Can you repeatedly ask God for forgiveness? I always tried to be a good person, however, things have changed.  I have been cursing and using God’s name in vain because I am so angry at God because what I have asked God for lately is not answered.

Sincerely,
Angry Again

Dear Angry Again,

There are two pieces to the puzzle of repetitive sins:

1. How many times can I ask for forgiveness for the same sin?
2. How do I remove this sin from my life, so I can start living without guilt, fear, and pain?

The answer to the first part is simple. You can ask for forgiveness an innumerable amount of times. Christ told Peter that we should forgive ‘seventy times seven’ (Matt 18:21-22). Paul was forgiven of his sins even after killing christians and actively persecuting the church (1 Tim 1:16). As often as we truly repent, God is ready to forgive (Lk 17:4). It is quite possible to truly repent of something and then find yourself doing that same thing not minutes later. It happens in arguments all the time! You say something mean, apologize, then find yourself upset again, and again use rash words. The repeating of the cycle is not necessarily an indication of false sorrow.

However, the second part deals with stopping this cycle. God will forgive you for stumbling again into the same sin, but only if you are truly attempting to change your mind. Paul reminds us that we are to do everything we can to flee from the slavery to sin (Rom 6:1-2, Rom 6:12-13). God is ready to forgive you ‘seventy times seven’ as you fight to defeat sin, but you must look yourself in the mirror and make sure you are taking the steps necessary to change your life.  In your case, you must ask yourself, “Am I ready to stop being angry with God?”  Are you ready to start trusting that when your life doesn’t turn out the way you hoped, that God has a better plan?

Are all curse words equally sinful (with the understanding that all sin is weighted equally), or is cursing that involves taking God's name in vain more offensive to God than others?  Is this considered blaspheming God?

Sincerely,
Clean Mouth

Dear Clean Mouth,

All cursing is corrupt speech, but using the Lord’s name in vain is corrupt speech and blasphemy.  Eph 4:29 tells us to avoid all corrupt speech.  We need to avoid any and all language that sounds filthy or derogatory – this would include all swear words.  However, using the Lord’s name in vain is corrupt and irreverent.  God tells us to revere Him (Heb 12:28).  All sin will equally send you to hell (Rom 6:23), but there is an attitude of disrespect behind using the Lord’s name in vain that is especially troublesome.  The word ‘blasphemy’ means ‘to speak evil of’.  When we use God’s name as a cuss word or exclamatory term, we demote Him in our minds from the lofty position He deserves.  All our speech needs to be both clean and reverent, so that God’s name is spoken well of amongst His people (1 Tim 6:1).

I am a teenager, and I believe that I am in love with my boyfriend. Because I am religious, my boyfriend understands that I cannot have sex until marriage, and he respects that.  But I have a question about what we are allowed to do.  We kiss and hug.  But sometimes, we perform sexual acts, such as touching and rubbing.  I am not sure if such acts are sinful.  I am worried about committing something bad that I am unaware of.  What should I do?

Sincerely,
Hands Off?

Dear Hands Off,

There is a difference between romantic acts and sexual acts… and sexual acts are for marriage only.  There is a line between a gentle kiss of affection and a lustful kiss of sexual appetite.  Until marriage, it is important that you and your boyfriend avoid lustful situations altogether.  Paul told Timothy to “flee youthful lusts” (2 Tim 2:22), and 1 Thess 4:5 warns against the “passions of lust”.  Don’t defile the beauty of the marriage bed (Heb 13:4) by jumping into lustful activities before your vows.  The reason you are so worried is because you know what a dangerous and emotional game you and your boyfriend are caught up in.  You are playing with fire.  If you do get married, there will be many blissful and happy years to enjoy each others’ physical attentions… and if he isn’t the one, you won’t later regret keeping yourself pure for your husband.

If my husband finds a job in Wyoming, and my life and family is in the state we live now, should I go with him?

Sincerely,
Change Of Address?

Dear Change Of Address,

A husband and wife are a family unit that has to be prioritized above all other family relations.  God commanded that when a man and woman married, they were to leave their families and become one flesh (Gen 2:24).  You and your husband must decide together where your life goes, and as a christian wife, you have a responsibility to follow your husband (Eph 5:22).  Hopefully, he will have a loving attitude to consider your wishes before relocating (Eph 5:25), but regardless of whether he does his part… you must fulfill your obligation before the Lord.  When you made your marriage vow, you and your husband decided to pursue a life together – wherever that life might take you.

Does God condone war?  I am a veteran of the U.S. Army and am thinking of returning to service, but I feel a bit conflicted as to whether God would approve of me returning to service.  I am proud to have served my country, but my faith runs deeper than my pride.  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Military Man

Dear Military Man,

God gives governments the authority to fight wars and has even commanded nations to fight battles in certain circumstances.  The entire Old Testament is full of examples of God directing Israel to attack other nations because of their ungodliness.  God holds the power of nations within His hands (Pr 21:1), and many of the most faithful of God’s servants have been soldiers (read “Holding Down The Fort” for further details).  There is no contradiction between serving as a soldier and being a servant of Christ.