Drinking alcohol is a social norm in many historic and modern cultures. While not all people who consume wine, beer, whiskey, and other alcoholic drinks, imbibe to the point of losing control of their mental and physical faculties, some do. Is getting drunk a sin in Christianity? Getting drunk is a sin. The Bible doesn’t…
Anime refers to a certain type of animation that originated in Japan. There are many different forms, styles, and iterations of anime, which consist of hand-drawn or computer-generated animation. Anime is a popular art form and entertainment medium. A question that many Christians have is whether or not watching anime is sinful. Anime isn’t inherently…
The Zodiac Signs are central features in the practice of astrology (not astronomy), which is the study of the movements and positions of celestial bodies that some believe directly influence people’s lives. Many Christians wonder if the Zodiac Signs are compatible with a biblical worldview. Believing in the Zodiac Signs is sinful according to the…
Most people have had the unfortunate experience of knowing that others have talked about them behind their back. And if they were being honest, most people have had the experience of talking about others behind their back. Gossip is all too common. But is it a sin? The Bible is clear that gossip is a…
Marijuana, also called weed, has become mainstream. Efforts to legalize the sale of it for recreational purposes have been successful in many places. Legalizing the regulated medicinal use of the drug has been occurring since the 1990s in America. What many Christians want to know is if smoking marijuana is wrong. Smoking marijuana for the…
The Bible teaches that words are powerful. Cussing is one type of speech that some Christians wonder about because Scripture doesn’t directly mention modern swear words. It is a sin to cuss, curse, and swear. Although the Bible doesn’t specifically mention modern swear words, saying them is a clear violation of Scripture’s commands against impure,…
The Bible teaches that Jesus of Nazareth was God (e.g. John 1:1; 8:58; 20:28) and a real human being (e.g. Luke 2:7). It also teaches that all people sin and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). These facts have led many people to wonder if Jesus ever sinned. The New Testament is…
The word “jealousy” has mostly negative connotations when used in the English language today. When someone is said to be jealous of another person, people generally understand that the description is a character flaw. Is this what the Bible teaches? According to the Bible, jealousy can be sinful or righteous depending on the relationship and…
Kissing is an intimate form of physical affection among loved ones, family, and sometimes friends. When people ask whether or not kissing is right or wrong in God’s eyes, they often mean it in the context of a romantic relationship before marriage. Kissing isn’t inherently sinful according to the Bible. Certain expressions of kissing may…
Sloth has always been an especially notorious sin in the Christian church because it’s a behavior (or lack thereof) that is highlighted in the Bible as ungodly. Sloth is even one of the Seven Deadly Sins according to the Roman Catholic Church. What exactly is sloth and why is it sinful? Sloth means laziness. It’s…
The article below is not medical advice. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately. Free help is available to all people. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline1-800-273-8255Free 24-hour assistance Suicide is a sad and tragic event. It ends a life prematurely and causes family and friends…
Manifestation, or the Law of Attraction, is a philosophy whose purpose is to draw to oneself life-enhancing gifts like love, money, and success through a certain way of thinking. Many Christians are interested to know the worldview behind manifestation, if it aligns with the Bible, and whether it’s sinful or not. Manifestation, or the Law…
God created a variety of races when he made people. When sin came into the world, people developed the capacity to hate, discriminate, and stereotype people that were racially and culturally different from them. Racism is a sin according to the Bible. Prejudice, discrimination, and antagonism directed against a person or people on the basis…
According to the Bible, murder is a serious sin. God prohibited killing an innocent person when he included “thou shall not murder” in the 10 Commandments. Because murder is so strongly forbidden in Scripture, many people wonder if murder is a sin that God won’t forgive. God forgives murderers. By means of the cross of…
When a person surrenders to God, they are making him Lord of their life. They stop chasing their own will and pursue his. They let go of their beliefs and adopt what God says is true. They are exchanging their lifestyle for the one that is pleasing to him. But how does a person surrender…
Many people want to know how to listen to God. Some are seeking direction. Others want to know his will. Yet other people desire words of assurance, comfort, and hope. How can a person position themselves to hear from God? The primary way God speaks to people today is through the Bible, whose writings are…
The article below is not medical advice. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline immediately. Free help is available to all people. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline1-800-273-8255Free 24-hour assistance Life is hard. It’s not the way God intended it to be because of sin. Sometimes suffering…
“How much does God actually know about me?” Many people ask this question because they are curious about the nature of God and how intimately he knows their desires, motives, intentions, and beliefs. Does God only observe actions and words, or does he know every thought that a person has? God can hear people’s thoughts….
To many Bible readers, God’s statement “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Rom. 9:13; Mal. 1:3) is stunning and confusing. What possible explanation is there for God to love Jacob, yet hate Esau? How does God’s hatred for Esau align with his love for all people as it’s expressed in verses like John 3:16?…
Abraham is one of the most important and interesting figures in the Bible. His story, which is told in the book of Genesis, has been read and taught for thousands of years. One of the key moments in Abraham’s life is when God calls him. A question many Bible readers ask is why God chose…
Most people believe that God exists, yet some are unsure how to find him. Because God is invisible and doesn’t often speak audibly to people, finding him isn’t clear to some seekers. Where should people look for God? Where should people listen for him? How can people know where he is moving and acting? The…
People want to hear from God for different reasons. Some are looking for direction in life. Others are seeking answers to questions they have. In other cases, people are looking for comfort, peace, and assurance. But how and where does God speak to people? How can people hear from him? The primary way Christians can…
The prophet Jeremiah is one of the most fascinating people in the Bible. The book named after him contains moments of hope in the midst of tremendous struggle and despair. People often find Jeremiah’s message and personality intriguing, but it’s his call that stands out to many Bible readers. Some Bible commentators speculate that Jeremiah…
Unfaithfulness in marriage is a serious offense against God and the guilty person’s spouse. Adultery is a horrendous sin that destroys relationships, not only with a person’s spouse, but also with their children, friends, and extended family. Given the far-reaching, negative effects of adultery on families and individuals, many people wonder if it’s a sin…
God created marriage to glorify himself and to be the foundation for families and raising children. The relationship also provides for the physical and emotional needs of men, women, and children in many practical and spiritual ways. Yet, marriages sometimes end. This leads many people to wonder if God will bless a second marriage. Historically,…
Studies have shown that most people believe in God, yet even believers sometimes wonder how he speaks to people. If God is real, and if he speaks to people, then what he says must be really important. Knowing how God speaks to people will help them direct their attention and focus their concentration so they…
Tyrannosaurus Rexes, Brachiosauruses, Pterodactyls, and other dinosaurs are some of the most interesting creatures to ever live on Earth. Their size, power, and beauty fascinate people of all ages. Many people are curious about the origins of dinosaurs. Does the Bible say that God created dinosaurs? Christians who interpret the first chapter of Genesis as…
The Bible has taught about meditation for thousands of years. Biblical meditation is unlike other forms of meditation because it focuses on the God of the Bible. Yet, those who are new to the discipline sometimes wonder how to do that. In Christianity, meditation is first and foremost based on the Bible. Second, the object…
Many people want to know what God is like. They want to know about his nature, character, and activity. People want to know what God has said, what he has done in the past, and what he has planned for the future. Another common question people ask about God is what he looks like. God…
The Bible teaches that God is omnipotent and that no other being, whether a human or even Satan himself, can match or surpass his strength. Yet God doesn’t always demonstrate his power and the Bible teaches there are some things God can’t do. This leads believers and unbelievers alike to wonder what the limits of…
Many people want to know what God looks like. For some, they think if they could see God or imagine him, he would feel more accessible and maybe comprehendible. Whatever the motive, people ask questions about God’s appearance, actions, and even his size. Some people even want to know how tall God is. God doesn’t…
The Amish are devout Christians who have a reputation among outsiders for their adherence to rules. Amish don’t use electricity in their homes or farms. They don’t own cars and shun most modern comforts besides specific farm equipment. Many outsiders (called “Englishmen”) assume that these restrictions include alcohol, but the matter is more complicated than…
Life is hard. Sometimes suffering can lead people to question God’s existence, goodness, and character. When a person experiences loss or hardship in their health, finances, relationships, or another vital aspect of life, it may cause them to wonder if God is punishing them. They may even wonder if God hates them. God doesn’t hate…
Long before people in the twenty-first century asked questions about God and suffering, faithful men and women in the Bible had been wrestling with them. For example, David wrote, “My soul is in deep anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?” (Psalm 6:3). The question of why God allows people to suffer often arises when…
Covid 19 is a contagious disease that has reached every corner of the world. It has disrupted life for people on every continent, no matter their race, social class, financial status, or education level. The disease has made billions of people sick and ended the lives of millions. In many ways, the Covid 19 pandemic…
Imagining what heaven will be like can fill a person with hope and expectation. Questions about who will be in heaven and what people will do there are common. Another question that often captivates the human imagination is what heaven looks like. This curiosity comes from wanting to understand what the Bible says about heaven…
People value many different types of relationships on Earth, such as those between parents and children and those between best friends. Romantic relationships are also important. Some wonder if such relationships, like those between husbands and wives, will continue in heaven and if single people on Earth will have romantic relationships in heaven. According to…
There is a lot of wishful thinking about what heaven will be like. Many people conjure up in their imaginations a self-centered utopia that satisfies their every urge and whim. Yet heaven isn’t comprised of what people think about when they are daydreaming. Instead, heaven is God’s abode, and thankfully, relationships are important to him….
People are curious about heaven. It’s one of the topics in the Bible that Christians like to ponder and discuss. Questions about heaven are endless: What does it look like? How do people get there? Who will be there? People also wonder how old heaven is. Heaven’s existence cannot be measured in years. The Bible…
Many Christians wonder how old people will be in heaven. Some think that if people are too young, like the age of a toddler, or elderly, given the physical and mental limitations of old age, their experience of heaven will be inferior. Others wonder if babies will grow up in heaven or if elderly people…
When people think about heaven, many wonder if their relationships on Earth will be the same in heaven. For instance, people look forward to seeing a parent, grandparent, or sibling. Marriage is another relationship people ponder. Husbands and wives may be especially curious about their relationship in heaven. What will be the same and what…
When people think about heaven, their thoughts are mostly joyful, but one reality that concerns them is who won’t be there. Some may even wonder if they aren’t going to heaven. Rather than relying on other people’s speculation or best guesses, many are curious about what the Bible teaches on the topic. According to the…
What age people will be in heaven is a common question. In part, it concerns how people will look. The question also relates to what people will be able to do, since babies and the elderly, for example, have more physical limitations than people in other age groups. Questions about babies are especially poignant because…
To an outsider, an Amish Christmas may seem impossible. Without twinkling electric lights, Amazon orders, Christmas movie marathons, and other modern comforts, an Amish Christmas may not seem like Christmas. What does Christmas even look like in Amish communities? Amish people celebrate Christmas, though their customs differ greatly from worldly or “English” Christmas traditions. They…
The Amish live in tight-knit, insular communities. An outsider (or “Englishman”) might feel that entering an Amish community is like entering an entirely new country. But the Amish are still American citizens subject to American laws and taxes. Amish people pay taxes. They pay property taxes, income taxes, and sales taxes. But most Amish people…
One of the most common questions people ask about heaven is what they will look like. Some imagine that all that they dislike about their body will be changed. Others want to retain their hair and eye color. Sometimes shorter people want to be taller and taller people want to be shorter. How similar or…
Given the Bible’s extraordinary descriptions of heaven, it’s no wonder that Christians think about it and look forward to it. They are curious about all they will see, what they will do, and who they will reunite with or meet for the first time. Christians also look forward with great anticipation to seeing Jesus Christ….
Many people wonder what heaven will be like. What will people do? What will people see? How will people feel? Another aspect of heaven that people are curious about is angels. People read about angels in the Bible, yet they see them inaccurately depicted in popular culture. So according to the Bible, what will angels…
Many people are curious about heaven. They wonder how people go to heaven, what people will do there, and who people will see. Yet the starting point for a lot of people is learning the answer to the simple question, what is heaven? According to the Bible, heaven is the place where people who put…
“Our Father which art in heaven” is the beginning of one of the most famous prayers in history, often referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer.” According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus of Nazareth taught his followers this prayer, and the Church hasn’t stopped reciting it for 2,000 years. The King James Version reads: After…