noise and distractions, and so are our
minds. Life on earth is a spiritual battle. The enemy is eager to
supply diversions to distract us from God's will (1 Peter 5:8). We
must be vigilant to ensure that what we have heard is more than a
feeling but is truly from God Himself.

Remember, God wants to show us the right path to take. He's not in the
business of hiding His will from those who seek Him.

Here are some good questions to ask as we examine whether or not we
are hearing God: Are the promptings confusing or vague? God is not the
author of confusion; He is the bringer of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33).
Do they go against God's Word? God will not contradict Himself. Will
following these promptings lead to sin? Those who live by the Spirit
will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16).

In addition, you may want to seek counsel from a Christian friend,
family member, or pastor (Proverbs 15:22). GotQuestions.org is a great
resource, too, as we have many volunteers waiting to help answer your
questions with biblical truth.

God does not want us to fail. The more we listen to God, the better
able we will be at distinguishing His voice from the other noises in
our heads. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gives His promise: "He goes on
ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice"
(John 10:4). Others may speak, "but the sheep [do] not listen to them"
(verse 8). The better we know our Shepherd, the less we have to worry
about heeding the wrong voice.

Should a Christian use social networking tools (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blogs, etc.)?

Hundreds of millions of people are running toward social networking
sites like Facebook and Twitter to participate in the relational
components of the Internet. Are these networks the next big mission
field or an enormous waste of time? Should a Christian participate in
social networking? The answer to these questions should be determined
by whether we can honestly ask God to bless and use our actions for
His own good purposes. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you
do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). If we are
willing to let God use our participation for His glory, we have
freedom to participate.

Christians who choose to participate in social networking should be
aware of the negative aspects of social networking. It should be
remembered that not everyone on the Internet has pure motives, and we
should use safety precautions, utilize the privacy settings, and be
selective as to who is accepted as a "friend" or "fan." Parents should
regularly interact with their children and be active participants in
their child's use of social networking sites. In addition, Christians
should be aware of the danger of the narcissism (excessive self-love
and preoccupation with self) inherent in self-oriented sites. Studies
have shown that overuse or wrong motives in social media participation
can breed narcissism. When we rely on social media sites primarily to
promote ourselves or draw attention to ourselves, it is time to take a
step back. It's wise to utilize accountability, encouraging spouse,
family members, and Christian brothers and sisters to view our social
networking activity and hold us accountable. Proverbs 27:17 says,
"Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens his friend's countenance."

It's also important to understand the impact our status, photo,
comments, or blog posts may have in the future. It should be
remembered that social networking sites involve publishing to the
entire Internet, including family members, current and future
employers, college admissions personnel, etc. The ramifications of any
statements, both now and in the future, should be considered. It
should be assumed that everything written is permanent and viewable by
everyone. Furthermore, while maintaining relationships is important
and healthy, addiction is not. Limiting the amount of time we devote
to these social networking sites is both healthy and wise.

On the other hand, there are definitely positive aspects of social
networking. For the Christian, social media sites can be an enormously
productive mission field. Reconnecting with old friends and increasing
our sphere of influence can lead to evangelistic opportunities
unavailable elsewhere. Social media allows us to reenter the daily
lives of people we may have lost contact with and open up new avenues
for sharing Christ. As such, we can influence the views of others by
what we post, bringing encouragement and spiritual guidance to others
and using friends lists or Facebook status updates to pray regularly
for friends and their needs. "Let us consider how we may spur one
another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting
together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one
another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews
10:24-25).

Finally, social networking sites can engage spiritual seekers on the
Internet, meeting those seekers where they are. Just like face-to-face
evangelism, we can establish credibility and authenticity in the
seeker's natural and comfortable environment, and then build on that
foundation and share the love of Christ with new online friends.

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is gentleness?

Galatians 5:22-23 says that the Holy Spirit works in us to be more
like Christ (Ephesians 4:14-16), and part of the fruit, or results, of
that work is gentleness. Gentleness, also translated "meekness," does
not mean weakness. Rather, it involves humility and thankfulness
toward God, and polite, restrained behavior toward others. The
opposites of gentleness are anger, a desire for revenge, and
self-aggrandizement.

God wants us to give Him control of our lives. Relying on our own
logic, we have no impetus to submit to God's leadership. With the
wisdom given to us by the Holy Spirit, however, we begin to see why we
should completely submit to God as Lord of our lives. Human power
under human control is a half-broken weapon in the hands of a child.
But gentleness places our strength under God's guidance; it is a
powerful tool for God's kingdom.

Every person is powerful. We can speak words that influence others; we
can act in ways that help or hurt; and we can choose what influences
will inform our words and actions. Gentleness constrains and channels
that power. To be gentle is to recognize that God's ways and thoughts
are high above our own (Isaiah 55:9). It is to humbly realize that our
worldviews are shaped by exposure to sin and the misinterpretation of
experience. It is to accept God's worldview, reflecting truth about
the spiritual and the material worlds.

It is to our advantage to have a gentle attitude toward God because He
is omniscient and we are not. "Where were you when I laid the
foundation of the earth?" God challenges Job. "Tell Me, if you have
understanding" (Job 38:4). God knows everything of the past, present,
and future (1 John 3:20); we can't even get the weather forecast
right. Like a petulant teenager to his parents, we may cry out, "You
just don't understand!" but God does understand, more than we could
possibly know (Psalm 44:21).

When we are filled with the Spirit's fruit of gentleness, we will
correct others with easiness instead of arguing in resentment and
anger, knowing that their salvation is far more important than our
pride (2 Timothy 24-25). We will forgive readily, because any offense
toward us is nothing compared to our offenses against God—offenses
He's already forgiven (Matthew 18:23-35). Competition and sectarianism
will disappear, as the goal becomes less about ourselves and more
about preaching the gospel (Philippians 1:15-18). John the Baptist was
a fiery preacher, yet he evinced true gentleness when he said,
"[Jesus] must become greater; I must become less" (John 3:30).

Gentleness also means giving up the right to judge what is best for
ourselves and others. God is not as concerned with our comfort as He
is concerned with our spiritual growth, and He knows how to grow us
far better than we do. Gentleness means that we accept that the rain
falls on the evil and the just and that God may use methods we don't
like to reach our hearts and the hearts of others.

Finally, to live in a spirit of gentleness toward God is to accept His
judgment on people and issues. We tend to think it is gentle to go
easy on people and try to justify actions that God has called sin. Or
to let someone continue in sin without speaking the truth. But Paul
says, "If anyone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual
restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness" (Galatians 6:1). This
doesn't mean to be so soft that the sinner doesn't realize he's
sinned. It means to confront the brother in a manner that is in line
with Scripture—to be mild, loving, encouraging, and clear about the
holiness that God calls us to.

Jesus gave us the perfect picture of gentleness: "See, your king comes
to you, gentle and riding on a donkey" (Matthew 21:5), and now He
offers us His gentleness as a gift. If we allow the Holy Spirit to
lead us, we will be filled with fruit of gentleness.

What should be the response of a Christian whose spouse has had an affair?

Infidelity creates a very difficult and painful situation, one that
involves all the emotions, and, for the Christian, can stretch faith
almost to the breaking point. The best thing to do is "turn all your
worries over to Him. He cares about you" (1 Peter 5:7). Go to the Lord
for comfort, wisdom, and direction on a daily basis. God can help us
through the deepest of trials.

Adultery is always wrong. "God will judge the person who commits
adultery" (Hebrews 13:4). The injured party should rest in the truth
that God is the avenger. The person who has been sinned against does
not have to fret over getting even. God will do a much better job of
that. When we are betrayed, we need to commit the pain to the One who
knows every detail and will deal with it appropriately.

FORGIVE. "Forgive people when they sin against you. If you do, your
Father who is in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not
forgive people their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins"
(Matthew 6:14, 15). This may seem impossible, and it will take time,
but with God's grace the victim can make it an act of the will in
obedience to God's Word. To harbor bitterness will affect attitudes,
emotions, and the desire to obey God, and it will negatively affect
everyday decisions. Refusal to forgive is more detrimental to the
offended party than it is to the offender. This does not mean that the
betrayed spouse is not going to suffer the effects of deep hurt.
Forgiveness also does not make the offense "okay." Forgiveness is
about receiving God's grace and trusting Him to redeem everything in
our lives. It is appropriate to engage the anger and hurt caused by
infidelity. Expressing these emotions to God can be a first step
toward true forgiveness. Forgiveness is an act of the will, but it
also must be heartfelt. Giving our emotions and needs over to God
allows Him to minister to our hearts so that we can let go of the
offense and forgive as we have been forgiven.

BE FORGIVEN. "But God is faithful and fair. If we admit that we have
sinned, He will forgive us our sins. He will forgive every wrong thing
we have done. He will make us pure" (1 John 1:9). Both parties should
ask God to help them see how each may have contributed to the whole
situation and be released from the weight of guilt before God. From
that point on, there will be freedom to seek His counsel and guidance.
His Holy Spirit will enable them to do what they could not do on their
own. "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me"
(Philippians 4:13).

Then, as God leads, forgiveness and reconciliation can follow. No
matter how long it takes, every effort must be made to forgive and
reconcile. (See Matthew 5:23–24.) As to whether to stay or to leave,
"anyone who divorces his wife and gets married to another woman
commits adultery. A man may divorce his wife only if she has not been
faithful to him" (Matthew 19:9). While the innocent party may have
grounds for divorce, God's preference is forgiveness and
reconciliation.

The Lord says, "I hate divorce!" (Malachi 2:16). It is far better to
try to resolve the issues causing the problems, especially if there
are children involved. Godly counsel from a Christian counselor or
pastor is helpful. Prayer for guidance in all thoughts, words,
actions, and decisions is crucial.

Is it ever not a sin to masturbate?

The question is essentially this: if a husband and wife are separated
for a long period of time, and have each other's permission to do it,
and can do it without pornography or lustful/immoral thoughts, would
that mean it is not a sin to masturbate? The most common situation in
which this question arises is that of spouses separated due to service
in the military. It is true that, if a person is used to having sex
and a significant amount of time passes without sex, sexual tension
increases. This physiological sexual tension can make it more
difficult to resist sexual temptation, whether in the form of adultery
or pornography. Masturbation can relieve this tension. So, what about
this situation? Would this be an instance when it is not a sin to
masturbate?

The best answer we can give is "perhaps." Having your spouse's
permission would turn 1 Corinthians 7:4 into a non-issue. There being
absolutely no pornography/lust or immoral thoughts/desires would
remove the clearly sinful aspects that are almost always linked with
masturbation. But, with this situation, a very important question is
being overlooked. What is the alternative? What would happen if a
person in this situation did not masturbate? To say that he/she would
be incapable of resisting temptation is to neglect the power of the
indwelling Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4). The Bible instructs us to flee
sexual temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18, 10:13; 2 Timothy 2:22). The
Bible does not tell us to find ways to make the temptation less
powerful.

So, while it might not be a sin for a person in the above situation to
masturbate, the Bible tells us to make decisions with more certainty
than "might," "maybe," or "perhaps." Romans 14:23 says, "Everything
that does not come from faith is sin." Romans 14:5 indicates that we
are to be "fully convinced" before we do, or do not do, something. The
fact that "is it still a sin?" is even being asked is proof of a lack
of assurance and evidence of not being fully convinced. Asking a
question like "Is ______ not a sin IF…?" is dangerous at its core.
While "if something is a sin, it is always a sin" is not universally
true, it is much more biblical than trying to find situations in which
a sin is no longer sinful.

Easter Sunday

There is a lot of confusion regarding what Easter Sunday is all about.
For some, Easter Sunday is about the Easter Bunny, colorfully
decorated Easter eggs, and Easter egg hunts. Most people understand
that Easter Sunday has something to do with the resurrection of Jesus,
but are confused as to how the resurrection is related to the Easter
eggs and the Easter bunny.

Biblically speaking, there is absolutely no connection between the
resurrection of Jesus Christ and the common modern traditions related
to Easter Sunday. Essentially, what occurred is that in order to make
Christianity more attractive to non-Christians, the ancient Roman
Catholic Church mixed the celebration of Jesus' resurrection with
celebrations that involved spring fertility rituals. These spring
fertility rituals are the source of the egg and bunny traditions.

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus was resurrected on the first day
of the week, Sunday (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2,9; Luke 24:1; John
20:1,19). Jesus' resurrection is most worthy of being celebrated (see
1 Corinthians 15). While it is appropriate for Jesus' resurrection to
be celebrated on a Sunday, the day on which Jesus' resurrection is
celebrated should not be referred to as Easter. Easter has nothing to
do with Jesus' resurrection on a Sunday.

As a result, many Christians feel strongly that the day on which we
celebrate Jesus' resurrection should not be referred to as "Easter
Sunday." Rather, something like "Resurrection Sunday" would be far
more appropriate and biblical. For the Christian, it is unthinkable
that we would allow the silliness of Easter eggs and the Easter bunny
to be the focus of the day instead of Jesus' resurrection.

By all means, celebrate Christ's resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Christ's resurrection is something that should be celebrated every
day, not just once a year. At the same time, if we choose to celebrate
Easter Sunday, we should not allow the fun and games to distract our
attention from what the day should truly be all about—the fact that
Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and that His resurrection
demonstrates that we can indeed be promised an eternal home in Heaven
by receiving Jesus as our Savior.

Easter Sunday Calendar:
2016 – March 27
2017 – April 16
2018 – April 1
2019 – April 21
2020 – April 12

Good Friday / Holy Friday

Good Friday, also known as "Holy Friday," is the Friday immediately
preceding Easter Sunday. It is celebrated traditionally as the day on
which Jesus was crucified. Assuming that Jesus was crucified and died
on a Friday, should Christians remember Jesus' death by celebrating
Good Friday?

The Bible does not instruct Christians to remember Christ's death by
honoring a certain day. The Bible does give us freedom in these
matters, however. Romans 14:5 tells us, "One man considers one day
more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each
one should be fully convinced in his own mind." Rather than
remembering Christ's death on a certain day, once a year, the Bible
instructs us to remember Christ's death by observing the Lord's
Supper. First Corinthians 11:24-26 declares, "...do this in
remembrance of me...for whenever you eat this bread and drink this
cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes."

Why is Good Friday referred to as "good"? What the Jewish authorities
and Romans did to Jesus was definitely not good (see Matthew chapters
26-27). However, the results of Christ's death are very good! Romans
5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were
still sinners, Christ died for us." First Peter 3:18 tells us, "For
Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by
the Spirit."

Many Christian churches celebrate Good Friday with a subdued service,
usually in the evening, in which Christ's death is remembered with
solemn hymns, prayers of thanksgiving, a message centered on Christ's
suffering for our sakes, and observance of the Lord's Supper. Whether
or not Christians choose to "celebrate" Good Friday, the events of
that day should be ever on our minds because the death of Christ on
the cross—along with His bodily resurrection—is the paramount event of
the Christian faith.


Good Friday Calendar:
2016 – March 25
2017 – April 14
2018 – March 30
2019 – April 19
2020 – April 10

Should Christians go to nightclubs? Is clubbing a sin?

To put it bluntly, nightclubs are part of the world which is
controlled by Satan. They are designed for the purpose of giving
oneself over to sinful desires. Nightclubs exist primarily for two
purposes: drinking alcohol and meeting members of the opposite sex,
most often with sexual activity in mind. Yes, there are music and
dancing, but primarily singles in particular go clubbing to drink and
meet someone. Nightclubs are of the world, and, while Christians are
to be in the world, we are not to be of it. Being of the world means
to be interested in and desiring those things that appeal to the
sinful nature.

Paul, speaking to Christians, addresses the issue of worldly practices
in Ephesians 4:17-24, "So I tell you this, and insist on it in the
Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility
of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and
separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in
them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all
sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to
indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.
You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard
of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in
Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put
off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new
self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Here
Paul describes those who exclude God and give themselves over to
sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

Obviously, God does not desire us to give ourselves over to sin so
easily and willfully. Notice what God says here, "put off your old
self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires." It's
interesting to note that God says when we give ourselves over to our
sin nature, we are being deceived by our desires. Satan is a master
counterfeiter. In other words, Satan presents something that appears
on the surface to be attractive. The lure of clubbing is that it is
very enjoyable, fun, and exciting. What we don't see are the
consequences because Satan keeps the sensual attraction at the
forefront of our minds. Sex, alcohol, and drugs—all found in most
nightclubs—are very destructive, both physically and spiritually. God
has a place for sex where it is the most enjoyable—in monogamous
marriage, where there are no STD's, HIV, guilt, aloneness—and those
who don't believe God in this are short-changing themselves.

God desires for us to be righteous and holy because He created us to
be that way. The benefits of living the life that God intended far
exceed the petty, short-lived thrills that this world offers. Many who
are or used to be in the nightclub lifestyle say the same thing—there
is no joy, there is no fulfillment; there is only emptiness. Only God
can fulfill our needs and give us the joy and happiness we all seek.
Clubbing offers nothing more than a very cheap imitation. There is no
lasting joy to be found in nightclubs, only temptation to sin.

Such places are most especially not for Christians. Aside from the
obvious temptations, there is the issue of our Christian witness in
the world. When unbelievers see a professing Christian engaging in a
sinful lifestyle, Christ is maligned and demeaned. We are to let our
lights shine before men so they see our good works and glorify our
Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). It's hard to see how the light
of our new life in Christ can shine in a nightclub. Even if the
Christian is not indulging in the sinful activities, the witness he or
she presents to the watching world by just being there is destructive
and must be avoided.

Should a Christian work as a bartender?

As Christians, we are called to "go into all the world and preach the
good news to all creation" (Mark 16:15). Clearly, bars are usually
filled with people who need to hear the gospel. Further, many people
will open up to a bartender more than they would to some other random
individual, especially when they are intoxicated. So, yes, a Christian
might have some ministry opportunities while working as a bartender.
However, working and building relationships in a sinful environment,
surrounded by ungodly music, the abuse of alcohol, and sexual
temptations for several hours a day is clearly unwise. "What
fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness? And what
partnership does light have with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Realistically, after a long shift of serving drinks in a bar, would
the spirit of a Christian be edified? Would he/she leave with an
increasing hunger for God's Word? Would his/her mind be filled with
holy images? Would his/her thoughts be that of Philippians 4:8?
Scripture clearly teaches us to "hate everything that is evil and hold
tight to everything that is good" (Romans 12:9). Perhaps a Christian
feels he/she would enjoy interacting with unbelievers to share the
message of Jesus Christ. But is that the biblical model of evangelism,
to share in their lifestyle? Yes, Jesus ate and drank with sinners
(Matthew 11:19); however, with a heart of true compassion, His primary
goal was, and still is, to save sinners. He never indulged in their
lifestyle; rather, He commanded them to come out of it and live godly
lives (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Many refer to 1 Corinthians 5:10 when debating over whether we should
work in an environment where sin is prevalent. However, Paul is not
encouraging us to enter into full-time business relations with the
"fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or
with idolaters." He is simply saying we cannot escape their company
altogether: "In that case you would have to leave this world." But we
must not spend huge amounts of time with those indulging in evil
lifestyles—as is certainly the case when working in a bar—in hopes of
having a moment or two in which to share the gospel. Realistically,
not many bar owners would tolerate a bartender who spent a majority of
his/her time evangelizing the customers. He knows that would be
detrimental to his bottom line. The fact is that people who go to bars
are not usually in any frame of mind to hear the gospel.

As Christians, we are to obey the commandment of God to "abstain from
all appearance of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22). So "let everyone that
names the name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2 Timothy 2:19).

When should a Christian try to correct another Christian?

This can be a delicate subject. It is wise to spend time in prayer
first, to check our motivation and ask for guidance. There are times
when Christians are called upon to "talk to" or try to correct a
fellow Christian. Assuming we are talking about a matter of sin in a
believers' life, our motive and intent should always be to bring about
repentance and restoration to the erring brother or sister in Christ.

First, our attitude is very important. "Be kind and tender to one
another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what
Christ has done" (Ephesians 4:32). It is then that we are more able to
"speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). In his epistle to the
Galatians, Paul had a similar warning about attitude: "Brothers, if
someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him
gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted" (Galatians
6:1). Here we see that those who are "spiritual," meaning walking in
the Spirit in faith and obedience, should gently restore someone who
is in sin, being always aware of how easily we can all be tempted by
Satan who wants to ensnare everyone in his traps.

The Bible prescribes the procedure for confronting a sinning brother
or sister in an extensive passage on church discipline: "If your
brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the
two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But
if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every
matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he
refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan
or a tax collector" (Matthew 18:15-17). Again, this is the procedure
for confronting a sinning brother, not someone whose behavior you feel
needs modifying in some way or someone who merely irritates or annoys
you.

On a different slant, one of the most often quoted scriptures is
"Judge not, lest ye be judged" (Matthew 7:1 KJV). Taken out of
context, the verse has been used to incorrectly justify never taking a
stand on anything that would require a judgment to be made. Rather,
the verse is referring to hypocritical, self-righteous, unfair kinds
of judgment, especially where the confronter is guilty of the same sin
as the one being confronted.

So, when should Christians talk to or try to correct a fellow
Christian? When we have talked to the Lord first, have an attitude of
submission and concern for the other person, and are committed to
following the procedures outlined in His Word for such a situation.

REST FOR SINGLE PARENTS

How to find true rest: As a single parent, you know what it means to
be exhausted. But God offers rest—not just physical comfort, but rest
for your soul.

Find out God's surprising plan to put an end to your suffering. You'll discover:

•How God gently cared for a single mom in the Bible
•How God wants to care for you
•What can keep you from experiencing God's comfort

OVERWHELMED
If you're a single parent, you can probably relate:

"I can't do another day. I can't do another minute, let alone a whole
day." —Rob, single dad

"It can be really hectic and busy, and sometimes all I want in the
moment is peace and quiet and no more fighting … Isn't that fair?"
—Julie, single mom

"I'm worn out. I'm frustrated with life. I don't know what to do
that's best for my kids." —Lois, single mom

Every day you work to meet the emotional and physical needs of your
children, often at the expense of your own. You strive to be a good
parent, but the struggle to do everything by yourself makes it seem
impossible. Is there any chance of finding hope and rest?

A TENDER GOD
Hagar probably wondered the same thing. The book of Genesis in the
Bible describes the story of Hagar, a servant in Abraham's household.
She was a single mother who was betrayed and then banished into the
desert.

Imagine how hopeless Hagar must have felt as she and her son were sent
away from their home, with food and water strapped to her shoulders to
last how long? The desert stretched endlessly as she wandered with her
son, carefully rationing her provisions until, finally, the food and
water were gone. With no other options, she laid her starving child
under a bush and collapsed at a distance to avoid seeing him die. They
both began to cry. In the parched wasteland, erased of human comfort,
two frail voices rose up from the desert, perhaps the only sounds.

HOPE IN A PAINFUL WORLD
Do you identify with Hagar? Maybe you can taste her bitterness when
you think about being rejected by your child's other parent or her
sadness when you can't provide for your children like you want to.
Perhaps you feel her despair and her loneliness when you wake up in
the morning faced with living that day without anyone to help you.

Perhaps you want to believe God loves you, but you can't understand
why a loving God would allow pain and suffering in your life. If He
cared about you, wouldn't He do something about it? The answer is,
yes.

God heard Hagar's son crying and called to Hagar from heaven, "What is
the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as
he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand."

Hagar was truly in a hopeless situation. Only God could rescue her,
and He did. God opened Hagar's eyes to a nearby pool of water. Her
vision blurred by tears, she must have thought it a mirage at
first—but it wasn't.


God's original creation in the Garden of Eden was perfect and sinless.
Adam and Eve had a perfect relationship with their Creator until they
disobeyed Him. As a result, their descendants are all born with
built-in resistance to God and His ways. This is the reason we choose
to disobey God. And it's that same disobedience that cuts us off from
God and from experiencing His comfort and help. But as the story of
Hagar illustrates, God is a tenderhearted Father. He did do something
about sin; He sacrificed His only Son, Jesus Christ, to provide us a
way out of the desert. According to John 3:16, whoever believes in
Jesus has everlasting life—a life without tears or "death or mourning
or crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). While you are in this imperfect
world, you have the hope that someday injustice, pain, divorce, death,
betrayal and suffering will end.

REST FOR YOUR SOUL
The same God who heard Hagar and her son hears your cries today. He
knows the cries of your heart that are too deep for expression: the
tears you've cried for your children, for yourself. And He hears the
cries of your children, too. He says to you from Matthew 11:28: "Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
He wants you to have abiding rest now in His Son Jesus Christ, even
amidst the busyness and chaos of your daily life. How is this
possible?

A FREE GIFT
In the words of Julie, a single mom, "We live in a culture that keeps
trying to tell us you can do it all. That's just not reality." You
won't be able to fix everything, clean everything, cross off all the
items on your to-do list. In light of this truth, the good news is
there is nothing you have done or can do to earn God's love and favor
and rest. Jesus has done it for you.

You can stop trying to work your way to a substitute salvation, trying
to redeem yourself from shame and past mistakes by doing everything
right. Ephesians 2:8–9 says, "For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not
by works, so that no one can boast."

You can also stop worrying about how other people see you. Because of
Christ, God accepts you as you are. Psalm 103:12 says He has removed
our sins as far as the east is from the west. And His viewpoint is the
only one that truly matters! The answer to your problems lies in
Christ.

YOUR STORY
Like Hagar—and Julie, Rob and Lois—you need to be rescued. Of course,
you need help in your physical situation: perhaps you were wronged by
others or are struggling financially. But you also have a spiritual
situation that is far more serious. All of us are born sinners
according to Romans 3:23, and our sin separates us from God eternally.
Your ultimate need is for something far greater than temporary
vindication or comfort; your heart's cry is for a Savior who is able
to save to the uttermost. Only Jesus Christ can deliver you from
hopelessness—totally, finally and eternally.

The comfort and hope Jesus offers you is not a mirage. His love is not
superficial or fickle. He is able to keep His promises to you, and He
faithfully will. Psalm 145:13b says, "The LORD is faithful to all his
promises and loving toward all he has made." Listen to Him: Do not be
afraid. Come to me. I will give you rest. Trust yourself and your
children to Him, because He has heard you.

HOW TO EXPERIENCE GOD'S REST
If you have never asked God for His comfort and rest, you can come to
Him by acknowledging your belief in who He is, what He has done for
you, and your personal need for Him. You need to believe that you are
a sinner, and because of that sin, you have been separated from God
and the hope He offers. You need to believe that Jesus Christ died in
your place so that you would not have to experience eternal death, the
punishment for your sin. You can come to God with a simple prayer from
your heart:

Lord, I need Your help. I am overwhelmed with physical and spiritual
needs that only You can meet. I've tried to make things right on my
own, but I realize now that I can't. I want to stop working to save
myself and trust in the grace of Jesus Christ for my salvation and
eternal life. I need Your comfort as I face my daily struggles. Please
forgive me for my sin and failure to acknowledge You as Lord of my
life. Thank you for sending Your Son to die so I can live daily in the
hope, joy and peace that is available to me when I entrust my life to
You. Amen.

THINGS ARE DIFFERENT NOW
The problems and trials in your life will not instantly disappear when
you entrust your life to Christ. But if you invited Christ into your
life, things are definitely different now. For starters, you are no
longer enslaved to the circumstances, people and troubles in your
life. They have no power over you now.


HERE'S WHAT ELSE HAS CHANGED:
•Your identity is in Christ. You are no longer defined by your
circumstances or your marital status. Second Corinthians 5:17 says,
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has
gone, the new has come!"
•God accepts you on the basis of Christ's finished work. Jesus Christ
lived a perfect life on your behalf, and because He paid your sin debt
by dying on the cross, you are now perfect in God's sight for
eternity. Hebrews 10:14 says, "[B]y one sacrifice he has made perfect
forever those who are being made holy."
•God will be with you in your struggles. Being a Christian doesn't
mean all your problems will magically disappear. In fact, Jesus told
His disciples to expect adversity and tribulation in this life. But
God promises not only to meet us in our suffering, but also to use our
suffering for good. Isaiah 43:2a says, "When you pass through the
waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they
will not sweep over you."
•You received the gift of eternal life. God considers you part of His
family, and you will be with Him forever. Romans 6:23 says, "For the
wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ
Jesus our Lord."
•You can find God's peace. When you turn to Him with your problems and
pain, God has promised to give you His peace. Philippians 4:6–7 says,
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

WHAT'S NEXT?
Because of Christ, you are now a new creation. You have been forgiven
and restored to a right relationship with God, and you are free from
sin's power in your life. If you have questions about your new
relationship with God, talk with your pastor, your Single & Parenting
leader or a spiritually mature Christian friend. They can help you
grow even closer to God and understand how the gospel (the good news
of what Jesus has done for us) applies to your everyday life.

What does God have to say to single mothers?

The Bible does not directly address single mothers, but there are many
examples of God's gentle interaction with women, mothers, widows and
their children. These examples, and God's gentleness, apply whether a
mother is single or married or widowed or divorced. God knows each
person intimately and knows her situation completely. The Bible warns
that sex outside of marriage is sinful and dangerous and will bring
troubles, one of which is that a woman might have to raise a child by
herself, which is undoubtedly difficult. And if it is her own sin that
has resulted in single motherhood, our gracious God is still just as
willing to bring help and comfort. And what's better is that He offers
forgiveness for those sins through Jesus Christ and the eternal
comfort of heaven for the mother who accepts Him, the children who
accept Him, and even the estranged husband who accepts Him!

But often a woman finds herself alone and raising children through no
fault of her own. Sadly, women are often innocent victims of a world
wracked by war and terrorism. Husbands go off to war and never return,
selflessly giving their lives for their countries. If a husband's
death has left a woman single with children, there is no doubt that
God will help and comfort that woman.

God cares about families. But He is more concerned that each person,
no matter what her family looks like, repenting of sin and coming into
a relationship with Him. He wants us to know Him, because His
creatures knowing Him brings us joy and brings Him glory. We get bound
up in the details of our lives, worrying what other people will think
of us and whether the church will accept us and whether we have ruined
things entirely. But God calls the Christian to the joy of being above
the weight of worry. He has said that we should cast all our cares
upon Him, for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He wants to carry the
burden and forgive our sins and then forget about our sins and help us
to move on. All He asks us to do is know Him, delight in Him, and
trust Him. Single mothers are often very responsible people, and
sometimes it can be hard to just "set aside" worries and cares. A
single mother might feel guilty just thinking about it! But God
commands us to do it anyway, to spend a little time each day to focus
on Him, and trust (during the rest of the day) that He will provide
for us, both physically and emotionally as we lean on Him.

What this might look like for a single mom is setting aside time to
read the Bible and pray. She might think, "I just don't have time for
that between working and raising a child and taking care of the house
and everything else." But if even for half an hour when her child is
sleeping or being watched by a relative or friend, she can set aside
time to talk to God in prayer and listen to His voice in Scripture,
even if it means not cleaning that pile of dishes, she will find His
amazing strength and comforting presence will be with her for the rest
of the day. Memorizing verses like "The Lord is my helper, I will not
be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6) or "I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13) will help
provide tangible reminders of His love and protection when things get
tough or stressful.

So, what does God have to say to single mothers? The same thing He has
to say to everyone else. Repent of sin, trust in Christ for
forgiveness, communicate with God through prayer, listen to His voice
through Scripture, lean on God for strength in trials, and put your
hope in the amazing eternal life with Him that He has planned. "For no
eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived the wonderful
things that God has prepared for those that love Him" (1 Corinthians
2:9).

I am divorced. Can I remarry according to the Bible?

We often receive questions like "I am divorced for such and such a
reason. Can I get remarried?" "I have been divorced twice—the first
for adultery by my spouse, the second for incompatibility. I am dating
a man who has been divorced three times—the first for incompatibility,
the second for adultery on his part, the third for adultery on his
wife's part. Can we get married to each other?" Questions like these
are very difficult to answer because the Bible does not go into great
detail regarding the various scenarios for remarriage after a divorce.

What we can know for sure is that it is God's plan for a married
couple to stay married as long as both spouses are alive (Genesis
2:24; Matthew 19:6). The only specific allowance for remarriage after
a divorce is for adultery (Matthew 19:9), and even this is debated
among Christians. Another possibility is desertion—when an unbelieving
spouse leaves a believing spouse (1 Corinthians 7:12–15). This
passage, though, does not specifically address remarriage, only being
bound to stay in a marriage. Instances of physical, sexual, or severe
emotional abuse would be sufficient cause for separation, but the
Bible does not speak of these sins in the context of divorce or
remarriage.

We know two things for sure. God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16), and God
is merciful and forgiving. Every divorce is a result of sin, either on
the part of one spouse or both. Does God forgive divorce? Absolutely!
Divorce is no less forgivable than any other sin. Forgiveness of all
sins is available through faith in Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:28;
Ephesians 1:7). If God forgives the sin of divorce, does that mean you
are free to remarry? Not necessarily. God sometimes calls people to
remain single (1 Corinthians 7:7-8). Being single should not be viewed
as a curse or punishment, but as an opportunity to serve God
wholeheartedly (1 Corinthians 7:32-36). God's Word does tell us,
though, that it is better to marry than to burn with passion (1
Corinthians 7:9). Perhaps this sometimes applies to remarriage after a
divorce.

So, can you or should you get remarried? We cannot answer that
question. Ultimately, that is between you, your potential spouse, and,
most importantly, God. The only advice we can give is for you to pray
to God for wisdom regarding what He would have you do (James 1:5).
Pray with an open mind and genuinely ask the Lord to place His desires
on your heart (Psalm 37:4). Seek the Lord's will (Proverbs 3:5-6) and
follow His leading.

Will there be a second chance for salvation after the Rapture?

Some Bible interpreters believe that there will be absolutely no
chance for salvation after the Rapture. However, there is no place in
the Bible which says this or even hints to it. There will be many
people who come to Christ during the Tribulation. The 144,000 Jewish
witnesses (Revelation 7:4) are Jewish believers. If no one can come to
Christ during the Tribulation, then why are people being beheaded for
their faith (Revelation 20:4)? No passage of Scripture argues against
people having a chance to be saved after the Rapture. Many passages
indicate the opposite.

Another view is that those who hear the gospel and reject it before
the Rapture cannot be saved. Those saved during the Tribulation, then,
are those who had never heard the gospel before the Rapture. The
"proof text" for this view is 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11, which says the
Antichrist will work miracles to deceive "those who are perishing" and
that God Himself will "send them a powerful delusion" to confirm them
in their unbelief. The reason given is that "they refused to love the
truth and so be saved" (verse 10). Granted, those who are hard-hearted
toward the gospel before the Rapture are likely to remain so. And the
Antichrist will deceive many (Matthew 24:5). But "those who refused to
love the truth" does not necessarily refer to people who heard the
gospel before the Rapture. It could be anyone who wholly rejects God's
salvation, at any time. So, there is no clear scriptural evidence to
support this view.

Revelation 6:9-11 speaks of those martyred during the Tribulation
"because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they
had maintained." These martyrs will correctly interpret what they see
during the Tribulation and will believe the gospel themselves and call
on others to repent and believe as well. The Antichrist and his
followers will not tolerate their evangelism and will kill them. All
of these martyrs are people who were alive before the Rapture, but who
were not believers until afterward. Therefore, there must be
opportunity to come to Christ in faith after the Rapture.

Should Christians go to parties? What does the Bible say about partying?

The short answer to this question is "it depends on the party."
Parties are popular because they are fun opportunities to get together
with friends, meet new people, and to relax and enjoy one another's
company. As human beings, we are designed to be social creatures. We
live in groups, work in groups, and socialize in groups. So when we
desire to party, we are responding to the need for human interaction,
fun, and relaxation. This is normal and natural.

For Christians, the desire for human interaction has the added
dimension of wanting and needing fellowship. The Greek word translated
"fellowship" in the New Testament is koinonia, which means
"partnership, participation, social interaction, and communication."
The important concept for Christian fellowship is "partnership." The
Bible tells us we have been called into fellowship (partnership) with
Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9), with the Father (1 John 1:3), and with the
Holy Spirit (Philippians 2:1). John tells us that, as believers, we
have fellowship with one another by virtue of the blood Jesus shed for
us on the cross (1 John 1:7). Paul adds the idea that to fellowship
with Christ is to partake of His suffering (Philippians 3:10). We are
also warned that we are not to have fellowship with evil (1
Corinthians 10:20). Just as light and darkness are incompatible, so
there should be no fellowship between Christians and sin.

The problem with the question "should Christians go to parties?" is
that the "parties" being asked about are almost always not "fellowship
parties." There is no reason to even ask the question regarding
parties that are focused on Christian fellowship. No, this question is
almost always in regards to parties that involve alcohol, drugs,
and/or sex. Certainly, there are non-Christians who can party
innocently, but a party that involves things that are immoral and/or
illegal must be avoided. As believers, we are to guard ourselves
against temptation, remembering that "bad company corrupts good
character" (1 Corinthians 15:33). Further, attending parties where
sinful activities occur—even if we don't participate in them—weakens
our witness and brings reproach on the name of Christ (Romans
2:24)."Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from
wickedness" (2 Timothy 2:19).

There are those who might see going to parties as an opportunity to
share Christ with unbelievers, and while we are to be ready with an
answer for the hope within us at all times, that presupposes
unbelievers at a party are interested in the gospel. Rarely does such
an opportunity arise at a party where drinking, drug use, and sexual
activity are occurring. Therefore, while Christians should take every
opportunity to fellowship with other believers, we must be discerning
about opening ourselves up to temptation or anything that would
compromise our life in Christ and our witness to a watching world.

How should a Christian wedding be different from a non-Christian wedding?

The primary difference between a Christian wedding and non-Christian
wedding is Christ. Christians who marry are making a commitment to
Christ, as well as to each other, and that commitment should be
obvious to everyone who attends the wedding. In a non-Christian
wedding, the couple—particularly the bride—is usually the focal point.
In a Christian wedding, Christ is the focal point.

A Christian couple who truly want to glorify Christ through their
wedding can start with the early preparations, beginning with biblical
premarital counseling with their pastor. Premarital counseling based
upon sound biblical principles outlines the roles of the husband and
wife as they relate to each other and to their prospective children
(Ephesians 5:22–6:4; Colossians 3:18-21). The wedding affirms before
God and friends and family that the couple's desire is to live
according to God's plan for the family.

The wedding ceremony should also be a reflection of the couple's
dedication to the glory of Jesus Christ. Every part of the service,
from the music to the vows to the message delivered by the officiator,
should reflect that commitment. Music should be reverent and
Christ-honoring, not worldly or flippant. Vows should be taken with
the couple's full understanding that the words they speak to one
another constitute a lifetime commitment and with the knowledge that
what they promise to one another, they are promising to God. The
message delivered by the pastor should reflect these truths and
commitment.

A Christian couple should choose their attendants carefully and with
their commitment to Christ in mind. Bridesmaids and groomsmen aren't
simply there to dress up the ceremony. Their presence testifies to
their agreement with, and their promise to support, the commitment of
the couple to honor Christ in their marriage. Along that line, the
bridal gown and bridesmaids' dresses should be modest and appropriate
for standing before God. There is no room for low-cut, revealing
clothing in a Christ-honoring ceremony.

If there is a reception, it should be equally Christ-honoring. Alcohol
should not be the focus of a Christian wedding reception, and
drunkenness should absolutely not be a part of the reception. A
Christian couple considering whether to have alcohol at their
reception should take into account the potential issues of how it
would appear to unbelievers and/or whether it could cause anyone to
stumble. Ultimately, serving alcohol at a Christian reception is the
decision of the bride and groom.

A couple whose wedding is Christ-honoring will remember the beauty and
seriousness of the wedding for a lifetime and will find it a wonderful
way to begin their life together.

Should Christians try to evangelize atheists?

As Christians who know the love of God and have the assurance of
eternity in heaven, it's hard to understand why anyone would want to
be an atheist. But when we realize the sin nature and its strong
influence on the mind and the heart, we begin to understand where the
atheist is coming from. Biblically speaking, there is no such thing as
an atheist. Psalm 19:1-2 tells us that the heavens declare the glory
of God. We see His creative power in all that He has made. Romans
1:19-20 follows up on this idea, telling us that what may be known
about God has been made plain to us through the creation, and anyone
who denies this is "suppressing the truth in unrighteousness" (v. 18).
Psalm 14:1 and 53:1 declare that those who deny the existence of God
are fools. So the atheist is either lying or he is a fool or both. So,
what is it that causes someone to deny God?

The main goal of those under the influence of the sin nature is to
make himself a god, to have complete control over his life, or so he
thinks. Then religion comes along with obligations, judgments, and
restrictions, while atheists presume to define their own meaning and
morality. They do not want to submit to God because their hearts are
at "enmity against God," and they have no desire to be subject to His
Law. In fact they are incapable of doing so because their sin has
blinded them to truth (Romans 8:6-7). This is why atheists spend most
of their time complaining and arguing not about the scriptural proof
texts, but about the "dos and don'ts." Their natural rebelliousness
detests the commandments of God. They simply hate the idea that
anything—or any One—should have control over them. What they do not
realize is that Satan himself is controlling them, blinding them, and
preparing their souls for hell.

In terms of evangelizing atheists, we should not hold back the gospel
from someone just because he or she claims to be an atheist. Do not
forget that an atheist is just as lost as a Muslim, Hindu, or
Buddhist. God certainly wants us to spread the gospel (Matthew 28:19)
and to defend the truths of His word (Romans 1:16). On the other hand,
we are not obligated to waste our time trying to convince the
unwilling. In fact, we are warned not to expend excessive effort on
those who are clearly disinterested in any honest discussions (Matthew
7:6). Jesus told the apostles to go and preach the Word, but He did
not expect them to stay anywhere until every last person had been
converted (Matthew 10:14).

Perhaps the best tactic is to give each person the benefit of the
doubt, at least at first. Every question, honestly and truthfully
answered, gives that person a chance to hear the gospel. But if that
person is just arguing, being hostile, or otherwise not listening,
it's probably time to go somewhere else. Some people are totally and
absolutely hardened to the gospel (Proverbs 29:1). They may be
rational or irrational, but there are scriptural reasons to believe
that some people are willingly immune to the influence of the Holy
Spirit (Genesis 6:3). When we have made a good-faith effort to talk to
someone, and he or she is unreachable, then we are commanded to "shake
the dust off" of our shoes (Luke 9:5) and spend our time talking to
those who are more spiritually open. As in all things, the wisdom of
God is crucial. God has promised that wisdom to us if we ask (James
1:5), and we should pray for it and trust God's prompting to know how
and when to end the dialog with a hostile atheist.

What is atheism?

Atheism is the view that God does not exist. Atheism is not a new
development. Psalm 14:1, written by David around 1000 B.C., mentions
atheism: "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'" Recent
statistics show an increasing number of people claiming to be
atheists, up to 10 percent of people worldwide. So why are more and
more people becoming atheists? Is atheism truly the logical position
atheists claim it to be?

Why does atheism even exist? Why doesn't God simply reveal Himself to
people, proving that He exists? Surely if God would just appear, the
thinking goes, everyone would believe in Him! The problem here is that
it is not God's desire to just convince people that He exists. It is
God's desire for people to believe in Him by faith (2 Peter 3:9) and
accept by faith His gift of salvation (John 3:16). God clearly
demonstrated His existence many times in the Old Testament (Genesis
6-9; Exodus 14:21-22; 1 Kings 18:19-31). Did the people believe that
God exists? Yes. Did they turn from their evil ways and obey God? No.
If a person is not willing to accept God's existence by faith, then
he/she is definitely not ready to accept Jesus Christ as Savior by
faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). God's desire is for people to become
Christians, not just theists (those who believe God exists).

The Bible tells us that God's existence must be accepted by faith.
Hebrews 11:6 declares, "And without faith it is impossible to please
God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and
that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." The Bible reminds us
that we are blessed when we believe and trust in God by faith: "Then
Jesus told him, 'Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed
are those who have not seen and yet have believed'" (John 20:29).

The existence of God must be accepted by faith, but this does not mean
belief in God is illogical. There are many good arguments for the
existence of God. The Bible teaches that God's existence is clearly
seen in the universe (Psalm 19:1-4), in nature (Romans 1:18-22), and
in our own hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). With all that said, the
existence of God cannot be proven; it must be accepted by faith.

At the same time, it takes just as much faith to believe in atheism.
To make the absolute statement "God does not exist" is to make a claim
of knowing absolutely everything there is to know about everything and
of having been everywhere in the universe and having witnessed
everything there is to be seen. Of course, no atheist would make these
claims. However, that is essentially what they are claiming when they
state that God absolutely does not exist. Atheists cannot prove that
God does not, for example, live in the center of the sun, or beneath
the clouds of Jupiter, or in some distant nebula. Since those places
are beyond our capacity to observe, it cannot be proven that God does
not exist. It takes just as much faith to be an atheist as it does to
be a theist.

Atheism cannot be proven, and God's existence must be accepted by
faith. Obviously, Christians believe strongly that God exists, and
admit that God's existence is a matter of faith. At the same time, we
reject the idea that belief in God is illogical. We believe that God's
existence can be clearly seen, keenly sensed, and proven to be
philosophically and scientifically necessary. "The heavens declare the
glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day
they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their
voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the
world" (Psalm 19:1-4).

Why are there so many atheists?

Before we can discuss atheism, we need to define it. According to an
official atheism website, atheists define themselves this way:
"Atheism is not a disbelief in gods or a denial of gods; it is a lack
of belief in gods." Those who identify as atheists prefer to emphasize
their lack of belief rather than the refusal to believe. They consider
atheism to be intellectually superior to faith in God. However, this
definition clashes with the biblical worldview, which states, "The
fool says in his heart, 'There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1; 53:1). Since
atheists can agree with people of faith that every human being has the
freedom to choose what he or she thinks or believes, we will define
atheism here as the choice to disbelieve in any kind of Supreme Being
to which mankind is accountable.

Statistics show that atheism is on the rise in countries that have
historically had a strong Christian influence. These statistics
include those raised in godless homes, but they also show an alarming
increase among those who once held to some form of religious faith.
When we hear of a prominent figure in Christianity renouncing the
faith he or she used to claim, we are left wondering, "Why?" Why would
so many people stop believing in God when His handiwork is everywhere
(Psalm 19:1; 97:6; Romans 1:20)? Every culture on earth recognizes
some form of deity, so why are so many people claiming they do not
believe in any god at all?

There are several reasons people may define themselves as atheists.
The first is ignorance. Due to lack of correct information, a person
may conclude that nothing exists beyond this universe and man's
experience of it. Since there remains a great deal we do not know,
ignorance often invents ideas to fill in the blanks. This often
results in either false religions or atheism. Sketchy information
about God is often tainted by mythology or religious superstition to
the extent that anything supernatural sounds like a fairy tale.
Exposed to a mishmash of confusing claims, some people decide there is
no truth to any of it and throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Disillusionment is another reason some people become atheists. Due to
negative experiences, such as having a prayer go unanswered or seeing
hypocritical behavior in others, a person may conclude that God does
not exist. This response is often fueled by anger or hurt. These
people reason that, if God existed, He would behave in ways they could
comprehend or agree with. Since He did not respond the way they wanted
Him to, they conclude that He must not exist at all. They may stumble
over complicated concepts such as hell, Old Testament genocide, or
eternity and conclude the God of the Bible is too confusing to be
real. Disillusionment propels people to find comfort in what is seen
and known, rather than an invisible deity. To avoid the possibility of
more disappointment, they abandon any attempt at faith and find a
measure of comfort in deciding that God simply does not exist.

Closely linked to the disillusioned are those who call themselves
"atheists" when, in fact, they are anti-God. Atheist is a label some
hide behind to mask a deep hatred toward God. Often due to childhood
trauma or abuse in the name of religion, these people are consumed by
an antipathy toward all things religious. The only way they can
retaliate against a God they consider cruel is to deny Him vehemently.
Events of the past have left wounds so deep that it is easier to deny
the reality of God than admit that they hate Him. True atheists would
not include this group in their numbers, as they recognize that to be
angry with God is to acknowledge His existence. But many people do, in
fact, call themselves atheists while simultaneously expressing outrage
toward a God whose existence they deny.

Still others reject the idea of God because they want Him to be easier
to find. When well-known atheist Richard Dawkins was asked, "What
would you say if you faced God after death?" he responded, "I would
say to Him, 'Why did you take such great pains to conceal yourself?'"
Some people frown at the fact that God is Spirit, invisible, and found
only through faith (Hebrews 11:6; Jeremiah 29:13). They adopt the
attitude that the Creator of the universe owes them evidence of His
existence beyond what He has already lavishly given (Psalm 19:1;
102:25; Romans 1:20). Jesus dealt with this mindset when He walked the
earth. In Mark 8, Jesus had just fed four thousand people with a sack
lunch, but the intellectual elites came to Him demanding that He
perform a sign to "prove" He was the Messiah (verse11). Jesus
illustrated this hardness of heart in His parable about the rich man
in hell who longed to warn his brothers about what awaited them after
death (Luke 16:19–31). From heaven, Abraham answered, "If they do not
listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if
someone rises from the dead."

The most likely explanation for the continuing rise of atheism has not
changed since the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:6; Romans 3:23). The very
essence of all sin is self-determination. By denying the existence of
a Creator, atheists can do whatever they please without concern for
future judgment or eternal consequences (Matthew 12:36; Romans 14:12;
1 Peter 4:5; Hebrews 4:13). In the twenty-first century, self-worship
has become culturally acceptable. Atheism appeals to a generation
raised on evolutionary theory and moral relativism. John 3:19 says,
"Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of
light because their deeds were evil." If human beings are
self-created, self-determined, and self-centered, then there is no
moral law or lawgiver to whom they must submit. There are no absolutes
and no one to whom they are ultimately accountable. By adopting such a
mindset, atheists can focus on seeking pleasure in this life alone.

As long as scientists, professors, and philosophers peddle their
atheistic viewpoints as truth and wisdom, people will continue to buy
it because the idea of self-determination appeals to our rebellious
natures. The attitude is nothing new, but the changing cultural norms
are making it more openly acceptable. Romans 1:18–31 details the
results of this rejection of God's authority. Verse 28 says, "God gave
them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be
done." Our world is seeing the results of that depravity. What
atheists call "enlightenment," God calls foolishness. Verses 22–23
say, "Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools." Since the
"fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs
1:7; 9:10), then the denial of the Lord (atheism) is the beginning of
foolishness.

How should Christians stand up for their faith in such an anti-Christian world?

As Christians, the two things we can do to stand up for Christ are to
live according to His Word and grow our own knowledge of Him. Christ
said, "Let your light shine before men…" (Matthew 5:16). This means
that we should live and act in a way that supports the gospel. We
should also arm ourselves with knowledge, both of the gospel
(Ephesians 6:10-17) and of the world around us. First Peter 3:15 says,
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to
give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the
hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." All we
can do is live and teach as Christ would and let Him take care of the
rest.

Critics of Christianity have become more vocal recently. This is
partly because there are many people who do not believe in God or
understand the truth about Him at all. Yet the apparent increase of
anti-Christians is also due to perception. As with many topics, those
who truly despise Christianity are the loudest and most vocal of the
non-believers. The vast majority of those who do not believe don't
care enough to bother believers. The few angry, vocal, bitter
unbelievers make enough noise to seem more numerous than they are.

The typical insult from the non-religious crowd is to refer to
believers as "ignorant," "stupid," "brainwashed," or to otherwise
suggest that those who have faith are less intelligent than those who
do not. When a Christian stands up intelligently for his faith, the
terms change to "bigot," "extremist," or "zealot." When people who
know that the believer is kind and loving hear this, the atheist
starts to look like the fool that he or she is (Psalm 53:1). Most
non-believers have no personal reason to see Christians negatively,
but they sometimes hear so much from the loud anti-Christians that
they just assume it is so. They need examples of Christ-like living to
see the truth.

Of course, when someone claiming to be a Christian says or does
something that is not Christ-like, the angry, loud crowd is there to
identify him as a typical religious hypocrite. This is something we
have been warned to expect (Romans 1:28-30; Matthew 5:11). The best
thing to do is to cite a passage of the Bible that speaks against what
the person did. And remind the atheists that just because a person
says he is a Christian, and even if he thinks he is a Christian, that
does not mean that he is. Matthew 7:16,20 tell us that true Christians
will be known by their actions, not merely by their profession. And
remind critics that absolutely no one lives without sinning at all
(Romans 3:23).

An important thing to remember is that no one, no matter how
persuasive, can force anyone to believe anything he doesn't want to
believe. No matter what the evidence, no matter what the argument,
people will believe what they want to believe (Luke 12:54-56).
Conviction is not a Christian's job. The Holy Spirit convicts people
(John 14:16-17), and they choose whether or not to believe. What we
can do is present ourselves in a way that is as Christ-like as
possible. It is sad that there are many atheists who have read the
entire Bible looking for ammunition against Christians, and that there
are many Christians who have hardly read the Bible at all.

It's hard for the angry crowd to accuse a Christian of being a
hateful, cruel bigot when that person demonstrates a life of kindness,
humility, and compassion. When a Christian can discuss, debate or
debunk secular arguments accurately, the label of "ignorant" no longer
fits. A Christian who has read the secular arguments and can politely
expose their flaws helps to deflate the stereotypes advanced by
atheists. Knowledge is the weapon, and it is invincible when we let
Christ direct us in how to use it.

What is the difference between a talent and a spiritual gift?

There are similarities and differences between talents and spiritual
gifts. Both are gifts from God. Both grow in effectiveness with use.
Both are intended to be used on behalf of others, not for selfish
purposes. First Corinthians 12:7 states that spiritual gifts are given
to benefit others and not ourselves. As the two great commandments
deal with loving God and others, it follows that one should use his
talents for those purposes. But to whom and when talents and spiritual
gifts are given differs. A person (regardless of his belief in God or
in Christ) is given a natural talent as a result of a combination of
genetics (some have natural ability in music, art, or mathematics) and
surroundings (growing up in a musical family will aid one in
developing a talent for music), or because God desired to endow
certain individuals with certain talents (for example, Bezalel in
Exodus 31:1-6). Spiritual gifts are given to all believers by the Holy
Spirit (Romans 12:3, 6) at the time they place their faith in Christ
for the forgiveness of their sins. At that moment, the Holy Spirit
gives to the new believer the spiritual gift(s) He desires the
believer to have (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Romans 12:3-8 lists the spiritual gifts as follows: prophecy, serving
others (in a general sense), teaching, exhorting, generosity,
leadership, and showing mercy. First Corinthians 12:8-11 lists the
gifts as the word of wisdom (ability to communicate spiritual wisdom),
the word of knowledge (ability to communicate practical truth), faith
(unusual reliance upon God), the working of miracles, prophecy,
discerning of spirits, tongues (ability to speak in a language that
one has not studied), and interpretation of tongues. The third list is
found in Ephesians 4:10-12, which speaks of God giving to His church
apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers. There is also a
question as to how many spiritual gifts there are, as no two lists are
the same. It is also possible that the biblical lists are not
exhaustive, that there are additional spiritual gifts beyond the ones
the Bible mentions.

While one may develop his talents and later direct his profession or
hobby along those lines, spiritual gifts were given by the Holy Spirit
for the building up of Christ's church. In that, all Christians are to
play an active part in the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. All
are called and equipped to be involved in the "work of the ministry"
(Ephesians 4:12). All are gifted so that they can contribute to the
cause of Christ out of gratitude for all He has done for them. In
doing so, they also find fulfillment in life through their labor for
Christ. It is the job of the church leaders to help build up the
saints so they can be further equipped for the ministry to which God
has called them. The intended result of spiritual gifts is that the
church as a whole can grow, being strengthened by the combined supply
of each member of Christ's body.

To summarize the differences between spiritual gifts and talents: 1) A
talent is the result of genetics and/or training, while a spiritual
gift is the result of the power of the Holy Spirit. 2) A talent can be
possessed by anyone, Christian or non-Christian, while spiritual gifts
are only possessed by Christians. 3) While both talents and spiritual
gifts should be used for God's glory and to minister to others,
spiritual gifts are focused on these tasks, while talents can be used
entirely for non-spiritual purposes.