Living & Identity in Jesus

How Do I Deal With an Unloving Attitude?

Brian is concerned about his unloving thoughts toward some people. That’s what happens when we relate to others in the energy of the flesh. Only Jesus can produce love through us as we abide in Him. All of us have unloving thoughts – we don’t have to act on them.

 

How Can I Break Free of Fornication?

Julie is a believer who has made bad choices, She has not had a job in many years and is supported by living in adultery. This is sin in God’s eyes even though He forgave her on the cross. Julie must change her lifestyle or she will never experience God’s peace and joy.

 

How Do I parent an 18 Year Old Involved in Pornography?

Donna’s 18-year-old son is a freshman in college and has shown an interest in pornography and other unhealthy practices. This rebellion is typical of many college students. Donna and her son are both Christians. Because of his age, Donna is advised not to “parent” him, but to talk to him as a concerned friend.

 

How Can I Break Free of Self-Condemnation?

Larry wonders if God loves and accepts him. He feels like God is angry with him because he doesn’t do enough. Larry is saved and knows the truth about God but is letting error guide his thinking. Many people, like Larry, let “stinkin thinkin” keep them from living in the truth.

 

How Can I learn to Love Others?

Mike wonders if a person can se1l his soul to the devil for monetary gain. The soul of a lost person already belongs to Satan. A saved person cannot do this, and wouldn’t even want to. Romans 8:35-39 tells us that “Nothing can separate us from the love of God.”

 

Facing a Defiant Granddaughter Who’s Proclaimed: “I’m gay!”

Patsy’s granddaughter is a homosexual. The Bible says that homosexuals have exchanged the truth for a lie and that God gives them over to their depraved minds. Both Christians and non-Christians know the homosexual’s choice is wrong. There should be love for the person, but hatred for the offensive lifestyle.

 

Can Our Bad Habits Hinder God?

Francisco’s close friend was delivered from a very sinful lifestyle when he trusted Jesus as his Savior. However, he still has not stopped smoking. Because of this habit, he says he is unable to pray or read his Bible. Evidently, he does not understand the love of God and is functioning under law and not under grace.

 

Is the Prodigal Son an Example of In and Out of Fellowship?

Dale wonders if the Prodigal Son is an example of a saved person being in and out of fellowship. No, in this parable, the young man, who leaves home to do his own thing, is an example of a person who is lost. When the son returns home, his father exclaims, “My son who was lost has been found.”

 

How Do I Explain Forgiveness and Reconciliation in Prison?

John ministers in prisons where inmates are especially concerned with the issues of forgiveness and reconciliation. He now understands these issues himself and will be able to explain to others why the instruction for carrying them out in the New Covenant is different from the Old.

 

How Do I Deal With the Drag of Performing for God?

Dennis was saved when he was 30, and for a while had much joy in his salvation. Then he fell into the drag of legalism and performing for God, and lost the joy. He finally realized he was being taught error and returned to the truth, which he said really does set you free!

 

How Can I Get Rid of Bitterness?

Sandra has a problem with recurring bitterness. Satan works through her flesh to keep bringing up this issue of bitterness. Sandra is a born-again believer and must get back in the Spirit. God has already forgiven that person, and she must not listen to Satan, but let the issue go.

 

How Do I Deal With Memories of Past Sin?

Before Tom became a Christian, he had relationships that included sexual sin. He stepped away from this behavior when he became a child of God, but Satan still brings back these sinful thoughts. He must reject the memories and replace them with the truth.

 

How Can I Stop Drinking and End My Anger?

Steve is an alcoholic. He belongs to a church group, but when he backslides, he loses contact with fellow Christians. Steve is troubled by a lot of anger. He now understands that anger is a by-product of fear, and the only sure solution is the perfect love of God in Christ Jesus. Perfect love casts away all fear.

 

A Bible College Student Approaches Exhaustion

Bobby is a Bible college student. He is learning many sound theological facts, but his spiritual walk is suffering from burn-out. He feels like he is on a roller coaster. Could the problem be legalism and relying on professors and textbooks to teach him instead of the Holy Spirit?

 

How to Counsel Someone Considering an Abortion?

Lynn is a Christian college student who is pregnant. She wants to know if abortion is a sin and is told that it is a form of murder. Lynn is advised not to compound her sin of fornication with the sin of abortion. Even though Jesus died for every sin that Lynn will ever commit, she would be taking a life God wanted to live.