Christians' Use of Indecent Materials

How common is the use of sexually indecent materials even among those who claim to follow Christ? Why is this such a danger in our society, and why should we avoid it? What does the Bible say Christians should do to overcome such enslaving habits?

Low-Key Religion: Zealous, Half-Hearted, or Lukewarm?

A young lady described her prayer as low-key. Many people have low-key religion in worship, Bible study, devotion, and morality. Is this zealous religion or lukewarm religion?

A young woman once told our son-in-law that she and her boyfriend had fled from the police in a high-speed chase. She said she was praying for their safety, but it was a “low-key prayer.”

How do you define a “low-key prayer”? It sounds like prayer from someone with little commitment to God. They know they are wrong yet still hope God will help them in an emergency.

I suspect that many people are “low-key,” not just in prayer, but in religion in general, though they may not admit it as honestly as this young lady did. Consider some examples:

The Work of the Church: Social or Spiritual?

Some churches offer entertainment, recreation, social activities, banquets, parties, and other fun and games. This is the Social Gospel philosophy. Churches seek to help people spiritually by satisfying them physically. Is this the gospel of the New Testament?

I was recently handed a promotional advertisement that read as follows:

Da Vinci’s Painting of the Last Supper

Da Vinci's painting of the Last Supper illustrates the power of sin to defile souls and the power of Jesus' blood to cleanse sin.

The following is reported as a true story: When Leonardo Da Vinci painted his picture of the Last Supper, he began by searching for a model for the face of Jesus. Finally he found a young man with a pure and noble face suitable for Jesus.

More than ten years later, the last face he needed was Judas: a face with the curse of sin, suitable for a traitor. Finally, he found a man in the most disreputable part of the city, but the man vigorously refused. When Da Vinci asked why, the man said, “Twelve years ago, I sat here in this very room. You copied my face on that wall to represent the face of Jesus, and now you want it to represent the face of Judas.” *

A few years of living in sin can change a person from the likeness of Jesus to that of Judas. This may not always be true in physical appearance, but it is definitely true spiritually.

Pot and King Heroin: Dangers of Drug Abuse

If marijuana use is legal, does that make it moral? Does God accept use of recreational drugs? Does marijuana lead to use of stronger drugs? What does the Bible say?

Voice of One Who Has Been There

I read the following some time ago from one who has experienced drug abuse:

I started getting high to be “in,” to go along with my friends. I immediately went down in school. Pot disrupts the memory banks in your brain … And pot DOES lead to the use of other drugs. People who get stoned get to where they don’t care about anything but getting high. And after a while pot just doesn’t get you high enough. I got kicked out … of school completely ‘cause I was always skipping out to get high. Finally I got kicked out of my parents’ house (after getting put in jail several times) because I became moody, restless, incommunicative and because I was out all hours of the day and night partying with my friends. I’ve been living on the streets supporting myself for a year. I’ve done every drug you can think of. I went through h--- getting off speed. Messed up my nose terribly on coke (and my arms) and three times I almost OD’ed on Acid. I’d been doing drugs for 3 years and I finally quit cold turkey a few months ago. I got some friends to talk to and I got a steady job. For the first time in 3 years I can think clearly and I’m really free. Drugs are a trap. … I’ve seen plenty of people die of overdoses. And I’ve seen several people murdered over dope deals. All of them, including me, started out just smoking an occasional joint on weekends “to go along with our friends.” I know I ruined my life. I once had a pretty bright future with a lot of opportunities. Now I work all day to stay alive. I’m 16. … - Young Once, March, 1980 (reprinted in Powerline, Vol. V, #9).

A Lonely Little Petunia in an Onion Patch

Should Christians be different from the world? What servants of God were non-conformists? What standard of conduct should we follow: the Bible or the world?

When I was young, I liked to visit an aunt and uncle who had songs I played on their record player. One of the songs was “I'm a Lonely Little Petunia in an Onion Patch.”

The Petunia was a pretty flower that smelled good, but it was surrounded by onions that are not pretty like flowers and do not smell good. The song illustrated a person who was completely different from the people around him.

In many ways, Christians are petunias in an onion patch. Consider some lessons we can learn.

Singing, Creation, Children, and Instrumental Music

Why do babies love singing even more than instrumental music? Why is singing important in worship? What does this show about creation?

From birth, every child loves to hear singing. Have you ever wondered why?

Our God-Given Ability to Appreciate Vocal Music

An article in a creationist magazine describes a study of MRI scans of the human brain. They determined there is a “unique area of the brain, which appears purpose-built to analyze singing” (not just to analyze sound or even music in general, but specifically vocal music).

“The results showed that ‘the response to sung music was substantially and significantly higher than the sum of the response to speech and instrumental music.’ … Research indicates that it’s a top-down ‘hard-wired’ capability…” given even to infants.*

To paraphrase, all people are born with a God-given ability to recognize, appreciate, and respond favorably to vocal music. From birth, not only can we distinguish singing from speaking and from instrumental music, but we give a “significantly higher” response to vocal music than to speech or to instrumental music.

Causes of Religious Confusion, Division, and Disagreement

Why is there so much disagreement, confusion, and division in religion? Even "Christian" denominations often disagree and contradict one another. Does Jesus approve of such division, or does He want religious unity?

Does division occur because the Bible contradicts itself or cannot be understood? Is it caused by ignorance, lack of Bible study, human religious authority, and man-made creeds? What does God's word say?

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Bible Teaching Is Important and Relevant to You

Are you seeking spiritual guidance and direction in your life? Do you have serious questions about spiritual teaching and issues? This free study provides relevant Bible answers! 

Christian doctrine offers true answers to questions such as: Does God exist? What is the purpose and meaning of life? What is the origin of the human race? Can we receive eternal life after death? How can we be forgiven of our sins and receive the favor and blessings of God?

This material is also available in print as part of our book on Bible Inspiration and Preservation. For more information, go to www .gospelway.com/sales/books. 

Meekness and Humility vs. Pride, Haughtiness, and Egotism

Why should people be meek and humble? What problems are caused by pride, arrogance, ego, self-exaltation, haughtiness, and self-will? 

Should you learn self-assertiveness, or should you learn not to be proud and haughty? What does the Bible teach about meekness, humility, gentleness, and lowliness in contrast to pride, selfishness, self-will, and arrogance?