Scrupulosity is a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) that involves religious or moral obsessions and compulsions. People with scrupulosity have an excessive fear of committing sin or violating religious principles. This leads to severe anxiety, repetitive behaviors, and avoidance of anything perceived as immoral or unclean. Some common symptoms of scrupulosity include: Excessive concern with right and wrong Fear of accidentally committing blasphemy or other sins Repeated confessing, praying, or seeking reassurance about sins Avoiding situations that could potentially lead to sin Spending excessive time reading religious texts or performing rituals Feeling like prayers or confessions are never enough Mental…
Author: Richard Curi
Revelation 14:12 says, “Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.” This verse comes in the midst of Revelation’s descriptions of the end times, and highlights an important characteristic required of believers during this difficult period – patient endurance. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of this phrase. Context of Revelation 14:12 To understand this verse well, we first need to understand the context in Revelation 14. This chapter comes right after Revelation 13, which depicts the rise of the satanic Antichrist and his False Prophet,…
Nehushtan was a bronze serpent described in the Bible in Numbers 21:4-9. The Israelites were journeying through the wilderness after being delivered from slavery in Egypt. They became impatient and spoke against God and Moses, complaining about the lack of food and water. As punishment, God sent venomous snakes among the people, and many were bitten and died. The people repented and asked Moses to pray to God to take the snakes away. God instructed Moses to make a bronze serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who was bitten by a snake looked up at the bronze…
Unity is a key theme throughout the Bible. God desires for His people to live and work together in harmony, setting aside differences for the sake of furthering His kingdom. Here is an overview of some of the major Biblical teachings on unity: We Are One Body in Christ The New Testament frequently refers to the church as the “body of Christ.” Like the human body which has many parts that must work together, the body of Christ is made of many members who each have a role to play (Romans 12:4-5, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27). We are united by our…
The Book of Daniel in the Bible contains fascinating stories and prophecies that have captured the imagination of readers for millennia. Though the book raises many questions, a careful examination rooted in scripture provides helpful answers. Who was Daniel? Daniel was an Israelite of noble birth who lived in the 6th century BC. When Jerusalem was besieged by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Daniel was taken captive along with other young men of promise to be trained in the service of the Babylonian king (Daniel 1:1-7). Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and God granted…
This is a challenging question that many young Christians face today. With rising costs of living and housing shortages in many areas, sharing an apartment or house with roommates is often an economic necessity. However, when those potential roommates are of the opposite sex, it creates a dilemma for Christians seeking to honor God in their living situations. Ultimately, the Bible does not explicitly prohibit men and women from living together if they are not married or romantically involved. However, there are some important biblical principles to consider when evaluating whether it is wise for an unmarried Christian to live…
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can be a difficult time for many women. The physical and emotional symptoms of PMS like cramps, bloating, mood swings, irritability, and fatigue can make it hard to maintain a positive attitude. However, God understands what you are going through. The Bible offers encouragement, wisdom, and hope to help get through the monthly struggle of PMS with grace and joy. Remember God’s Love and Care for You When PMS has you down, remembering God’s unconditional love and care for you can lift your spirit. God created you in his image and cares deeply about every detail of…
The incarnation of Christ is one of the most foundational doctrines of the Christian faith. It refers to Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, taking on human flesh and being born as a man. The incarnation is absolutely vital to Christianity for several reasons: 1. It shows that God identifies with us in our humanity When the Son of God became flesh, He entered into the human experience in a profound way (John 1:14). Jesus was fully God, but He was also fully human. He experienced the same kind of emotions, temptations, pain, and suffering that each of us…
The concept of a “root of bitterness” is found in Hebrews 12:15, which says, “See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled.” This verse warns believers against allowing bitterness to take root in their hearts, as it can cause trouble and defilement. To fully understand this idea, we must first explore what bitterness is and how it develops. Bitterness is a resentful and cynical attitude that grows within us, often in response to being hurt, offended, or disappointed by…
Nehemiah was an important biblical figure who led the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls after the Babylonian exile. Here are some common questions people have about Nehemiah and what the Bible teaches about him: Who was Nehemiah? Nehemiah was a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes I. He was granted permission by the king to return to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls and serve as governor of Judah. Nehemiah was known for his strong leadership, prayerfulness, and deep concern for his people (Nehemiah 1-2). What was Nehemiah’s role in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem? Nehemiah organized and led the project…