I recently had a demonic nightmare.  It started off by me and my father and an unknown family member moving equipment.  We went back to get the rest and stopped in a store.  No one was around, so we started to believe it was abandoned, so we took food until we saw the owner.  Then he acted like we were just about to steal it, but we paid for it.  Then it jumps to me being held by my mother.  She starts telling me about some movie like it was real.  I said, “I’m good; I saw the movie.”  Then she asked something else, and then she asked, “What about Jesus?”  I said, “No.  No one is ever good enough for Jesus.”  Then she turned into a white guy with a black cloak, and it was like he was sucking my face in with a straw.  Everything went black as I tried to stay awake; then I woke up again in real life.  WHAT WAS THAT ALL ABOUT!?

Sincerely,
Whoa, Buddy!

Dear Whoa Buddy,

It means you had a bad dream.  It might also mean you ate too much before bed, but it doesn’t mean anything spiritual.  The days of dreams and visions have passed.  In the past, God spoke to various people through dreams, visions, and prophecy, but today He speaks to us through His Son, Jesus Christ (Heb 1:1-2).  Now that we have the complete and perfect Bible – there is no need for God to give people individual dreams or visions (1 Cor 13:9-10).  It is through the Word of God that we learn how to live faithfully (Rom 10:17).  So don’t worry about your dream; your face is safe from the straw-sucking beast.

Many religions wear symbols of their dedication or “religiosity”.  Despite their sincerity, some may wear prayer beads, crosses, or tattoo themselves as reminders or as objects of worship.  Yes, it is wrong to worship anything but God; however, is it wrong to wear a cross just because it’s pretty?  Or would it be an unwise idea due to the societal connotations?

Sincerely,
A Little Glam

Dear A Little Glam,

Wearing a cross is not inherently a sin, but there are some principles that reveal it to be not a very good idea.  The problem with crosses and other religious garb are threefold:

1. As you stated, some people use crosses, rabbit’s feet, rosary beads, etc. as forms of worship and superstition.  This is wrong.  God soundly condemns superstition, the occult, and idol worship (1 Cor 10:7, Acts 19:19, Matt 4:10).
2. God tells us that it is our character that should proclaim our Christianity – not our clothing (1 Pet 3:3-4).  In an attempt to look the part of being faithful, many people wear crosses, slap “WWJD” bumper stickers on their cars, and tattoo themselves with the words “Jesus Freak”… which rarely leaves the impression they intended.  Let the world know you are a christian because of who you are and how you live.
3. Crosses are designed to be beautiful, ornate, and elegant nowadays – which thoroughly negates the message of the cross.  The cross of Christ was anything but pretty.  It was a torture device intended to inflict the highest degree of pain possible upon the Son of God.  We here at AYP sometimes wonder if Jesus had been killed by electrocution if everyone would have little electric chairs hanging around their necks…

Suffice it to say, wearing religious jewelry, at best, sends a mixed message – at worst, it sends the wrong message.

    How do you know fasting wasn't required in the New Testament?  All we have are the examples; should we follow them?

Sincerely,
Not So Fast!

Dear Not So Fast,

Fasting is a Biblical practice, but there are no specific guidelines for when to do it.  Fasting is the practice of not eating for a designated period of time.  Jesus once fasted for forty days (Matt 4:2).  Fasting is often associated with times of grief and difficult decisions (Joel 2:12)… but not every grieving person fasted in the Bible.  The New Testament doesn’t require fasting, but it also shows the benefits of fasting during times of difficulty or when important decisions needed to be made (Acts 14:23).  If anything, Jesus’ disciples were noted for not fasting as often as the rest of the Jewish community (Matt 9:14), an indication that fasting doesn’t have the same level of emphasis in the New Testament.  There is a time for fasting, but it is purely up to personal discretion.

I asked the Lord to save me eight years ago.  I can still remember the relief I felt leaving the church that day.  But since that day, I have had many struggles.  I got with the wrong guy in college.  I drank, smoked, and had premarital sex.  I even went through a short period of doubting the Lord's existence.  I am back in church now and have changed my behavior, but I feel guilt every day for ever doubting in God.  I have asked Him to forgive.  I still worry about my salvation.  I had no doubts in the Lord when I asked Him to save me.  I really don't remember why I ever felt this way and am very ashamed of it.  My question is: am I still saved?  I have sinned so much and doubted Him since I asked to be saved.

Sincerely,
Left Wondering

Dear Left Wondering,

Before you ask the question, “Am I still saved?” – let’s take the time to make sure you properly sought God’s forgiveness the first time.  We highly recommend you read “What Must I Do To Be Saved” and thoroughly examine whether you properly obeyed God the first time around.  If you did – WONDERFUL.  If you didn’t… now is the time to do things right.

That being said, let’s address God’s willingness to forgive.  God says that He finds more joy in one sinner returning to Him than in ninety-nine who don’t need to repent (Lk 15:7).  God also says that there should be no limit to forgiveness when someone repents (Lk 17:4).  When we turn back to God, He promises to show us mercy and to remember our sins no more (Heb 8:12).  It is very normal for us to still feel guilt when we dwell upon our previous lives of rebellion against God, but we can’t let that guilt consume us.  God forgives us; therefore, we can turn that guilt into gratitude (Rom 6:17).

I often say things that hurt the people I love; for example, I said to my sister today that she should have not planted a tree so close to another, and it hurt her feelings because she worked hard and was proud of her achievement.  She told me I was cynical just like our mother.  This, in turn, hurt me deeply.  I don't want to be cynical; I want to be edifying.  I work on it through Christ, but nothing seems to change.  I see the works of Christ in other areas of my life, but this root seems to be at the core of my being.  How can I have lasting healing from this?

Sincerely,
Glass Half Empty

Dear Glass Half Empty,

There is no miracle pill that will make you become better at interacting with people; kind words and a gentle tongue are skills acquired through practice and time.  Since you say that you’ve seen improvements in other areas of your life, you know that growth takes time – but eventually bears wonderful results.  Here are some things to consider as you try and improve your speech.

1. What we say comes from our hearts (Mk 7:18-23).  How you feel about people matters.  Spend time trying to think of life from the other person’s perspective.  Jesus was the master of compassion.  Even though He had nothing in common with the sinners He preached to, He still had a deep-seated love for them (Mk 2:16-17)… and it came across in how He spoke.
2. Sometimes the kindest thing you can say to someone is nothing at all.  If in doubt, keep your mouth shut.  Even a fool looks wise when he remains silent (Pr 17:28).  Nobody is offended by a kind, generous (and silent) smile.
3. Remember that words have power.  The old saying that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” is a lie.  The human tongue has the ability to set the world on fire (Jas 3:5-6).  Think before you speak; what you say makes a difference.
4. Remember that God is watching the words that we use.  He hears everything and is displeased when we use the same mouth to praise Him and to curse our brother (Jas 3:9-10).  Speak like He is listening.

We wish you the very best in your journey to improve your speech.  We all need to fight the good fight of controlling our tongues.