The Bible has a lot to say about how to deal with enemies. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about enemies: Love Your Enemies One of the most well-known teachings of Jesus is to love your enemies. This challenging command is found in Matthew 5:43-48 and Luke 6:27-36. Jesus tells his followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He explains that loving only those who love you back is insufficient, because even “tax collectors” and unbelievers do that. Instead, Jesus calls his followers to a higher standard of…
Author: Matt Primack
Discernment is an important concept in the Bible that refers to the ability to distinguish truth from error and right from wrong. Here are some key Bible verses about discernment: 1. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind…
The twelve tribes of Israel originated from the twelve sons of Jacob in the Old Testament. Jacob, who was later renamed Israel by God, had twelve sons with four different women – Leah, Rachel, Bilhah and Zilpah. These twelve sons eventually became the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel. Here are the twelve sons of Jacob and the corresponding tribes: Reuben – born to Leah Simeon – born to Leah Levi – born to Leah Judah – born to Leah Dan – born to Bilhah (Rachel’s maidservant) Naphtali – born to Bilhah Gad – born to Zilpah (Leah’s maidservant)…
Is it wrong to do charitable giving for tax deduction purposes? The Bible does not explicitly prohibit or condemn charitable giving that is done partly for tax purposes. However, it emphasizes that the motivation and attitude behind giving is key – our hearts and motives matter to God. Here are some principles from Scripture to consider regarding this issue: 1. Giving should be motivated by love, generosity and compassion, not obligation or self-interest. We give because we want to, not because we feel forced to (2 Corinthians 9:7). While tax benefits may be an additional bonus, they should not be…
The epistle to the Laodiceans mentioned in Colossians 4:16 refers to a letter that the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Laodicea. This letter is not contained in the New Testament canon and has been lost to history, but Paul’s reference indicates that such a letter did at one point exist. The relevant verse is Colossians 4:16, which states: “And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.” From this verse we can gather several details about the mysterious…
The Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest built by the Israelites according to God’s instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:10-22). It contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments and other sacred relics. The Ark served as a physical symbol of God’s presence with His chosen people. For many years, the Ark resided in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. It was considered the most sacred object of the Israelites. During the time of Moses and Joshua, the Ark accompanied the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness and into the Promised Land. It led…
Miming, or silent acting out of events or stories through gestures and bodily movements, is not directly addressed in the Bible. However, there are a few principles and passages from Scripture that can provide insight into how mime relates to Christian faith and practice. 1. The Purpose of Miming Miming is a creative art form that can be used for entertainment, communication, and education. From a Christian perspective, these purposes are not inherently wrong, but their moral value depends on the specific content and motives involved. As with all creative arts, miming should seek to honor God and serve others…
The question of whether a Christian can support the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) organization is a complex one without a definitive yes or no answer. There are good-faith arguments on both sides of this issue. Ultimately, it comes down to each individual Christian’s biblically-based convictions and how they prioritize different ethical concerns. On the one hand, PETA’s mission of preventing animal cruelty and suffering does align with general biblical principles of stewardship and compassion. God calls humans to be good stewards of creation (Genesis 1:26-28) and to show mercy to all living creatures (Proverbs 12:10). So…
Orthopraxy refers to correct conduct or practice, especially religious practice. It comes from the Greek words orthos meaning “straight” and praxis meaning “practice” or “action”. In theology and religious studies, orthopraxy contrasts with orthodoxy, which emphasizes correct belief. While orthodoxy addresses beliefs and doctrine, orthopraxy focuses on proper actions and behaviors. Some key points about orthopraxy: – The emphasis is on practicing faith correctly rather than just believing correctly. It’s about living out your beliefs in tangible ways. – In religions like Judaism and Islam, orthopraxy tends to be more emphasized than orthodoxy. Proper religious practices like prayer, dietary laws,…
Finding true peace of mind is something many people struggle with. Life’s difficulties and worries can overwhelm us, robbing us of joy and contentment. Thankfully, the Bible offers much wisdom and guidance on how to experience God’s peace that surpasses human understanding (Philippians 4:7). Here is an overview of some key biblical principles for finding peace of mind: Trust in God’s sovereign plan A primary source of anxiety for many people is the unknown future and feeling out of control. But the Bible reminds us that God is sovereign over all things. Nothing takes Him by surprise and everything unfolds…