We know that God will one day destroy Satan. but why didn’t God throw Satan into lake of fire immediately after he sinned?

Today I gave some money to a hungry homeless man at a stop light. I felt immense joy that I was able to bless him and I felt I should have done even more for him. Is it wrong for me to feel great joy when giving or helping the less fortunate or am I to turn that Joy over to the Lord and just be thankful that He has chosen to Save me and give me eternal life. I do not want to rob the Lord of what is rightfully His and I desire to be an obedient servant to Him but the joy and happiness that filled my heart today was almost immeasurable. What do you think? Can you share some Scripture about this experience with your response?

Re: Luke 18:9-14, the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. For whatever reason, I love this scripture, but at the same time, it scares me. I’m sure I’m to look at the very first part of the scripture for the context. But, I am thankful for so many things that could be part of my life but are not. I’m not on drugs or alcohol, I don’t commit crimes, etc. I know this is not from my own power, I know it is the Lord. But how can I pray to express my thankfulness for not being caught up in these lifestyles without it seeming that I’m exalting myself like the Pharisee?

Last month the Boy Scout Troup my 13 year old grandson belongs to had a fund raiser. He asked me to donate, and  I gladly sent it to him. He has not indicated to me whether he received my donation nor has he expressed any thankfulness for it. How do I explain to him that he should be thankful for this gift in such a way that doesn’t seem like I’m placing a guilt trip on him. I want to make my point in a loving way so that he learns from this. As it says in Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.

With all the questions about tithing I’ve managed to come up with one of my own. When we tithe, should we tithe the 10% off of our gross or net pay? I’ve never really ever considered the money that the government takes from me as mine to begin with and never felt the compulsion to tithe off of it, but I just wanted to get your insight on the subject.

I have a question that I have often wondered about.

Where did evil originally come from?

We know that Satan who had every advantage, and became proud and puffed up, began to desire the worship that was rightly given to the Lord.

However we also know for every cause including evil, there has to be a causative agent. Since in the presence of God, evil cannot exist, how did Satan become evil?

I’m curious. Is it selfish to accept Jesus in order to avoid going to eternal judgment? Originally I think that I just wanted to be saved because I knew that if I wasn’t I’d go to hell, and I didn’t want to go there. Now, of course, I know all the benefits that come from accepting Him as well. Regardless, was it wrong of me to accept Jesus just to escape Hell?

I enjoyed your article on forgiveness.

I am particularly thankful for the section in your article about the meaning of the word repent. I have been misunderstanding that all along. Not sure if it’s been explained to me this way before and didn’t get it or I have heard the wrong thing.

Here’s the question I have. I am in a situation where I volunteer for a Christian organization. I understand about submission and have no problem with that. But sometimes I get the feeling that I am being “used.” How do I know if this is discernment as opposed to my fleshly feelings … those that don’t want to take orders, even from authority?

In your article you quote Jesus as saying, “If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4).

You then say, “The Greek word translated rebuke in this passage means to admonish or censure. We should advise fellow believers when we think the way they’ve treated us is contrary to God’s word. (see also Matt 18:15-17)”.

So, do I rebuke her? Do I bring these issues to her? Thanks for any insight you can give me.

I love your site! I was just wondering that if unbelievers have to wait for final judgment do they still have a chance for forgiveness?

I am constantly getting criticized by my mother on going to church. She claims that you cannot be a true Christian unless you go to church. She claims that you cannot be truly saved unless you go to church. I have a boyfriend who I am very serious about and love very much. We plan on getting married in June. We have not gotten engaged yet because he is being persecuted by my mother (and so am I) about this church issue. It is causing me a lot of pain to deal with my mother in this because I have my own personal belief that I can be a good Christian without going to church. What advice can you give me for the next time I talk to my mom? She keeps pushing her beliefs on me and judging me for not believing the same as her. Do you feel it is necessary to go to church to be saved and a true Christian?