Questions & Answers
by Editor(s)

Q: A very close friend of mine is living in unbelief, and I have said a word of faith that he will be right with God. How do I continue believing this truth when the appearances seem to get worse?

A: No matter how bad your situation looks, it is necessary to trust that God is in control. Your friend in this situation for His perfect purposes. Your desires are God’s desires and your faith for your friend is really His faith. Once you speak your word of faith, you can believe it is done. And God will show you the evidence in His time. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Because your friend is a vital person to God, you must not be distracted or overwhelmed by negative appearances. Your faith is a bridge between your friend and God, and you have the privilege to believe for him until he believes for himself. It is crucial to focus on what you are believing and not what you are feeling.

Aren’t you fighting for your friend until he is right with God no matter what?

Q: What is my responsibility as a Christian for holding another person accountable for their sin?

A: Before I can help another person see their sin, I must take responsibility for my own. In Psalms 51:3, David says, "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me." The importance of having our sin ever before us is to feel the pain and consequences sin causes, which can keep us from repeating it. Also, if someone else is having trouble with the same sin, we can help them. Talking about our sin and consequences will help another person see what is happening and what could happen if he continues in his. This gives him the opportunity to make a faith choice about it.

We can further help him by explaining what sin is and how he is believing a lie about himself and how he has ended up where he is. He can choose to believe that he is a vessel for Jesus Christ to live through and we know that Christ does not sin; or he can choose to believe he is just himself (Satan’s lie) and continue in his sin.

The Bible makes it clear that we as Christians are responsible for holding others accountable for their sins. This involvement means endless concern for our family members and friends, no matter the cost or pain to us. We want to help others see the suffering that sin causes. Sharing our experiences keeps our pain a present reality to benefit both ourselves and others.

Q: For most of my life I have been rebellious to my mother. Whenever she would tell me to do something, I would act like I did not hear her or would not do it. Now, being an adult, I feel like I want to do the same. How do I change my rebellious attitude towards her?

A: Even though you feel rebellious, it does not mean you have to take action against her. Because you are Christ in your form (if you are a Christian), you are perfect love and obedience to her. She is your mother and you can accept her guidance. Ephesians 6:1 says "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."

Having negative reactions is not wrong, it is quite normal. It is what you believe about those negative reactions that will change your attitude. Seeing yourself as Christ for your mom will allow you to see her as part of God’s perfect circumstance for you. And, perhaps, you can now see this as an opportunity and second chance to he obedient to her.