Help! I Can't Stop Drinking & Smoking

I've heard some Christians try to explain the Trinity by describing it as an egg. Is that a valid way of thinking? That's just one of the questions we'll be answering on today's edition of CORE Christianity. That's 1-833-843-2673.

And you can email us with your question at questionsatcorechristianity.com. First up today, if you're a dog lover, this story will bring a smile to your face. Forget about commands like roll over and play dead. One genius dog has learned to communicate with his owners using a soundboard with 45 different phrases. A noodle named Bunny was recently filmed using the soundboard to say things like play, scratches, and even I love you mom. Bunny was introduced to this specially made communication pad as soon as he was adopted by his owner, Alexis Devine. The first word the pup learned to use on the soundboard was outside, but he can now ask Alexis about specific destinations outside thanks to buttons like beach and park. And you know, Adriel, my own dog is pretty smart, but most of the time he just wags his tail and tries to steal food. I think maybe you need to get him one of these. I bet you Sparky would really appreciate that, Bill.

And it seems like more work though. I mean, I feel like if I had a pet and my dog was telling me, hey, I want to go to the beach or I want to go, I would probably get tired of that pretty quickly. And with some dogs, you know, one of the dangers is you put the word cats on there and they might just, you know, throw the board away. Hey, let's get to our first question of the day, a call we received at 833 the core. Hey guys, this is Sarah from San Diego. I had a question for you. I have a couple of friends that on a regular basis say that Jesus has come to them in their dreams and show them different things. I noticed recently that Jesus came to them in their dream and said that UFOs are real and that UFOs are really angels, chariots.

So I don't know why I kind of cringe anytime I hear that. I wanted to know what your thoughts were as far as Jesus coming to people in their dreams, etc. I feel like things like that are being thrown around a lot lately. I know Jesus can reveal himself to anyone as he sees fit, but I just feel it just kind of, I don't know.

I just wanted your perspective on it. Thanks so much. Bye guys. Yeah, Sarah. Hey, thanks again for giving us a call. It's good to hear from you.

That's a really, really important question. I've had friends as well who will say things like, oh, you know, God spoke to me or I feel like God gave me a dream or I've even had people tell me, you know, I think the Lord has given me a word for you, that kind of a thing. And you're right, God can do whatever he wants. And certainly in Scripture, you do have examples in the Old Testament especially, but even in the New Testament of these kinds of things happening. Joel in Joel chapter two, and he prophesied about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He said in chapter two, verse 28, it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.

Your old men shall dream dreams. Your young men shall see visions. Even on my male and female servants in those days, I will pour out my spirit. And of course, that was fulfilled in Acts chapter two on the day of Pentecost, you know, when Jesus poured out the Spirit from heaven after he had ascended to the right hand of the Father. But I think you're right to be a little bit concerned and even at times skeptical, because although we have these kinds of passages in Scripture, I think that these things are extraordinary. This is not how God ordinarily works in our lives today. And I think as Christians, if we're expecting, you know, Jesus to come to us in our dreams or something like that, we're going to be disappointed. I've heard countless stories actually of Muslims turning to Jesus because of a dream that they had.

And, you know, I don't doubt that those kinds of things happen. I think of the situation in Acts chapter 10. Cornelius has a vision, and it ultimately leads him to Peter, where he's going to hear the gospel, the Word of God preached and shared.

And I think that's the key thing here. You know, I don't think that people have dreams per se or visions that give them new revelation or even that lead them ultimately to the faith. I think God sometimes will use these things providentially to bring people to solid churches where the Word of God is being taught and where they can hear about the truth of Scripture. That's where our focus has to be, because a lot of times with people who talk about having these quote-unquote revelations, if we're not discerning, people can say all sorts of things, even things that contradict Scripture. And ultimately, the Word of God is our authority. I don't get all caught up in, you know, when somebody says something like, you know, I had a dream or this and that, you know, I don't bash them for that.

That's their experience. I can't say whether or not they had that dream. I think a lot of times, potentially what could happen is people can have a dream and assume that it's the Lord speaking to them, when in reality, it's just a dream that they had. So I think there, too, we have to be discerning and sort of think through these things, but ultimately, Sarah, our focus needs to be on the Word of God, and we need to test all things according to what God has said in His Word. As a pastor, I've spoken with people who say things like, well, I really think God is leading me to do this, and this could be something that is directly contrary to the Word of God. And so I say, look, you might feel that way. You might have even had a dream that caused you to think this is the right thing to do, but here's what God has said in His holy and inspired Word. And if our feelings contradict the truth of Scripture, well, then we always have to go with what the Word of God says. And so I get it.

I sometimes cringe as well when I hear these kinds of things. And again, something that you hear over and over again on this program is we shouldn't, as followers of Jesus today, expect that the Christian life is just sort of extraordinary. I'm having dreams and visions and prophesying, and that's how Jesus is meeting with me. No, He's actually made it a lot simpler than that. He's given me His Word.

I mean, just think about it. If Cornelius in Acts chapter 10 has this angelic visitation and the angel says, hey, go talk to Peter. Peter's going to preach the gospel to you. Just think about how much of a value God places upon His Word and upon people who preach the Word. The angel doesn't share the gospel with Cornelius.

Peter does. And God uses people who speak the truth of God's Word to others. And so I think that's where we need to focus. And that's what I would encourage your friends in, Sarah. I would say, look, that's a really interesting dream.

I don't know really how to take that. If it contradicts God's Word, I think we can just set it aside and chalk it up to maybe something that you had for dinner that didn't fit well with you or something like that. But at the end of the day, let's focus on what God has said clearly in His Word, and let's draw near to Jesus through that Word. Test whatever you hear according to the Word of God, Sarah. Over and over again, we have these commands in Scripture. You think about what John says in 1 John.

Test the spirits. There are many false spirits, antichrists, that have gone out into the world. And one of the ways I think that the devil can get a foothold in people's lives today is by leading them astray through these sort of signs and wonders, these quote-unquote dreams or revelations, that we have God's revelation in the Scriptures.

Doesn't mean God can't do other extraordinary things, but our focus needs to be on the ways in which God ordinarily ministers to us and nourishes us in the faith through the preaching of God's Word. Now, as far as the aliens are concerned, the Bible doesn't speak to that, and I think there's a lot of speculation about that right now. I mean, just recently in the news, I read something about these documents being declassified, and so it kind of sounds like a coincidence that your friend would have this dream right around these times that these documents are declassified. I would say maybe it wasn't a dream that came from the Lord. Maybe it was just some of these other circumstances that are going on, and maybe some of these things that we're seeing in the news that led them to be thinking about this. But again, let's not get caught up in these sort of speculative things.

Let's focus on the Word. Thanks again for your call. Great counsel, Adriel. Thanks. This is Core Christianity with Pastor Adriel Sanchez. We'd love to hear from you. If you have a question, you can always email us at questions at corechristianity.com.

You can also post your question on our Facebook or Instagram account, and Michael posted on Facebook. He says, Is thinking about our triune God as an egg considered modalism? The egg, egg white, and shell are three separate things, but still one egg, like the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are three separate things, but all God.

Is this a valid way of thinking or not? I don't think it's the best analogy for the Holy Trinity. And you used a word there that probably a lot of people are not familiar with. You used the word modalism. Modalism was an ancient heresy related to the doctrine of the Trinity. And Michael, it sounds like you might be familiar with it, but for you, if you're not familiar with this word, it referred to this idea that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were really one person revealing himself in these different modes.

You think of someone who wears different masks, for example. The Father is the Father in the Old Testament, then he reveals himself as the Son in the New Testament, and then maybe as the Spirit now during the church age, but there really isn't this distinction between the persons of the Holy Trinity. It's just this one God who's revealing himself in these different ways, in these different modes. Well, that's heresy. There are people actually who hold very similar views to that today. I think of, for example, the oneness Pentecostal movement.

And so it's not just something that was happening a long time ago. There are ways in which we can talk about God, the Trinity today, that sort of veer into this. And oftentimes, Michael, with some of these illustrations or analogies that we use for the Trinity, we can fall into that trap.

Now, I don't know that the egg analogy is sort of leading us into modalism. One that I have heard that I think is modalistic, that does kind of suggest this false understanding of the Trinity, is I don't know if you've heard the analogy. The Trinity is like ice, liquid water, and steam.

The same substance, but these different modes of existence. Well, that analogy, that's basically Trinitarian heresy. Now, look, it might seem to you, as you're listening to this, well, why are we getting caught up in all of these minutiae? And sometimes that's what people think when they hear about these different doctrines, when they hear us talking about the Trinity. Well, isn't that just speculation?

No, not at all. I mean, think about this. We want to talk about God the right way. We want to describe Him the right way as He's revealed Himself to us in Scripture. If I was describing my wife, for example, and everything I was saying about her was wrong, was false, was a distortion of who she really was, that would be terrible.

She would not appreciate that. When we describe God, when we speak about Him, we have to speak about Him in the way that the Scripture gives us. That's how we honor Him. That's how we worship Him rightly. This has to do with our very worship, our very knowledge of who God is and how He's revealed Himself. And now some people will say, well, but the word Trinity isn't even in the Bible. I've heard Jehovah's Witnesses say that. The fact of the matter is, while the word Trinity may not be used in the Scriptures, the theology, the truth of the doctrine of the Trinity is everywhere in the Scriptures. The Bible teaches that there is one God.

Deuteronomy chapter 6, verse 4, hero Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And yet the Bible also teaches very clearly that the Father is God, that Jesus is God. John chapter 1, verse 1, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And then later in verse 14, it says, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Romans chapter 9, verse 5, Jesus is referred to as God all over the place, even in the Old Testament. Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6, His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God. The Holy Spirit is referred to as God in the Scriptures.

Acts chapter 5, verse 4, it talks about lying to God, lying to the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians chapter 6, verse 19 talks about our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. Well, who lives in the temple? Who's worshiped in the temple?

God. For Paul to say that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit is to say that the Holy Spirit is God. And so, look, when we talk about the doctrine of the Trinity, when we use that word Trinity, we're talking about referring to the very thing that the Scripture teaches about who God is and how He's revealed Himself to us. And we can only worship Him rightly if we describe Him correctly as He's revealed to us in Scripture.

And at the end of the day, that's what it's all about. For all eternity, we're going to worship the true and the living God. You know, when we talk about the doctrine of the Trinity, we're saying the Trinity is one in essence, the same in substance, equal in power and glory, and at the same time, three distinct persons, different persons. And when we say that they're equal in power and glory, we're referring to the fact that they deserve worship. Jesus said in John 5-23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father.

And I'll close with this. From the book of Revelation, Revelation 5 verses 11 through 13, John says, And I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing. And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that is in them, saying to him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever.

We're going to worship the Holy Trinity for all eternity, and so we want to know God as he's revealed himself to us in Scripture. Stick to what the Bible teaches, Michael, and you won't go wrong. This is Core Christianity with Pastor Adriel Sanchez, and with the Christmas season upon us, we're really excited to share a brand new offer with you today.

That's right, Bill. You know the holidays are filled with a lot of fun festivities. My favorite is the food, by the way, but it's often the case that the hustle and bustle of this season drowns out what is most important about Christmas. That is Jesus. God has come to be with us, and that's why I'm excited to share a new resource that we have over at corechristianity.com. It's our Christmas devotional, Jesus Christ, the Promised Messiah. It's a daily devotional that shows you what Christmas is really all about. Each day of December highlights prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament, and then it shows you where those prophecies are fulfilled in Jesus in the New Testament. So take some time each day by yourself or with your family to read the Scriptures and meditate on their meaning. See, our hope is that as you come to Jesus through the pages of the Bible, you and your loved ones will experience the life-giving presence of Christ this Christmas season. This devotional is free when you sign up for our weekly newsletter, so head over to corechristianity.com forward slash Christmas to download this resource.

This is really beautiful and something you could go through with your family as well. Here's the phone number to call if you'd like to take advantage of this offer or any one of our offers. It's 833-843-2673.

That number is 833-THE-CORE. Let's get to another question, Adriel. This one was from Alexis.

She posted on our Twitter account. She says, As an introvert, I've actually enjoyed being at home more these days. Is this wrong? You know, Alexis, I've spoken with several people who feel the same way that you do. And in one sense, I'm grateful, and I think you can be grateful too, that this season for you has not been as difficult as it is for so many.

So you praise God for His mercy in that, because you're able to spend time on your own doing the things that you want to do, and you don't have as many distractions maybe. But also being sensitive to the fact, Alexis, that there are so many right now who are suffering. You who are listening right now, you're struggling, you've lost work, the isolation is eating at you. You know, I recognize, we recognize that this is also a very difficult time. That's one of the reasons why we've sought to continue to keep this program going, because we know that people need to hear the Word and to be encouraged by the truth of Scripture.

And so we've scrambled as a team to find ways to continue to produce this program in a socially distanced way, and to make it happen, to keep encouraging you. So Alexis, I'm grateful to hear you're doing well. Pray, pray for those who are suffering, and seek, I think, to do good to all people, as Paul says, and especially to those of the household of faith, to encourage them in this time of difficulty. Whether you're at home alone, or whether the coronavirus restrictions are all done, and we go back to the sort of normal quote-unquote life that we were experiencing prior to all of this pandemic, it's the Spirit of God who gives us peace. You know, Paul talked about this in the book of Philippians, in Philippians chapter 4. He talked about the contentment that God had taught him. He said in verse 10 of chapter 4, I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at length you have revived your concern for me.

You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am in to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. And then he says this, I can do all things through him who strengthens me. I think that's the attitude that each of us needs to have, is we need to say, Lord, this season, this time right now is very difficult. It's hard, or maybe the future seems scary because of the changes that are coming, but I know that I have you. And I can do all things, not through my own strength, not through my circumstances, whether I feel like I have peace or don't have peace, but through Jesus and through the work of his Spirit.

I don't think that you need to feel bad for how you feel. I think that, like I said, you can give thanks to the Lord for his kindness to you in this season. But seek to cultivate, as you look to Jesus as you pray, the fruit of the Spirit, that love, joy, peace, and patience that's there even when our circumstances might be more difficult for us. Thank you for your question. This is Core Christianity with Pastor Adriel Sanchez, and if you have a question for us, you can call us anytime at 833-843-2673. That's 833-THE-CORE, and Adriel Fritz called us with this question. I've asked Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior quite a while back, but I still can't quit drinking and smoking and cussing, and I've tried everything.

I've been to the doctors to alcoholics and ominous and all, but I just want to know what to do. Thank you. Bye-bye.

Hey, Fritz. God bless you. Thank you for your question. Well, first, let me just pray for you. Father, I give you thanks for this caller, and I pray for him that you would fill him with the grace of your Spirit, that you would give him wisdom. Lord, we know that it can be so discouraging at times fighting with these struggles that we have and feeling like we don't have any victory. And sometimes, Lord, even wanting to throw in the towel, wanting to give up because we feel like there hasn't been much progress, I do pray for him that you would help him to set his eyes upon you to rest in your goodness and in your grace, and that by your Spirit, you would do, Lord God, what you promised to do in your children, that you would day by day sanctify him as he looks to you and clings to your word, that you would strengthen him through the knowledge of your Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen. Now, the question here, Fritz, is how do we change?

You know, things like AA can be helpful. You know, having these accountability structures are, I think, really beneficial for some people. But to be sanctified, to grow in grace, that is a work of the Holy Spirit. And the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, that fruit of the Spirit comes through Jesus. You said, you know, I asked Jesus to come into my life quite a while back.

That's the question. Are you united to Jesus by faith? Not just did you ask Jesus into your life, but do you trust in him for the forgiveness of your sins?

Have you turned to him? That's what Jesus calls us to, to repent and believe in him. You know, it's not so much that we, I think, invite Jesus into our lives. It's that we turn to him and follow him when he says, follow me. Jesus says to you, Fritz, follow me.

And he calls you to trust in him. Now, the reality is, as followers of Jesus, we recognize that following Jesus sometimes is not very easy. We still have this battle with the flesh, these temptations, these desires, these struggles.

And yet, here's the good news. If you trust in Jesus, you are forgiven, even if you have these struggles. And Jesus wants to sanctify you. The will of God is your sanctification.

So when you pray to him and say, Lord, have mercy upon me, help me, that is a prayer he wants to answer. Make sure you're in a good church where you're being encouraged by the Word of God every single week, the truth of the gospel, and continue to press into your faith, abiding in Jesus, letting his word abide in you. And as you do that, as we turn to Jesus, and as you do that continually, as you dig into the Scriptures, that's how the Spirit begins to work. Those are the means that the Spirit uses to work in our lives and to sanctify us little by little. It's a process. It's not always going to be easy, brother. And we're not always going to see the progress that we want, but be committed to that, to being in a good church, to resting in the gospel, and to hearing the promises of Jesus every single day, every single week. And it's through those means that we continue to grow as Christians. Join us next time as we explore the truth of God's Word together.