What does the Bible say about controlling your temper?
Many people struggle with a quick or fiery temper. Although society often encourages people to express themselves and not hold back, God’s Word teaches that giving in to one’s temper is a sin. The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of controlling one’s temper. It calls a person who easily loses his…
What does the Bible say about talking too much / being talkative?
The Bible warns us against talking too much or being overly talkative. In fact, the Bible says that a fool can be recognized by his many words (Ecclesiastes 5:3). Ecclesiastes 10:14 adds that a fool “multiplies words.” The Bible discourages using an abundance of words where a few would suffice. “Even fools are thought wise…
How can I stop being a people-pleaser?
People-pleasing is the motivational force that drives a person to make decisions based solely on the level of approval they believe they will receive. Related to people-pleasing are codependency and enabling; within a biblical framework, people-pleasing borders on idolatry. People-pleasers have learned that it feels good to be liked by others, so they steer their…
How can I forgive those who sin against me?
Everyone has been wronged, offended, and sinned against at some point. How are Christians to respond when such offenses occur against them? According to the Bible, we are to forgive others. Ephesians 4:32 declares, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Similarly, Colossians 3:13 proclaims,…
Where/how do you draw the line between helping someone and allowing someone to take advantage of you?
Luke 6:30, 35-36 tells us to “give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back…But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself…
How can I know for sure that my anger is righteous indignation?
We can know for sure that our anger or indignation is righteous when it is directed toward what angers God Himself. Righteous anger and indignation are justly expressed when we are confronted with sin. Good examples would be anger toward child abuse, pornography, racism, homosexual activity, abortion, and the like. The apostle Paul gives clear…
Should Christians attend weddings of those in other faiths?
This can be a difficult issue. Believers want to show friendship, but we’re wary of seeming to condone the unbiblical aspects of a wedding ceremony in another religion. As a starting point in any decision-making process, we should pray for wisdom (James 1:5). What does God say in regards to whether or not you should…
When is it necessary to rebuke another believer?
To rebuke someone is to criticize him or her sharply. The Greek word most often translated “rebuke” in the New Testament is elegchó. In its fullest sense, elegchó means “to reprimand and convict by exposing (sometimes publicly) a wrong.” There are times when all of us need to be rebuked, and there are times when…
Is it good to have close friendships with unbelievers?
As Christians, we have to constantly face temptations and the attacks of the world around us. Everything we see, read, do, hear, put in our bodies, etc., affects us somehow. That’s why, to maintain a close relationship with God, we have to put aside our old ways of doing things—the things we watch on TV,…
How should a Christian respond to chain letters?
A chain letter is a form of correspondence in which the recipient is urged to forward the letter to a number of others on promise of reward or misfortune for breaking the chain. Chain letters have been around for nearly a century. The oldest known example comes from 1935—the “Prosperity Club” or “Send-a-Dime” letters. The…