You want to speak up when your biology teacher jokes about the creation theory. Or when the class brain says he can prove God doesn’t exist. But you don’t know enough biology to argue. And you’re not half as smart as the class brain. So what do you do? You might do what the apostle Paul did. Paul was an educated man. But instead of relying on his superior knowledge, Paul “resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Witnessing isn’t trying to persuade others. It’s telling them about Jesus and counting on the Holy Spirit’s power to bring the message home.
Do you ever feel like you just can’t do anything totally right? You get four A’s and Dad zeroes in on the one B. You clean the basement, and Mom finds two cobwebs you missed. These verses in 1 Corinthians may sound like God is going to do the same thing: examine the bad you’ve done and ignore the good. But take a look at verse 14. It speaks of reward. God won’t ignore the A’s or the parts of the basement you did clean. It can be tough not to be appreciated when you try so hard. But remember: God appreciates what you do and who you are. From him you’ll get praise and a reward.
There are so many gangs at my school it makes me sick. Why can’t everybody just get along with everybody else?
Trinity
Dear Trinity,
Gangs give lots of power to a few people in charge. This requires other gang members to give up control of which people, things, clothes and activities they like or dislike and instead conform. They have people to talk to before and after school and during passing periods. They have people to eat lunch with.
It feels good to belong and to have the support of friends. But some of the other things that come with “belonging” aren’t so nice. Like when a member of your gang has a problem with someone you like and now you’re expected to be nasty to a friend. That feels sickening. But the consequences are no one to talk to, eating alone and the gang turning against you.
Paul talks about some early Christians who were basically forming gangs, or cliques. Some insisted they follow Paul, others, Apollos. But Paul reminds them “. . . you are of Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:23). One way to avoid getting trapped in a gang is to “Be kind and compassionate to one another” (Ephesians 4:32). “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3–4). Don’t limit your circle of friends. Be friends with people in many circles.
Jordan
Sometimes it’s confusing. Paul tells you not to judge (Romans 14:1); he says he doesn’t even judge himself (1 Corinthians 4:3). And then he says he has “already passed judgment” and tells the church to expel a sinning believer (1 Corinthians 5:3–5)! Actually, it’s not so confusing if you look carefully at each Bible passage:
• Don’t judge others’ personal convictions (Romans 14:1–8).
• Don’t judge others’ motives or service (1 Corinthians 4:3).
• Do judge others who do what the Bible says is sin (1 Corinthians 5).
When a fellow Christian makes a habit of doing something God says is sin, you can agree with God and say, “That’s wrong!” Don’t criticize others or gossip about them. But if a friend makes a habit of sinning, urge him or her to stop.
I heard that pot was less damaging to your body than tobacco. Why shouldn’t we smoke it?
Jayden
Dear Jayden,
I have read many letters asking a variety of questions on drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, fight clubs . . . the list goes on. While each one could be given a more specific answer, space here is limited. So I’m going to give you a verse which will be meaningful to your question and to many others such as those listed above.
“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20).
The price paid for you is the blood of Christ. The Holy Spirit lives in you if you have accepted Christ’s sacrifice. That’s why your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
Think for a moment. God the Holy Spirit lives in you. That makes your body a sacred place. Do you think God wants you to put anything harmful in that sacred place? Do you think he wants you to mistreat this place he lives in with you by starving it, having it beaten, polluting it with any drug including alcohol? Or that he wants you doing any number of sexual things with another person?
Honor God with your body. End of story.
Jordan
More than likely there are things about yourself you would like to change. Maybe it’s your looks or your financial situation. Whatever it is, it isn’t easy to hear Paul’s words, “Don’t let it trouble you” (1 Corinthians 7:21). And Paul said this to slaves. Seems like it was probably easy for Paul to say—he wasn’t a slave. He had full Roman citizenship. But what Paul is saying here is that you are important to God. Your identity as a child of God doesn’t depend on being handsome or beautiful or smart. The you inside is important. And Paul’s “Don’t let it trouble you” makes a lot of sense.
How different is a Christian supposed to be? Should you carry a big Bible with your books? Or preach in the street near your school? If you want to be persecuted, maybe. But if you’re serious about sharing Christ, you’d do a lot better trying to fit in. That’s what Paul says here. Instead of emphasizing his differences from the people he was with, Paul made a real effort to fit in with them. Of course, Paul didn’t take part in any of their sins, but he knew if he was accepted, they would be much more likely to listen to him. So go out and get involved. And don’t be afraid to make friends with those who aren’t Christians.
Would you like a simple way to overcome temptation? One that always works? It’s laid out right here in this verse. With every temptation, God provides a way out. Now think about those words: “a way out.” Let’s say that some friends are gossiping about a person you know, and you have something juicy to add. What a temptation. So you get up and leave! Or some guys are looking at a trashy magazine. You just turn around and leave. The best way out of temptation is to get out of situations where you feel tempted. And stay out!
You may never become president. Or a famous movie star. But as one of Jesus’ followers, you are definitely a VIP.
The church is like a body, and each member is like a body part (1 Corinthians 12). And God has given you a “spiritual gift,” a special way the Holy Spirit will work through you to help others grow in the Lord. How do you find your gift and use it?
• Remember there are many different kinds of gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4–6).
• Remember all gifts are intended to help others (1 Corinthians 12:7).
Get involved with other Christian young people and look for ways to help. God will use you, and as he does, you’ll discover what your spiritual gift is.
My parents and I have a big argument almost every day about my messy room. I like my room the way it is. Can’t I have a little space of my own? Can’t I have control over anything in my life?
Savannah
Dear Savannah,
This is a classic problem. I can see your point about wanting to have some space to call your own. But I also understand that damp bath towels thrown in heaps of clothes can grow mold and mildew. Library books get lost and the fines get expensive. Food left on plates attracts bugs and turns fuzzy like a science project.
Being a teenager is hard because you’re not really ready to put aside all of your childish ways, yet you’re not happy to be treated like a child (1 Corinthians 13). Perhaps you can do some negotiating with your parents so you both can have your way at least part of the time.
Are you allowed to put up posters? Can you select a new color for your walls? Can you choose how you want your furniture arranged? How often and how much do your parents want your room cleaned up? Sit down and talk to your parents. Be respectful. It will get you further than losing your temper. Remember to live up to your part of the agreement if you can reach one. This will help if you want to get changes in other areas in the future.
Jordan
Death isn’t scary for Christians. Yes, it hurts if a loved one dies. But for you, personally, what lies beyond can be exciting. Like this new body you’ll have. First John 3:2 says that when Jesus comes you’ll be like him. After his resurrection Jesus could pass through walls and enter a locked room (John 20:19). There’s no telling just what your resurrection life will be like. But from hints in the Bible, you can be sure it’s going to be great! Yes, God wants you to enjoy a long and active life here. But he also wants to be sure you don’t fear dying. You have good years ahead of you. And after that, a great eternity.
You’re tired of being a 98-pound weakling? Then you should eat healthy foods, lift weights and exercise. You’ll do it because you don’t want to stay a weakling all your life. How do you rate yourself spiritually? Are you strong? Or are you a spiritual weakling? You can become strong spiritually the same way you become strong physically: by exercising your faith! How? Be on your guard (against evil). Stand firm (in your convictions). Be a person of courage (speak out for what’s right). Be strong (don’t quit under pressure). Exercise your faith in these ways, and watch yourself grow!
1 Corinthians
Problems.
When the church at Corinth had problems, Paul helped. He gave them a lot of practical answers.