Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 106
Q: Why doesn’t God do something about the evil in the world? Sometimes I wonder if God even cares about the bad things that happen to people today. I don’t understand why He doesn’t just destroy everything that’s evil. A: I suspect almost everyone reading this has asked themselves the same question, because evil is real, and at times our world seems completely in its grip. And to be honest, we don’t always know why God allows evil things to happen. The Bible talks about “the mystery of iniquity”—and that’s what evil often is: a mystery (2 Thes...
Q: Why doesn’t God do something about the evil in the world? Sometimes I wonder if God even cares about the bad things that happen to people today. I don’t understand why He doesn’t just destroy everything that’s evil. A: I suspect almost everyone reading this has asked themselves the same question, because evil is real, and at times our world seems completely in its grip. And to be honest, we don’t always know why God allows evil things to happen. The Bible talks about “the mystery of iniquity”—and that’s what evil often is: a mystery (2 Thes...
Q: I know I ought to read the Bible, and I’ve tried, but I’ve always been a poor reader, and finally I just gave up. Does God think I’m a bad person? A: God knows both what you can do and what you can’t do—and He doesn’t get angry with you or look down on you because of this. We aren’t all the same; God created us with different abilities. The Bible says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us” (Romans 12:6). Don’t misunderstand me, however. The Bible is God’s Word, and if we ignore it, our lives will be morally...
Q: My faith today is probably about where it was 10 years ago—not much stronger, not much weaker. I know I ought to be a better Christian, but I don’t know how. What would you say to me? A: Just as children are meant to grow and become adults, so we are meant to grow and become “spiritual adults”. Only then will we be able to resist wrong and do what’s right. The Bible says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). The key is to understand that when we come to Christ and commit our lives to Him,...
Q: Where do evil thoughts and ideas come from? Does the devil put them in our minds? I’d hate for anyone to know what’s actually going through my mind sometimes. A: One of the Bible’s greatest truths is that God knows all about us—including even the bad things that are going through our minds. And yet He still loves us, and wants us to cleanse us and make us part of His family forever! The Bible says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Yes, ultimately Satan is responsi...
Q: Mr. Graham, how would you like to be remembered? A: Editor’s note: Before his death, Billy Graham approved the following response as his final My Answer column. Mr. Graham’s column will continue in some form. I hope I will be remembered as someone who was faithful—faithful to God, faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and faithful to the calling God gave me not only as an evangelist, but as a husband, father and friend. I’m sure I’ve failed in many ways, but I take comfort in Christ’s promise of forgiveness, and I take comfort also in God...
Q: I’ve done it again—I’ve already broken every New Year’s resolution I made for this year. Every year I start out determined to keep my resolutions, but before I know it I’ve failed. Maybe I shouldn’t bother. Why do I do this? What’s wrong with me? A: I suspect you’re not alone; every year countless people start out resolving to change their lives—but end up failing. Sometimes it’s because their goals weren’t realistic, or because they didn’t plan exactly how they were going to reach them. But usually it’s simply because we don’t have the...
Q: I don’t see how anyone can be a scientist and still believe in God. Why believe in God, when science can explain everything that happens? I’m in high school, and I hope to major in medical research when I get to college. A: Your interest in science shouldn’t keep you from believing in God—not at all. Over the years some of the most gifted people I’ve ever met were not only brilliant scientists, but also had a strong faith in God. When I asked them about this, almost without exception they said that their scientific research actually...
Q: My faith today is probably about where it was 10 years ago—not much stronger, not much weaker. I know I ought to be a better Christian, but I don’t know how. What would you say to me? A: Just as children are meant to grow and become adults, so we are meant to grow and become “spiritual adults”. Only then will we be able to resist wrong and do what’s right. The Bible says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). The key is to understand that when we come to Christ and commit our lives to Him,...
Q: A new family just moved in near us, and they apparently have a physically handicapped son who requires much care. We’ve barely met them, but should we offer to help them somehow? We don’t want to embarrass them or be nosey, but we want to be good neighbors. A: I’m thankful you want to be good neighbors; all too often today we become so wrapped up in our own lives that we forget those around us. But Jesus gave us a much higher standard: “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:33). Do you remember Jesus’ story about the good Samaritan?...
Q: I’ve decided I’m not going to make any New Year’s resolutions this year. I’ve always made a long list of changes I plan to make in my life, but then I never keep them, and I just end up feeling guilty. So why bother?. A: I suspect many readers have had the same experience; it’s much easier to make a list of things we wish would happen to us—and much harder to actually do them. Even the Apostle Paul admitted that “I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing” (Romans 7:19). What is the problem—es...
Q: Where did the wise men come from, and how did they know that the star they were following would lead them to Jesus? And did they ride camels? I am 10 years old, and I’ve always wondered about them. A: The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly where they came from; it only tells us that they were from a country to the east of Israel (where Jesus was born). Nor does it tell us if they rode camels—although they probably did, since they would have had to cross long sections of desert to reach their destination. Many Bible scholars believe they proba...
Q: I have an aggressive form of cancer, and the doctors have told me this will be my last Christmas. I feel so sad, especially when I think about not seeing my grandchildren grow up. What would you say to someone in my situation? A: The most important thing I can say to you is that God knows all about your situation, and He loves you and will always be with you—even when your way seems dark. God’s promise is true: “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. … Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8). How do I...
Q: I grew up in a religious home, but I rebelled against all that, and I suppose you could say I’ve been living like the devil ever since. I know I’m on a dead-end road, but I don’t think I can do anything about it. Has God given up on me? A: No, God has not given up on you! If God had given up on you, you wouldn’t even be asking this question. But He has planted this question in your soul—and the reason is because He wants to welcome you home. Don’t turn your back on what He is trying to tell you! The devil will tell you that it’s too la...
Q: Do people who have died and gone on to Heaven know what’s happening on earth? If so, I’d think they’d be sad to see the evil and suffering that go on here. But isn’t Heaven supposed to be a happy place? A: Yes, the Bible assures us that Heaven is a place of absolute happiness and joy and peace—far greater than anything we’ll ever experience right now. The Bible says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Do those in Hea...
Q: Every year I tell myself that I’m not going to get caught up in the Christmas shopping crush—but every year I hit the stores as soon as they open the day after Thanksgiving. I’ll probably do the same this year. I know this isn’t a spiritual question, but why can’t I be more self-controlled? A: Although it may not strike you as such, in reality this is a spiritual question—because it deals with everything from the way we use our money, to what we think is really important in life. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will...
Q: I hate to admit this, but my wife and I never got along, and when she died last year I wasn’t all that sorry. But now I desperately miss her. I wish I could make up for those lost years. What’s wrong with me? A: One reason I wanted to reprint your letter is because I hope it will cause other husbands (and wives) to re-evaluate their marriages, and do everything they possibly can to strengthen them—before it’s too late. Even if your letter only touches one person, it will be worth it. Why do you miss your wife so deeply? I can think of seve...
Q: Every year we debate whether or not to invite my aunt for Thanksgiving. She’s a very negative person who spends her whole time complaining and criticizing everyone, and it gets very unpleasant. Would she get the message if we didn’t invite her this year? A: From what you say, I honestly doubt if she’ll “get the message” if you don’t invite her for Thanksgiving. Instead, you’ll probably just give her another excuse to complain and criticize you even more. The Bible bluntly says, “Whoever hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1)....
Q: You often say in your column that we need to learn to walk with God, but what does that mean? I don’t have any trouble believing in God, but I don’t think I understand what it means to walk with Him. A: The key is to understand what happens to us when we commit our lives to Jesus Christ. By nature, we are separated from God because of our sins—but when we open our hearts to Christ, He forgives us and comes to live within us by His Spirit. In other words, we now have a personal relationship with God. We have become God’s friend—and He has be...
Q: I know God has forgiven me for all the bad things I did when I was younger, but I just can’t get them out of my mind, and it really depresses me. Why can’t I forget the past? A: I’m confident that when we get to Heaven, all those memories will be washed away, and we will be overwhelmed with the wonder of God’s forgiveness and love. The Bible says, “When Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Why, then, doesn’t God erase our memory of those things right now? Perhaps one reason is to remind us of...
Q: My parents never bothered to get married, and now that I’m in high school it gets kind of embarrassing when my friends start asking me about it. I’ve told my mom that I wish they’d get married, but they don’t seem interested. Should I just forget about it? A: You can’t force your parents to get married, of course; they alone must make that decision. You can, however, gently encourage them to take that step—not just to save you from any further awkwardness, but for the sake of their relationship. After all, what is marriage? Admittedly...
Q: My friend keeps telling me that I need Jesus, but I don’t understand what he means. Why do I need Jesus? A: I’m thankful for your friend’s concern; he obviously cares about you, and he senses that something is missing in your life—something only God can supply. I pray that you’ll take your friend’s concern seriously. Why do you need Jesus? You need Him first of all because you need His salvation. You see, you aren’t here by accident; God created you, and He put you here for a reason. In fact, He loves you, and life’s greatest joy comes from...
Q: I can’t help but wonder if we’re living in the last days. Are we? There’s so much conflict and turmoil in the world, and I don’t see any answer unless God intervenes and brings it all to an end. Am I being too pessimistic? A: You’re right; we do live in a world that is constantly torn by conflict and chaos and fear. And because of the development of nuclear and biochemical weapons of mass destruction, the world is arguably the most dangerous it has ever been. Jesus warned that as the end of the present age approaches, “You will hear of war...
Q: My wife and I didn’t grow up in religious homes, but we don’t want this for our children. How old do they have to be before they can understand something about God? We want to do the right thing, but I guess we’re not sure how to go about it. A: Small children won’t understand everything we wish we could teach them about God and His will—but they can understand something! Don’t hesitate, therefore, to go ahead and begin teaching them about God and Jesus. Think of it this way: How old does a child have to be before he or she understands...
Q: Since I was a child I’ve been told that God hates sin, and because I don’t always do what’s right, I’ve always assumed that He must hate me also. But now that I’m older I’m beginning to wonder if I’m wrong. Am I? A: Yes, you are wrong—and I’m thankful you’re beginning to realize it! God loves you, and the greatest discovery you or anyone else can ever make is that you are deeply loved by God. Does this mean God doesn’t hate sin? Does this mean He simply ignores it, or even laughs at it and pretends it doesn’t matter? No, not at all. But the...
