“If a couple gets pregnant before marriage do they have to get married?”

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon

Sex before marriage has become so commonplace in our society, even to the point of being expected, that many professing Christians don’t even consider it to be a sin. Our culture assumes that people do not possess the amount of self-control necessary for abstaining until marriage, so the idea has become unrealistic. God’s Word does not change, however, and the Bible tells us that sex outside of marriage is immoral (Matthew 15:19;  1Corinthians 6:9, 6:13, 7:2; 2Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3).

Any person who has become a born-again Christian by putting his or her faith and trust in Christ no longer belongs to himself. First Corinthians 6:18-20 says, “Run away from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Or don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”

Disregarding God’s plan for marriage, sex, and family always results in these kinds of spiritual or physical consequences: grieving the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30), guilt, shame, regret, loss of respect for self and others, division in families and between believers, poor role modeling, pain for future spouses, unwanted pregnancies, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases. God intends for sex to be an intimate expression of love and commitment, to be shared only between a husband and wife. Sex just for the physical pleasure of it damages our spirituality and pulls us away from fellowship with God.

Anyone who has made the mistake of having sex outside of marriage can be forgiven, even if the mistake results in an unplanned pregnancy. First John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong.” This does not mean that He will erase the consequences of our actions, but we can be restored spiritually by confessing and repenting from our sins. This means turning away from our sins and making the commitment to love and serve Christ.

There are some cases in which getting married before the baby is born would be wise. If a committed couple who was already planning to get married commits fornication which results in pregnancy, it would probably make it easier for the family and the child to marry before he or she is born. But if an uncommitted couple commits the same sin, getting married will not make them right in God’s eyes. In such a situation, getting married will only set them up for marital failure. The Bible does not instruct people as to whether or not to marry under these circumstances, although both parents are still obligated to support the child emotionally, spiritually and financially.

None of us are made right with God through works. We are saved by faith alone, trusting in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins, which lead to death. The Bible says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). God does not want us to try to right our wrongs, but He wants us to give Him our hearts. By laying down our own will and submitting to the sovereignty of God, we can be assured of not only a fulfilling life on earth, but also a place in heaven for eternity.

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GRIN AND SHARE IT: “The Haircut”

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon

The Haircut

A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who
was a minister, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took
him to his study and said to him, “I’ll make a deal with you. You bring
your grades up, study your Bible a little and get your hair cut and we’ll
talk about it.”

After about a month the boy came back and again asked his father if they
could discuss use of the car. They again went to the father’s study where
his father said, “Son, I’ve been real proud of you. You have brought your
grades up, you’ve studied your Bible diligently, but you didn’t get your
hair cut!”

The young man waited a moment and replied, “You know Dad, I’ve been
thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair,
Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair….”

To which his father replied, “Yes, and they walked everywhere they went!”

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“Should a Christian be a Republican or a Democrat?”

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon


As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, non-profit organization, Baptist Voice Ministries is not allowed to endorse political parties or candidates. We can, however, speak for or against certain political issues. In all actuality, though, few political issues are truly spiritual issues. As an example, we may prefer lower taxes, but the Bible does not endorse low taxes; all it says is that we are to pay our taxes honestly (Matthew 22:15-21; Romans 13:6-7). Taxes and many other issues (social security, universal healthcare, education funding, immigration, energy/environment, etc.) are not spiritual issues the Bible explicitly addresses. As a result, Christians can in good conscience have disagreements on these issues.

Generally speaking, Republicans/conservatives prefer smaller government and more individual freedom, while Democrats/liberals/progressives prefer more governmental oversight of society and the economy. Conservatives argue for capitalism, that is free, for the most part, from governmental control, while liberals/progressives have more socialistic tendencies in regards to the government’s role. The Bible does not explicitly endorse either capitalism or socialism. God has given governments the freedom to have as much authority as is needed to fulfill their God-given roles of enforcing justice and building order in society (Romans 13:1-7). So, in regards to the size and scope of government, Christians can be libertarian, conservative, liberal, or progressive. None of those persuasions are inherently evil or ungodly. The argument should be over which system best enables the government to fulfill its God-given role.

Politically conservative Christians will argue that as governments get bigger and more powerful, personal freedom decreases, and if left unchecked, government will bloat itself into a controlling, authoritarian, and oppressive dictatorship. Historically speaking, there is much evidence to support this argument. Liberals/progressives will argue that the government should be greatly involved in providing social services, caring for the poor, sick, orphans, widows, unemployed, etc., pointing to Scriptures such as James 1:27. If these social services result in more governmental control, liberals/progressives are willing to make that sacrifice. Conservatives argue that the more freedom a society/economy has, the more prosperous it becomes. Liberals/progressives argue that some prosperity should be sacrificed for the “greater good.” So, while one economic/societal/political system may be “better,” neither is inherently evil/immoral/sinful. Both systems have strengths and weaknesses, and, historically speaking, both systems have proven themselves capable of fulfilling the basic biblical responsibility of government.

While issues such as the size/scope of government and economic systems are not explicitly addressed in Scripture, there definitely are some political issues the Bible does address, such as abortion (Genesis 1:26-27; 9:6; Exodus 21:22-25; Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5) and gay marriage (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9). For the Bible-believing Christian, abortion is not a matter of a woman’s right to choose. It is a matter of the life or death of a human being made in God’s image. Endorsing gay marriage is giving approval to a lifestyle choice the Bible condemns as immoral and unnatural. Therefore, Bible-believing Christians should support issues/candidates that are pro-life and should support issues/candidates that oppose gay marriage and uphold the biblical/traditional understanding of marriage. Whether these two issues should trump all other issues is a matter of personal conviction.

The Bible teaches that a leader in the church should be a godly, moral, ethical person (1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9). This should apply to political leaders as well. If politicians are going to make wise, God-honoring decisions, they must have a basic morality and worldview on which to base the decisions they are going to have to make. So if there is a clear moral distinction between candidates, as Christians, we should choose the more moral, honest, and ethical of the candidates.

No matter who is in office, whether we voted for them or not, whether they are of the political party we prefer or not, the Bible commands us to respect and honor them (Romans 13:1-7;1 Peter 2:13-17). We should also be praying for those placed in authority over us (Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:17). We do not have to agree with them, or even like them, but we do have to honor and respect them. Politics is always going to be a difficult issue for Christians. We are in this world but are not to be of this world (1 John 2:15). We can be involved in politics, but we should not be obsessed with politics. Ultimately, we are to be heavenly-minded, more concerned with the things of God than the things of this world (Colossians 3:1-2). As believers in Jesus Christ, we are all members of the same political party—monarchists who are waiting for their King to return. (Revelation 19:11-16).

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GRIN AND SHARE IT: “Welcome To Inspirations!”

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon

Welcome To Inspirations!

Some people are kind, polite and sweet-spirited, until
you try to get into their church pew.
George Goldtrap, Madison, Tennessee

The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose,
but the fly comes close.
Mark Twain

Many spend the first six days of the week sowing wild oats,
and then go to church on Sunday and pray for a crop failure.
Fred Allen

If a church wants a better pastor, it can get one by praying
for the one it has.
Rev. Robert E. Harris

A lot of church members who are singing “Standing On The
Promises” are just sitting on the premises.
Sr. Monique Rysavy

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers.
Donna Maddux, Stillwater, Oklahoma

Every evening I turn my troubles over to God. He’s going to
be up all night anyway.
Donald J. Morgan, Columbus, Ohio

I don’t know why some people change churches – what
difference does it make which one you stay home from?
Rev. Denny Brake

Young man, the secret of my success is that at an early
age I discovered I was not God.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

To err is human; to blame it on somebody else is even
more human.
John Nadeau, Medford, Massachusetts

Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and
permanently set.
Rev. Denny Brake

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“What does the ‘husband of one wife’ phrase in 1 Timothy 3:2 mean? Can a divorced man serve as a pastor, elder, or deacon?”

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon


There are at least three possible interpretations of the phrase “husband of one wife” in 1 Timothy 3:2 1) It could simply be saying that a polygamist is not qualified to be an elder, a deacon or a pastor. This is the most literal interpretation of the phrase, but seems somewhat unlikely considering that polygamy was quite rare in the time that Paul was writing. 2) The phrase could also be translated “one-woman man.” This would indicate that a bishop must be absolutely loyal to the woman he is married to. This interpretation focuses more on moral purity than marital status. 3) The phrase could also be understood to declare that in order to be an elder/deacon/pastor, a man can only have been married once, other than in the case of a remarried widower.

Interpretations 2) and 3) are the most prevalent today. Interpretation 2) seems to be the strongest, primarily because Scripture seems to allow for divorce in exceptional circumstances (Matthew 9:19; 1 Corinthians 7:12-16). It would also be important to differentiate between a man who was divorced and remarried before he became a Christian from a man who was divorced and remarried after becoming a Christian. An otherwise qualified man should not be excluded from church leadership because of actions he took prior to coming to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior.  Although 1 Timothy 3:2 does not necessarily exclude a divorced or remarried man from serving as an elder/deacon/pastor, there are other issues to consider.

The first qualification of an elder/deacon/pastor is to be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2). If the divorce and/or remarriage results in a poor testimony for the man in the church or community, it may be the “above reproach” qualification that excludes him rather than the “husband of one wife” requirement. An elder/deacon/pastor is to be a man that the church and community can look up to as an example of Christ-likeness and godly leadership. If his divorce and/or remarriage situation detracts from this purpose, perhaps he should not serve in the position of elder/deacon/pastor. It is important to remember, though, that just because a man is disqualified from serving as an elder/deacon/pastor, he is still a valuable member of the body of Christ. Every Christian possesses spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-7) and is called to participate in edifying other believers with those gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7). A man who is disqualified from the position of elder/deacon/pastor can still teach, preach, serve, pray, worship, and play an important role in the church.

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GRIN AND SHARE IT: “The Greek Priest”

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon

The Greek Priest

A Greek priest is driving down to New York to see a show,
and he’s stopped in Connecticut for speeding.

The state trooper smells alcohol
on his breath, sees an empty wine bottle on the floor, and
asks, “Sir, have you been drinking?”

The minister replies, “Just water.”

The trooper asks, “Then, why do I smell wine?”

The minister looks down at the bottle and exclaims, “Good Lord, He’s
done it again!”

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“Is it wrong for a married couple to have sex just for pleasure?”

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon


Almost an entire book in the Old Testament is dedicated to the subject of passion and sex for pleasure. Song of Solomon is so detailed in its intention of sexual pleasure in marriage that allegories were used to tone it down and Hebrew boys couldn’t read it until they were 12, when they became men. God clearly intended sex in marriage to be pleasurable. First Corinthians 7:3-5 talks about not abstaining from sex in marriage: “But because of immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. The husband is to fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does, and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

The feelings of sexual longings and pleasure during sex were created by God, and marriage was created to fulfill those longings. What Paul is saying is to direct those feelings to your spouse and no other and make sure that they are fulfilled within your marriage relationship, not outside of it. Notice that Paul says if one of the partners is not living up to his or her spouse’s expectations, whether it be pleasure or time, then both need to bring it before God so that one doesn’t try to find fulfillment outside of that marriage relationship. Because of the existence of pornography and the perversion of sex over the years, many people (especially Christians) get the idea that pleasurable sex is wrong. We sometimes forget that God fashioned us for sex and created the emotions to go with it; pleasure was intended. We shouldn’t let Satan and his lies keep us from enjoying our spouses or fall into the counterfeit pleasure of sex that the world offers. God’s pleasure is real and satisfying; Satan’s is counterfeit and empty.

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GRIN AND SHARE IT: “Childrens Notes To God”

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon

Children’s Notes to God

A nun asked her class to write notes to God. Here are some of the
notes the children handed in.

Dear God:
I didn’t think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset You
made on Tuesday. That was cool.

Dear God:
Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don’t
You just keep the ones You have?

Dear God:
Maybe Cain and Abel would not have killed each other so much if they
had their own rooms. That’s what my Mom did for me and my brother.

Dear God:
If You watch me in church on Sunday, I’ll show You my new shoes.

Dear God:
I bet it is very hard for You to love all of everybody in the whole
world. There are only 4 people in our family and I’m having a hard time
loving all of them.

Dear God:
In school they told us what You do. Who does it when You’re on
vacation?

Dear God:
Are You really invisible or is it just a trick?

Dear God:
Is it true my father won’t get in Heaven if he uses his bowling
words in the house?

Dear God:
Did You mean for the Giraffe to look like that or was it an
accident?

Dear God:
I went to this wedding and they kissed right in the church. Is that
okay?

Dear God:
Did You really mean “do unto others as they do unto you”? Because if
You did, then I’m going to get my brother good.

Dear God:
Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can
look it up.

Dear God:
I want to be just like my Daddy when I get big, but not with so much
hair all over.

Dear God:
You don’t have to worry about me; I always look both ways.

Dear God:
Of all the people who work for You I like Noah and David the best.

Dear God:
My brother told me about being born, but it doesn’t sound right.
They’re just kidding, aren’t they?

Dear God:
We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school they said You
did it. So, I bet he stole Your idea.

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“What does the Bible say about permanent forms of birth control, i.e. a tubal ligation or vasectomy?”

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon


Birth control can be a controversial subject among Christians because the Bible does not clearly condone or condemn its use. Neither does it address permanent forms of birth control such as tubal ligation or vasectomy as these procedures were unknown in Bible times. It, therefore, becomes a matter of the heart and of a husband and wife’s personal convictions.

The first thing we must recognize is that children are a gift from God (Psalm 127:3-5). They are not burdens to bear, but blessings to receive with joy. From a biblical perspective, every married couple should “expect” to have children and at least be prepared for the possibility. The inability to have children was considered a curse, and the ability to conceive a joy. No one was ever recorded in the Bible as being unhappy about bearing children.

Permanent birth control (i.e., a vasectomy or tubal ligation) may be appropriate for some couples who feel they should not have any more children. There may be health, financial, or relationship issues to consider. The decision for permanent birth control should not be made based on selfish ambition or vain conceit (Philippians 2:3-4), but out of a desire to live in ways that are pleasing to God.

Many people feel we should desire to have children just as we desire to receive all of God’s blessings. At the same time, because the Bible does not forbid contraception, either temporary or permanent, it cannot be sufficiently argued that it is wrong in all circumstances. Through our personal relationships with God, we can seek God’s will to determine the size of our families.

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“Why do Christians worship on Sunday?”

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Dr. Mike Harmon


Most Christians traditionally worship on Sunday. Sunday worship is partly attributed to Sabbatarianism, the view that one day of the week should be reserved for religious observance and worship, as required by Old Testament laws regarding the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8, 31:12-18). In this view, man is to abstain from all labor except that which is necessary for the welfare of family and society. This interpretation of the law contends that only on the literal Sabbath, the seventh day of the week (Saturday), can the requirements of the law be met.

Semi-sabbatarianism followers, as early as the fourth century A.D., believed essentially as the sabbatarianists did, with the exception that they transferred its demands from Saturday to Sunday, the first day of the week (the day on which Christ arose from the dead). Theologians of that period, particularly in the Eastern Church, were teaching the practical identity of the Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) and the Christian Sunday.

Interestingly, a legend recounted in the so-called “Apocalypse of Peter,” which dates back to the 2nd Century A.D. and is generally accepted as a false writing, transfers to Sunday all of the requirements of Sabbath worship. A man named Albertus Magnus added momentum to this growing movement by suggesting semi-sabbatarianism be divided into two parts: the moral command to observe a day of rest after laboring the previous six days, and the ceremonial symbol that applied only to the Jews in a literal sense. Thomas Aquinas elevated this proposal to the status of official Roman Catholic doctrine, which in time also gained favor with many reformed theologians.

Scripture never mentions any Sabbath (Saturday) gatherings by believers for fellowship or worship. However, there are clear passages that mention the first day of the week, Sunday. For instance, Acts 20:7 states that “on the first day of the week we came together to break bread.” Paul also urges the Corinthian believers “on the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Since Paul designates this offering as “service” in 2 Corinthians 9:12, this collection may have been linked with the Sunday worship service of the Christian assembly. Historically Sunday, not Saturday, was the normal meeting day for Christians in the church, and its practice dates back to the first century.

Christians worship on Sundays in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is very important to remember, though, Sunday worship is not commanded in the Bible, and Sunday has not replaced Saturday and become the Christian Sabbath. While the New Testament describes Christians gathering and worshipping on Sundays, it nowhere states that Sunday has replaced Saturday as the Sabbath. They key point in all of this is that we are not to limit our worship to any particular day of the week. We are to rest in the Lord every day. We are to worship the Lord every day.

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