At the end of Genesis 1, God said everything was “very good”. That statement right there precludes any possibility of evil existing during the creation week.

If everything was made in the presence of God where darkness cannot exist then how could Satan be tempted to be full of pride? in other words, how is it known that the concept of evil/darkness/sin could be chosen over God’s way? or, what would cause Satan to seek out something that he’s not aware of?

A young business man was a member of our Church. He had accepted Jesus and was baptized at age 16. He remained in constant contact with God and was driven by a desire to do what God wanted. One evening he gave in to the temptation that abounds in the business world and went drinking with business associates. On his way home he wrecked his car and was killed. There is concern in the local congregation that he is no longer saved, because he was sinning when he died and did not have the opportunity to ask for forgiveness. Your thoughts?

On the issue of forgiving each other, how am I supposed to forgive someone if he does not apologize?

I’m a bit confused about Luke 11: 24-26. Here Jesus speaks about an impure spirit that is driven out of a person and it goes away and wanders, and then comes back with 7 other impure spirits and worsen the condition of the person. What is Jesus teaching here? My other question is can a Born Again believer be possessed by demons?

In several of your articles and answers to questions, you’ve suggested that by investing our resources in Kingdom work, we’ll be creating greater benefit for ourselves both in this life and the next one. What exactly do you mean by that?

Will we do creative things in eternity like art and building things or something we enjoyed from earth or will all of that cease to exist forever with us having no memory or desire of it? I can’t stand the notion of all things being absorbed or losing the ability to be creative. That is a crappy view of eternity and for that reason I don’t have hardly any belief at all. I believe creative endeavors and desires continue.

In some of your posts it almost sounds like you’re saying we don’t have to experience pain and suffering in this life. That would be so great and I’d love to believe that all suffering and pain can be removed through enough faith and prayer. But what did Jesus mean when He said to take up your cross and follow Me (Luke 9:23)?

Can you please explain in “practical” ways how to lay down our will to embrace His will for our life? How do you put off your old self & put on the new self, which is created in true righteousness and holiness? I can say the words over and over and offer my body as a living sacrifice, but when nothing changes or I don’t see evidence of change, am I supposed to just trust He is working His good pleasure in me, or are there steps I am missing?

I was teaching a Sunday school class for adults recently and two very difficult subjects came up. One person asked me if Satan did not tempt Adam and Eve in the garden, could they have eventually sinned on their own. The second was a statement that all sins are a result of Satan or his demons tempting us. My position was that we are sometimes tempted of our own desires, but this was not well received. Can you shed some light on this for me?

Regarding the warning against judging others in Matt. 7:1-2. Paul said we are not to socialize with sinners, so isn’t that judging? Not their eternal destination, but their actions? Thanks so much for your help.