Did God create evil?  If so, is there evil in Him?

Sincerely,
Dark Detector

Dear Dark Detector,

God didn’t create evil; the devil did.  The Bible says that Satan is the father of lies (Jhn 8:44).  Sin only exists when we turn our backs on God.  Sin is a lot like darkness.  Darkness isn’t really a thing – it is the absence of light.  God is the Father of lights and every good thing (Jas 1:17)... there is no evil in God.  When we stop following the Lord, we no longer walk in the light.  Evil is the absence of godliness.  Evil is what you get when you remove God’s design.

I am a teenager, and I’m getting into wearing makeup… is it bad to wear makeup?  I know it is, but where in the Bible does it say this?  That’s what I want to know.  Thanxx!

Sincerely,
The Naked Eye

Dear The Naked Eye,

There is nothing wrong with wearing makeup – if it is worn properly.  Makeup usage is a matter of wisdom, and first and foremost, you should consult your parents and abide by their wishes (Eph 6:1-3).  They will have perspective and wisdom that can only be acquired through experience.

Wearing makeup is an issue of modesty.  When women overly adorn themselves with lavish clothing and accessories, they give the wrong impression (1 Pet 3:3-5).  All of us have seen women that dress in a provocative and lustful way… you do not want to send that kind of message!  All makeup, jewelry, clothing, etc. should be worn in a way that shows self-control and appears respectable (1 Tim 2:9-10).

Is going to poker rooms sinful?  I believe poker is wrong and that it is sinful.

Sincerely,
All Out

Dear All Out,

The Bible never specifically mentions gambling as a sin, but it doesn’t have to be specifically mentioned to be wrong.  There are a great many things surrounding gambling that are sinful.  Consider that:

1. Gambling focuses around money and greed.  God warns us clearly about being fixated with money (1 Tim 6:10, Heb 13:5).  God wants us to be satisfied with our income (Eccl 5:10).  Contentment is a major component of spiritual maturity (1 Tim 6:6).
2. Gambling is used as a means to gain money without working for it.  God finds pleasure in people working for their livelihood (2 Thess 3:10-12, Pr 10:4).
3. Gambling wastes money because, ultimately, the house does always win.  God expects us to be good stewards (1 Cor 4:2) and save for the future (Pr 6:6-8).
4. Gambling and the places where gambling occurs are often associated with other sinful things.  There is a reason Las Vegas is called “Sin City”.  That industry is not one that a christian should be supporting (2 Cor 6:16-17).
5. Gambling is addictive.  We can only have one master (Lk 16:13).

      Do church buildings help or hinder our evangelistic effectiveness?

Sincerely,
In Escrow

Dear In Escrow,

Both.  Having a church building is an issue of wisdom – sometimes renting, meeting in a home, park, etc. is a better option.  Other times, owning a church building is the most effective way for a congregation to fulfill the command to assemble (Heb 10:24-25) and further their responsibility to be the pillar and ground of the truth in the community (1 Tim 3:15).  A church building can also just be a weight holding a congregation back from being effective.  It is a wisdom issue that must be assessed by each congregation individually.  Read “Keeping The Lights On” for a detailed explanation of the purpose of having a church building.

     Gen 47:22 and 26 state that “the only land he [Joseph] did not buy was the land belonging to the priests.”  Who were these priests?

Sincerely,
Real Estate Agent

Dear Real Estate Agent,

The priests referred to in Gen. 47:22 and 26 are the Egyptian priests.  Pharaoh had granted his priests food during the famine, so they had no need to sell their land to avoid starvation.