The reality is we believers are already set free from the power of sin, including pride, at the moment of salvation (Romans 6:2). As we fix our eyes on Jesus and bear the fruit of His Spirit in our lives, we won’t satisfy the desires of the flesh, including pride (Galatians 5:19-23).

While we are often tempted to label anger as a sin, the Bible does not make this statement. In fact, Scripture teaches that we can be angry while making the conscious decision to not sin (Ephesians 4:26).

We know God loves us, but what if we are faithless to God? We may worry that our doubts will somehow disconnect us from God. But any Christian can experience any thought at any time, and this includes thoughts of doubt. And God is clear that if we are faithless, He remains faithful to us, no matter what (2 Timothy 2:13).

If so, why do Christians need to fast? Some teach that fasting is required for spiritual growth, yet this is not Biblical. In the days of the early church, eating food was the main form of entertainment. So, believers might fast in order to regain focus on God’s grace. But this was not a spiritual mandate that made prayers get answered or helped believers get closer to God. Fasting was employed merely to avoid distraction.

Many interpret Paul’s words in Philippians 4:13 to mean Christians have the power to be successful at anything in life. However, the passage is actually talking about contentment in any circumstance, whether difficult or easy. Paul speaks of having little (poverty) versus having much, and going hungry versus being filled. His point is that Jesus Christ is our life in every circumstance we face. This is a far cry from the idea that Christians can be successful at anything because they have Christ. Believing this lie sets a person up for unrealistic expectations and disappointment with God.

James 2 is talking about living faith (which includes a decision) versus dead faith that even the demons have. James is encouraging his readers to be like Rahab and open the door to God’s message. James is instructing his readers to imitate Abraham by offering themselves to God just as Abraham offered Isaac. Faith without decision is dead faith.

While the term “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, Scripture is clear about the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three coequal persons in one Godhead. As human beings with finite understanding, we can believe in the Trinity without fully comprehending it.

James 5:16 says the prayers of righteous people are powerful and effective. While this is often interpreted as we need to live righteously for our prayers to be heard, the passage actually speaks to the righteousness we received as a free gift from Christ at salvation (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:17).

Whenever disasters occur, 2 Chronicles 7:14 is often used as a proof text to argue God is sending disasters because of the world’s sins. But this is an Old Testament passage aimed at Israel before Jesus died for our sins to bring us total forgiveness and salvation through Him. Today is the day of salvation – not the day of judgment. God’s agenda is to save the world, not to punish it. And the kindness of the Lord brings us to repentance (Romans 2:4). So, God is not hurling disaster at us to get our attention.

Some believe 1 Peter 3:19 teaches that Jesus went to Hell for three days to preach to demons or the unsaved before His resurrection. Some even claim this trip to Hell was necessary to complete Christ’s work on our behalf. However, Peter was simply saying that Jesus (long ago, through Noah) had preached to the people of Noah’s day (in that day!).

The people of Noah’s generation heard Jesus’s message through Noah and rejected it. As a result, they died in the flood and are now in a spiritual prison (Hell). Jesus did not go to Hell for three days nor was it necessary for Him to do so in order to complete His finished work on our behalf. Perhaps the clearest indication of where Jesus was after He died is given to us in His words to the thief on the cross: “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).