ArcaMax

Q: I have bad arthritis, and I saw an ad in one of those supermarket papers for a gold-plated charm that they say will heal me. The ad says it's been prayed over by a spiritual healer, and has special magical healing powers. Should I send for it? It's kind of expensive. -- Mrs. W.K.

A: I strongly urge you not to waste your money on this, or on anything else that claims to have magical powers of this nature. Nothing like this has any medical evidence to support its dubious claims, nor should you trust what the sellers say about it.

But I also want you to know that the Bible tells us to avoid any object that claims to have magical powers, or is connected with someone who claims to have magical powers. At best, such things will only make us poorer; at worst, they may bring us into contact with spiritual powers that are not from God but are demonic and opposed to God. When the magicians in Ephesus turned to Christ, they immediately repented of their magical practices and destroyed their magical charms (see Acts 19:19).

God knows your situation, and He loves you and cares for you. Why not turn to Him for the help you need? When we commit our lives to Christ, we know God is with us, even when we experience pain or disability. No, I can't promise He will take all your pain away -- but I can promise He will be with you, to encourage you and guide you to proper medical help.

In addition, when we know Christ, we know that we will go to be with Him in Heaven. Then, the Bible says, "There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

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(Send your queries to "My Answer," c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call 1-(877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.