International Bible Teaching Ministries
Christian Life
Question 1: Is it right for a Christian to have crucifixes and to wear religious objects?
ANSWER: Certainly, there is no inherent sin in an object such as a picture or an ornament worn around the neck. Nonetheless, there is a degree of danger in surrounding ourselves with religious objects because of the possibility of our coming to venerate the object rather than that for which it supposedly stands. To do so, would effectively result in idol worship, which would, of course, be sinful (Matthew 4:10). This kind of thing happens frequently especially when some accept the erroneous notion that a religious leader can pronounce God’s blessing through him upon an object and it, thereby, becomes more to that person than it ought. As well, though one may not personally carry it to the point of veneration, it sometimes lends false hope and support to those who do rely on beads, crosses, crucifixes, and icons! Certainly, all people everywhere should be walking by faith in Him through His Word; not by sight (II Corinthians 5:7).
It is clear that Christ has given us the Lord’s Supper as the way He wants us to memorialize Him on the first day of every week (Acts 20:7). Should we assume that this is inadequate and provide other means of commemorating His suffering and death, while often forsaking participation in that which He has authorized? Obedience to God’s Word in study, service, and worship (which includes the memorial Supper) will keep Him, and what He did for us, always in the front. To one faithful in these things, there appears to be no real need for substitutes!
Certainly, we are to let our light shine before men, so that the Father may be glorified (Matthew 5:16), yet none are to do so in order to be seen of men ((Matthew 6:1-7; Matthew 6:17-18; Matthew 23:5-11). Wearing of religious objects, counting beads, and caressing crucifixes is, in many cases, tantamount to ‘broadening of phylacteries and enlarging the borders of garments” and is often so perceived! Such should be avoided by the child of God (Matthew 23:12).
Question 2: Is a Christian free to make tattoos?
ANSWER: No! They are not! Such things are but vanity, designed to draw attention to one’s self. The principle opposing such things is found in Matthew 23:5; I Timothy 2:9-10; and I Peter 3:3! The notion is at direct odds with Christian character and purpose!
Although we are no longer under the Old Testament, it is worthy of note that the children of Israel were forbidden to wear such marks upon the body (Leviticus 19:28). It appears that the principles attested to in this passage have to do with the following: (1) they were not to decorate their bodies as did the surrounding heathen; and (2) they were not to honor other deities, idols, heavenly objects, or earthly practices by tattooing as did the peoples of that day. Certainly these guiding principles remain valid today!
Question 3: Will there be happiness in this life? We are told to follow Jesus Christ who didn’t have much enjoyment in this life.
ANSWER: Whether there will be happiness in this life depends on us. Christ has done His part, because He has given us all things that pertain unto life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). He said we can have the abundant life (John 10:10) and we can have the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), as we rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4; I Thessalonians 5:16). When we truly trust Christ and His Word, we can have all the happiness we can handle, even as Paul and Silas who in the depths of their suffering for Christ, while locked in prison chains, could sing praises to God (Acts 16:25)! If we are not happy in this life, it is because we fail to realize the joy of our salvation (Psalms 51:12) and the reward that awaits the faithful (II Corinthians 4:17-18).
Question 4: Is it good for a Christian to work on the farm on Sundays before going to worship?
ANSWER: Although we, as Christians under the New Testament, do not keep the seventh day holy, the actions of Christ who lived under the Old Testament bear significantly on your question. So then, allow me to answer your question by asking you a question based on a Christ-authorized principle found in Matthew 12:11-13. Since it was “lawful (for Christ) to do well on the sabbath days,” would it not be good for us ‘to do well on the first day (Sunday)?’ Or any other day for that matter?
Question 5: Is it right for a Christian to forgive another that did wrong?
ANSWER: Yes! A Christian is bound to forgive (Matthew 6:12; Matthew 18:21-22; Ephesians 4:31-32, Luke 17:3-4). However, before one can forgive another, there must first be repentance by the one who has done the wrong (Luke 17:3)! One who continues in the wrong has not repented and, therefore, cannot be forgiven by man or God!
Question 6: How can one overcome the flesh (devil) in the inward battle?
ANSWER: The answer is not as complex as would seem at the first. John provides it for us in I John 5:4-5; “This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.” Since faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17), it is evident then that we overcome this world and the god of this world (II Corinthians 4:4) by knowing, believing, and following the Spirit’s directives, as set forth in the Word of the Almighty God! Some want to overcome the world without a deep, abiding faith (which includes obedience) in the Scriptures. It cannot be done!
Question 7: How can the outcome of this inward battle affect the manifestations of the flesh and the gift of the Spirit?
ANSWER: The manifestations (works) of the flesh and the gifts (blessings) of the Spirit are fully determined by whether or not one overcomes the world through obedient faith. One must, through obedient faith, abstain from the works of the flesh and exhibit the fruits of the Spirit in order to inherit the kingdom of God. If one does not do so, he or she will have lost the inward battle!
Question 8: How can the outcome of this inward battle affect fellowship with the saints?
ANSWER: One who has lost the inward battle and is not overcoming the world is walking in darkness (John 8:12) in step with the “rulers of darkness of this world” (Ephesians 6:12). The saints are directed to “have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). The word “no” means “not any” or “absolutely none!” One cannot fellowship those in darkness without being a partaker of their evil deeds (II John 9-11). One, therefore, who rejects this directive and falls into fellowship with those in darkness is himself in darkness!
Question 9: When giving gifts to the needy is it good to boast about it over the Television and Radio?
ANSWER: Certainly we are to let our lights shine so that we may glorify our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16). However, we are not to boast about it in order to elevate or justify ourselves (Matthew 6:1-4). In other words, we are to give alms (help the needy), which men will naturally see and, thereby, glorify God. We are not to boast about it, as though we were sounding a trumpet, in order to have the glory of men! Matthew 6:3-4 is quite clear, “But when thou doest alms (help the needy), let not they left hand know what thy right hand doeth. That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.”
Question 10: Why do people have natural hatred for others?
ANSWER: People do not have natural hatred for each other! Hatred of one another, of course, is sinful and the result of sin (Titus 3:3). The scriptures tell us that children do not have sin (Ezekiel 18:20); nor the knowledge of it (Deuteronomy 1:39). Therefore, children cannot naturally hate! Before anyone can hate, they must first learn how! This comes only after having been taught to do so, either by hateful parents or others around us. However, when we become Christians, we put away (malice) hatred (I Peter 2:1), we teach our children not to hate, and they, with us, begin living in the footsteps of the God who is love (I John 4:8).
Question 11: Do Christians today have “Guardian Angels?”
ANSWER: There are many different opinions as to "Guardian Angels." Some would suppose on the basis of Matthew 18:10 and Hebrews 1:13 that each individual on becoming a Christian is assigned an angel to accompany, protect, and care for him or her. However, a careful study of these verses does not support the notion. Note that the angels discussed here are "their" angels and that they are not said to be present with an individual, but rather are "in" heaven. "All" are ministering spirits sent forth to minister "for," not "to all" who shall be heirs of salvation. Undoubtedly angels play a part in God's plan of salvation and may in someway be used to effect the providence of God, but certainly individual "Guardian Angels" is not suggested in these passages.
There are at least two good reasons why the notion of individual "Guardian Angels" is not valid today: (1) A direct operation by a heavenly being would necessarily involve the miraculous which was "done away" with the completion of the New Testament (I Corinthians 13:8-10) and (2) many faithful, God-fearing Christians today suffer all sorts of extremely painful sicknesses and accidents. Such surely would not be the case if "Guardians Angels" were present and “on the job!”
Question 12: Is it wrong for a christian to masturbate?
Answer: Masturbation is a stimulation of the sexual organs. Such stimulation, whether personal or reciprocal, as a prelude to sexual intercourse between a husband and his wife would not be considered sin. However, such stimulation for the purposes of self-gratification invariably stems from, and includes, immoral thoughts. This would, indeed, be sinful! The following passages of scripture are violated in this activity: Proverbs 4:23, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life;" Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he;" Matthew 5:28, "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart;" Matthew 15:19, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses, blasphemies;" Philippians 4:7-8, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just; whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." The temptation to engage in the subject activity can be thwarted by obedience to these scriptures!
Remember too, I Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted above that ye are able to bear; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it." God has clearly provided a way of escape from this sinful activity: I Corinthians 7:2, "Nevertheless to avoid fornications, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." There is also an applicable principle in I Corinthians 7:9, "But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn."