Question #400
A dear, close friend and a deacon in our church has been struggling with drug addiction for many years, beginning in his college days. He has begun using again and although he is attending AA meetings and seeing a psychiatrist (or psychologist-I'm not sure which) he has been unable to be clean for more than a few months at a time. He's very open to our congregation with his struggle. But lately it has gotten worse. I know this first hand from his wife. My father was an alcoholic; I personally know the trauma having an abuser can do to a family. But I also wonder how this will effect our church. I see that he's scheduled to teach the adult class on Wednesday this coming term. I know our elders are aware of his condition and his struggle. I fear that they are keeping him on as a deacon and a teacher with the thought that it gives him something positive in his life. I'm very worried both about my friend but also what keeping him as a deacon and teacher will do to our church. I have been praying about this for weeks now. Then I remembered how much your Q&A section has helped me indirectly in the past. I would really appreciate any thoughts, suggestions and verses you would have on this matter.
Thank you so much..

Leon's Response

Question #399
My husband is not a Christian and isn't interested in my faith.

Leon's Response

Question #398
My boyfriend and I started living together a little over 2 years ago after my ex-husband left, when I told him to leave even though he didn't want to. My ex-husband was smoking dope a lot by then and not at home much. I started my relationship with my boyfriend over the internet. When my ex found out he tried to commit suicide by taking pills and drove the car to my workplace with my son who was 4 years old then, endangering his welfare. I was an outcast to my family and church as a result of my sin. Before I got out of the relationship my ex-husband started throwing things at me and the baby that we took care of, who we were supposed to adopt. 

A few years back when we were drinking before I stopped, when I got drunk he would let this other man make love to and watch. I started to feel very dirty, I wasn't right with God anymore. When I told him he stopped, but he didn't repent, because he would whisper names when we made love which made me feel dirty. I started to look for love from somewhere else and this is how I met my boyfriend. I didn't realize how sad my mother was from this break-up. My ex-husband was an usher at church but he was not a Christian. According to everyone he was because he worked at church and his family name was well respected. His grandfather and uncle were previous Pastor's of our church.I got tired of his behavior and decided to change my life. I realize it was not good, but I have confessed and repented of this awful sin that I did.

My brother and his wife have been preaching a lot about adultery and fornication making it sound like if I get re-married to this young Christian man that I am condemned. We are getting married to make it right with God. I know we are and we need your prayers to help us stay on the right path to raise my two remaining children in a Christian home. The older two are on their own now.

Leon's Response

Question #397
Please help me find peace in my soul. God's word says if you marry a man with a living spouse, with no scriptural reason for divorce, you have sinned. I did and now I am in mental pain about what to do. I also have a living spouse unfaithful to the marriage bonds but this doesn't take away what I have done. Do I leave this marriage in to order worship God in truth? I just don't know which way to go.

Leon's Response

Question #396
Do you think all that's happening in the world is a part of God's plan or does Satan have a hand in this also?

Leon's Response

Question #395
What does it mean to be a Christian?

Leon's Response

Question #394
Please explain Luke11:13, if we ask the Lord for more of the Holy Spirit in our lives will we receive it? I never want to miss out on anything the Lord has for us. If I can do greater things for the Father, and don't, then I have failed him. Thank you.

Leon's Response

Question #393
1 Cor. 15:24-28 are challenging verses to me, particularly verse 25 which many say means Christ will reign again on earth for a time until He has put all enemies under His feet. In verse 24, isn't the end the 2nd coming? And Jesus delivering the kingdom to God, isn't that the church, or the saved, being brought before God in judgment? In vs. 24, "when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and all power" and vs. 25, "...until He has put all enemies under His feet" - are these things that will happen at Christ's 2nd coming?

Leon's Response

Question #392
1 Cor.15:29, where certain people being baptized for other people who were already dead? I understand Paul's main point throughout chapter 15, being our very faith hinges on the resurrection of Jesus - His victory over death, and that we will likewise be resurrected. But vs. 29 is confusing to me.

Leon's Response

Question #391
My friend Virginia has asked me a number times about death. She is scared of dying. She prays a lot and reads her Bible, plus listens to the Bible on CD. She does not attend any church & she was baptized as a baby. I really don't understand the mind set of not meeting with the Saints on a weekly basis. Nor of not being baptized. Now that I think of it, I have a lot of friends like that, even one of my own children. What do you say to a person who is reluctant? On one hand they say they love God but yet are not willing to do His will. Could this be tied into her fear of death?

Leon's Response

Question #390
After hearing tonight's guest speak on "Hearing the Voice of God", I have a question. 

Hebrews 1:1-2 states: "Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son."

Does this imply that Christians should give more credence to the words of Jesus (in the gospels and in the beginning of Acts) than to the words of the other New Testament writers? Thank you.

Leon's Response

Question #389
In 1 Corn. 3:3-35, women should be silent in church. Please explain these verses and what if you don't have a Christian husband to ask things at home? How does all this apply to us today?

Leon's Response

Question #388
What does 2 Corn. 6:14 mean? How does this apply to me today?

Leon's Response

Question #387
It seems like there were two separate creations of women… In Genesis chapter 1 verse 27 it says God created male and female. But in chapter 2 verses 18-23 God says that man should not live alone and he created woman out of Adam's rib. Who was created in verse 27 of chapter one? Were there two creations of women?

Leon's Response

Question #386
Reading Eph. in verse12 what does this mean for us today? Also I understand submit but in verse 24, what is this meaning "in everything" and if you are married to a non-Christian is the meaning still the same?

Leon's Response

Question #385
Ok, a question I asked earlier - what is Noah's Ark a picture of in the New Testament? You told me that 1 Peter 3:18-21 said that Noah's salvation by water is typical of our Salvation by baptism. Can it also be that it was destroy by water then, now it will be destroy by fire. I don't know, now, I'm just asking. Care to comment?

Leon's Response

Question #384
Who is the kings of kings and lords of lords? As Christians, should we be trying h-a-r-d to get to heaven?

Leon's Response

Question #383
What is the kingdom of God? What is Noah's Ark a picture of in the New Testament? As Christians, should we be trying hard to get to heaven? How did God get to be king and how/where is it found in the Bible?
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Leon's Response

Question #382
What is the difference between the Holy Spirit that the disciples received and the Holy Spirit that we receive? Must you be baptized in order to receive the Holy Spirit?
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Leon's Response

Question #381
1 John5:14-15, please explain, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. How do I know if I am asking as I should? Am I approaching God wrong by opening my heart? What should I ask in prayer? Many of my prayers go unanswered but I've always thought it wasn't the right time or not the best for me. Help me to understand.

Leon's Response

Question #380
The verses in 1 Cor.7 about marriage has a sentence in verse 15, "God has called us to live in peace". Please explain how this applies today and especially in a marriage bond of one who is not a Christian.

Leon's Response

Question #379
What are Ephesians 4:3-6 & Psalm 62 about?

Leon's Response

Question #378
I would like for you to explain Rom;14-13,21. This does not have anything to do with Easter.

Leon's Response

Question #377
I just saw the news on TV about the Virgin Mary statue in Florida that had a tear running from the eye. People were on their knees before this statue and my thought on this flashed thru my mind on what does God think of this and those that have a cross around their neck and they place it in their hands and pray then often kiss the cross after. From a scripture standpoint, how does God view these acts? I view the bible that I read as Gods inspired words but I still do not kiss the Bible.

Leon's Response

Question #376
When Matthew list the generation from Abraham to Jesus whom are the names that would fall into the 400 year time frame between the Old Testament & the New Testament? Is this the only time their names are mentioned?

Leon's Response

Question #375
What is the difference between lust and desire? Someone asked me and though I thought I knew, I guess I really didn't. Thanks Leon!

Leon's Response

Question #374
In John 20:2, whom is the disciple that Jesus loved & why is his name not mentioned?

Leon's Response

Question #373
How can we know God's will?

A good friend e-mailed me the following question and comments concerning how God works in our lives relative to the decisions we make. I'm pondering my answer.  What do you think? (Note: This is a paraphrased version of the e-mail my friend sent.)

I've heard people say, “It just wasn’t meant to be” or “God, give me a sign if you want me to do this."

Does God reveal himself to Christians this way? Personally, I wrestle with this. For the most part, I think God wants us to pray about it and give him all of our cares - and then we should make decisions based on our educated guesses.

I have a hard time hearing people say, "Well this or that happened, so God wants me to do this."

What are your thoughts? I think we could drive ourselves crazy figuring out what is a sign and not a sign. Is this type of mentality a sign of weak faith?

Leon's Response

Question #372
Is the Holy Spirit ever specifically mentioned in the Old Testament?

Leon's Response

Question #371
In question #365, I know we must live for the Lord, and I want to, but how do we die to the desires of lust, fears, riches, and ambitions of our lives to live for him? I want to always be in his presence.

Leon's Response

Question #370
Will we ever know how the "Spirit" affects us today? I know I can read scriptures and know that the spirit lives in me and know that I've been baptized in the Spirit, but how can we recognize it? I would give the example of knowing that I have bone marrow in my body, but then I have no resources to tell me what it does or how it works. Is it possible for the Spirit to "overtake" during the worship assembly? Any comments to make this clear?

Leon's Response

Question #369
What happens to the people who have never been taught about Jesus? Do they go to heaven or hell? It doesn't seem fair if never hearing of Jesus to be condemned. Also, do our loved ones that have died see us here on earth and can they come around us and cause strange things to happen in our homes, i.e. lights come on and off, or feel their presence? Thank you.

Leon's Response

Question #368
What is your take on degrees of punishment in Hell and of reward in Heaven? Doesn't this doctrine contradict Matt 20:1-16? What Scriptures are used for this idea?  Thanks for your help.

Leon's Response

Question #367
Is my niece right in her thinking? She writes...

This is exactly why I don't think government and religion should mix. Our country is one of many religions and Christians should not have a majority rule over them.

Homosexuals are denied the basic rights that are supposed to be granted to each and every citizen of this country. They are denied or fired from their employment, housing in certain areas and are regularly beaten or killed in hate crimes. These are things we take for granted.

I agree that homosexual behavior and fornication is against the Bible. But the Bible also says "Thou Shall Not Judge" and we are judging them by denying them the same rights that we have.

Christine and Rob lived together outside of marriage. Would you be upset if Christine had to move because she had Rob living with her at her condo, or if she lost her job because of it? And I'm sure you would be upset if she were attacked and beaten because of it too.

As Christians, it is our duty to help those who need help, not judge them. Sin is sin, no matter what it is...from lying to homosexuality. There's no degree of sin. Right now in this country, we treat homosexuals no better than pond scum. If there is going to be a law passed that will protect them in some way, then I'm for it. How many people have to have their human rights guaranteed by our Constitution violated before they are protected? As for gay marriage and polygamy...on a basic Christian level, I think it's wrong. But whether it should be allowed as a law, I don't see a problem. Those people will come before God on Judgment Day and have to account for their actions. It is not for us to judge here on earth.

There is a book (and movie) called "And The Band Played On" about the rise of AIDS in the United States, and how the government didn't take an aggressive approach to the virus because it was considered a "gay disease". Thousands of people who were innocent died because the top medical country in the world refused to research it, because it was only homosexuals that were dying at first. The French...who discovered the HIV virus...said that only Americans would think that a virus would pick out only a certain group of people. Hundreds of people died because they got transfusions from surgeries or they were hemophiliacs...and the blood was tainted with the virus. The CDC fought the FDA for years on getting them to test the blood supply.

No one deserves to be treated like that...or to die like that. Simply because of a life choice that is against the most powerful religion in the country.

However AIDS is NOT a homosexual disease. In Africa, where it is a pandemic, 90% infected are heterosexuals.

Leon's Response

Question #366
Do we know where we got the Bible from, (HISTORY)?

Leon's Response

Question #365
How do you interpret "take up your cross daily" from Luke 9:23?

Leon's Response

Question #364
In response to question 360 on Blasphemy, can you provide some more clarification on the term and what it means for Christians today? Would attributing works of God/"miraculous events" in today's society to medical sciences etc, be considered "bringing God down to our level" in attributing it to man and not God? Or am I misunderstanding that? Thanks for the clarification.

Leon's Response

Question #363
What is the meaning of John 15:1-17?

Leon's Response

Question #362
1 John 5:16- If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this.

What is the life that God gives to the one who sins not unto death and how does the one who prays get such a blessing for his brother? Clearly our prayers do not save other people.

Your thoughts?

Leon's Response

Question #361
What evidence is there that "all sins are equal"? Does God have different judgment values on sins? Any biblical insight here would be helpful.

Leon's Response

Question #360
What exactly is Blasphemy?

Leon's Response

Question #359
I'm a member of the Lord's church and trying very hard to live as the Lord would have me to. How do you think it looks to the Lord, and the world we are trying to save, if a group of young women of the church celebrate a gathering together by serving alcohol, in a members home?

Leon's Response

Question #358
What is your take on 1 John 5:16-17; The sin that leads to death vs. the sin that does not lead to death?

Leon's Response

Question #357
I have always been puzzled by the reason for which the church of Christ believes instrumental music to be not authorized by scripture. In regards to your reference of Eph 5:19 as a reason to exclude instrumental music, this has never made much sense to me in light of the text. To properly define psalms, hymns and spiritual songs we should take a look at their meanings from the original language in which they were written. The Greek word used in the Pauline epistles for psalms is psalmos. Psalmos is defined as a set piece of music, a sacred ode accompanied with the voice, harp or other instruments. It seems the very definition of a psalm refutes that idea. Reference Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD. [a] Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
5 praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
I am not suggesting that the way these denominations worship is unacceptable, just that their theology of worship is incomplete. That is great news to all of us minstrels who desire to play our instruments for the glory of God in worship. Therefore, if Eph 5:19 says we are to sing Psalms, do we exclude those that reference instrumental music? When by their very definition it was proper to praise with them. I believe whether it is acapella music, instrument, preaching, teaching, etc...it must be done with an honest heart for God to be glorified. Thank you for listening.

Leon's Response

Question #356
I am a Christian and love the Lord with all my heart, as I continue to try and grow in God's word I find Satan is constantly battling for control of my mind by placing evil thoughts.I pray for forgiveness but how do I win this battle? This is tormenting me and I don't want go to hell.What hope do I have?

Leon's Response

Question #355
The Lord has blessed so many people with beautiful voices and they use them to praise Him. I guess what I'm trying to say ,is praising with music sin?

Leon's Response

Question #354
Does a water baptism save a person? What really can save a person - Christ or baptism?

Leon's Response

Question #353
Bro. Leon, in question 352 your answer made me wonder about the book "23 minutes in hell". Is this a tool you would recommend for teaching on hell?

Leon's Response

Question #352
Have you read the book, "90 Minutes in Heaven" and do you think people really have near death experiences like he talks about or is it just the body's way of shutting down?

Leon's Response

Question #351
While studying in Ephesians, especially Eph. 6:18, we are to pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Are there times when we do not pray in the spirit? How do we pray in the spirit and how do we know if we are not?

Leon's Response