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Previous Q & A Sin: Q: I always see other youths colouring their hair, (like brown or blonde) but someone told me that it's not good to do it... Is it a sin to colour my hair? A: There is a limit for everything. Coloring your hair is not a sin. However discretion is part of the life of a man and a woman of God. Many youths dye their hair in red, yellow, green, etc, in order to draw attention from others or just to go with the crowd. Specially nowadays when the crazier you look the best. _____________________________________________________ Q: There’s a boy in the youth group who is really nice and gets involved in all the activities, but it really bothers me that he loves to swear and tell dirty jokes when the pastor isn’t around. No one ever stands up to him to tell him it isn’t right, but I feel like it gives us and God a bad name. Now some of the other kids in the youth group who aren’t very spiritual are acting like him ‘cause they think it’s OK. A: It’s important that you let your pastor know what’s going on, and no, before you even think the thought, you’re not being a gossip. What you’ll be doing is helping this boy realize that his language is an open door for negative forces to enter his life. You will be helping to save him and all the other youth in the YPG who may become contaminated with his “gutter” mindset. But you also have to let him know, the next time he speaks in this way, that you don’t approve of what he is saying, and that God can’t bless us when we use our mouths for evil. I know you’re afraid that he’ll laugh at you and call you a square (or something worse), but I’ll bet there are a lot of others in the youth group that will be so glad you spoke up and will back you up too. You can’t be afraid of doing what is right, and if no one else has the courage to confront this problem, someone has to. If you do nothing when God needs you to act, He will hold you accountable for the sin, even though all you did was stand by and watch. Letting your leader know, will allow him to address the problem and help everyone understand how destructive filthy language can be. God might want to use you to be the one who rescues this boy from cursing himself. “But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed should not even be heard of among you, as is proper for saints. And coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. For know and recognize this: no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God.” (Ephesians 4:3-5) _____________________________________________________ Q: There will be a concert near me soon and it will be at night time and the singers are not Christian, but they're Hip Hop and RnB singers. Is it a sin if I go to watch them at the concert? A: It is not a sin to go to this event. However, one must consider what will be there and what you will do there. For example, most places like this have a high level of alcohol use, indecent and sexual activities, etc. In general, a lot of bad things to offer. So, whilst you may think that you are strong and your intentions are not to get involved in anything 'wrong', unfortunately, the temptation will be there. Your environment has a bigger effect on you than you imagine. For example, for sure, a concert like this will without you realising, get you thinking, moving and doing certain things. Also, does Hip Hop have a positive influence or are the lyrics exactly the above, indecent, sexual, etc? If it is not a Christian event, whose event is it? _____________________________________________________ Q: I've been thinking of getting my first tattoo. My mom says it's wrong but I promised I'll get it done in a good place. I don't know what's wrong about it because people should be able to express themselves as long as they're not hurting anyone. A: Here's the thing about tattoos, it's far more than just body decoration. It's a form of mutilation used centuries ago for those who were to be marked as slaves or to be dedicated to demonic spirits or gods. It was used to degrade a person's body to become less than human. A lot of celebrities who want to look tough or mysterious get tattoos, and it has trickled down to high school and junior high students who have no idea what these tattoos represent. What do you really want to express by having this very painful and very permanent thing carved into your flesh? Don't worry about being like everybody else - be exactly who God made you to be and let Him show you how to be the one that everyone else wants to copy. Check out what the Bible says about it: "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am the Lord." (Leviticus 19:29) Do you have a question for Pastor? Then just send them to vyg@uckg.org. |
