Suicide is a tragic and sensitive topic that many people struggle with. The Bible does not explicitly condemn suicide, but it offers hope and comfort for those considering it. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that relate to suicide: 1. Life is a gift from God The Bible teaches that life is a precious gift from God and that He intends for us to live it fully (John 10:10). We are stewards of the life that God has given us, and He desires for us to make the most of it for His glory. Ending one’s life…
Author: Matt Primack
What are the keys to resisting temptation? Temptation is something we all face in life. As Christians, we know that giving in to temptation can lead us into sin and damage our relationship with God. But resisting temptation is often easier said than done! Thankfully, the Bible offers us several keys that can help us stand firm when we’re tempted. First, we need to recognize that temptation itself is not sin – even Jesus was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11)! Temptation only becomes sin when we give in to it. So when we’re tempted, we shouldn’t feel guilty or condemned. The key…
This is a question that many Christians wrestle with. On one hand, we know that God is infinitely gracious and forgiving. But on the other hand, it doesn’t seem right to just keep sinning without remorse, knowing that God will keep forgiving. What does the Bible have to say about this important issue? First, it’s important to understand the heart of God. Scripture makes it clear that God delights in forgiving sinners who turn to Him in repentance. Consider these passages: “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” (Psalm…
Hermeticism is a religious and philosophical tradition based on the writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, who is identified with the Egyptian god Thoth. These writings, known as the Hermetica, are believed to contain ancient wisdom passed down from Egypt and influenced Western esoteric traditions. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about Hermeticism: Origins and History The Hermetica writings emerged in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, though their origins are unclear. According to legend, Hermes Trismegistus was an ancient Egyptian sage who lived long before the time of Moses. However, there is no evidence for his existence…
The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of rest. God designed the world with a built-in rhythm of work and rest, and Scripture encourages us to find renewal in regular seasons of repose. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages that speak to the value of rest: Genesis 2:1-3 – God Rested on the Seventh Day After six days of creation, God rested on the seventh day. This passage provides the basis for the commandment to observe the Sabbath day and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8-11). God’s own pattern of work and rest affirms the…
Historical criticism is an approach to biblical interpretation that seeks to understand the text in its historical context. It asks questions such as when the text was written, by whom, for whom, and why. The goal is to place the biblical text in its proper historical setting in order to better understand its meaning and significance. Some key aspects of historical criticism include: Literary analysis – Looking at the literary style, structure, themes, etc. to understand the text as a piece of literature. Source criticism – Examining the sources behind the text, such as looking at the different sources that…
A spiritual leader is someone who has been called and gifted by God to lead and guide others in their spiritual walk with Christ. The Bible has much to say about the qualities, responsibilities, and character of spiritual leadership. Here is an overview of some key aspects of spiritual leadership according to Scripture: Called by God True spiritual leaders have a sense of calling from God to leadership and ministry. They feel an inner conviction and urging by the Holy Spirit to devote themselves to guiding others spiritually (Acts 20:28; 1 Timothy 3:1). This calling is confirmed by the body…
The phrase “mene mene tekel upharsin” is found in Daniel 5 in the Old Testament. It’s an intriguing phrase that has significant meaning. Let’s explore what the Bible says about this cryptic saying. The Background Story In Daniel 5, King Belshazzar of Babylon held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles. At this banquet, the king and his guests drank wine from the gold and silver vessels that had been taken from the temple in Jerusalem. As they drank, they praised their idols of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone (Daniel 5:1-4). Suddenly, the fingers of a…
The concept of “tough love” refers to an approach that balances compassion, care, and concern with discipline, boundaries, and high expectations. Though the term itself does not appear in the Bible, the Scriptures have much to say about balancing grace and truth in our relationships. Here are some key principles the Bible teaches related to tough love: God Himself Displays Tough Love From the very beginning, God has shown great love and patience toward humanity, even when they stubbornly rebel and turn from Him (Exodus 34:6, Romans 2:4). At the same time, God disciplines those He loves, as a father…
Blessing someone when they sneeze is a tradition that goes back many centuries. While the exact origins are unclear, there are a few common theories about how this practice started. 1. Preventing the spread of disease One of the most prevalent theories is that saying “God bless you” or “bless you” originated from the belief that sneezing could expel one’s soul from their body. In the Middle Ages, many people believed that the soul was vulnerable during a sneeze and saying “bless you” was thought to protect the sneezer by preventing their soul from escaping. This may have started as…