Expert: Phillip Senn - 6/23/2004

Question
Hi there,I would like to ask if it's okay for Christians to do a makeover by plastic surgery,be it liposuction or major surgery to totally change the facial features to look like another person.What does the Bible says about this?
Secondly,Jude 1:20 says,"But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost".Do we just pray in the Spirit or do we just pray(silently in English) as we also simultaneously pray in the Spirit?
Thirdly,Does God hears and reaches out and helps sinners(those who have not receive Christ yet) if they need His help?Is there any verses in the Bible?
Lastly,just curious about what's sensation/feeling that you get when you feel the presence of God.How does God speak to you?Don't mind sharing?
Thanks.God bless.

Answer
Question 1: Plastic surgery to change appearance?

Answer: I know of nothing in Scripture indicating right from wrong on this issue. I would wonder though, if a person recognizes that God has "fearfully and wonderfully made" them (Ps 139:14), why they would want to change that appearance that God has provided for them?

Question 2: Praying in the Spirit vs. praying with the understanding?

Answer: (See 1 Cor 14:10-19) Some teach that this is speaking of "unknown tongues" vs English. That is not the case at all according to the Apostle Paul. Notice verse 10 where He is preceeding his remarks. He speaks of different "voices". It is referring to different languages. The term "unknown" is always italicized or bracketed off in Scripture to indicate that it is added and not in the original text. In this passage, God, speaking through the Apostle Paul is instructing the individuals in the church to seek to the edifying of the church. He is saying that if I am speaking in a language it should be understood by all there. If, for instance, there are those in the congregation that understand Greek, and I am speaking to them in Greek, those that might be there of another culture may not have understanding of my speach, and I should present the same message in their language as well, that the whole body might receive edification.

When he talks of praying "in the spirit", he refers to the "giving of thanks". The term giving of thanks comes from a Greek word, "eucharistia". It comes from 2 Greek words: "eu" = good, and "charis" = the influence of God on the heart that is reflected in the life. If God is so influencing you in your heart, and the reflection is in your life through words that you speak, then you are blessed even if you speak words in a language that no one else understands. You may even use terminology that is foreign to your proper understanding. But God, through Paul, is instructing, that we should understand our speach, and be able to share that with others in a way they can understand. That is what I am doing here, that those which hear may also be edified.

Question 3: Does God help those that haven't yet come to Christ?

Answer: God indeed hears the contrite heart that prays, whether or not that person has come to Christ (Acts 10). Cornelius was a "devout" Jew who gave alms and "prayed to God alway". God gave testimony to Cornelius through the "man in bright clothing", "Cornelius , thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God". But Scripture indicates that Cornelius had to hear Peter "who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved". Does He help them? I would say He helped Cornelius come to a man that gave witness of the truth that set him free.

Question 4: Feeling God? Hearing God?

Answer: We experience many feelings (emotions) in life. Those "feelings" cannot be the basis of our hope and trust. We must trust the Word of God, not our feelings. Some people "feel" excitement at a message from God. Still others may hear the same message, and have a "feeling" of great awe. Still others may be "moved" to remorse over the same message. But God seeks to work beyond the "feelings" and deal directly with the inner man, establishing His message (not the preacher's) into our hearts. This may, and probably will, result in emotions that we cannot explain, but still, our emotional response is not at issue here, our heart (inner being) is the main issue. The bottom line, we must "hear God" through His Word. He never presents a messgae that contradicts His Word. He then wants that Word to influence our hearts, and be manifested in our lives, thus we "give thanks".

I hope I have been able to be helpful to you in your quest for answers. Please fill out a rating survey to let me know how I am doing, and where I may have room for improvement. Thanks in advance.

With Love in Christ,
Phillip Senn