Hi, preacher.  I have a question: I'm thinking about joining the army to help people in Iraq, and I know that the Bible says to love thy neighbor and not kill, but if I'm doing it for the greater good, would it be a sin if I were to be killed?

Sincerely,
In The Crosshairs

Dear In The Crosshairs,

There is nothing wrong with being a soldier.  The Bible is full of soldiers that were also very faithful people.  King David battled Goliath (1 Sam 17:48-50).  The first Gentile convert to Christianity was a Roman soldier (Acts 10:22).  Being a soldier and killing someone in battle is not the same as murdering someone in cold blood.  People don’t go to hell for being soldiers, but they do go to hell for being murderers (Rev 21:8).  If you died on the battlefield (hopefully that won’t happen), that would not destine you to eternity away from God.

We do recommend that you gravely consider the state of your soul and relationship with God before enlisting.  Being a soldier is a hazardous job, and it accentuates the need to be prepared to meet your Maker.  Please read “What I Must Do To Be Saved?” for more information on what God says we must do to receive salvation.

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

I am an adult child, 21-years-old and still live at home while in school.  Do I still have to obey my parents and the rules of their home?  Why can't I do as I please?  I'm 21-years-old; aren't I old enough to make my own rules?

Sincerely,
All Grow’d Up

Dear All Grow’d Up,

You are definitely old enough to make your own rules – go ahead and move out; embrace your freedom!  Though it is natural for parents to provide more independence to their children as they age, total self-rule will only come when you leave your parents’ home and become self-sufficient.  It is akin to the statement about marriage: when a couple “leaves and cleaves”, they are their own family unit (Matt 19:5).  Though you aren’t pursuing marriage, the same principle applies.  Leave the house and start your own home if you want to dictate your own rules.  You have a responsibility to honor your parents for the gift of free rent, food, etc. – not to mention the gift of life they gave you (Lk 18:20).

The transition from child to adulthood is always a strain upon the parent/child relationship.  The Scriptures promise that if you are careful with how you treat your parents in this transitional time, you will be blessed (Eph 6:2-3).

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

If it is a sin to do things to harm your body such as smoking cigarettes, is it a sin to eat food that has absolutely no nutritional value such as fried foods or junk food since that can lead to all kinds of problems?

Sincerely,
Food Pyramid

Dear Food Pyramid,

The Bible never specifically addresses what types of food are or are not okay… there is a reason for this.  It would be inappropriate to go around labeling one type of food as ‘sinful’ and another type of food as ‘righteous’.  The issue isn’t what foods you eat at any particular meal – but how we treat our bodies as a whole.  God teaches the principle that your body is fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps 139:14) and that life is a gift from God (Gen 2:7, Job 33:4).  No one meal or food is a “make or break” choice… it is our general attitude that God cares about.  Avoid overindulgence (Pr 25:27) and laziness (Pr 19:24).  Show self-control in all things (1 Cor 9:25).  Gluttony is always wrong (Pr 23:20-21).  We would never be dogmatic about any particular food item; the Scriptures condemn junk lifestyles, not junk food.