Q&A for How to Be Holy

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  • Question
    What else can I do to be more Holy?
    Liz Cooledge Jenkins
    Christian Theology Expert
    Liz Cooledge Jenkins is a Christian Theology Expert based in Seattle, Washington. She is a freelance writer and preacher. Liz’s writing is focused at the intersections of faith, feminism, and social justice. She is the author of Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism. She also blogs at her own Substack, and has written for outlets such as Sojourners, The Christian Century, Premier Christianity, Christians for Social Action, Red Letter Christians, and Feminism & Religion. She worked as a Chaplain for King County Fire District in Burien Washington. Prior to that, she served as College Ministry Director at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California. She received a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. She earned a BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University.
    Christian Theology Expert
    Expert Answer
    Being holy also means you set apart in how you think, act, and treat others. One of the best places to start looking at living a more holy life is where Jesus taught his followers in the Sermon on the Mount. It’s full of practical ways to live differently, like showing mercy, being a peacemaker, and forgiving others, even when it’s hard. Also, think about how you treat people around you. Do you show kindness, patience, and generosity? Caring for the poor, comforting the hurting, and standing up for justice are all ways to live out holiness. It’s about looking at the world through God’s eyes and acting with compassion.
  • Question
    How do I know that I've reached holiness and what are the signs?
    Community Answer
    Signs of holiness include: Observance of silence and listening; beauty of face and character; mature personality; absence of greed, envy, pride, slothfulness, gluttony, lust and hate; service to the poor; and material and spiritual poverty. You will know you have reached holiness when the world and its ways are no longer important to you, and your mind and strength are set only on God.
  • Question
    I have sinned a lot, but I realized now I want to be holy. Is it possible to receive holiness in my life?
    Community Answer
    Through God, you can live a holy lifestyle if you allow him to live in and through you. We humans are never going to be holy. God is holy, and he works through us. Receiving God is receiving holiness.
  • Question
    What else comes from holiness? What other things will change in us?
    Community Answer
    The gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and wonder in the Lord.
  • Question
    How do I sanctify myself?
    Flutasmoradas
    Community Answer
    Sanctification comes through God and God alone. There is nothing we as humans can do to achieve this. Our "holiness" came from Jesus' death on the cross. His blood cleansed us of our sins.
  • Question
    Can I get tips on how to grow and live in Holiness before the holy God?
    Community Answer
    Being holy is respecting the rules God gives you, and handling those rules carefully and correctly. Holy means "set apart". God says, "Keep the Sabbath holy" meaning, "Keep the Sabbath set apart", in other words, "special". You need to set the Sabbath apart because it is special from the other weekdays. To keep yourself holy is respecting God's rules and recognizing them to be special rules, and to try to keep those rules. The Bible is holy because it is the special Book, not just any other book.
  • Question
    Is it is right for a woman to wear trousers, a woman to breach, to wear artificial hair, wear finger nails?
    Community Answer
    Of course it is. Adam and Eve were naked, but only by eating the forbidden fruit they realized it and felt shame. This tells us that we shouldn't be ashamed of how we look. And more so, to not be ashamed of others.
  • Question
    Is it a sin for a woman to pray with her head uncovered?
    Community Answer
    No, this is not considered a sin in Christianity.
  • Question
    How can we reconcile Isaiah 64:6 with the concept of holy living?
    Community Answer
    If you read Isaiah chapters 65 and 66, they put 64 into context and speak of judgement, but also salvation and a new heaven and a new earth.
  • Question
    I have sinned so much, but now I long to be holy. I am a vile and filthy person because of the sins I have done; is a life of holiness still possible for me?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if you give up on your ways and repent for your sins, God will allow you to be holy. Pray that He forgives you and you get guided by Him to follow a holy path. Being holy is not achieved with a decision. It is a journey if life in which you live choosing and following the right things, good over evil, patience over anger, forgiveness over judgement and by loving and accepting others.
  • Question
    My question is, is wearing of men's wear, like trousers, a sin?
    Community Answer
    No, this was considered a sin a long time ago but has since been changed and it is no longer considered a sin by most people.
  • Question
    Is it okay to have tattoos?
    Community Answer
    Depending on your exact denomination, yes, it is okay to have tattoos.
  • Question
    If I am a woman, and I marry another woman, does that make me unholy?
    Community Answer
    Some people would say yes (even if they would have no problem with you eating shellfish or wearing a wool-polyester blend), while others would say no. If you're asking this question in earnest because you're interested in being religious (or Christian specifically) without renouncing other parts of your identity, I'd recommend looking for a religious group that affirms and supports LGBTQ+ people.
  • Question
    How do we integrate holiness with dignity?
    Community Answer
    Holiness is when you are obedient. Dignity is when you don't tease or humiliate someone who is less holy or is suffering. Holiness with dignity is an act to be done in daily living where you contemplate the effects of your thoughts, words and actions on others and make peace with others for the purpose of God's command. One of them being, love your enemies.
  • Question
    Is having sex before marriage considered a sin and where is it stated in the Bible?
    Community Answer
    It is in the Ten Commandments. The commandment about fornication means you should be away from sex before marriage and stay chaste. And you should be loyal to your married partner.
  • Question
    What do you do when you ask for the Holy Spirit and don't receive it?
    Community Answer
    The Holy Spirt guides you in every step that you follow and when you ask for help and guidance. The Holy Spirit may help you understand life, help you to focus on Jesus or Yehoshua, and assist you in leading a pious life, avoiding sin as far as you can.
  • Question
    What are the problems encountered by living a worldly life?
    Community Answer
    A worldly life relies on a social life. This means having a social presence, which can bring about the challenges of seeking the approval of others, emulating their lifestyles, and so on. If this results in you being fake, being stylish for the sake of others, aiming for wealth to show off to others, reducing your prayers for God, then that's the problem of a worldly life. If you can be spiritual and use your worldly life by serving God and people for His sake, then there won't be as much of a problem as you will still do some things wrong but be leading a holy life.
  • Question
    How can you truly over come weakness of character, like pride?
    Community Answer
    Dare to wear what you have instead of matching other's expectations, eat, shop, wear, work the way you want, even if it is humbling. Pride grows when you try to fake wealth, strength, or personal assets to show others how weak they are. Avoid doing that and you will not have a weak character.
  • Question
    What do I need to do for the holy spirit to dwell in me?
    Community Answer
    Be clean. Your mind should be cleansed with genuine repentance daily. Your soul should be happy to have the Holy Spirit dwell in you instead of being busy with your own things. Make time for God, happily. And work for His name's sake.
  • Question
    Should a pastor work?
    Community Answer
    Why not? Pastors speak the word of God and practice it. Working is a part of being a pastor. If they need money to buy things, they will need to work.
  • Question
    I committed something I shouldn't have. I feel like not to go to church because of the guilt. What can I do? I really want to live a sin-free life.
    Community Answer
    Life is never sin-free. However, struggling to be sin-free is what forms the good life - one where you keep trying. Go to church. Repent. The more guilt, the stronger the effort needs to be in penance. Do something for others in need, like feeding those without food and donating funds to shelters.
  • Question
    What is the call to holy living?
    Community Answer
    God speaks in His still small voice. You hear a whispering voice in your mind or ears and you will feel strongly compelled to do it. That's your call. You feel like serving God, and His people.
  • Question
    The Bible teaches us that God is Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today and forever; He is all-knowing and knows our future and destiny. Now will anything changes one's destiny?
    Community Answer
    God knows and will do what is right. We must keep doing our duties and make ourselves ready not just for heaven but for being good in His eyes being obedient and loving.
  • Question
    What is the difference between holiness in the body and being holy in the spirit?
    Community Answer
    A holy body is one that doesn't sell itself for sexual pleasures, doesn't act upon anger by threatening, hurting or killing someone. Being holy in spirit means having positive thoughts after replacing evil ones. When you seek God for the sake of love for God, you automatically get directed to your answers. You understand what makes a holy body and spirit.
  • Question
    How do I keep my life pure and practice self-control?
    Rose
    Community Answer
    You must always keep in mind that, as sinful humans, we can only do such things through God's power alone. If you focus on letting Christ fill your life, your heart, your soul, and ask Him to help you, actively seeking him, you can accomplish those wishes. If something appears to go wrong, remember that everything is God's will, and He's working everything out in an intricate, perfect plan, with everyone's good and His amazing love for you and all people in mind.
  • Question
    What is the difference between righteousness and holiness?
    Community Answer
    Righteousness is when you follow rules or laws, like not to kill, lie, hurt, sin, etc. Holiness is found in spiritual pursuits that become brighter with righteousness. When you strive to avoid sins, follow God in every step, and love God, you are both righteous and holy because it helps you see your path, choose your path, and strive to stick to it. That's definitely not easy.
  • Question
    Is remarrying a sin if your first husband is still alive?
    Community Answer
    If he if he is dead, then you can remarry but if someone 's husband is dead, and she is Catholic, then she should not remarry.
  • Question
    Do I have to be a Christian to be holy?
    Angel
    Community Answer
    To belong to God, you must be “born again.” In other words, you need to accept Christ and let the Holy Spirit work in your life.
  • Question
    Is it true that under grace we become automatically holy we don't have to put in any human effort as Christ has finished the work for us? We can cheat, it's okay as holiness was achieved for us on Calvary?
    Community Answer
    Not everyone receives grace. Who does, is saved. Abraham was blessed and was to be the father throughout generations, for his heart and devotion. Therefore he received grace. Jeep trying till you receive His grace. There are ways to fall from grace by hating the good and misusing your blessings. So, receiving God's grace is not an ticket to cheat or be evil.
  • Question
    Why do many Christians from different denominations criticise the Catholic Church? Is their way of worship wrong?
    Community Answer
    God didn't see His people as separated in denominations. It is us who divide and we go ahead and speak I'll of others. Don't go by common adages. Be a good Christian and know it is faith that God sees. You must worship Jesus. Whoever does it, does good. Don't judge anyone.
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