* ALL Questions about the Christian Life *

[Patriot]

How can I receive divine guidance?​

Answer

The desire for direction and divine guidance is universal. In every culture, the wise and learned are revered and their answers sought by those struggling with decisions. Unfortunately, this wisdom is often the manmade variety and can lead to catastrophe, since every human being is fallible and our wisdom often questionable (1 Corinthians 1:20). When man seeks supernatural wisdom, he often turns to the spirit world by consulting mediums, witches, or other avenues forbidden by God (Leviticus 19:31; 20:6; Deuteronomy 18:14). However, Isaiah 8:19 says, “When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?”

So how do we receive answers from God? If our hearts are set to truly seek His wisdom, how do we find it? Jeremiah 29:13 says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” So God promises that those who seek His counsel with all their hearts will find it. However, there are several factors that must be in place before we can claim this promise:

1. We must do it God’s way. The Lord God Almighty is not a slot machine or a genie who grants wishes. But often that is the subconscious attitude of those who claim to want His guidance. Many live life as their own bosses, but, when faced with tragedy or heartache, become temporarily interested in God. If we want direction from God, we must come to Him the only way He provides for such relationship—through His Son. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Our only access to the Father is when we come through the sacrificial death and resurrection of His Son. When we make Jesus the Lord of our lives, we become the children of God (John 1:12; Romans 10:9–10). God’s promises in Scripture are for His children. So when we come to Him in the way He has provided, we can claim His promises for wisdom and guidance (Proverbs 3:5–6; James 1:5).

2. We must know what God’s Word says. There is much guidance already given to us, and we need only to read it in the Bible. We do not need to seek direction about whether or not to sin. If God has already stated something in His Word, He will not contradict it. He will not instruct us to murder someone, steal, or commit adultery. Prohibitions against such things are already clearly stated in His Word, and He expects us to follow them (Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20). For example, many unmarried couples try to insist that “God understands” the fact that they are sleeping together before marriage. Some even claim that they “prayed about it and feel it’s OK.” This thinking is in clear defiance of God’s stated commands against sexual immorality (Hebrews 13:4). To justify sin by saying that God has made an exception to His own commands is to reveal one does not really want the guidance of God.

3. We must be in continual fellowship with the Holy Spirit. God speaks not only through His Word but through the confirmations of His Spirit within us. Romans 8:16 says, “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” How does He “bear witness with our spirit”? When we are born again (John 3:3), the Holy Spirit moves into our hearts and changes us into “new creatures” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Our human spirits that were once dead and under the control of our flesh are made alive with new power and a desire that come from God Himself (Colossians 2:13; Ephesians 2:5). As we give Him more control over every area of our lives, He speaks within our spirits, convicting of sin, guiding toward wisdom, and confirming His pleasure at our obedience (Psalm 16:11; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Colossians 1:10; Galatians 5:22).

4. We must ask for divine guidance. James 4:2 says, “You do not have because you do not ask.” When our hearts are in right relationship to God, then James 1:5 assures us that we can ask for wisdom and believe that we have received it. We can ask that He guide us into all truth (John 16:13; Psalm 25:5). When we ask in faith, we can then move forward with confidence in the direction that appears wisest, asking all the time for God to shut any door that He did not open. We move ahead with eyes wide open, staying in prayer and seeking God’s answer with a heart to obey.

5. We must be willing to obey when He gives us guidance. Often, when people say they want to know God’s will, what they really mean is this: “I want to know God’s will—and then I’ll decide whether or not I’m going to do it.” God already knows the deep things of our hearts and many times will not reveal His plan to a stubborn heart who will not obey (Psalm 51:10–12; Proverbs 1:28–29; John 14:24; Isaiah 1:15–16). Surrender must accompany any prayer request. He does not exist to do our bidding; we exist for His pleasure and His glory. He desires to work in our lives to accomplish His purposes for us (Philippians 2:13; Colossians 1:16).

The Lord is a communicating God, and He delights in giving divine guidance to those who seek Him (Proverbs 20:24). He wants to direct the heart surrendered to Him. When we come to Him in the way He has provided for us, when we seek His wisdom with a heart to obey (Proverbs 3:13), then we can walk in the confidence that He is directing our paths (Proverbs 3:5–6).

For Further Study​

The Owner's Manual for Christians: The Essential Guide for a God-Honoring Life by Charles Swindoll

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

​

 

[Patriot]

Should a Christian be a radical?​

Answer

The word radical as applied to human behavior can be either positive or negative, depending upon one’s viewpoint. For the purposes of this article, we will define radical as “one expressing strict adherence to a worldview that is at extreme odds with the cultural norm.”

If “normal” is in the middle, then a “radical” would be a person at either end of the spectrum. Mother Theresa could be considered a radical in her extreme self-denial and ministry to the poorest of the poor. But Saddam Hussein was also a radical in his violent enforcement of his religious and political agenda. Both were at extreme ends of what most societies consider “normal.”

Whether or not Christians should be radicals depends on how the word is defined. Many people in history have used the name of Christ to inflict terror, persecution, and genocide upon those with religious differences. That form of radicalism was never condoned by Jesus—who was Himself a radical. His message of love, forgiveness, and mercy was at direct odds with the accepted views of the day. He refused to fight back when attacked (1 Peter 2:23), to allow Peter to defend Him with violence (Matthew 26:51–52), or to condemn the woman caught in adultery (John 8:4–11). Those were all radical acts for that time and culture. One reason some people turned away from Christ was that His requirement of giving up everything for His sake was simply too radical (Luke 18:22–23).

The decision to follow Christ is itself a call to radical living. Jesus said that “anyone who wants to follow Me must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23). That command is at extreme odds with our flesh’s desire to please itself (Romans 7:21–23). It challenges worldly wisdom, which preaches self-fulfillment as our highest aim (1 John 2:15–17). The cross is a radical thing, and declaring Jesus as Lord of our lives involves a dethroning of Self and a complete abandonment to His will. We must be willing to go where He leads, do what He says, and love Him more than life itself (Matthew 10:37–38). The lifestyle changes that follow such a commitment are considered radical by those who fall within the world’s definition of “normal.” Those who claim to know Christ yet refuse this radical lifestyle are called “carnal” (1 Corinthians 3:3). Jesus calls such professing Christians “lukewarm” and says He will spit them out of His mouth (Revelation 3:16).

The antisocial atrocities that are often synonymous with radicalism are in direct opposition to radical Christianity. Jesus calls His followers to seek the best for others, to love our neighbors, and to be peacemakers, even at great personal cost (Galatians 5:14; Matthew 5:9; Luke 10:30–37). Jesus’ teaching known as The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12) is His call to radical living. He requires His followers to take the high road, to “turn the other cheek” (verse 39), and to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (verse 44).

Those who incite violence and persecution in the name of Christ are not radicals at all. They are “enemies of the cross” (Philippians 3:18–19), doing what comes naturally to their fleshly minds. Biblical Christianity is in polar opposition to the natural way of living, which means that those who choose Jesus will be considered radical to most. Living a Spirit-filled life is radical because it goes against everything our selfish nature wants and it stands in stark contrast to the world’s way of the flesh.

Radical Christians understand Paul’s desire to “know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” (Philippians 3:10). A radical Christian is one who has “died to the flesh” (Romans 8:13). The apostles were radical Christians—they “turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6, ESV)—but they did so through self-sacrifice and love (John 13:35). Paul learned to “boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. . . . For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). Because following Jesus is in direct conflict with the “norm,” then “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) could be considered a radical way of life.

For Further Study​

The Owner's Manual for Christians: The Essential Guide for a God-Honoring Life by Charles Swindolland

Logos Bible Software

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

​

 

[Patriot]

What does it mean to backslide?​

Answer

The word backslide, in a Christian context, implies movement away from Christ rather than toward Him. A backslider is someone who is going the wrong way, spiritually. He is regressing rather than progressing. The backslider had at one time demonstrated a commitment to Christ or maintained a certain standard of behavior, but he has since reverted to old ways. Backsliding may manifest itself in several ways, e.g., dropping out of church, losing fervor for the Lord, walking away from a ministry or a family, or falling back into old habits.

Some people use the word backslide to mean that a person has lost his or her salvation. However, since a saved person is secure in Christ (John 10:28–29)—God will not kick His children out of His family—that is not how we will use the word. Rather, when we speak of backsliding, we simply mean that someone is growing cold toward Christ. A backslidden condition could indicate the person was never saved to begin with—in which case, the backslider is only showing his true colors. But it’s also possible for children of God to backslide, temporarily.

The Bible uses the phrase fall away rather than backslide, but the idea is similar. In the Bible to “fall away” can mean two different things. In one instance, the person is saved but experiencing a temporary period of questioning that we could call a “crisis of faith.” In the other instance, the person was never saved at all but only temporarily behaving as a saved person would. We will call this taking Christianity for a “test drive.”

The Backslide Crisis of Faith:

In Mark 14:27 Jesus tells His disciples, “You will all fall away.” What He meant was that, when He was arrested, they would experience a crisis of faith, a life event so shocking that they would run from Jesus and question the very core of their beliefs. It was a night of offense, a night of stumbling for them. But this was a temporary condition. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples. Their faith and hope were restored, stronger than ever.

The apostle Paul tells us how to handle a fellow believer who is backsliding: “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). James concurs: “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth . . . someone should bring that person back” (James 5:19). The backslider has wandered from where he should be and is “stuck” in sin, but the church will work to restore him and set him back on the path of righteousness.

There are events in life, such as the death of a loved one, that may cause us to question God. This is okay, as long as we go to God with those questions rather than using them as excuses to live in rebellion. The result of a crisis of faith is often that we come to know God more intimately than before. In times of trial, we should delve into the Word, pray with persistence (Luke 18:1), and surround ourselves with those whose faith is strong.

The Backslide Test Drive:

We see another type of “falling away” in Hebrews 6:4–6 and Luke 8:13. Hebrews 6 describes the apostate, someone who had only “tasted the goodness of the word” (verse 5) and later rejects it. In Luke 8:13 Jesus illustrates apostasy with the rocky soil—some fall away or backslide because “they have no root.” In each of these passages, a person appears outwardly to be a Christian, at least for a while, but he has not committed himself to God. Such a person might be attending church, reading his Bible, listening to Christian music, and hanging out with Christian friends. He likes the wholesome atmosphere and good company that being around Christians affords. But his heart has not changed; he has never been born again. Eventually, he backslides or apostatizes. He had taken Christianity for a test drive and decided he wasn’t buying.

Salvation comes by means of a genuine confession of Jesus as Lord to a heart that believes in Jesus’ death and resurrection (Romans 10:9–10). If a person who has been truly saved later backslides—that is, he slips back into spiritually damaging attitudes and behaviors—the slide will be temporary. The chastening of the Lord will bring him back (see Hebrews 12:4–13). The Good Shepherd will seek out the wandering lamb (Luke 15:3–7).

If a person who was never saved but only putting on a good front backslides—that is, he drops the charade and shows his true colors—his last condition will be worse than the first (Hebrews 10:26–31). How can we tell one type of backsliding from the other? We can’t always, unless given time, and, even then, we don’t know how much time God will take in restoring the backslider. Only God can see the heart.

For Further Study​

The Owner's Manual for Christians: The Essential Guide for a God-Honoring Life by Charles Swindoll

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

 

[Patriot]

Isn’t it unloving to tell someone he/she is sinning?​

Answer

Talk of sin is commonly frowned upon today. Even many pastors avoid making statements that could be seen as remotely condemning or reproachful. The conventional wisdom is that it is unkind or unloving—and therefore ungodly—to take a stand against certain activities. However, what is socially acceptable is not always biblically acceptable, and the issue of loving someone doesn’t really have anything to do with whether or not that person’s behavior is acceptable to God.

Yes, God loves everyone, and, since everyone is a sinner, God loves sinners. God loves the whole world (John 3:16), but it doesn’t follow that He approves of sin. A good parent loves his children, but that doesn’t mean he lets them do everything they want. When a son lies to his mother, she can still love him; but she doesn’t have to approve of lying, and she can, in love, correct him.

It is entirely possible to love someone and, at the same time, point out his or her error. In fact, love sometimes requires us to point out an error. If a relative is dabbling in illicit drugs, isn’t the most loving thing to confront the drug use and offer to help? If a married friend is flirting with someone not his spouse, what’s more loving—turning a blind eye and hoping for the best, or warning the friend of imminent consequences? Sin destroys (James 1:15), and love attempts to prevent destruction. “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6).

It is important to define love correctly. If by “love” one means “applaud a sinful lifestyle,” “ignore sin,” or “profess that actions don’t matter,” then that’s a faulty view of love. Biblically, love is doing what is best for someone, regardless of the cost. Love is therefore truthful. Deception cannot bring about the “best” for anyone.

Jesus exhibited the perfect balance between truth and grace (John 1:14). He embodied both. Jesus always spoke what was precisely and unequivocally true, and He countered those who opposed the truth with harsh reproofs (see Matthew 23:33). But Jesus had nothing but words of comfort and grace for those who came to Him in repentance, no matter what their sin (see Luke 7:48). We can’t ignore the truth and call it “grace” any more than we can ignore grace and call it “truth.” The truth is, God will judge sin; the grace is, God saves us from sin.

We can and should love unrepentant sinners and those who refuse to acknowledge their sin. We should want what is best for them, and we should do good to them. And we should tell them the truth about their sin, along with the message of God’s grace in Christ—sin can be forgiven, and hearts can be renewed.

In all of this, it is important to allow the Bible (and the Bible alone) to define sin and righteousness. If the Bible says something is sin, then no amount of societal pressure, worldly wisdom, or personal experience should make us say anything different. Truth is truth, no matter what anyone says or how anyone feels.

It is just as important to communicate the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to strive for a Christlike balance of truth and grace. Also, it’s important to approach every situation with a spirit of humility and forgiveness. “Love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). We don’t need to point out every sin or pick apart every deed.

Paul, who frequently found himself in social and religious maelstroms, said it well: “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 2:24–25). As we instruct others of the truth, let us do so gently and with kindness to everyone.

For Further Study​

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life by Donald S. Whitney

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!

 

[Patriot]

What does it mean to have a wilderness experience?​

Answer

A “wilderness experience” is usually thought of as a tough time in which a believer endures discomfort and trials. The pleasant things of life are unable to be enjoyed, or they may be absent altogether, and one feels a lack of encouragement. A “wilderness experience” is often a time of intensified temptation and spiritual attack. It can involve a spiritual, financial, or emotional drought. Having a “wilderness experience” is not necessarily a sign that a believer is sinning; rather, it is a time of God-ordained testing.

A “wilderness experience” is often linked to a “mountaintop experience”; that is, the struggle follows a success of some kind. The period of trial comes on the heels of a period of accomplishment or achievement.

There are several biblical examples of people enduring a “wilderness experience.” The people of Israel, in leaving Egypt, experienced a miraculous deliverance through the Red Sea. The triumph of finally being free from slavery was their “mountaintop experience.” Yet what followed was a journey through the desert. They were tried in an actual wilderness, and they failed the test. As a result, their “wilderness experience” stretched to forty years.

Others who can be said to have had a “wilderness experience” include the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19:1–9); the apostle Paul (Galatians 1:17–18); and, of course, the patriarch Job.

Jesus also had a “wilderness experience.” After Jesus’ baptism, “at once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan” (Mark 1:12–13). Jesus’ experience teaches us some important facts: 1) it is not a sin to be tempted; 2) it is God’s will that times of testing come our way—Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit” when He went into the wilderness (Luke 4:1); and 3) we are never without God’s grace—Jesus may have been “with the wild animals,” but “angels attended him,” too (Mark 1:13).

In a “wilderness experience,” a believer may struggle simply to survive from day to day. Financial, material, physical, or emotional burdens may press on him. The flesh cries out for relief. The believer is forced to wait on the Lord, find God’s peace and joy in the midst of trouble, and through it all mature in his walk with Christ. Paul offers this encouragement for those who “have this treasure in jars of clay”: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (2 Corinthians 4:7–10). The reason for these trials, Paul says, is “to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us” (verse 7).

The wilderness is an unpleasant place, fleshly speaking. We naturally want prosperity, health, and easy going. But the same God who created the garden also created the wilderness. There will be times of trial and pressure. Our faith will be tested. But the God of grace will meet us even in the wilderness. Missionary Amy Carmichael knew this truth: “Bare heights of loneliness . . . a wilderness whose burning winds sweep over glowing sands, what are they to HIM? Even there He can refresh us, even there He can renew us.”

For Further Study​

When God doesn’t Make Sense: Holding On to Your Faith During the Hardest Times by James Dobson

More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!