I need Christian help

Charlotte, the Bible does not say that it is sin to listen to or purchase any music. However, we should consider what message we are promoting.

What happens when your buy someone’s album? In effect, you are supporting and encouraging the musicians' work. By purchasing it, you are saying “It’s good and I want more”. For Christians, we must ask ourselves, “Who do I want to give a platform to speak from….and what are they saying from that platform?”

Should we be buying the albums of people who encourage immorality, rebellion and anti-Christian views? An artist may perform a song with amazing references to Christ and then their next song may be about sleeping around. Also, some music videos are semi-pornographic. Do you want to continue to give this person an audience?

We are fortunate today that there is much top class Christian music. Would you not prefer to purchase the albums that promote your faith, your values and your worldview and by doing so, you are supporting their ministry to the world!

Secondly, we must consider those who have no faith. Should we be encouraging music to climb the charts, which has a poor message, or do we want Christian music, which honour’s Christ, like Mary Mary’s 'Praise Him’ to break into the top spots? You must make your own decision on that question.

Reincarnation

There are a lot of things on TV about reincarnation. What does the Bible say; could I be reincarnated as a dog? – Cooper.

Dear Cooper, the Bible says, ‘For He remembered that they were but flesh, a breath that passes away and does not come again’ Psalm 78:39.

You don’t have to worry about being reincarnated, because the Bible says, ‘Absent from the body, present with the Lord’ and in Hebrews 9:27 it says, ‘It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement’. You get one life and we must decide if we want to spend eternity with Christ or without Him. Find out more about being a Christian here.

Soul/Spirit?

What is the difference between the soul and the spirit? - Jimmy.

Dear Jimmy, that is a very complicated question! There is no glossary in the back of the Bible that clearly states what the soul and the spirit are, so we have to look at Scripture to get an idea. However, there are many opinions in the Christian world about this subject, so it would be a good idea to do some research yourself. Not everyone will agree with the definitions of the soul and spirit here.

The Bible shows that we are triune beings: we have a body, a soul and a spirit. 'Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ' 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

It also shows that the soul and the spirit are not the same. 'For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart' Hebrews 4: 12 .

The soul is our mind, will and emotions. The non-Christian may have everything that they believe will satisfy their soul - Their mind may be educated and they get their own way often (Will). Emotionally, they may be successful at work and have a meaningful relationship. However, they may still not be satisfied. Why? - Because their spirit feels empty.

The spirit is the deepest aspect of human nature. The spirit, like God, is eternal - it does not die, Ecclesiastes 12:5. Jesus prayed, “Into Thy hands, I commit My Spirit” Luke 23:46.

Our spirit is the part of us that communicates with God on a deep level. We can pray with our mind (a part of the soul), but we can also communicate with God with our spirit. It is our spirit that feels the deep peace and satisfaction of God. It is our spirit that 'feels' His presence - then the rest of us feels Him. It is our spirit that is quickened by God when we are saved.

Today people are looking for spiritual satisfaction everywhere, in Eastern religions and in consumerism etc. But the spirit can only be made alive by a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pornography

I’ve been looking at inappropriate things on the Internet and I want to quit it; can you give me some advice? - Peter.

Dear Peter, it's extremely important that you take practical steps to get free. You have made the first few major steps: to acknowledge that you have a problem and to seek help to get free.

If Jesus is Lord of our lives, then we must put ourselves completely under His authority. Obviously Jesus calls His followers to repentance, which is to turn away completely from this old life style. We need to confess our sins, accept God’s forgiveness and the release from personal guilt. Repentance will mean eliminating all pornography from your home right now – online files, magazines or videos etc. Also you need some Internet access or filters that will block Internet pornography.

We must pray for help and start to renew our minds (Romans 12:1-2), to dwell on Scriptural truths, not pornography etc. One of the most important things you need to do to get free is find some accountability! I know that sounds scary. But the problem with using the Internet inappropriately is that it is easy to do it privately. If someone buys a pornographic magazine, they have a chance of being caught. But the Internet makes accessing inappropriate material much easier. Therefore being accountable to a best friend, youth pastor, pastor, family member etc., will really help you to stay free. You will also find that there are many others who are struggling with the same problems.

If you live with other people, it is helpful to put the computer into a public area, so the temptation to view bad stuff is kept at bay, by other people being around.

There is a ministry called Covenant Eyes that helps people get free through Internet accountability. Please take a look at their website to see how they may be able to help you get free.

Addiction to pornography amplifies a distorted view of sexuality, and helps destroy family relationships. All forms of lust will never satisfy us – no matter how far we fulfil lust and its desires, we will never feel satisfied – it will always ask for more and leads to deep spiritual and emotional frustration.

The great news is that Jesus can deliver us from pornography and all other addictions that keep us bound and unhappy. This freedom is like a breath of fresh air – it feels so good – because God is good.

'So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed' John 8:36.

Back 2 The Top

Missions

Hey, I’m a teenager and I really wanna do something good, like mission work or something but no-one will give me any info, can you? - Simeon

Dear Simeon, it’s great that you have a heart for the Lord and want to do something good. Keep that fire burning!

The first thing to do is pray, seek God, and ask for His will for you. He has probably given you this desire because He has a good plan for you.

Second: you should talk with your parent(s)/guardian, and then see your church youth leader or pastor. Tell them your desires – ask them about opportunities and to pray for you.

Third: you could contact ministries that do take young people on ministry. Tell them your desire to serve the Lord and your age etc.

Fourth: your church may be doing ministry in your area, which you could volunteer for. Is there a programme to help the homeless? Do they need help in the children’s work? The list could go on.

Take a look at these links: Finding God’s will, and prayer. Get prepared with the interactive christian discipleship course.

Back 2 The Top

Parents

My parents do so many things that are wrong, how can I respect them?
-Bethany.

Bethany, I believe the Bible calls us to respect our parents because of WHO THEY ARE and not regarding WHAT THEY HAVE DONE WRONG. Parents are human, and many times, like us, fail.

We can respect them by our behaviour, (by listening to good counsel and taking heed), by helping them when they ask. We also respect them by what we call them and how we speak to them (tone of voice etc). We also respect them by honouring their achievements before others, rather than talking bad about them behind their backs.

At the end of the day, without them, we would have never existed; and many of us are completely unaware of the sacrifices that they have made over the years on our behalf.

Primarily, we respect them because it is OBEDIENCE TO GOD. Ephesians 6:2 teaches that we must respect them and if we are obedient to God, He will bless us. The Bible promises… “So that it may go well with you and that you may live long”. God rewards our obedience by blessing our life so things go well for us (DIVINE FAVOUR) and that we may live long.

We should continue to respect our parents for the rest of our lives.

A final note: Children should never submit to abuse, or obey anything that contradicts the Word of God. In that situation the child needs to contact relevant authorities to get help.

Back 2 The Top

CCM

Hey, I live in the U.S. and I go to a Christian school. My Bible teacher always asks us if we listen to contemporary Christian music. Almost everyone in the class raises their hand. Then my teacher then goes, that’s what I thought. My question is what is so wrong with CCM? My teacher says that it doesn’t matter what the words say, but it’s the beat or something like that. I was wondering if you could explain it more clearly to me. I'm really confused! Thanx, J. Fox.

That’s a good question! I wrestled with this question at Bible College, because I once thought the same as your teacher. Here are my thoughts…

I play the guitar. If I write a tune in G…. it is just a tune, with no spiritual meaning or influence. However, if I was not saved and wrote the same tune and dedicated it to evil, then it would have a negative impact on the listeners. If I wrote the same tune and decided to add words about having sex with lots of partners, it would be carnal, and would have a very negative impact on the listeners. But if I used the same tune and dedicate it to Jesus’ glory and wrote words of worship, it could help people enter into Jesus’ presence.

I personally believe music and words that help us are those composed by Christians. It makes little difference if they are a Christian rock/dance band or a worship group. Delirious is the best known British CCM group, they have wrote songs that rock and entered our secular charts and loads of other songs that most churches sing. What’s the difference? Little in my opinion.

Unfortunately your Bible teacher has shared their personal opinion believing that it is God’s opinion. They would not be able to defend that thought from the Scriptures with someone who knows their Bible well. There is no Scripture that says, “Loud music and fast beating music is wrong”, it is just about culture.

In Scotland (UK) some churches still believe any music is of the devil! When guitars and keyboards were used in churches for the first times, people said it was of the devil! Before people sang Hymns they sang Psalms from the Bible and guess what the people said when the Hymns were introduced? …..yes you’ve got it, “It is from the devil”. So today many people still think any new expression of worship or music is wrong and even evil.

Don’t just believe everything someone tells you, go to the Bible yourself and find out if it is true.

In fact David was scorned by his wife in the Bible for dancing and shouting as he worshiped God (2 Samuel 6:14-17). Also, we still have not entered the noisy praise and worship era that Psalm 150 encourages us to do. In fact, should we ask ourselves if we are being disobedient by being too quiet in worship?

However, I still do not believe all CCM is from God. I have been very concerned by some music and by at least one video. Not all musicians will be working for God’s glory; some may be doing it for the wrong reasons. Make sure you ask for God’s peace before you buy any CCM music and ask God for discernment.

I would also ask anyone apposed to CCM if they would prefer young people to listen to secular music, which encourages immorality and self centeredness, or CCM which is performed by Christians who love Jesus, believe the Bible and want to worship God whilst being a good role model.

I believe your Bible teacher has a good heart and wants the best for you and they must be respected for that, and partially they are probably right; but to say all CCM is wrong has no basis in the Bible, just in someone’s personal culture. Use prayer/discernment to choose your music and enjoy CCM!

Back 2 The Top