As Christians go through trials, the trials are supposed to strengthen the faith the the Believers. One example is Romans 5:3-5 (NIV): > Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. The Bible is also filled with passages about the apostles glorifying God in the midst of their suffering. Contemporary Believers have also testified to being given the strength to persevere through trials and forgive their persecutors. However, from my own personal life, I have not found my trials to produce anything beneficial in my life. When I go through trials, I usually find myself growing more bitter, irritable, and discouraged as the trial progresses. These feelings and attitudes persist even after the trial is over. Obviously, since this attitude is not what I am supposed to have during trials, I tried to find a solution to my dilemma. Unfortunately, based on the research that I have done, the solution for my problem has been “just get over yourself and push through it” or “just praise God and the change will come.” Neither of these answers is very satisfying (especially to someone currently in the midst of trials); but I cannot find any other solutions. So, how are trials supposed to build my faith when my faith feels weaker after each trial? And how do I make the trials build my faith?

I suppose this is a very broad subject with varying opinions. According to Britannica, Confucianism is associated with the following terms & definitions: ( Reference: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confucianism ) ".... the way of life propagated by Confucius...." "....substance of learning, the source of values, and the social code...." ".... a worldview, a social ethic, a political ideology, a scholarly tradition, and a way of life." "..... a philosophy and sometimes as a religion, Confucianism may be understood as an all-encompassing way of thinking....." Also, according to Britannica, Daoism is associated with the following terms & definitions: ( Reference:  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Daoism ) "Daoism, also spelled Taoism, indigenous religio-philosophical tradition...." Also, according to Britannica, Buddhism is associated with the following terms & definitions: ( Reference: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism ) "Buddhism, religion and philosophy that developed from the teachings...." Therefore, I was trying to determine if it would be correct to associate Christianity with some of the aforementioned terms & definitions. We can definitely associate the term "religion" with Christianity because there are even bible scripture verses that give evidence that Christianity is a religion: > ( James 1:26-27 ) > > 26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world Would it correct to say that we could associate Christianity with terms like "way of life", "lifestyle", "philosophy" etc.?  Please feel free to elaborate.

Pope Francis: > “The Acts of the Apostles relate that ‘no one claimed private > ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in > common.’ This is not communism, but pure Christianity,” he said. Source I heard a priest saying that this was to apply to religious orders who take a vow of poverty and not everyone or society as a whole. Acts 4:32-35 > 32 The community of believers was of one heart and mind, and no one > claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they had > everything in common. 33 With great power the apostles bore witness to > the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great favor was accorded them > all. 34 j There was no needy person among them, for those who owned > property or houses would sell them, bring the proceeds of the sale, 35 > and put them at the feet of the apostles, and they were distributed to > each according to need. Source So my question is: Is this scripture applying to a religious community which would resemble nowadays Catholic religious orders i.e.: Franciscans or are we all meant to live like this?

When people say "I am waiting on God." Are they afraid to take action in their own lives? I have heard so many people in the church claim that they know the will of God, and what God's will is for my life. How do we know if this is legitimate or someone simply trying to further their own agenda? If we are thankful for what we have, we will never set goals or try to improve ourselves or try to solve various problems within society? How do we know when God truly intervenes?

The Bible has a couple of sections talking about responsibility to the "weaker brother", primarily 1 Corinthians 8 and Romans 14 . Both ask someone stronger in their faith, who is not disturbed by something like eating food sacrificed to idols, to forgo it if it'll offend a brother or sister weaker in their faith. I think it's fairly obvious to say that this concept applied past the scope of eating into general behavior, and it's a commonly accepted principle in most American mainline traditions. The problem is, it's been my experience that there are some Christian somewhere who are offended by anything, as you are all probably realizing given the Q&A on this Stack Exchange. I've known Christians against Halloween, against Christmas, against instrumental music, against worship on Sunday, against evolution, against creationism and so on. When you deal with larger, more diverse groups, like you tend to meet in Internet-based Christian communities, there's always a weaker brother offended by some belief or practice of yours. Needless to say, there are also people "offended" by mutually contradictory beliefs or practices. Unfortunately, many of them like to use the *weaker brother* scriptures to justify why you should behave differently. It's effectively the "you shouldn't do anything I don't like" argument, or at least "you shouldn't speak out about having a belief different than mine on this subject." **How does one handle the "weaker brother" issue? How does it not become *carte blanche* for people of a controlling mindset to not manipulate you into behaving the way they think you ought?** How do you deal with these attempts at bullying? ---------- ***Example*** Here, in the spirit of how SE should work, I'll provide a specific time I faced this behavior, with the caveat that this question is *not about this specific issue*; please don't give your personal opinions on its morality (open another question for that if you really want to). I am a Christian, and play role-playing games (and am a mod on RPG.SE). I had been involved in an online Christian RPG group, the Christian Gamers Guild, back in the day. There were no end of people coming by and saying that from a weaker brother perspective, that a) we shouldn't play those games, b) those games are OK but not if they have magic or various gods in them, c) are OK as long as they're not Dungeons & Dragons, d) are only OK if they have an explicitly Christian theme, e) are only OK if they don't have Christianity in them (because that puts the gamemaster in the place of God) and so on, in manifold and often contradictory glory. Some were drive-bys, but others were group members who were offended by others' gaming preferences. Because of this and tolerance for other essentially insane behavior (e.g. tolerance for extremely disruptive and inappropriate behavior in the name of forgiveness), I decided that it was easiest to just not participate in the group, problem solved. But of course it's against the spirit of Christian community to just avoid all churches and social groups, or, I think, to be seriously cagey about all details of your life and beliefs because someone in that group won't like it and be "offended" and "stumble," right?

The Bible says all people went to their home but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and came back to the temple early in the morning. > but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. ([John 8:1–2](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+8:1-2&version=NIV) , NIV) On another occasion Jesus said: > Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." ([Matthew 8:20](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+8%3A20&version=NASB) , NASB) What was his dwelling like? Where did He stay during his ministry?

I just finished reading the book "Living a Jewish Life," which explains the lifestyle practices that Jewish people generally follow, regardless of their faith or beliefs. It discusses the holidays and the milestones in ones life without any reference to liturgy. For example, it explains that, in the lead-up to Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year), people send cards, resolve conflicts, and reflect on the past year. Then, during the holiday, people eat apples and honey to symbolize the hope for a sweet new year. I have searched for a similar look at Christianity, without reference to liturgy, but haven't found anything. Is it possible to describe Christian lifestyle, values, and practices without emphasis on faith? If not, why not?

In Galatians 5:20, among the deeds of the flesh, Paul lists "pharmakeia," which, as i understand, is commonly translated as sorcery or witchcraft, referring to the use or administering of drugs or poisons or spells or connection to spirits, sometimes in connection with idolatry, that may possibly lead to deceptions or enticements of the mind or body. I have also read that this is the Greek word for medicines or drugs that inhibit or alter a person's perception, personality, or behavior, aka, mind altering substances. The common English word pharmacy comes from this word, a store where we get drugs. First off, do I understand this word correctly? Secondly, if I do, what view of drug use in today’s world would be pharmakiea, pharmakiea-like, and deemed as fleshly by Paul, in the spirit of the lists of Galatians 5? Does Paul's view of pharmakeia and the flesh have any bearing on drug use in general and, specifically, on mind-altering drugs or some of today's psychiatric medications? Some psychiatric drugs are mind, mood, desire, behavior, experience, and possibly even perception and to some degree personality, altering drugs. One beginning thought. I understand that in 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul writes to Timothy and says, "No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments." This is often cited as a speaking to the use of some medicinal treatments as proper and fitting. But where a "little wine" for the stomach and ailments, which would not affect the proper function of the mind and body in a way that blinds, dulls, deceives, entices, or injurs them, or that alters service and worship to God, may speak to using some types of medications for different bodily ailments, I don't know that it necessarily speaks to the case at hand of what examples pharmakeia is speaking against.

> "You greatly delude yourself and err, if you think that one thing is > demanded from the layman and another from the monk; since the > difference between them is in that whether one is married or not, > while in everything else they have the same responsibilities... > Because all must rise to the same height; and what has turned the > world upside down is that we think only the monk must live rigorously, > while the rest are allowed to live a life of indolence" + St. John Chrysostom What is St. John Chrysostom trying to say here about the lifestyle of the laity? It's apparent that not everyone is called to the life of St. Anthony the Great to live in a cave in the desert (even among monastics). So what is the commonality, here? How does one find their path in adopting the correct lifestyle for themselves that leads to salvation? Most people, even Orthodox I know, would say that wearing sackcloth under your clothes and keeping a rigorous fast is extreme and meant for the monastics, but then I often read in the lives of the Saints of laity that were commended (though not mentioned by name) for doing just that. So, what is it that is expected in lifestyle that St. John Chrysostom is saying is the same for laity and monastics? I ask because my intuition tells me, this must be the thing that helps you discern, with the help of a spiritual father, the measure of asceticism that is appropriate for each person, individually.

I mean how many times have we said 'let me see' or 'let me try'. Or how many times have we felt like - I'm trying to be a Christian. Seems like trying is not good enough according to [Luke 13:24](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+13%3A24&version=NIVUK) : > Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. For example, as a Christian, I've been trying to give at least my tithe, but have always failed because I hold back. So if I don't change NOW, I'm not gonna make it. Right or Wrong. Is there anywhere else in the Bible that reads trying is not good enough? There are about 7 billion people on earth. Taking Luke 13:24 in mind, is a FEW like 7000 people.

In the case of no-fault divorce, if one spouse files for divorce and the other spouse does not want a divorce, then can the other spouse receive protection from the Catholic priest in order to prevent the former spouse from remarriage?

According to [Luke 16:13 (ESV)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016:13&version=ESV) : > No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. It seems to me that God gave us the desire to pursue certain things for a reason to begin with, so being successful and enjoying your career isn't necessarily a sin in and of itself. Is this the correct attitude? How can a Christian keep God in the center of his or her life and properly enjoy worldly ambitions (such as a successful career)? Is there anything wrong with being focused on your career?

Eighty Three percent of college students and fifty five percent of pastors are said to be addicted to pornography. (link) Even the most Godly men, like David (OT) has been trapped by these desires. It seems that the more I try to fight these desires, the stronger that they become. It doesn't matter if I see a beautiful woman walking down the street or if I see an image on the internet, the passion inside of me begins to burn when I force myself to turn away. > **1 Corinthians 10:13** NIV > > No temptation has overtaken you except what > is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be > tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will > also provide a way out so that you can endure it. In my opinion it's very likely that masturbation is a sin that leads to death. In this next verse, I take it very literally, I see Jesus talking about our lusts and possibly even masturbation. > **Matthew 18:8** NIV > > If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw > it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to > have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. I do believe that if God says we are secure in our salvation, that nobody can change that. However I also believe that if God says we are no longer worthy of salvation because we have fallen away from the faith, then our security and salvation is lost. Just before this verse above, Jesus was talking about plucking out your eye if it causes you to sin. I believe that Jesus is literally telling us that if we continue to lust and to gratify ourselves that we need to purge that evil from amung us and literally cut off your hand. I don't see this as a metiphor at all. For those of you that will say you do not agree that cutting a part of your body off will solve this problem, keep in mind then that you call Jesus a liar. > **Hebrews 12:4** NIV > > In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point > of shedding your blood. **He's right, I have not resisted to this point yet. So I want to know from the community, how do you resist temptation? How do you literally detoxify yourself from this poison?**

Life is so busy and there are so many things to do, so many problems to deal with. But I don't want to walk with God just 'sometimes', I want to see Him in everything, not just in church or when I am reading the Bible. Is there any way to that?