Masturbation has long been a topic of debate within Christian theology. Is it always a sinful act, or is it sometimes a natural, even healthy expression, of how God made people? The answer to these questions often depends on one’s interpretation of Scripture, theological perspective, and personal convictions. In the article, we will explore the…
Subliminal messaging, which consists of attempts to influence a person’s mind without their conscious awareness of it, is a self-help trend that is growing in popularity. Certain aspects of the communication technique give many Christians pause. Are “subliminals” sinful or is some people’s discomfort just related to the fact that the process is different than…
According to a recent report, 40% of the world’s population plays video games. [1] This number has increased dramatically with the rise of smartphones, which enable people to play anywhere, not just using the game console connected to the television set in their home. Many Christians are interested to know whether or not playing video…
The Bible mentions the hair of men and women in multiple places. From Samson’s long hair to Paul’s instruction about short hair, hair — or the lack of it in Elisha’s case — plays a role in several stories in the Bible. The details in these stories cause people to ask questions about hair grooming,…
Tests, exams, and other forms of academic assessment can be stressful. Many students have a lot at stake when taking tests, including passing a class, maintaining a certain grade-point average, staying eligible for sports, getting into college, or maintaining a scholarship in college. As a result of these pressures, some students are tempted to cheat…
The Bible teaches that self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:23), which means that it’s a characteristic that Christians should demonstrate and develop. All people, including Christians, eat and drink multiple times per day. Some people struggle with self-control when it comes to eating. But is overeating a sin? Overeating is a…
A lazy person is one who is unwilling to work or use energy. The Bible’s teaching about laziness, and similar qualities like idleness, slothfulness, and complacency, are clear and strong. In part, what God’s Word says about laziness is in contrast to what it teaches about the significance of work. The Bible teaches that laziness…
The Bible teaches that God’s name is special and that all people should revere it in common speech. Yet the English language contains certain phrases and figures of speech that include the word “God” but aren’t a direct reference to him. Many of these sayings aren’t necessarily considered cussing akin to four-letter words, but they…
Meat is a staple food in many cultures around the world. Red meat like beef and lamb, poultry like chicken and turkey, pork, which is meat from a pig, and seafood like fish and crab, are consumed often for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — and even snack time — all around the world. What does…
Witchcraft has many forms and expressions. Believers and practitioners of witchcraft have been around for thousands of years, evidenced by the fact that the Bible mentions it numerous times. Though many expressions of witchcraft are practiced privately, the belief system is well-known enough to make many people curious about it from a biblical perspective. According…
Fear, which is often defined as an emotion, is commonly made up of feelings like anxiety, helplessness, and a sense of inevitable doom. People fear getting hurt, experiencing loss, the unknown, and a variety of other things. Fear is common to the human experience, no matter one’s gender, race, culture, or social status. It’s an…
1 John 5:16 makes a distinction between a sin that leads to death and a sin that doesn’t. This description confuses some readers and troubles others. That there is a “sin that leads to death” raises questions like, “What is the specific sin that John is describing?” and importantly, “Have I committed it?” Among Bible…
Contrary to popular belief, the Bible isn’t prudish when it comes to sexual intimacy and its various expressions. In fact, some passages describe what many would consider graphic depictions of sex through poetic metaphors. Many people know that intercourse is celebrated in the Bible due in part to the command to be fruitful and multiply…
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…