What does the Bible (and where) say about two people living together prior to marriage?

Sincerely,
Spare Key

Dear Spare Key,

Moving in together would be a sin as well as a temptation toward further sin. No matter how pure our intentions might be, two people of the opposite sex living together looks bad. Even if you weren’t actually sleeping together, nobody would believe you. God tells us to abstain from every form of evil (1 Thess 5:22). The word ‘form’ in that verse literally means “shape or appearance”. Christians need to not only avoid sin – but avoid looking like they are sinning. A boyfriend and girlfriend living together (no matter how chaste) looks like a sinful relationship. The Bible also tells us to do the things which are ‘honorable in the sight of all men’ (Rom 12:17, 2 Cor 8:21). Consider what living together before marriage does to the honor of your girlfriend/boyfriend. God wants you to do what is in their best interest and uphold their reputation and honor.

Secondarily, the temptation to sleep together will certainly grow with living together. There is nothing abnormal about a man and a woman being strongly attracted to each other. God recognizes that young people naturally are inclined to burn with passion for the opposite sex (1 Cor 7:9). The key is to make sure you don’t put yourselves in a position that could compromise your integrity. We are to ‘flee fornication’ (1 Cor 6:18) and be wise as serpents in regard to righteousness (Matt 10:16). Don’t set yourselves up to sin.

The idea of living together before marriage is a modern one – not a Biblical one. Biblically speaking, if you aren’t ready to get married, you aren’t ready to live together. The deepest act of love you could show to your girlfriend/boyfriend would be to wait until you are ready for marriage.

Is it okay if you have to work on every Sunday?  I don’t have any time for church, but I do believe in the Lord.

Sincerely,
Busy

Dear Busy,

We always make time for the things that are important.  If someone told you, “I don’t have time to eat, but I believe in proper nutrition”… what would you say to them?  If we say that we believe in something, but then we don’t act upon that belief – it is a dead faith (Jas 2:17-19).  God tells us that part of being a christian is assembling with His people (Heb 10:24-25).  It is impossible for you to get the proper spiritual nutrition if the Lord’s people aren’t a priority.  If you need help finding a faithful congregation in your area – please feel free to e-mail us at askyourpreacher@mvchurchofchrist.org.

First of all, thank you for all y'all do for the Kingdom of God.  I know there are biblical requirements in order to be an elder, deacon, or preacher.  Are there any requirements for a man that is just leading a prayer or doing a devotional during worship times?  Or standing and speaking to the congregation?  Example: if a man is living in adultery (meaning he is not living his life as Christ would want), should he be leading prayer or preaching a lesson or be serving the Lord’s Supper?

Sincerely,
Vetting The Leadership

Dear Vetting The Leadership,

The only requirement for a man to participate in worship services is that he be living a faithful life.  You gave an example of a man living in adultery; this man would be disqualified from service because of his sinful lifestyle.  1 Cor 5:1-5 makes it clear that someone who has returned to ungodly living is to be disciplined by the church, not embraced.  The church has the responsibility to reprimand, exhort, and if they won’t repent, withdraw from christians who have returned to sin (1 Cor 5:11-13).  If someone is actively engaged in a sinful lifestyle, that would exclude them from any leadership position in worship until they repented.

Is it all right for a christian to receive hypnotic treatment as a medical procedure?

Sincerely,
Droopy Eyes

Dear Droopy Eyes,

The ethical issue that is commonly raised with hypnosis is whether or not it has occult roots to it.  It would be wrong for a christian to take part in something that involved idolatry – even if it was for their health.  Some christians believe that hypnotism can be traced back to the occult, and that it is intrinsically tied to things like witchcraft and devil worship… we personally have not found enough evidence to substantiate that position.  Nonetheless, if that is the case, it would definitely be wrong for a christian to take part in any form of hypnosis (1 Cor 10:20-21).

However, not all people feel that hypnosis is an occult practice.  Many christians, in good conscience, feel that hypnosis is a legitimate medical field that helps people with a myriad of ailments.  A number of medical associations at least tacitly approve of hypnosis as a form of treatment for various ills.

In the end, each christian must study and come to a conclusion for themselves on this issue. If a christian does something they believe is sinful – even if it isn’t – they are violating their conscience, and that is wrong (1 Tim 1:5).

Why does the christian worship God on Sunday?  In the Ten Commandments it says Saturday is the Sabbath day?

Sincerely,
Trying To Believe

Dear Trying To Believe,

The ‘Ten Commandments’ were Old Testament laws, and you need to live by nine of them. The entire Old Testament law, including the ‘Ten Commandments’ was done away with in Christianity (Gal 3:23-25). The New Testament law supersedes the Old Testament one, and the law written on stone tablets (the Mosaic law which includes the Ten Commandments (Deu 4:13) has passed away (2 Cor 3:3-11).

Having said that, the New Testament reiterates nine out of the ten commands. Christians do obey nine of the ‘Ten Commandments’ because Christ thought nine of them were worth keeping in the New Testament.

1. Thou shalt not have any other god before me (Ex 20:3, 1 Cor 10:14)
2. Thou shalt not make graven images or bow down to them (Ex 20:4-5, 1 Jhn 5:21)
3. Thou shalt not take God’s name in vain (Ex 20:7, Heb 12:28)
4. Honor thy father and mother (Ex 20:12, Eph 6:1-2)
5. Thou shalt not kill (Ex 20:13, 1 Pet 4:15)
6. Thou shalt not commit adultery (Ex 20:14, Heb 13:4)
7. Thou shalt not steal (Ex 20:15, Eph 4:28)
8. Thou shalt not bear false witness (Ex 20:16, Rev 21:8)
9. Thou shalt not covet (Ex 20:17, Eph 5:3)

The only one of the ‘Ten Commandments’ left out is the keeping of the Sabbath (Ex 20:8). Christians aren’t bound to keep the Sabbath holy; Jews were. In the New Testament, we are told to meet on Sunday to take the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7).