Body image is an important topic that many people struggle with today. From a young age, we are bombarded with images in media and culture that promote unrealistic beauty standards. This can lead many to have a distorted view of their body and struggle with self-esteem issues. What guidance does the Bible offer on this critical issue? There is much biblical wisdom that can encourage us to have a healthy perspective and find our identity in Christ. We are created in God’s image The starting point is recognizing that we are made in the image of God. Genesis 1:27 states,…
Author: Matt Primack
The “lust of the eyes” is a biblical phrase that refers to desiring or coveting something that belongs to someone else. This type of lustful desire usually stems from seeing something visually appealing and wanting it for oneself. The eyes are often viewed as a gateway that can lead to sinful lust if not guarded carefully. There are several passages in Scripture that address the dangers of the lust of the eyes. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus warned, “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full…
Discernment is the ability to judge well and make wise decisions. It involves being able to separate truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure. Discernment is essential for every believer in Jesus Christ because we live in a fallen world filled with deception, false teaching, and flawed human wisdom. Thankfully, God has not left us defenseless. His Word provides clear guidance on cultivating discernment so we can navigate life successfully according to His will. The Bible has much to say about discernment and warns believers to beware of false prophets and teachers who can easily mislead people.…
The book of Proverbs in the Bible offers a wealth of wisdom and insight for living a godly life. Written largely by King Solomon, it contains many well-known sayings that provide practical advice for daily living. Here are some common questions people have about the book of Proverbs: What is the purpose of Proverbs? The stated purpose of Proverbs is to impart wisdom and discipline to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young (Proverbs 1:4). It teaches how to live a godly life through practical lessons. The proverbs encourage righteousness, justice, and upright living through short, memorable sayings. They…
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith. As the apostle Paul said, “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). There are several reasons to believe that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead: 1. The empty tomb All four Gospels record that Jesus was buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea and that the tomb was found empty on the third day (Matthew 27:57-28:6; Mark 15:42-16:6; Luke 23:50-24:3; John 19:38-20:9). If anyone wanted to disprove the resurrection, all they would have to…
Family devotions, also known as family worship, are times when families gather together to read the Bible, pray, sing hymns, and teach biblical truths. While not expressly commanded in Scripture, family devotions can be very beneficial for passing on faith to the next generation. The Bible places great emphasis on parents teaching children spiritual truths. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”…
Fundraising is a common practice for many churches and Christian organizations. But is it appropriate for a church to engage in fundraising activities? What does the Bible say about how churches should handle money and steward resources? This 9000-word article will examine biblical principles and practical considerations regarding church fundraising. Biblical Principles About Money and Giving The Bible provides guidance for how believers should view money and material possessions. Giving should be voluntary, generous, cheerful and based on one’s ability to give (2 Corinthians 9:7). Jesus taught that we cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). The early church…
The Protestant Reformation was a major movement that resulted in the reforming and breaking away of significant groups of Christians from the Roman Catholic Church during the 16th century. This movement rejected some of the doctrines and practices of the Catholic Church and helped to create the branches of Protestantism that exist today. Some key events and people that were part of the Reformation include: 1517 – Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church, marking the start of the Reformation. 1520 – Pope Leo X excommunicates Martin Luther after he refuses to recant…
Jesus’ prayers recorded in the Bible provide deep insight into His relationship with God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Through studying Jesus’ prayers, we can learn more about who He is, His priorities and passions, and how He relied on the Father. Jesus’ example shows us how we ought to pray and provides wisdom for our own prayer lives. Jesus displayed complete dependence on the Father through prayer One of the most striking things we observe about Jesus’ prayers is His complete reliance upon God the Father. Even though Jesus was fully God, when He took on human flesh…
The New Apostolic Church (NAC) is a Christian denomination that originated from the Catholic Apostolic Church in Europe in the 19th century. The NAC believes that the keys to the kingdom of heaven were restored to the church through 12 modern-day apostles. Here is an overview of the New Apostolic Church and their key beliefs: History and Origins The New Apostolic Church traces its origins back to the Catholic Apostolic Church, also known as the Irvingites, founded in the 1830s by ministers Edward Irving and Henry Drummond. This church believed in modern-day apostles and prophets, miraculous spiritual gifts, and an…