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?

Re: Psalm 139: 13-14. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful.” If I take this verse literally, it would seem that God is directly involved in the creation of everyone. He forms each of us in the womb. Yet some babies are born deformed or very sick, so how can that be? I’ve read your comments that only Adam and Eve were created directly by God and in His image and that God delegated procreation to us and so all of us are now born in the image of Adam. This would suggest that God isn’t directly involved in the conception of each person. How do I understand this verse?

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?

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?

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

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?

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)?

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.

Recently I heard a good preacher say that God disciplines the Christian. This is certainly true but then he said that God can punish us as well. This is the part I have a problem with. As a Christian our salvation is guaranteed. Nevertheless we are to confess our sins and being a just God he will forgive us. I believe this will keep us in fellowship with Him. But if God forgives our sins and then punishes us for them, we would be justified in forgiving our enemies and then still punishing them for what they did to us.

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.