Recently, my friend and I promised each other that if we saw the other turning away from God, we would speak up.  Basically, we promised to be each other’s support system and to encourage each other in God.  But I found out a few weeks ago that she has been sleeping with her boyfriend and some other similar things.  I would speak up, but she doesn't know I know because both her boyfriend and sister told me on accident; they thought she would have told me.  I know she is avoiding honesty because she thinks I will scold her and be disappointed.  I admit, I am disappointed, but I just wish she would be honest with me.  How do I handle this?  I don't want to cause fights by revealing to her who told me, but I want to be able to help her.  What do I do?

Sincerely,
A Concerned Friend

Dear A Concerned Friend,

If you know that a fellow christian is living a sinful life, you have a moral obligation to do something about it.  Christ says that we should privately confront one another (Matt 18:15).  If she repents, you have saved her soul (Jas 5:20).  Make it clear that you have honest and loving concern for her (2 Thess 3:14-15).  It is an act of love to entreat a fellow christian to turn from sin (1 Jn 3:18).  No matter how you came by the information, you have a responsibility to try and save your sister.

     I am having issues with some people.  They are making me sin.  They are making me sin by making me use bad words.  What should I do?  Should I keep trying to get along or stay away from that person?

Sincerely,
Foul Friends

Dear Foul Friends,

No one can make you sin, but on the other hand, the wrong type of people can definitely lead to greater temptations.  1 Cor 15:33 says that bad company corrupts good morals.  If you feel that this person is that type of influence, then yes, it may be best to give some distance.

My problem is with a co-worker.  She always has some issue, and as a Christian, I do my best to help her, especially since she has told me she has re-dedicated her life to Christ.  The problem is, I have come to believe she is narcissistic.  I do feel for her and try to be positive and encourage her, but everyone who knows her is constantly on eggshells.  I work in a small office, and there is no way to try and avoid her when she is on her rampage.  I really need advice on what I should do.  Do I distance myself from her, or do I continue to believe that God will heal her?  I want to be there for her.  I know she had a terrible childhood, but she does upset me and honestly frightens me at times.

Sincerely,
Across The Hall

Dear Across The Hall,

Biblical love does what is in the best interest of someone else.  When we love others, we always give them what they need… even if what they need isn’t the same as what they want.  Love rejoices in the truth (1 Cor 13:6); that means that love does what is right, not what is easy.  When this co-worker “rampages”, it is easy to avoid the conflict like others have.  The hard thing to do is to kindly and honestly say, “This is unacceptable behavior, and we cannot build our friendship off of this foundation.”  Confronting someone is sometimes the right and loving thing to do.  Do it with dignity and tact.  If she really is placing her faith in Christ, she should be willing to alter her behavior to imitate Him (1 Cor 11:1).  Real friends wound, so others can heal (Pr 27:6).

God is very clear about how He wants us to live our lives, so I don’t understand how some people are constantly sinning and think they will go to heaven just because they are good people.  It is hard when I try to show people different verses in the Bible, and they just blow it off and say God wouldn’t send them to hell because of this or that.  What are some good verses to show my friends and family that God is serious?

Sincerely,
Frustrated

Dear Frustrated,

Two very basic verses that emphasize the importance of living faithful lives are Jhn 14:6 and Jhn 15:14.  In Jhn 14:6, Jesus says that He is “the way and the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him”.  That verse removes all other religions.  Buddhism, Islam, Agnosticism, Judaism, Atheism, etc. – none of those religions will get you to heaven – only Jesus will.  Since the only way to heaven is through Jesus, Jhn 15:14 goes one step farther and makes it clear that we can only be Jesus’ friends if we do what He commands us.

Not everyone can accept this.  It is only when people love the truth (2 Thess 2:10) that they accept the details of the Bible.  It is an unfortunate reality that most people are simply not interested in the Bible’s truths because it requires too much of them.  God wants us to live faithful and committed lives, lives that require us to deny ourselves (Matt 16:24).  Only when we study His Word and apply it can we call ourselves faithful (Rom 10:17).

I am visiting family, and my sister-in-law invited an older child over to play with my daughter.  This child’s parents must use the phrase, "Oh, my God" often because the child said it a couple times.  My daughter has been taught not to say this, and at breakfast, she said, “(child’s name omitted) is using bad words.”

My reactionary reply was, "(child’s name omitted) is a bad-bad."  This made for an awkward moment with this boy sitting at the breakfast table with his aunt & uncle close by who were watching him for the day.

I missed a moment to teach why we do not say, "Oh, my God" to the child and his relatives.  However, I'm not sure I would have explained it sufficiently if I would have tried.

Where in the Bible does it state using this phrase flippantly is wrong?

Sincerely,
Catch Phrase

Dear Catch Phrase,

In the Old Testament, it says to “not take the Lord’s name in vain” (Ex 20:7); it is the third commandment.  In the New Testament, we are told to “let not the name of God and the doctrine be blasphemed” (1 Tim 6:1).  The New Testament also says to treat God with reverence (Heb 12:28).  When we have an attitude of reverence towards God, we won’t use His name as a cuss word.  You are doing well to teach your child to hold God’s name in reverence and honor.  You’ve been doing the right thing… the verses back you up.