** This response is biblically sound, concise, easy to understand, and personable. It answers the question directly, with scriptural support, and gives sound advice. The tone is genuinely kind. **

Question: Is it possible for the devil to counterfeit the Holy Spirit and cause a person to feel as though they had been dipped in liquid love and then to Speak in an unknown tongue?

Profile: Male, North America, New Christian, 36–45

Answered by: Justin Tilgham, who has been a volunteer with us since October, 2013.

Answer: Thanks for your question. The devil is a deceiver. Scripture shows instances where it is possible for him to counterfeit certain signs and wonders (Pharaoh’s magicians in Exodus; 2 Thessalonians 2:9). So, is it possible for the devil to influence people’s emotions as you’ve described? It would seem so. That is why Scripture commands us to trust the truth of God’s revealed word above our human emotions (Jeremiah 17:9) and to not place our trust solely in any sign or wonder we may see (Matthew 12:39; 16:4). Rather than lean completely on how we “feel” (i.e., dipped in liquid love) or some sign (speaking in an unknown tongue), we should rely on the truths revealed in God’s word. At the end of the day, we should be as the Bereans evaluate all things against scripture so that we are not deceived by any man or demonic counterfeit (Acts 17:11).

** This response is biblically sound, concise, and personable. It is a good example of asking for clarification while still answering the question. It gives helpful foundational information to understanding the passage and is easy to understand. **

Question: What’s a deeper meaning of Genesis 1& 2?

Profile: Female, North America

Answered by: James Toland, who has been a volunteer with us since May, 2010.

Answer: I think I am going to need more detail to answer your question fully, but the main point of Genesis 1 & 2 is to show that God is responsible for the creation of the universe and everything in it (Colossians 1:16-17; John 1:3). How it behaves, what it produces both organic and inorganic are all under His purview. Genesis 1 is more of a general overview of this and Genesis 2 is a more detailed look at Day 6 regarding humanity and our place in the universe He created and His relationship with us.