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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Unanswered Bible Questions Author: LuckyCharm Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Meekness synonymous with sacrifice? | Rom 12:1 | LuckyCharm | 108909 | ||
Thanks, prayon! In a way, the poem seems to be describing someone who is silent and non-confrontational in the face of any circumstance. Someone who is passive, rather than active, in life. Someone who would, for example, eat what is served at a restaurant without complaint, even if it were not what was ordered. Or would accept an unfair law, perhaps, without working strenuously for its repeal. Am I just reading it wrong? I can think of several well-known examples where Jesus Himself didn't just meekly accept whatever came His way.... --Cheryl |
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2 | Dying to self | Rom 12:1 | LuckyCharm | 108897 | ||
Hello, all.... I ran across this anonymous poem at LivingSacrifice.net, and wanted to solicit feedback from other Christians. It's a beautiful poem, but isn't there also much to be said for speaking out, taking a stand against unrighteousness, etc.? Looking forward to your thoughts.... --Cheryl Living Sacrifice - A Biblical Truth As Christians, we're called to give ourselves to God as a "living sacrifice." The Apostle Paul helps us understand this truth in his letter to the believers in Rome: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2) Living Sacrifice - Dying to Self So, how do we truly present ourselves to God as a living sacrifice? In a nutshell, we must die to our prior selves. This concept is wonderfully presented in this anonymous poem… When you are forgotten, neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting or hurt with the oversight, but your heart is happy being counted worthy to suffer for Christ; That is dying to self. When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinion ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence; That is dying to self. When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder, any irregularity, any annoyance; when you can stand face to face with waste, folly, extravagance, spiritual insensibility, and endure it as Jesus did; That is dying to self. When you are content with any food, and offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, any interruption by the will of God; That is dying to self. When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation or record your own good works or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown; That is dying to self. When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and you are in desperate circumstances; That is dying to self. When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit, inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart; That is dying to self. |
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3 | Bearing arms as a Christian | Rom 13:4 | LuckyCharm | 103875 | ||
As a member of the Armed Forces currently serving in Iraq, how can I, as a Christian, faithfully live out Jesus's command to love my enemies, turn the other cheek, etc., in the wake of the recent downed helicopters and other attacks? Can I in good conscience bear arms as a Christian, when Jesus on the one hand says "he who lives by the sword will die by the sword," but on the other hand the lives of my fellow soldiers and of innocent civilians may someday depend on my willingness to fight? --Cheryl |
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4 | Telepathic communication? | Bible general Archive 2 | LuckyCharm | 102266 | ||
Hi Makarios, and thank you for the very thorough reply! I was thinking some more about this last night, and the possibility came to mind that Satan may send thoughts our way telepathically, as it were, "flooding our airwaves" with his impulses and agendas. Whether or not we pick up on and respond to these "thought waves" depends upon our state of grace and the strength of our spiritual "armor." Does this idea seem consistent with Scripture? --Cheryl |
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5 | So Satan can take control of us?? | Bible general Archive 2 | LuckyCharm | 102246 | ||
Thanks for the reply! So, the devil can actually "enter into" us, take complete control of us, against our will? He can fill our hearts and cause us to sin? I'd hate to think this was the case, but it is Scriptural, isn't it? --Cheryl |
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6 | How does Satan operate in the world? | Bible general Archive 2 | LuckyCharm | 102181 | ||
How does Satan operate in the world? Can he influence events in our lives? Can he plant thoughts and impulses in our minds and hearts? Does he communicate strictly through the five senses? Looking for any Scriptural teaching on this subject... Thanks! --Cheryl |
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7 | Does Paul contradict Jesus? | John 6:70 | LuckyCharm | 70957 | ||
Does Paul contradict Jesus? "But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat." (1 Cor 5:11) "Jesus answered, 'It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.' Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon." (John 13:26) "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?" (2 Cor 6:14-15) "Then Jesus replied, 'Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!' (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)" (John 6:70-71) So, my question is: Are we to avoid "toxic" people, or are we to welcome them as Jesus did, into our inner circles, even though their presence may threaten to jeopardize our health, work, family obligations, etc.? --Cheryl |
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8 | The suffering of Jesus | Heb 4:15 | LuckyCharm | 68701 | ||
Hi Robert, Thank you for your touching thoughts on the Passion of our Lord, that He carried with Him throughout His earthly sojourn. It reads almost like a meditation... Yes, He was betrayed in many ways, by many people who claimed to be His friends. I wonder if the foreknowledge of these betrayals made them harder or easier to bear... It's like when I hear of people losing a loved one after a long terminal illness -- I wonder if their grief is more or less deep than someone whose loss is sudden and unexpected. I wonder if it really matters all that much, though. As you point out, it is impossible for us to comprehend Jesus' sufferings -- He suffered on a level we cannot even fathom. Thank you for your sobering and profound reply. Peace, --Cheryl |
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9 | Can He sympathize with EVERY weakness? | Heb 4:15 | LuckyCharm | 68569 | ||
Thanks, Robert -- that's the one I was looking for! Something I've been wondering about, though... There are certain weaknesses and needs He couldn't know about, aren't there? What about the feeling of having misjudged somebody, or trying to make a decision? He was betrayed, but He was never blindsided by the betrayal. Or, was His human nature still capable of being surprised by someone? The Bible says several times that He "marveled" at people's unbelief, for example... Any thoughts or insights are welcome! --Cheryl |
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10 | Jesus experienced every kind of trial? | Heb 4:15 | LuckyCharm | 68560 | ||
Did Jesus experience every kind of trial and temptation that we do? I seem to recall a Scripture verse that states or implies that, but am having trouble locating it. Thanks, --Cheryl |
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11 | Jesus experienced every kind of trial? | Heb 4:15 | LuckyCharm | 68563 | ||
Did Jesus experience every kind of trial and temptation that we do? I seem to recall a Scripture verse that states or implies that, but am having trouble locating it. Thanks, --Cheryl |
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12 | How does Satan influence us? | John 13:27 | LuckyCharm | 65567 | ||
Thanks, inmyheart. Powerful verses you cite... But I was really looking for insight as to how Satan operates (from Scripture, of course). Can he cause my neighbor to do something thoughtless, tempting me to anger? Can he cause a friend to lie to me, planting bitterness in my heart? Can he put evil thoughts in my mind?? Any input is appreciated! --Cheryl |
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13 | How does Satan communicate with us? | John 13:27 | LuckyCharm | 65543 | ||
Thanks for the response, and all the helpful Scripture references, Rich-h-Him! You mentioned Jesus' temptation in the wilderness -- in that case, Satan actually spoke to Him aloud (if we read the text literally). But I don't believe I've ever heard Satan speaking audibly to me. So I was kinda wondering, does he just whisper really softly? Does he get "into my head" and put ideas there? Does he speak through other people, or influence their behavior for his own ends? If so, how would he get them to say and do things? Just wondering, --Cheryl |
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14 | How does the devil tempt us? | John 13:27 | LuckyCharm | 65471 | ||
We are told that Satan "entered into" Judas just before he betrayed Jesus. What does this mean? Can Satan or other evil spirits enter into people and control them? Can they read our thoughts? Can they simply tempt us subtly without gaining access to our inner being? Does it make a difference whether one is a believer or not? I have heard many answers to these questions over time, but am specifically interested in any applicable Scripture references. Thanks in advance to any who may respond, --Cheryl |
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15 | The continuing debt to love one another | OT general | LuckyCharm | 63337 | ||
Thanks, North. I am a Christian and deeply appreciate your prayers! However, what about turning the other cheek, forgiving seventy times seven, and the "continuing debt to love one another" (Rom 13:8)? What would Jesus do? Would He run away, or would He keep on giving in a spirit of sacrificial love? --Cheryl |
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16 | Caught in a sticky web.... | OT general | LuckyCharm | 63207 | ||
Hi again, Hank! I'm thinking mainly of what they call "toxic" relationships. Did you ever know someone who was a constant downer; who knew how to push your buttons, and did so regularly; who always seemed to bring a frown rather than a smile; who would not tell a lie, but would continually shade the truth to keep you confused and off-balance? Someone with whom you might have spent hours, days, month, years, hashing out all the ins and outs, trying to untangle the web, only for nought? Someone who is a constant and considerable drain, who costs you sleep, work, and other responsibilities, without any improvement in the relationship? That's the kind of toxic relationship I'm talking about. It's not a clear-cut thing -- a good case could be made for sticking with it. But the very thought fills me with such an immense weariness that I feel I could collapse on the spot. Yet weariness is no excuse, right? "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13) I am in just such a toxic relationship. Or rather, I have just ended it (I think -- I have done it so many times now, I've lost count). When I end it, I feel guilty -- agape love should have been stronger than that, shouldn't it??? But when I'm in it, I feel guilty for letting it sap all the resources, energy, time, etc. that I could be putting to much better use... Needing to be free, Cheryl |
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17 | Drawing the line? | OT general | LuckyCharm | 63198 | ||
Yes, "relationships" is probably a more comfortable term, after all. It is true that bad company corrupts good morals, as Paul reminds us, and there are plenty of Scripture references to support that warning. But I'm wondering how to tell the difference between a sacrificial Christlike agape turn-the-other-cheek type love, and one that is purely dysfunctional, crippling our spirit and our effectiveness for ministry. It seems that plenty of Bible verses could be produced on both sides, and I'm thinking there must be a dividing line somewhere. Peace, Cheryl |
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18 | Can some "soul ties" be harmful? | OT general | LuckyCharm | 63193 | ||
Hi Hank! Thank you for replying, and congratulations on your wonderful and lasting marriage! Do you think that some "soul ties" can be harmful or ungodly, though? Or even that some that start out healthy can go bad? And what is the proper Christian response in that event -- stick it out and pray for enough agape love to overcome the evil, or walk away and shake the dust off our feet? Cheryl |
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19 | Is the concept of soul ties Christian? | OT general | LuckyCharm | 63184 | ||
I found this original question on a search of the site. I, too, am interested in this topic, particularly whether it is consistent with sound Christian doctrine. Here is an explanation I found online -- any thoughts? Is this really something we must guard against? http://www.courtshipconnection.net/bok/Soulties.html |
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20 | If the house is "worthy"? | Matt 10:13 | LuckyCharm | 51749 | ||
"If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace." (Matt 10:13) What is meant by a house that is "worthy"? And did Jesus mean for this to apply to spreading the Gospel only, or was He illustrating a broader spiritual principle? --Cheryl |
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