Thoughts of violence, sexual impropriety, blasphemy and other horrifying images may arise unexpectedly in many Christians and cause anxiety or cause them to question their salvation.
However, God does not punish us for our thoughts – rather, He disciplines us to humble and transform us.
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Why does God hate evil thoughts?
God is love, which was at the core of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. However, this does not negate His hatred of evil thoughts – indeed the Bible lists six things the Lord detests that make up what are called seven abominations to Him: prideful eyes, lying tongues, hands that shed innocent blood without due cause, feet that run towards evil quickly, false witnesses and sowing division among brothers (Proverbs 6:16-19).
Bad thoughts often lead to bad actions, so it is vital that we cultivate godly thoughts. By loving what is right and disliking what is wrong, our focus will naturally result in actions which support a life lived according to moral standards while eschewing all that which would harm it.
If you find yourself having unwanted sexual thoughts, the first step should be removing yourself from their presence. Otherwise, those thoughts could eventually turn into actions and cause irreparable damage in relationships as they consume you with sexual fantasies and desire. Furthermore, negative thinking may rewire your brain, leading you to seek sexual happiness elsewhere; whether that be through a secretary down the hall, an online profile of another woman, or characters in romance novels.
At first, it may seem contrary that God, who is love, would also hate. Yet He does just that – His hatred does not manifest as personal animus but instead represents His holy disapproval of sinful attitudes and behaviors in our hearts that turn away from Him and turn against Him; He hates those who turn their back on Him as well as sin that lives within them.
As such, it is imperative that we follow God’s Word rather than our feelings. Trusting in our hearts alone would be foolish as they can often deceive us (Jeremiah 17:9); instead we should pursue what pleases God and confess our views even if others may not know about them; doing this can not only protect us from sinning but also prepare us for judgment day.
Why does God allow bad things to happen?
When bad things occur, it can be easy to question why a loving God would allow it. Unfortunately, this question often prevents people from considering faith; however, the Bible offers answers to help address this complex question.
Many times, bad things occur because of our sinful choices. When someone cheats on an exam or commits a crime, the repercussions will often include job loss and even jail time. Scripture warns us of Satan as the leader of this world leading us down a path of darkness (Genesis 3:1-6); using deception, temptation and misinformation tactics he seduces people into engaging in behavior which harms themselves (1 Corinthians 10:13).
At other times, bad things occur due to the sinful choices of others. If an employer makes irresponsible decisions or their spouse rejects God’s design for marriage, those affected often experience hardship as a result – this phenomenon is known as social or societal sin and God allows it for us to learn and grow from these events.
Physical evils such as disease, pain and natural disasters also exist. Though these things are never pleasant, God sometimes uses them to discipline us (Isaiah 45:7 and Romans 12:10) or show His power and glory (Romans 8:28).
Finally, bad things may arise as a result of Satan’s attacks. Satan employs temptation and deception as his primary weapons (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). These assaults by Satan can bring both moral and physical harm; nevertheless, God remains sovereign over His creation and will one day eliminate any such threats.
Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?
Many people find it hard to comprehend why God allows bad things to occur, especially considering His vast power to stop suffering in this world. If He wanted, He could put an end to evil plots, wars, and famines immediately if He wanted; however, He typically doesn’t intervene because doing so would undermine free choice as his core principle of love.
Some sources of pain and suffering come from sinful actions as well. For instance, the Bible details Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers out of jealousy for their father’s affection for another woman. Joseph’s brothers made this choice because it led them into sinful action against Joseph; similarly Paul being mistreated and sent to prison due to his beliefs was seen as sinful behavior by them as well.
As adults, we must help children understand that God created us with an inherent proclivity for sin – known as “sin nature.” Because of this tendency, things such as blessings or rewards may turn bad if not handled appropriately; children must also learn that God can use even bad choices, like losing someone you love or betraying a friend, for good.
Questioning why bad things happen to good people can be an enormous hurdle for those outside Christianity, yet its answer needn’t be a theological show-stopper. With scripture and logic as your guides, it should not be difficult to answer this difficult query and help kids better comprehend suffering. By doing this you also give your children a solid understanding of why Jesus needs to be part of their lives; by showing them they require His grace to overcome worldly temptations and sinful tendencies and eventually lead them closer towards salvation. It will become key factor in their spiritual growth journey that could ultimately lead them towards salvation!
Why does God allow bad things to happen to bad people?
One of the most frequently asked questions by Christian children and adults alike is why God allows bad things to happen to good people. While this concept can be difficult for humans to grasp, it can be taught effectively through Scripture and logic.
As first step in understanding suffering is essential. Pain should not be seen as morally evil but instead an essential part of life with many functions – alerting us of danger, reminding us to value life or inspiring personal development and growth.
Additionally, it’s also important to realize that God can use our suffering for His purposes. Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery as an act of mercy, so God could save their family from starvation. Similarly, Job’s illness provided an opportunity to comfort the suffering of others.
At its core, bad things happen to good people because of their sin and disobedience to God. According to scripture, evil has existed since Satan tricked Adam and Eve into eating from the forbidden tree (Genesis 3). Additionally, humans tend toward sinful actions which means we do not always follow God’s laws.
Therefore, our world is an imperfect and fallen one. One day it may become free from evil and death; until that day arrives we must live with the consequences of our choices and sin’s effects upon this world.
However, we must remain mindful that God has an ever-expanding plan for His creation that includes the elimination of evil and suffering on Earth (Revelation 21). Additionally, we should remember that our faith does not lie with any individual human or tangible object – rather it lies with a powerful Being who loves us so much He sent His son Jesus Christ to die on the Cross for our sins (John 3:16).
