In Matthew 12:29 Jesus said we must first bind the strong man ( the devil ) then we can spoil his house. Does that mean we are to bind the devil also? I hear that in lots of churches ie: I bind you Satan in the name of Jesus. Can we bind him in the name of Jesus?

I heard a sermon on this passage which I completely disagreed with. If I understood correctly, it seemed the pastor said that believers who do not bear fruit, or refuse to allow the Holy Spirit to work through them to bear fruits of love would be taken away and “purged or cleansed” in the fire to help them grow…something to that effect. As I understand it, believers can suffer loss but I’ve never read or been taught they will have to go through some type of purgatory. This teaching sounds like more “overcomers” theory.

I have always thought that there was more to the story about the shepherds visiting the birth of Jesus than what Luke says. For example, I’ve been told that these were shepherds of the flock of sheep that were used in the temple sacrifices and therefore they were making sure that the lambs being born were without blemish. This is the reason they were sent to Bethlehem to witness the birth of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was born without sin. Also, the plot of land they were using was the same plot that Boaz redeemed for Naomi in the book of Ruth. Is there any evidence of this or is it all a cute story like the little drummer boy?

Re: Must God Choose Us? Could you explain these two verses. Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” and John 6:44 says, ” No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” They seem to contradict each other.

I believe we are saved by grace alone and we have no requirement other than faith. My question is, are some of my dear friends who believe they have some responsibility in maintaining their salvation by their works not saved?

In John 16:33 Jesus said we will have tribulation in this world, but to be of good cheer or courage because He has overcome the world. I have to say I’m not real sure exactly what Jesus meant when He said this. I know in my head there is nothing more powerful than God or Jesus and that He always has the final say when it comes to anything in the world. But how are we supposed to be of good cheer concerning pain and suffering?

Why did God send Jonah to Sheol (hell)? Wasn’t he a godly man and because he disobeyed God he was sent to hell? What will that have to do with my salvation if I disobey God?

What does Daniel 12:4 mean? Is the Angel speaking of today’s fast pace of knowledge in technology and people traveling here and there in airplanes, etc? Or, is he speaking of God’s Word in prophecy being understood more clearly and people hungering for more understanding so they travel here and there looking for truth? Also, who are these people? I believe the angel is speaking about those are experiencing the Great Tribulation, am I right?

I co-lead a Men’s Group in our Church. We have a very intelligent retired Phycology Professional in our group. He states he does not believe in sin, hell, heaven nor the Deity of Jesus. He sees the Bible as just another book of Truth, and picks and chooses from it to suit his needs to learn – as he would from any other book. This man is 84, and he is willing to gamble his eternity on his own philosophical views and beliefs. I do not know what to say to such an intellectual ‘seeker’. Right now, I just pray for him. He is a very kind and nice man; but just so lost in his own “worldly intellect” ! What should I do?

Thanks for an awesome site. Question: In the last paragraph of your article on “Psalm 83” you state that any unconfessed sin will hamper our fellowship with God. How do I know what this unconfessed sin might be? When in prayer, I confess all my sins that I’m aware of and ask God to forgive me for all these sins and also all other sins that I’m not aware of. Am I still out of fellowship with Him because I did not confess those sins that I’m unaware of by name?