Q. What are “soul ties” and how do they hinder the Christian walk?
A. A soul tie, or bonding between two individuals, may be formed by shared experiences or by similar mental likes and dislikes. Some people in the New Age Movement use this term, and there may be many different definitions possible. In our Christian walk a soul ties may simply be the strong affection that links a mother and her children. This type of bond may hinder a parent-child relationship if the mother is unwilling to “release” her child to develop adult skills and responsibilities. The mother may also become so bound up in her child’s life that all her waking hours are spent in fear and worry over what the child is doing while away from home. Emotional dependency of this kind is not good. We must always be dependent on the Lord.
Soul ties can also be formed through sexual relationships. The Scripture warns that this type of bond outside of the marriage union is a sin against your own body and literally defiles the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:15-20).
Q. Where is the line between murmuring, which is displeasing to God, and asking, which is our God-given privilege?
A. The fine line between murmuring and asking is an attitude of the heart. God desires to give us answers to our questions, and these answers will always be in line with His Word. Murmuring is complaining! When we murmur and complain, we reveal a lack of gratitude and faith in God to change circumstances or to provide what is needed (Exodus 14:10-14). Murmuring is a very serious sin which opens us up to satanic attack (Numbers 11:1; Psalm 77:3; 1 Corinthians 10:10).
Q. I have an overwhelming problem with jealousy. It is so ugly, and it is practically killing me. Can you help me conquer this?
A. The Bible says that jealousy is as cruel as the grave (Song of Solomon 8:6). Jealousy motivates revenge and can cause you many problems unless you repent. The only way you can overcome jealousy is to go to God and ask Him to help you with your problem. God guarantees in His Word that is we resist the devil he will have to flee (James 4:7). As you feel this spirit of jealousy trying to overtake you, speak out loud, “Jealousy, I resist you in Jesus’ name.” Remember the root of jealousy is fear, and perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).
Q. I have heard you say we are not to take up another’s offense. Is there a scripture reference to support this statement?
A. Proverbs 26:17 gives us advice about keeping out of someone else’s quarrel. In the Amplified Bible it reads, “He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is not his business is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”
Q. How are Christian the salt of the earth?
A. Salt contains three qualities: it preserves or purifies, it seasons, and it causes one to be thirsty. As Christians we are to do all three of these things if we are to be the salt of the earth. It is the light of our testimony and our holy walk with the Lord which will preserve and sanctify the cities and nations in which we live. Jesus in a Christian’s life makes life worth living. We are seasoning—and Jesus is our “spice of life!” It is our relationship with the Lord which will cause others to be thirsty for the “living water”—Jesus Christ.