The Watchtower — September 1, 1971

A God Who Stands by Us

ABOVE all persons, God the Creator and Source of life knows the value of life. It was a loving-kindness on his part to create others so that they could enjoy life also. His desire is for us to live, not just a few short years, but forever. To this end he stands by all mankind, but especially those who sincerely look to him and follow his Word. “I am loyal,” says Jehovah, and the faithful worshipers who have observed his dealings with mankind declare: “You alone are loyal.”​—Jer. 3:12; Rev. 15:4.

Of the intensity of God’s loyalty toward humankind, the apostle Paul writes: “For hardly will anyone die for a righteous man; indeed, for the good man, perhaps, someone even dares to die. But God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:7, 8) Accordingly, through the worst of circumstances, he will stand by those who respond to his love. He comfortingly assures them: “I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you.”​—Heb. 13:5; Ps. 94:14.

The apostle Paul was one who appreciated God’s loyalty, and he said to an Athenian audience: “In fact, [God] is not far off from each one of us.” (Acts 17:27) Surely, Paul himself was greatly loved by God because he not only expressed faith in God’s arrangement for life, but also did all he could to help others to get life. In doing so Paul underwent trials far beyond what most persons have faced. To the congregation at Corinth he recounted these trials, including imprisonments, beatings, stoning, shipwreck, hunger, cold and constant danger from enemies. But he said: “Out of them all the Lord delivered me.”​—2 Tim. 3:11; 4:16, 17; 2 Cor. 11:23-27.

We must keep in mind that, while we want to live as long as possible, whether we live or die during this present system of things is really not the main issue. But keeping integrity to God is the important thing, for he requires loyalty in those who have come to know his loyalty. Such ones can be absolutely confident that Jehovah and his loyal Son Jesus Christ will stand by them in sickness, family problems, discouragement, pressures and tensions, even the severest persecutions.

Jehovah stood by faithful Job in his terrible sickness. Of him the Christian writer James says: “You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave, that Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful.” (Jas. 5:11) The prophet Jeremiah’s enemies sought a way to kill him but, as Jeremiah reported, “Jehovah was with me like a terrible mighty one.” (Jer. 20:11; 1:8) Elijah was hunted by wicked King Ahab and his wife Jezebel, but God provided Elijah ample food supplies, furnished by ravens, and by a hospitable woman whom Jehovah helped.​—1 Ki. 17:2-16.

Likewise in modern times, many are the accounts of God’s standing loyally by the person who serves him under conditions of hardship, opposition and persecution. It has proved true, as the psalmist declared: “Although he may fall, he will not be hurled down, for Jehovah is supporting his hand. A young man I used to be, I have also grown old, and yet I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring looking for bread.” (Ps. 37:24, 25) Of himself and his companions, the apostle wrote: “We are pressed in every way, but not cramped beyond movement; we are perplexed, but not absolutely with no way out; we are persecuted, but not left in the lurch; we are thrown down, but not destroyed.” (2 Cor. 4:8, 9) True, some have died (as did Paul himself) under persecution and hardship, but they were upheld in integrity to God, with a resurrection assured.​—Matt. 10:28.

Do you appreciate the loyalty of Jehovah God and his Son, in standing by us, to see that we get life? Then, how is your own loyalty? If a husband, do you stand loyally by your wife at all times, speaking well of her, standing by her to help and comfort her in her times of depression? (Col. 3:19) If a wife, do you likewise stand by your husband at all times, speaking well of him, honoring him, respecting his headship, not revealing intimate family matters to others?​—Prov. 31:26; Col. 3:18.

Family members, do you show love to all in your family, including the sick or older ones, who could be looked upon as a burden? For example, it sometimes happens that an older member may suffer from senility. In this state he or she may even begin to accuse others of stealing possessions, may turn against the loved one who is nearest, and may be generally unmanageable. This constitutes a test on the family’s loyalty. Will they forget the love the person, perhaps a father or mother, has expressed throughout past years? Though such a situation is trialsome, one medical work says of persons suffering from this malady: “The family should be made to understand that the patient’s behavior is not directed consciously at angering them.” Would you keep this in mind and loyally stand by the sick person? To one of Jehovah’s witnesses whose husband suffered from presenile dementia, a neurologist wrote: “May I say that you are an extraordinarily fine person. The sacrifice that you are making in taking care of your husband who is a totally helpless individual is unusual. Many people would have had their irresponsible relative in an institution a long time ago.”

If you are a Christian, do you stand by your Christian brothers? What do you do when one is sick? or in need of material assistance? or needs encouragement? And are you standing by your brothers in association, particularly at meetings where God’s Word is discussed? Are you “with one soul striving side by side for the faith of the good news”? (Phil. 1:27; Matt. 25:34-36; 1 Thess. 5:14) Do you extend love and hospitality to your neighbors who are not of your religion? (Luke 10:30-37) If you show this loyalty and love to others, you may express the conviction, as did Paul, that “neither death nor life nor angels nor governments . . . nor powers . . . nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”​—Rom. 8:38, 39.

Building for the Future During Youth

Helpful facts that young people want to know

ARE you young, perhaps under twenty? Then you are going through a very important, a very crucial, part of your life. How so?

Because you are laying the groundwork for the kind of man or woman you will be in the future. You already know from experience that what you do today affects your life tomorrow. If you quarrel with a friend today, tomorrow either you make up or else the split between you widens. If you study well today, school tomorrow is easier.

But the things you think, say and do affect more than what your life is like tomorrow. They affect next week and next month, even years and tens of years later. They can leave scars almost beyond erasing. Or they can contribute toward building a strong foundation for a happy, productive, satisfying life. Is that what you want?

Some young persons are already crippled or are blind or deaf because they took foolish risks that brought serious accidents. Some get ‘hooked’ on drugs, and from then on their life is a wearying struggle to support a costly habit. Some contract venereal disease, and before it can be stopped damage beyond reversing has weakened some part of their body. Girls may become pregnant and find themselves with the burden of an illegitimate child in their early youth. Granted, these are not pleasant things to think about. But they are happening, as you know. Will any of them happen to you? That depends on how wisely you build for the future.

But some say, “Who cares about what comes afterward? Youth is the only time that really counts; after that nothing matters.” Is that true?

No, it is not. Instead of being the high point in your life, youth is just a transition period. Your body, for example, does not reach complete physical maturity until somewhere between the ages of twenty and twenty-three. Emotional maturity may take even longer. So since you are still in an “in-between” period undergoing preparation for the future, why look on youth as if it were the “end of the road”?

True, you are no longer a child. But you are not yet an adult. Many changes are taking place in you​—physically, mentally and emotionally. Some of these changes can make you feel confused, upset or unsure of yourself. You feel new pressures inside you and you may feel perplexed as to how to control them wisely. But if you understand these changes and pressures, you can adjust to them, learn to cope with them and find satisfaction in doing so. This is all part of becoming an individual, a distinct person: You.

So, youth is a time of real challenge. The way you meet that challenge will greatly affect the kind of person you will become. And remember, once lived, youth is gone forever. Why waste the opportunities it offers to build for the future?

Young people today are usually allowed to spend much of their time equipping themselves with knowledge, perhaps even learning trades or skills. But they can also observe and think about what older persons have done, and are now doing, before they themselves become involved in similar occupations and pursuits. Yes, in youth you can begin to get insight into what life is all about. You can consider what different courses have resulted in so as to avoid the foolish mistakes of many as well as benefit from the wisdom of others. You can set your own goal in life.

Can you do all this on your own? Would it make sense to try? Before you answer, consider this:

Would you, if a boy, attempt to build a car engine by yourself without first trying to learn about mechanics from others, from persons with experience in that field? Or would you, if a girl, try to make an evening gown without a pattern, without ever having read anything on sewing or even having seen anyone sew? No? Then, remember that human living is a lot more complicated than a car engine or an evening gown.

We all build on the knowledge and experience of others. This is a simple fact of life. But to do this we need to communicate. If there is no communication, there is no drawing on such knowledge and experience of others. Do you communicate? With whom? With those who have knowledge and experience? With your parents?

Perhaps you look at the world around you and you feel disgusted. You see crime, injustice, war, greed, lying, cheating and hypocrisy. You may say, “Why should I talk with older persons when they have made such a mess of things? What could I learn from them?” True, many older persons bear guilt for these things​—either because they do these things or because they support and approve the systems that are responsible for them.

But did you ever stop to think that many older persons are just as disgusted with the badness they see as you are? Realize, too, that all the world’s troubles did not begin just with your parents’ generation. Things have rapidly been getting worse for over half a century now, especially since 1914​—and people who are old now were then just youths about your own age.

So, then, why not try to learn all you can from your parents? After all, why have you lived as long as you have? Because of your parents’ love and interest in you they fed, clothed and kept you clean, cared for you in sickness. It would be hard to calculate how much of their time, money and effort you represent. Besides this, from whom did you learn about the dangers of fire, boiling water, sharp objects, electric sockets, poisonous things, the dangers of city traffic? If you had not learned these things from your parents, would you be here in as good a shape as you are today? So why start doubting their sincere interest in you and your happiness now?

Of course, you can see that age and experience alone do not bring all the answers to life’s problems. Otherwise things everywhere would be getting better instead of worse. So, is there a higher source of information and guidance to which you can turn? Yes, there is. That Source is your Creator, Jehovah God. He has given mankind his Word the Bible to answer their questions and guide them in wisdom. And the Bible does not direct your hopes toward the present failing systems that have filled the earth with so many dangers and problems. It points you to new systems that offer something far superior.​—2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1-4.

Maybe you have never read the Bible. You may wonder if the information in it can really solve your problems, answer your questions. You will never know unless you look into it. More than that, even though the Bible contains the finest counsel, this will not benefit you in the least if you do not work at applying it in your life.

The publishers of this magazine you are reading appreciate the challenge that youth faces today. Because of this, during the months to come this magazine will carry articles especially directed to young people. It will seek to answer many of the questions young persons are asking, questions others may have not answered for them. These articles will not appear in every issue, though it is our hope to have at least one each month. Look for them. Read them. See how God’s Word the Bible can help you to meet the challenge you face and to build for a happy and worthwhile future.

Remembering the Creator in the Days of My Youth

As told by Aleck Bangle

WHEN I received an application for the full-time pioneer ministry under the direction of the Watch Tower Society, I noted a question that made me pause. It asked whether I had anyone dependent upon me. Before answering this question, I asked my mother, since I was partly supporting her. With a happy heart and smiling face she said:

“Son, you were the first child born after I came to know God’s truth, and I feel much like Samuel’s mother, who dedicated her son to Jehovah. So, go, son, and give Jehovah your time, strength and energy, and I’m happy you are doing it now in your youth. Jehovah will take care of me.”

Those words of encouragement from a faithful, hardworking mother were enough for me. It made tears drop from my eyes, seeing the great faith and confidence my mother had in Jehovah. I did not delay but at once answered the question and sent in my application, which was accepted.

So I gave up my secular job, and in June 1940, at the age of twenty-one, went to New York city to start my career as a pioneer minister or full-time proclaimer of God’s kingdom. As for my mother, she was well cared for to the day of her death in 1965.

EXAMPLES OF OLDER ONES HELPED ME

My mother and father had learned God’s truth between the years 1917 and 1918. And their example was a big help in my remembering the Creator from the days of my youth. When I saw father and mother always praying before each meal and before going to bed, it impressed me. And I would do the same in my humble way.

We lived in Pittston, Pennsylvania, and when my father retired in 1931, due to ill health, he spent the remaining five years of his life preaching the good news of God’s kingdom full time. In this way he set a good example for me as to how to remember my Creator as a youth.

The time came when I wanted to show my appreciation to the Creator for the things I learned about him. So I dedicated my life to him and symbolized it by water baptism in 1938.

I will never forget the first big convention I attended. This was at Madison Square Garden in New York city in 1939. The Watch Tower Society’s then president, J. F. Rutherford, was delivering the public talk “Government and Peace” to an audience of over 18,000. After about twenty minutes, a crowd of Fascist-minded followers of the Roman Catholic priest Charles Coughlin tried to break up the meeting. They began to boo, shout and howl, some wildly crying out “Heil Hitler!” The Society’s president did not become afraid but courageously said: “The Nazis and Catholics would like to break up this meeting, but by God’s grace they cannot do it.” The speech was delivered in its entirety. When I saw the courage and confidence that my older Christian brothers displayed, it impressed on my young mind that to be a servant of Jehovah God one needs to be courageous.

TESTED REGARDING COURAGE

Shortly after beginning my full-time pioneer ministry, I moved to California to preach the good news with another young Witness. Our assignment was in central California, a vast area with only three or four isolated families of Witnesses. A few months later I went to Red Bluff, California, working with a small congregation. When war was declared after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the people of Red Bluff became more nationalistic, and there was opposition to our preaching God’s kingdom. One night opposers broke all the windows in the Kingdom Hall, smashed some benches and left the place in disarray.

When going out in the field ministry in those days, I did not know whether I would be arrested, beaten or opposed in other ways. When we were offering The Watchtower on the streets of Corning, California, the American Legion had youths bring flags on the street and try to force us to salute them. Because of our Bible-based stand, some of the Witnesses were kicked, punched and told to get out of town.

Later, while I was engaged in the field ministry with three of my Christian sisters in that same town, a member of the American Legion whom I approached at the door said: ‘What are you doing here, you . . . ? You are a young man and should be in the army like my son.’ He then came out of his house and began kicking me all the way out of his yard and half way down the block. He said: ‘If you go on the street corner today, I’ll beat you up.’

I went to the chief of police and informed him of this man’s actions and threats. His response was: ‘Since you’re not wanted in this town, why don’t you leave?’ That did not make us cancel our arrangements to do street magazine work that day. About a half hour later the man that kicked me drove up to me in his car, got out and tried to beat me. Being a much younger man than he, I was able to prevent him from getting too close. Soon a crowd of seventy-five to one hundred persons gathered. Some began to shout, ‘Let’s tar and feather this Witness as a lesson to the others.’ Thanks to Jehovah, I was calm and unafraid. I just stood and looked at them. The chief of police finally arrived and took the man away. We left for Red Bluff to continue our work.

It seems that Jehovah supplied me with an extra amount of his spirit during that hour of stress, but when it was over it became a test as to whether I was going to continue to remember my Creator or whether I would get frightened and stop. I knew it was a test of my faith, so I prayed to God to help me to overcome any fears. Besides prayer, Bible study and regular association with God’s people helped to build up my courage to continue remembering my Creator in that assignment until the Society assigned me as a special pioneer in South Pasadena, California.

FACING MOB VIOLENCE

I preached God’s truths in South Pasadena for about a year and a half. In 1942, while working there, I attended a convention of Jehovah’s people in Klamath Falls, Oregon, about 700 miles north. Fifty-one other cities were tied in by wire from Cleveland, Ohio, the key city. Klamath Falls was another very patriotic town. We heard rumors that this assembly was going to be mobbed. However, everything went smoothly until Sunday, when the public talk, “Peace​—Can It Last?” was coming over the telephone wire from the key city. Peace did not last long in Klamath Falls, because a mob of over one thousand adults and youths broke into the Witnesses’ cars, smashed them, put crowbars through the radiators, got all the literature and other equipment and piled them up in the middle of the street.

Then they broke into the hall, took Bibles, books and whatever they could from the literature department. They put all of it together in the street and lit a bonfire.

The mobsters tried to push their way into the main building, but the Witnesses closed off all entrances and guarded them. The mob did succeed, however, in cutting the telephone wire, so the rest of the talk being given by the Society’s president had to be delivered by a local Witness, who was prepared to give the talk from a manuscript, if necessary. This angered the crowd more, and they began throwing stones through the windows. We had to put benches against the windows so that the stones would not hit the people in the auditorium. Despite this, some were hurt.

This mob action continued throughout the rest of the afternoon program, and eventually the police succeeded in pushing the mob down the road. The police advised us to get out of the building and not to continue the evening program because they said it would not be possible for them to control the mob when it got dark. The assembly was brought to an end, and we had to work our way through the crowd to get to our hotel rooms. Outside the building, it looked as if a hurricane had struck. Although I was young, I knew that Jehovah can protect his people, and that was proved to me right there. Following my experiences at that assembly, I went back to my assignment and remained there until Jehovah’s organization saw fit to send me elsewhere.

GILEAD AND ASSIGNMENT TO JAMAICA

Then I received an application for going to the Society’s missionary school of Gilead. I filled it out, and a few weeks later I was invited to the second class of Gilead, beginning September 1943. It was at Gilead that I got deeper appreciation for the Creator and his organization. Those five months of helpful training passed by so quickly that, before we knew it, we were given our assignments and graduated in January 1944.

Four of us were sent to Montgomery, Alabama, to work with a congregation. I remained in Alabama till April 1945. Then I was asked to come to the Society’s headquarters in Brooklyn in May 1945.

I remained in Brooklyn for three months and was then sent to Oklahoma state to serve some congregations as a “servant to the brethren,” known today as a circuit servant or supervisor. I was just a youth compared to many of my Christian brothers whom I served. Yet the Witnesses did not look down on me as a youth, but readily accepted the suggestions given from God’s Word and organization.

In February 1946 I received notice of a new assignment, to a foreign country, Jamaica, West Indies. One of the graduates of my class was going with me as my partner.

We arrived in Jamaica on March 10, 1946. Two days later I was in the field ministry, working in the block near the branch office. Four days later Brothers Knorr and Franz, the Society’s president and vice-president, came to Jamaica, and a two-day assembly was held in the Ward Theater in Kingston, with 1,270 persons attending. The Society’s president also arranged for the one congregation of two hundred Witnesses in Kingston, the capital, to be divided into three congregations. This was really the beginning of expansion in Jamaica. Since then it has been a source of joy for me to see those three congregations grow into fifteen congregations with over 1,500 proclaimers of the good news.

During the years 1946-1950 I was assigned as part-time circuit supervisor for one of four circuits here on the island, and part-time worker in the branch office. In those days transportation, especially in the rural areas, was not very good. So one presiding minister of a congregation came to the railway station to meet me with two donkeys, one to carry my luggage and the other to carry me. Up the hills we went for five miles or more, and it caused quite a stir. People would stop what they were doing to see a white man riding a donkey.

At other congregations my luggage would be put on a donkey, and a Witness would be sent with me to bring the donkey back, after we walked from five to twelve miles to the next congregation. Naturally youth was in my favor, and how happy I am that I did remember the Creator then. It was a joy to serve my Christian brothers.

Another opportunity to expend some of my youthful vigor came in 1950 when the Society arranged for another missionary and myself to visit the island of Grand Cayman, about two hundred miles from Jamaica. We traveled by boat. There were no witnesses of Jehovah on the island but there was a population of about seven thousand people. We covered every nook and corner of the island on bicycles, over hard and rough roads, and we placed over 1,200 pieces of Bible literature in the hands of the people within six weeks. Shortly after our visit the Society sent other missionaries there, and today there are fourteen proclaimers of God’s kingdom on the island.

Not long after I returned from Grand Cayman, the Society suggested that I work at the branch office full time. So from 1951 to January 1962 I remained in the branch office in Kingston. During this time I also served as presiding minister in three different congregations. It was a blessing to work with many young ones in those congregations and to help them remember their Creator.

RETURN TO GILEAD AND MORE BLESSINGS

In the latter part of 1961 a test came regarding my faith. I received an application from the Society for attending a special ten-month course at Gilead School. The application stated: “If you fill out this application and are accepted you might not return to the country you are now serving, so if you do not want to leave, it would be better not to fill out the application.” It was not easy to decide what to do.

I had come to love my Christian brothers here so much and really felt at home with them. I was now forty-two years of age and not a youth anymore, but I could look back twenty-one years to the time when I started in the full-time pioneer ministry. I could see that Jehovah took care of me for all those years. So I made my decision to agree to go to Gilead again. Not long afterward a letter came requesting that I come to Brooklyn to attend the ten-month course beginning in February 1962. When leaving Jamaica, I will never forget the crowd of over two hundred that came to the airport to see me off. I bade them good-bye with mixed feelings.

I enjoyed that course even more than the one I took back in 1943. So I promised the Creator that I would make use of what I learned to show him that it was appreciated, no matter where I was sent.

When the Society’s president gave us our assignments a few weeks before graduation, my heart began beating extra fast. He started alphabetically, and I was happy my last name began with the letter “B.” Quickly he came to the “B’s,” and when he said, “Brother Bangle will be going back to Jamaica,” I felt like jumping for joy. My heart must have skipped a couple of beats. It was really a happy day for me.

Soon came graduation, and I was informed that I would take up work as a district supervisor in Jamaica. I arrived back in Jamaica in December 1962, and took up the district work in March 1963, and am happy to say that I am still serving in this most joyous work up to the present.

As I travel around the island it is a pleasure to show the Watch Tower Society’s films to thousands of people. People here love to see the films.

Since I came to this assignment over twenty-five years ago, I have been privileged to see the growth of the Kingdom work here in Jamaica from about 1,000 Witnesses in 1946 to over 5,500 today.

As I look back over the thirty-one years since I entered the full-time pioneer ministry, I have found the psalmist’s words to be true: “A young man I used to be, I have also grown old[er], and yet I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring looking for bread.” (Ps. 37:25) I am not yet an old man, and if it is Jehovah’s will, I look forward to spending my later years as I spent the years of my youth​—remembering my Creator.

Fortify Yourself So as to Maintain Integrity

“As for me, in my integrity I shall walk.”​—Ps. 26:11.

1. What are some of the thoughts involved in the word “integrity”?

“I MYSELF have walked in my own integrity,” said David, king of the nation of Israel. Would you like to be able to say that about your life course? Would you like to be able to describe your life course as one of moral soundness, honesty, free from corrupting practices? These are some of the thoughts involved in the word “integrity” and that David doubtless had in mind when he made that statement. These are the qualities that should come to our minds too when we think of integrity.

2. (a) How do we know that David was speaking about a godly quality? (b) What should we be able to ask Jehovah conscientiously?

² This integrity that David was speaking about was a godly quality, for he prefaced his comment, “I myself have walked in my own integrity,” with the words, “Judge me, O Jehovah.” Yes, David was concerned about his uprightness in the eyes of God. Are you? Do you want to be able conscientiously to ask Jehovah to judge you, to examine you, to put you to the test, feeling that God will find you are a person of integrity? How wonderful it would be to be in such a position.​—Ps. 26:1, 2.

NEED FOR INTEGRITY

3. (a) Why is this quality of integrity needed? (b) Describe the world today as far as integrity is concerned. (c) How do we know what course God wants us to take in such a world?

³ But why is this quality needed? To gain Jehovah’s approval; it is as simple as that. Note the qualities that the apostle Paul said would mark the last days of this wicked system of things: “Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power.” (2 Tim. 3:1-5) The world today is marked by qualities that are opposite to integrity. But after listing these morally unsound, dishonest, corrupt characteristics, Paul went on to say, “And from these turn away.” So God’s inspired Word, the Bible, tells us to avoid such people. God does not want us to be like them. He wants people to maintain integrity, to be wholly loyal to him.

4. Cite examples of lack of integrity in (a) secular work and (b) everyday family life.

⁴ We all live in a world that is full of such bad qualities, however. We see these manifest constantly. We hear workmen talking. “I overslept this morning, but I’m telling the boss my car had a flat tire on my way to work,” says one. The other counters with, “But that would be lying. Why don’t you just tell the truth?” The late sleeper retorts, “Oh, no. I can’t do that. If I tell the boss something like that I’ll get fired. I was tired and decided to sleep awhile longer when my alarm clock rang this morning. But he doesn’t have to know that.” Is this individual a man of integrity? Is he honest? Would it not have been better for him to get up when he was supposed to and get to work on time? He would have had no fear of losing his job, and he would not have had to explain his lateness. (Prov. 30:8; 14:5) Or what about the teenage boy who threatens his parents that he will leave home if they make him work in the garden instead of allowing him to play ball? Is this not like extortion, a dishonest practice? And what about his parents who, in order to keep him from carrying out his threat, promise to buy him some expensive gift? Are they encouraging uprightness, integrity, by succumbing to his wishes, letting him have his way? Are they not in fact rewarding his rebellious course, giving him a present for such? Are they not bribing him? (Prov. 17:23; Mic. 3:11) In secular work and in everyday family life, we see little or no manifestation of integrity.

5. (a) In what fields in this wicked system is integrity lacking? (b) Why does integrity-keeping need our attention?

⁵ Even among political leaders and governments of the world we regularly hear of lying and fraudulent practices being carried on. In the commercial world, claims are made in advertising that are deceiving, misleading and often untrue. Then, of course, there are the leaders of false religion who preach from the Bible at times and yet live contrary to its teachings or come forth with philosophies such as “God is dead” or that the virgin birth of Jesus is a myth or that the creation account in Genesis is a fairy tale. From the leaders on down, a lack of integrity is the norm in this wicked system. (John 8:44; 1 John 5:19) And while Christians are to be no part of this wicked system, we must continue living in it until Jehovah brings its end. (John 17:15, 16) So, then, this matter of keeping integrity needs our attention, does it not?

INTEGRITY WEAKENED OR STRENGTHENED?

6. What attitude of worldly youths has rubbed off on some young Christians? Cite an example.

⁶ It is sad to say, but there are examples of individuals who have followed a Christian course up to a point but who weaken their integrity by giving in to the ways of Satan’s system. Rebellious youths are found throughout the world, even in countries where juvenile delinquency was practically unheard of in times past. And this rebellious attitude of schoolmates rubs off on youngsters who may know the Bible truth but who associate with such individuals. Running away from home is viewed by many of the young worldlings as a way to solve problems. But is it wise for a Christian youth to follow such a course? Is it showing appreciation for Jehovah’s arrangement for parental care to run away from home? (Eph. 6:1-3) Is it showing a desire to maintain integrity? There was the case of a young girl, just entering her teens, who ran away from home because her parents had discovered she was skipping classes in school. She was afraid to talk to them about problems she was having in school and so left home and was later found after dark in a bad neighborhood some distance from home. Fortunately it was a respectable individual who found her and got her to talk, and no harm came to her. But she could have been accosted by someone immoral. Would she have had any excuse before Jehovah if harm had come to her? Was she acting in harmony with the words of the model prayer Jesus taught, “Do not bring us into temptation”?​—Matt. 6:13.

7. (a) What wrong course did a boy follow, and to what did it lead? (b) What Scriptural principle did he fail to keep in mind?

⁷ Or what about the boy who was invited to take an afternoon off from school to go to a party in a classmate’s home because the classmate’s parents were away? At first he was against the idea, but instead of definitely refusing the invitation and sticking to his integrity, he asked questions about what was going to happen. He weakened and decided to go to the party. What happened to this young man can serve as a warning to others. While the party was going on, the police arrived and found marijuana hidden in the house. All the youngsters there were picked up, and the young person’s name is now registered with the police. It may be true, he probably did not even know the marijuana was there, but he neglected to follow the wise counsel of Proverbs 13:20, where it says, “He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.” Now, with his bad record, he has a harder fight than ever to maintain integrity. Everytime something goes wrong in his neighborhood he is subject to questioning by the police.

8. What can result from failing to heed counsel against “dating” at an early age?

⁸ Then there are the young teen-agers who think they must “date” and “go steady,” as many children of today do. Contrary to the advice of the organization of Jehovah’s witnesses, the appointed servants in the Christian congregation and even their parents, some youngsters will at an early age get romantically involved with one of the opposite sex. The physical attraction keeps on growing. They are too young to get married, but they want to satisfy the desires that are building up inside them. So they begin toying with immorality, some even going so far as to commit fornication. Such ones fail to show they are wise because they do not “listen and take in more instruction,” as Proverbs 1:5 says wise ones do. Further, they fail to heed the counsel of Pr 1 verse 8 of the same chapter which says, “Listen, my son, to the discipline of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother.” They do not listen to their parents and they do not listen to their heavenly Father, Jehovah, and their “mother,” Jehovah’s wifelike organization. And because of this they fail to maintain integrity, they fail to stay loyally within the moral bounds that God’s Word sets out for them.

9. (a) How should we view borrowing money to acquire luxuries? (b) How should we view lending money to someone for such a purpose?

⁹ Grown-ups too sometimes fail to follow an integrity-keeping course. Romans 13:8 says that we should not be owing anyone anything except love. But what about the situation where a brother has bills to care for and who has previously borrowed some money from another individual to purchase some items he wanted. Is he following a practical course if he takes out an additional loan to purchase some luxury he wants? Is it absolutely necessary that he have such? Was it necessary that he go in debt to purchase perhaps a stereo, a dishwasher, a piano? In taking on so many financial obligations, is he considering the Scriptural thought: “The wicked one is borrowing and does not pay back”? (Ps. 37:21) For that matter, would it even aid such an individual in a course of integrity to loan him money for such unnecessary luxuries? Proverbs 22:7 says, “The borrower is servant to the man doing the lending.” Do we want to be someone’s servant by borrowing or have someone like this become our servant by lending? Would it not be better to avoid such and be servants to just one master, God?​—Luke 16:13.

10. (a) How can integrity be weakened by a wrong attitude toward those whom Jehovah is using to direct his work on earth? (b) What should be our attitude toward the servants in the Christian congregation?

¹⁰ We can fail to maintain integrity by becoming critical of those whom Jehovah God is blessing. Some start looking at the human imperfections of those charged with oversight in the congregations of God’s people. Sometimes when the older men give wise, practical, Bible-based counsel, others mentally and even sometimes vocally go against such because of their dwelling on imperfections or mistakes that may have been made in years past by the same individuals but who now have changed and put on a new personality. Hebrews 13:17 expresses the proper attitude all of us should manifest in our Christian course: “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.”

11. (a) What can we ask about those who have weakened their integrity? (b) What points have we learned thus far to aid us to maintain integrity?

¹¹ By the course of action that the individuals whom we have been discussing took, can we say they were strengthening their integrity? No, rather, the opposite was true. They were weakening it and even trying to weaken the integrity of others. What will happen when persecution or severe opposition comes upon them? Are these people then going to be able to stand? Will they stay loyal to God, close to their Christian brothers? What about us? Can we profit from considering their examples? Youths, can you not see the need to submit to God’s arrangement for you to be under the direction of your parents? Can you not see the need to avoid bad companionship, to avoid playing “hooky” or “cutting” classes? Do you appreciate the importance of listening to the wise counsel of Jehovah’s Word with regard to morals? And as for adults, can we not see the practicality of avoiding getting into debt unnecessarily, taking on financial obligations that may end up by our being classified as “wicked” by Jehovah? Are we cognizant too of not being critical of our brothers, of not failing to appreciate that Jehovah’s organizational arrangement is for our welfare and protection? Really, we have to work at fortifying ourselves so as to maintain integrity. (Prov. 11:3) But how?

HOW TO FORTIFY YOURSELF

12. What should we seek as far as integrity is concerned?

¹² As was mentioned at the outset, King David of Israel sought Jehovah’s judgment as to his integrity. We too should do so. To get Jehovah’s view on the matter of how to fortify our integrity, we can examine Psalm 26, wherein David speaks of this subject in prayer to Jehovah.

13. How is personal study involved with integrity?

¹³ In Ps 26 verse 3 David says to God: “For your loving-kindness is in front of my eyes, and I have walked in your truth.” For this to be true of us, we need to be acquainted with Jehovah and his truth. That means we should be students of the Bible. So, then, one way to fortify ourselves is by personal study. Daily Bible reading is a fine practice in this connection. Then, too, we have the written material provided through Jehovah’s organization from which we can derive benefit. Many say they have more to read than they possibly can. But do we fail to read the publications of the Society because we really have no time? Or is it because we spend considerable time reading newspapers, worldly magazines and novels? Do these publications encourage us to pursue a course of faithfulness to Jehovah God? Why, even the advertising in newspapers and magazines nowadays can arouse immoral thoughts and desires. How much better it is to spend any time we can to reading information that will serve to strengthen us, build us up spiritually. (1 Cor. 15:58) By our personal study, including preparation for the congregation meetings, we will be able to derive more benefits from the gatherings of Jehovah’s people and to give more for the assistance of others attending with us.

14. (a) What kind of associations are to be avoided? (b) What helps us to avoid bad company? Cite an example.

¹⁴ “For I have not sat with men of untruth; and with those who hide what they are I do not come in. I have hated the congregation of evildoers, and with the wicked ones I do not sit,” continued David in Ps 26 verses 4 and 5, pointing out another aspect of fortifying ourselves, that is, avoiding bad associations. The type of individuals David was talking about he mentions further in Ps 26 verses 9 and 10, where he refers to them as “bloodguilty men, in whose hands there is loose conduct, and whose right hand is full of bribery.” For us to stay loyal to Jehovah we must avoid being friends with people such as these, avoid associating with such ones unnecessarily, apart, of course, from preaching the good news of God’s kingdom to them. In fact, preaching to these often assists in avoiding their bad association. To illustrate this point, consider the following: One individual who was studying the Bible for just a few months, and who had been living the life of a “hippie” for some years prior to this study, said: “Sometimes people that we used to be friendly with look us up or write. They are generally very surprised at us, since we very quickly begin to tell them the good news [of the Kingdom]. Needless to say, it’s not good news to them, and surprise turns to dislike and they make hasty exits from our trailer and we don’t hear from them again. But sometimes, too, seeds fall on good soil and there is some interest generated.” Yes, faithfully speaking about our God and his kingdom helps us to avoid bad company.

15. (a) Why do we say that meeting attendance fortifies us? (b) What occurred to individuals who were late for a meeting in Africa?

¹⁵ Attending meetings with others who are anxious to do God’s will is another step in the fortification program of which David speaks. He says: “I shall wash my hands in innocency itself, and I will march around your altar, O Jehovah . . . Jehovah, I have loved the dwelling of your house and the place of the residing of your glory.” (Ps 26 Verses 6 and 8) We too should love Jehovah’s house. Today we could look upon Jehovah’s house as the place where knowledge of him is given. Meetings with Christians of like precious faith “incite to love and fine works,” and this will help us to maintain integrity. (Heb. 10:24) We will be built up by the good association and by the fine spiritual discussions we hear and can take part in. Getting to these meetings on time too is important to get the full benefit of the program. In this connection an experience reported from an African country is of interest: A riot occurred between two tribal groups just after the brothers began their meeting. Two brothers who were late saw the fighting in town and returned to their homes. One stood in the doorway of his home with a spear in his hand for protection, as he was afraid the fighting would reach his house. When the soldiers came upon him, they mistook him for one of those engaged in the fighting and refused to release him. In fact, they said: “He is not one of Jehovah’s witnesses; all of Jehovah’s witnesses were at their meeting studying the Bible, but he was not there.” And the other brother who was late? He was kidnapped and killed.

16. What should we not let interfere with out meeting attendance?

¹⁶ We cannot afford to let things interfere unnecessarily with our meeting attendance. Why take on secular work to earn extra money for luxuries when the working hours will keep you from the meetings or when the extra work will make you too tired to leave your home to get to the meetings? Or why arrange to have relatives visit you or arrange to visit them at times when the Christian congregation is assembling together? We do not want to miss any of these God-given opportunities to fortify ourselves so as to maintain integrity.​—Heb. 10:25.

17. What work reinforces our integrity?

¹⁷ Reinforcing our integrity is also done by sharing in the proclamation of God’s purposes to others, the preaching of the good news of the Kingdom. David, in Ps 26 verse 7, said he wanted “to cause thanksgiving to be heard aloud, and to declare all your wonderful works.” We should feel the same way. We should take every opportunity we can to share what we know about Jehovah and his purposes with others, preaching the message of truth and then returning to teach those who are interested in learning more, endeavoring to make them disciples of Jesus Christ.​—Matt. 24:14; 28:19, 20.

18. (a) About what should we pray, and how often? (b) If prayer is a habit, what will we do when any problems come up, and what will result?

¹⁸ Still another aspect of fortifying ourselves is prayer. David was very conscious of this. While all of Psalm 26 is in fact a prayer, note Ps 26 verse 11: “As for me, in my integrity I shall walk. O redeem me and show me favor.” We too should promise Jehovah that we will walk in integrity, take advantage of the arrangement he has made for our redemption, and show our appreciation for this by thanking Jehovah and by our course of action, showing him our appreciation by our works. We should keep the lines of communication with Jehovah open. We should talk to him regularly, many times each day, telling him about our love for him and our desire to do his will, talking to him about our problems and desires, seeking his guidance in all aspects of our lives. The more that prayer becomes a habit the easier it will be for us to maintain integrity. When some temptation or wrong course is presented to us, we will automatically take Jehovah into consideration. (Prov. 2:7) In fact, we will often find that in the process of talking to Jehovah in prayer about a matter or a decision we must make, Scriptural passages will come to mind that bear on the subject, thus helping us to understand Jehovah’s view on the matter.

19. To sum up the matter of maintaining integrity, what five things can we do to fortify ourselves?

¹⁹ To sum up matters, what are some things that we can do to fortify ourselves so as to maintain integrity? We should personally read and study the Bible and the Bible study aids that Jehovah provides through his organization. We should avoid bad associations. We should attend meetings of those interested in Jehovah’s will and purposes. We should share in the preaching and teaching work foretold for these evil times in which we live. And we should pray regularly to Jehovah to maintain a close relationship with him and dependence on him. But what results from keeping integrity? We will leave the answer to the succeeding article.

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Is it wise for teenagers, too young to marry, to get romantically involved? Physical attraction may cause them to indulge in loose conduct

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If a Christian is too busy to fortify himself by reading Bible literature, is it because he is spending too much time watching TV, reading newspapers and worldly publications?

Joyous Results of Maintained Integrity

1. What Scriptural support is there for the thought that David was a man of integrity?

“SO David, with a sling and a stone, proved stronger than the Philistine and struck the Philistine down and put him to death; and there was no sword in David’s hand.” (1 Sam. 17:50) What great joy this must have brought David, to realize that he had gained the victory over the Philistine giant Goliath because of David’s integrity, his whole-souled devotion to Jehovah. Sometime after his encounter with Goliath, David prayed to Jehovah, “Let integrity and uprightness themselves safeguard me.” (Ps. 25:21) The inspired writer Asaph speaks of David and the “integrity of his heart.” (Ps. 78:72) In 1 Kings 9:4, Jehovah encouraged Solomon to follow the course of his father by saying: “Walk before me, just as David your father walked, with integrity of heart and with uprightness by doing according to all that I have commanded you.” So, although he was imperfect and did make mistakes, David many times throughout his life proved he was an integrity-keeper.

2. (a) Why was Jesus willing to die as he did? (b) According to Philippians 2:5-11, how was Jesus’ course of integrity rewarded?

² In due time a greater-than-David appeared on earth, the man Jesus. Jesus was perfect and faithfully maintained his integrity to Jehovah throughout his human life, setting a fine example for us to follow. (1 Pet. 2:21-23) Can we say that his loyalty to Jehovah brought him happiness? Let God’s Word answer that for us: “For the joy that was set before him [Jesus] he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb. 12:2) Yes, Jesus was willing to go through the ignominious death he faced because he maintained his integrity and had a joyous reward awaiting him. In Philippians 2:5-11 more is told us about this: “Keep this mental attitude in you that was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he was existing in God’s form, gave no consideration to a seizure, namely, that he should be equal to God. No, but he emptied himself and took a slave’s form and came to be in the likeness of men. More than that, when he found himself in fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient as far as death, yes, death on a torture stake. For this very reason also God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name, so that in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”

3. What have many in modern times done as well?

³ In this twentieth century there are many integrity-keepers throughout the world, individuals who day after day show their honesty, their desire to be upright in Jehovah’s eyes by their course of action even in little matters. And, of course, there are many too who have faced big issues, proving their integrity.

MODERN-DAY INTEGRITY-KEEPERS

4. (a) What course did one sixteen-year-old follow in his efforts to maintain integrity? (b) What did his teacher finally do?

⁴ In one country where the church and state work hand in hand, a Christian boy of about sixteen was told that he would be expelled from school if he did not make the sign of the cross and attend the church Mass. He was so near to graduating, but he would lose all his credits if he did not conform. The instructor told him just to go through the motions without believing in what he was doing, but the boy stood firm. The instructor admired the boy’s faith so much that he arranged to have him stand at the rear of the room at prayer time so it would not be noticed that he was not making the sign of the cross. (The teacher was afraid he would get in trouble and that his job would be in jeopardy if he were openly to permit the boy to refrain from this religious practice.) The teacher also assigned him jobs during church Mass so he would have an excuse to be busy and away from the church service. Can we not say, then, that the boy’s integrity-keeping course was rewarded?

5. Why did a youth in school suffer physical abuse?

⁵ There are those who, in obeying the counsel found in God’s Word, have been physically abused. On one Pacific island two youngsters refused to engage in a patriotic ceremony that involved an idolatrous act. The teacher, not appreciating freedom of religion as allowed for in that land, went so far as to break the hand of one youngster. The matter was discussed with the teacher and taken up with his superior, and the teacher was soundly reprimanded. Since that time the teacher has been most cooperative. It is true that the one youngster suffered considerably, but he stayed faithful and in doing so proved that he truly is loyal to Jehovah.

6. (a) Why was the matter of blood transfusions brought up to one thirteen-year-old girl? (b) How did she and her mother keep integrity to Jehovah’s laws?

⁶ Another case of integrity-keeping was manifested in recent years when a thirteen-year-old girl in Berlin was found to have leukemia. The doctor explained that transfusions of blood would make the girl more comfortable and stave off the progress of the disease. The mother, being a God-fearing Christian, knew what the Bible says about not eating blood. (Gen. 9:4; Acts 15:28, 29) So she refused to permit transfusions to be given. The girl also refused to permit this, saying, “I would rather die faithful to Jehovah God than to violate his command in order to live a little while longer.” (Matt. 10:39) This girl did die, but she left a letter for her mother to read. The letter was to all the ones the girl knew and it asked that they not find fault with her mother for not permitting transfusions. She said: “It is just as much my firm will to be true and obedient to God’s Word rather than to be a lawbreaker. . . . If the great Life-giver Jehovah considers me worthy he will give me a resurrection​—in honest-to-goodness flesh and blood as a human on a cleansed paradise earth in delight and happiness. So you see, that is why it wasn’t hard for me to die. Can you understand that?”

7. (a) Faith in what makes one able to face death? (b) How do individuals get such faith?

⁷ But why was it not hard for her to die? Because she had faith just as did Abraham of old, who “reckoned that God was able to raise him [his son Isaac] up even from the dead.” (Heb. 11:19) Yes, she had full faith in God’s promised new system of things and the resurrection of those ransomed by the sacrifice of God’s Son. (John 5:28) But where would someone so young get such faith that would aid her to keep integrity, even in the face of death? It was from a study of God’s Word, the Bible. Another young girl, who is now a full-time minister of Jehovah’s witnesses, in commenting on some material she heard about parents training their children, said: “It made me glad all over again that my mother had bothered with a family study. I sure do wish I could shake some of these children who ignore their parents and their counsel.”

8. (a) Why is neutrality involved in keeping integrity? (b) How were a mother and son tested on the neutrality issue, and what was the outcome?

⁸ In John 18:36 Jesus is quoted as saying, “My kingdom is no part of this world.” Our keeping integrity involves our being loyal to that kingdom and maintaining a course of strict neutrality toward the affairs of this wicked system of things. In one island country, a Witness learned that her son had been threatened with dismissal from school because of his conscientious refusal to participate in military exercises. So she appealed to the school officials on her son’s behalf. One official suggested she claim that her son was physically disabled so that he could be excused, but the mother, knowing God’s viewpoint of lying, told them that this was not the truth. (Rev. 21:8) Then they suggested that the boy just wear the uniform and do nothing more than call the roll and hand out the wooden rifles. Again the mother explained that this would identify her boy as part of the exercises. Becoming irritated, the officials angrily dismissed the mother, saying that her religion is unreasonably strict. She left quietly, but before she could go far she was hastily called back by the officials. They apologized for what they had said earlier and told her that, in fact, they really admired her firm religious convictions. How thankful she was to Jehovah when they told her that the boy would be given work to do in the principal’s office while others did military exercises! Certainly she and her son were rewarded for their efforts to maintain their integrity as far as the issue of Christian neutrality is concerned.

9. Why did an actress and her husband make changes in their lives, and what resulted from this?

⁹ Even individuals newly associated with the true religion and the pure worship of Jehovah have the opportunity to show their loyalty to God, their integrity. People from all walks of life come to an accurate knowledge of the truth. A married woman who was an actress in the Middle East began studying the Bible and readily accepted the truth. Quickly she saw the need to avoid parts in television and on the stage that violated Christian principles. (1 Pet. 4:3, 4) Her husband, an actor, had more difficulty in making changes in his life because worldly associations were hindering his progress. Through encouragement from Jehovah’s witnesses and some self-examination on his part, he soon took a position pleasing to God. Then he began inviting all his friends and neighbors to study the Bible. They asked what changed him, and he replied, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) By this couple’s endeavoring to conform their lives loyally to Jehovah’s Word and the principles therein, they had the joyous result of seeing the change in themselves and being able to share their newfound religion effectively with others.

10. How did one newly interested person face up to family opposition, and how was she rewarded?

¹⁰ Maintaining integrity often brings opposition from relatives who do not appreciate the true religion, but did not Jesus foretell that “a man’s enemies will be persons of his own household”? (Matt. 10:36) A woman in the southern part of Africa began studying the Bible and immediately quit her church because of its false teachings. Her husband and mother fiercely opposed her, but the one studying the Bible with her pointed out Matthew 10:37, where Jesus said: “He that has greater affection for father or mother than for me is not worthy of me.” She was encouraged by this to continue studying, and she was also comforted with the knowledge that those hated because of the good news of God’s kingdom are really blessed. (Matt. 5:10, 11) She became all the more determined to put into practice what she learned from her studies. Her steadfastness brought results, however, for sometime later she was astounded to find her mother also giving a witness of the good news to her friends, even expressing regret that she previously had been wasting her time. The mother then began encouraging her daughter not to give up. Certainly the young woman’s integrity-keeping course has been richly rewarded as she and her once opposed mother work together serving Jehovah.

11. What temptations were put before a brother to break the Scriptural injunction against stealing, and how did the matter work out?

¹¹ Keeping integrity involves living in harmony with the thought expressed in Ephesians 4:28: “Let the stealer steal no more.” In these times of great economic hardships, those in responsible secular positions are faced with many temptations and intimidations. Studying the principles of the Bible serves to maintain one’s balance and honesty. A person serving as a cashier in a bank in a poor Asian country began studying with Jehovah’s witnesses. Often employees would endeavor to bribe or force him to falsify checks in order to obtain money for themselves. These corrupt persons even brought and offered him a complete set of furniture and a new motorcar in an effort to break down his resistance and get him to join with them. Fortified with the Bible truth, he maintained his integrity, refusing all such gifts. Shortly after he was baptized, the director of the bank endeavored to obtain large amounts of money through him without providing the proper receipts. This too the brother refused to do, as it was against the regulations of the bank and contrary to Scriptural principles. An inspection was made by the authorities of the bank. The bank director was fired, but the brother is still holding his job because of their respect for his honesty. He could have given in to the director’s wishes, thinking he would have to continue working with him and would suffer abuse if he did not cooperate with him, but he chose to pursue a course of loyalty to Jehovah, and in the end was richly rewarded.

12. What effort did one Bible student put forth to qualify for the ministry?

¹² The Bible, speaking of Babylon the Great, the world empire of false religion, says, “Get out of her, my people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues.” (Rev. 18:4) Maintaining integrity involves heeding that counsel too. In a west African land a man studied the Bible with Jehovah’s witnesses and in a few months expressed the desire to join in the field ministry. It was pointed out that he was too closely associated with a segment of Babylon the Great and that adjustments had to be made in his secular work first. Due to a physical handicap he found it very difficult to find suitable, alternative employment. Knowing that Jehovah would bless anyone doing what is right, he moved over four hundred miles to take up a new job. Imagine his delight at finding that he was sharing an office with one of Jehovah’s witnesses. He immediately took up the field ministry, joined the Theocratic Ministry School and made arrangements to be baptized in symbol of his dedication to Jehovah.

13. (a) What attitude toward the preaching work brings rewards? (b) What did one young lady do to help her family to learn the truth, and was it worth the effort?

¹³ Our loyalty to Jehovah, our maintaining our integrity to him is also shown by our sharing the good news from God’s Word, the Bible, with others. Knowing the truth, we should feel just as Jeremiah did when he said, “In my heart it proved to be like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I got tired of holding in, and I was unable to endure it.” (Jer. 20:9) This right attitude toward speaking about Jehovah’s purposes brings joyous rewards too. A young lady visited relatives in another country and found that one of them was studying with Jehovah’s witnesses. She sat in on the studies and made rapid progress. In a few months she became a dedicated witness of Jehovah. She wrote her family about the truths she had learned from the Bible but they did not respond favorably to her letters, so she decided to return home to speak to them directly and to let them see what a change the truth had made in her life. But things did not work out that way, and her family even opposed her attending meetings of Jehovah’s witnesses. Some of the men in the congregation arranged to make a friendly visit on her family and were able to persuade the family to make just one visit to the Kingdom Hall to see what went on there. At the meeting they were so impressed by the love, kindness and joy manifested by the brothers that they no longer opposed the young lady’s attending meetings and sharing in the field ministry. In time her younger sister became interested in the truth and is now a dedicated servant of God. Continued efforts resulted in her mother and married sister’s also learning the truth and, in turn, sharing it with others. Now they are happily united in Jehovah’s service, all because of the faithful course of the one who learned the truth and determinedly shared it with others in her immediate family.

JOY NOW AND IN THE FUTURE

14. (a) How do we receive joy now by maintaining integrity? (b) Explain Proverbs 27:11 in connection with our being joyful.

¹⁴ From the foregoing, can it not be said that maintaining our integrity now brings joyous results at present? True, joy may come from being able to help others to see that we have the true religion or from receiving commendation or perhaps a promotion from a worldly superior because of his seeing our fine course of action. But an even greater reason for our being joyful is spoken of in Proverbs 27:11. Let us read and analyze this verse together: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice, that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me.” Jehovah is telling us to be wise. How can we be wise? How can we show wisdom? By taking in knowledge from the Bible and then by applying that knowledge in our lives. In other words, by keeping integrity to Bible principles. If we are wise in this way, what does it do? It makes God’s heart rejoice. Why? Because we can serve as an answer to ‘him that is taunting God,’ that is, Satan the Devil. Yes, Jehovah can point to integrity-keepers to prove Satan’s challenge that he could turn all men away from God is false, just as Jehovah did in the case of Job. (Job 1:8) When you stop and think of it, is that not an outstanding reason for us to be joyful, knowing that by our course of action, by our doing what is right, especially under test or trial, we are making Jehovah rejoice? And knowing this will help us to continue in this right course, for ‘the joy of Jehovah is our stronghold.’​—Neh. 8:10.

15. Why can we say that the happiness integrity brings is not short-lived?

¹⁵ The happiness that comes from loyalty to Jehovah is not something that is short-lived, however. This happiness is to survive the destruction of this wicked system of things, which destruction is near at hand. Isaiah 65:18 records Jehovah’s invitation: “Exult, you people, and be joyful forever in what I am creating.” And what is it that Jehovah is creating? Isa 65 Verse 17 says: “For here I am creating new heavens and a new earth; and the former things will not be called to mind, neither will they come up into the heart.” The righteous new system of God’s making is something about which we can express joy endlessly, because if we faithfully do his will we have the hope of living in that arrangement. Our integrity will serve as a refuge for us to protect us when the wicked are destroyed. “Because of his badness the wicked will be pushed down, but the righteous will be finding refuge in his integrity.”​—Prov. 14:32.

16. What joy awaits the remnant of the “little flock”?

¹⁶ For those yet remaining of Jesus’ “little flock” on earth, their maintaining their integrity until death will bring the great reward of being united with Christ Jesus in heaven to serve as kings and priests with him for a thousand years. (Luke 12:32; Rev. 20:6) Paul, in Philippians 3:13 and 14, explains what he did to keep in line to receive this prize: “Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, I am pursuing down toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God by means of Christ Jesus.” Those anointed Christians, still alive in the flesh, must follow a similar course. For so doing they will have many joyous experiences now, and will in Jehovah’s due time be given the incomparable reward of immortality with Jesus as part of God’s heavenly Kingdom government.​—1 Cor. 15:53, 54.

17. What joy awaits those of the “great crowd”?

¹⁷ After speaking of the limited number who would gain the prize of heavenly life, Revelation chapter 7 goes on in Re 7 verse 9 to speak of a “great crowd” from all over the world who would also gain life. But the life these would gain is everlasting life as humans on a paradise earth. For those who keep themselves in a clean condition before Jehovah by maintaining their integrity to him and who courageously acknowledge that salvation comes from Jehovah through Jesus, the joyous result will be life eternal when these words come true: “And [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” (Rev. 21:4) Such a promise is not ‘too good to be true,’ as some would say, for the next Re 21 verse 5 in the Bible says, “Write, because these words are faithful and true.” Yes, they are guaranteed by God himself.

18. If we maintain integrity, what attitude like that of David can we have?

¹⁸ There is no doubt about it. Maintaining integrity brings joyous results now and in the future. If we follow this course, we too can say to God as did David: “As for me, because of my integrity you have upheld me, and you will set me before your face to time indefinite.”​—Ps. 41:12.

Is Fasting for Christians?

IN ANSWER to that question you may have been told: “Yes, for Jesus recommended fasting for his followers.” If you are a practicing Catholic, you would respond in the affirmative, for you recognize certain fast days, and in particular you always fast before taking “Holy Communion.”

Did Jesus really recommend or command fasting for his followers?

In the instances recorded in the Bible, fasting was done as an expression of sorrow and repentance for sins or when under distressing conditions. (Dan. 10:2, 3; 1 Sam. 31:13; 2 Chron. 20:3, 4) Also, persons might fast when in sore need of divine guidance or at times when unusual concentration on some service to God was necessary.​—Judg. 20:26; Esther 4:16.

ATONEMENT DAY, WITH ITS FASTING, PICTORIAL

However, neither Jesus Christ nor his apostles commanded Christians to observe fasts. On the other hand, the Scriptures do not forbid them to fast. In the instances where Jesus gave counsel on fasting he was speaking to Jews under the Law covenant. (Matt. 6:16-18; Luke 18:9-14) Under the Law, fasting was to be observed at certain times and on certain occasions, notably on the Day of Atonement.

On this day, the tenth day of the seventh lunar month, the Jews were to ‘afflict their souls.’ (Lev. 16:29-31) This included fasting, as indicated by the words of David, who said concerning distressing conditions that he underwent: “With fasting I afflicted my soul.”​—Ps. 35:13; compare Isaiah 58:1-5.

On Atonement Day the Jewish high priest made offerings for the sins of the entire nation. It was a day reminding the Jews of their inherent sinfulness. It was a time to acknowledge their sinful condition before God and to manifest sorrow and repentance. Therefore they were required to fast. And it was no mere formalism.

Why, though, did the Jews have to fast repeatedly, every year, whereas the Christian congregation is not commanded to fast at all?

The apostle Paul helps us to understand this by his comments on the sacrifices offered under the Law. He says that these sacrifices sanctified the offerers “to the extent of cleanness of the flesh,” but that they did not make them ‘perfect as respects their conscience.’ These Jewish worshipers were viewed by God as clean to the extent that they could approach him. They were not as the unclean pagans. But they were reminded of their sins again next year on Atonement Day. The cleanness they enjoyed was only a ceremonial cleanness, typical or pictorial of the complete cleanness of conscience that Christians enjoy through the sacrifice of Christ “once for all time.”​—Heb. 9:9, 13, 28.

The Christian congregation, being cleansed of its sins, does not need to set aside a day for fasting and repentance each year. Jesus Christ atoned for the sins of his congregation by his sacrificial course. He fulfilled what was foreshadowed by the Day of Atonement. This “day” in fulfillment ran from the time of his baptism until his appearing in heaven before God to offer the merit of his sacrifice. (Heb. 9:24-26) At Pentecost, 33 C.E., about 3,000 persons added at one time acknowledged their sins and repented of them, which sins included bloodguilt for Christ’s death. Faith in his sacrifice really resulted in cleansing from sin.​—Acts 2:37-39, 41.

Nevertheless, does not the individual Christian need to fast when he unintentionally commits sins from day to day? No, he can draw on the sacrifice of Christ given “once for all time.” On the basis of this sacrifice he may always “approach with freeness of speech to the throne of undeserved kindness, that [he] may obtain mercy and find undeserved kindness for help at the right time.”​—Heb. 4:16.

“HOLY COMMUNION” OR “THE LORD’S EVENING MEAL”

But what about “Holy Communion,” also called the “Last Supper” or the “Lord’s Evening Meal”? The Scriptures make it very clear that fasting before its observance is not required.

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in the city of Corinth about this memorial meal. They had been treating the occasion as a time for eating together first at the meeting place. This, of course, led to bad results in the midst of their sectarianism. While some had plenty to eat and drink, others had nothing to eat and so went hungry. This preceded the communion meal, and because some overindulged they missed the significance of the Lord’s Supper. Paul reproved them, saying: “You do have houses for eating and drinking, do you not?” and, “If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, that you may not come together for judgment.”​—1 Cor. 11:21, 22, 34.

Additionally, the “Lord’s Evening Meal” being a ‘communion meal’ (a meal of joint participation), it is not an occasion for sorrow over sins and for repentance. The basis for communion meals is found in the Law, and there communion meals were not occasions for making offerings given in sorrow and repentance for sin. They were classed as voluntary, vow or thanksgiving offerings. (Lev. 7:11, 12, 16) The “Lord’s Evening Meal” therefore provides opportunity to review and be thankful for what Jehovah God and Jesus Christ have done for Christians through Christ’s sacrifice, and to consider the unity of the congregation of Christ and the ministry that all share in common. (1 John 1:3) It is not a distressing or sorrowful time. Fasting for a period of time before the meal is therefore not a Scriptural requirement.

LATER ADDITIONS TO THE INSPIRED TEXT

However, someone may ask: When Jesus’ disciples could not understand why they had been unable to expel a certain demon, did not Jesus say: “This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting”? (Mark 9:29, Authorized Version [9:28, Douay]) No, he did not say this, for the oldest and best manuscripts do not include the words “and fasting.” These words were evidently added by Bible copyists. It appears that these copyists advocated and practiced fasting and so they added references to it repeatedly where it was not found in earlier copies. This is true not only of Mark 9:29 but also of Matthew 17:21, where they inserted the entire sentence above quoted; of Acts 10:30, where Cornelius is made to say he fasted; and of 1 Corinthians 7:5, where Paul is said to recommend it to married couples.a

INSTANCES OF CHRISTIAN FASTING

What, then, was Jesus’ purpose when he fasted for forty days and nights? This was when he was led by God’s spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted by the Devil. Here was a distressing situation where he sorely needed divine help. Also here he concentrated deeply on the course of sacrifice ahead of him. Both Moses and Elijah also fasted for forty days and nights. In all these instances these men doubtless received divine assistance.​—Matt. 4:1, 2, 11; Deut. 9:9; 1 Ki. 19:7, 8.

Jesus’ followers also fasted in special circumstances, particularly when there was great concern for divine guidance. Thus we read of certain ones in the Christian congregation at Antioch, prophets and teachers, who were “publicly ministering to Jehovah and fasting.” This was at a time when there was great persecution against the disciples, and when God’s spirit directed that Paul and Barnabas be sent out on their first missionary tour among the Gentiles.​—Acts 13:2, 3.

Again, when Paul and Barnabas were establishing congregations in Galatia, they needed strong, mature men to take the lead in the newly formed congregations. To be sure that their choice was right, they ‘offered prayer with fastings’ in connection with making the appointments.​—Acts 14:23.

Jesus was not giving his disciples a command to fast when he said: “Days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Jesus was merely foretelling what actually did happen to his followers later when he was put to death. They were undoubtedly so upset that they did not want to eat.​—Matt. 9:15.

The apostle Paul speaks of himself as fasting (according to the reading of the Authorized Version) at 2 Corinthians 6:5 and; 2 Co 11:27. But here the situations the apostle speaks of are obviously such as were beyond his control. The expression is more properly rendered “times without food” and “starving,” “hunger,” “without food.”​—New World Translation, The Jerusalem Bible; Revised Standard Version.

ASCETICISM

In the Christian congregation at Colossae, some were being ensnared into ascetic practices. Undoubtedly this was due primarily to the influence of Jews who tried to bring Christians back under the Law, insisting that they observe its precepts. Paul wrote to those being misled: “Why do you, as if living in the world, further subject yourselves to the decrees: ‘Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch,’ respecting things that are all destined to destruction by being used up, in accordance with the commands and teachings of men? Those very things are, indeed, possessed of an appearance of wisdom in a self-imposed form of worship and mock humility, a severe treatment of the body; but they are of no value in combating the satisfying of the flesh.”​—Col. 2:20-23.

So today, Christians may fast for a limited time for practical reasons. But they should not do it feeling it is a religious requirement placed on the Christian congregation. Whatever they do they do with a view to serving Jehovah more fully, as the apostle said: “He who eats, eats to Jehovah, for he gives thanks to God; and he who does not eat does not eat to Jehovah, and yet gives thanks to God.”​—Rom. 14:6.

[Footnotes]

Do You Remember?

Have you read the recent issues of The Watchtower carefully? If so, you should remember the following points:

● What does it mean to know God?

Knowing God is to come to have a deep, intimate understanding of him and his fine qualities and to appreciate from the heart what a friend he is. This requires a person to exert himself in developing knowledge, love and appreciation.​—Pp. 265, 266.a

● What was the main issue Satan raised in the Garden of Eden?

It was over the deservedness, rightfulness and righteousness of Jehovah’s sovereignty. That is, Was God’s rule exercised in a way that was really for the benefit of his creatures?​—P. 267.

● Why is a person who is indifferent to his marriage responsibilities a liar?

In Christendom the majority have sworn in God’s name to love, honor and stick by their marriage mates. Among others the marriage is in effect a contract. Those who fail to live up to their vows are liars.​—Pp. 309, 310.

● What part should mercy play in our lives?

It should include not only forbearance toward those who offend us, but also active expressions of compassion to others who are in need. This includes the giving of spiritual aid to others, not to make a record for ourselves, but out of concern for them; encouraging persons who are ill or lonely, and giving material aid to worthy ones as we are able.​—Pp. 411-415.

● How might Christians become guilty of ‘murdering the righteous One,’ as stated at James 5:6?

By looking down on or refusing to help lowly Christian brothers, or by letting covetousness, envy or pride lead them into hating certain brothers. What is done to the brothers of Christ, “the righteous One,” is counted as done to him.​—Pp. 447, 448.

● What besides preaching is included in the ministry of true Christians?

It includes also the work done within the Christian congregation by overseers, as well as services to the sick, the poor and needy, work done in caring for Christian meeting places, service in Bethel homes, and the many other activities by which we demonstrate that we apply the counsel of God’s Word in our own lives and so properly represent true worship to others.​—Pp. 456-459.

● Why has God allowed the righteous to suffer?

Because of the issue raised in Eden involving the integrity of men to God. God has allowed to men the privilege of serving under test, enduring pressures from Satan and his world, to vindicate God’s name.​—P. 487.

● Since Adam and Eve were created perfect, how could they sin?

They were not made to perform like machines but were in God’s likeness and had free moral agency. They were perfect or complete according to God the Creator’s standards and purposes for them. Therefore, if they had not had the ability to choose good or bad, they would not have been perfect.​—P. 499.

● What will human perfection in God’s new order remove, but what will it not mean?

It will remove everything that does not measure up to God’s standards, but it will not make the person all-knowing or possessing all abilities. It will not eliminate the challenge of living. Problems will be encountered, but without the frustration, disappointment and futility we meet in a sinful world.​—P. 500.

[Footnotes]

Where Was the Garden of Eden?

THE beautiful garden or park that Jehovah God provided as a home for the first human pair, Adam and Eve, was situated in a section of the region known as Eden. It was therefore called the “garden of Eden.” Because of their disobedience, Adam and Eve were expelled from their paradisaic home. And return to this garden home was barred by cherubs and the flaming blade of a sword, evidently until the surging waters of the Flood obliterated the garden.​—Gen. 2:8, 15; 3:24.

Regarding the location of Eden’s garden, Moses wrote: “Now there was a river issuing out of Eden to water the garden, and from there it began to be parted and it became, as it were, four heads. The first one’s name is Pishon; it is the one encircling the entire land of Havilah, where there is gold. . . . And the name of the second river is Gihon; it is the one encircling the entire land of Cush. And the name of the third river is Hiddekel; it is the one going to the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is the Euphrates.”​—Gen. 2:10-14.

The regions Cush, Havilah and Assyria (Asshur) existed in the post-Flood period, evidently deriving their names from Noah’s descendants. (Gen. 10:7, 22, 29) As a geographical designation, the name “Cush” at an early date became virtually synonymous with Ethiopia. The region of Havilah appears to have embraced the northwest portion of the Arabian Peninsula and extended to or near the Sinai Peninsula, where the wilderness of Shur was likely located. (Gen. 25:18; 1 Sam. 15:7) The Genesis account speaks of the Hiddekel or Tigris as “going to the east of Assyria.” (Gen. 2:14) This may mean that, in the period referred to, Assyria occupied considerable territory west of the Tigris, possibly including Babylonia.

Thus the evidence suggests that Moses employed terms familiar in his day to indicate the location of Eden’s garden. Of course, the Genesis account does not say the garden of Eden covered all this area. The references to Cush, Havilah and Assyria (Asshur) serve to identify the courses of the rivers. Nevertheless, their mention would have been helpful to Moses’ contemporaries in getting a picture of the relationship of the garden to these named areas. But for us today the regions themselves do not provide much assistance in determining the location of the garden of Eden.

As to the rivers, the Pishon and the Gihon cannot now be identified. This is understandable. If this part of Moses’ description relates to the time before the Flood, the Deluge itself may well have contributed to eliminating or changing the courses of the Pishon and Gihon Rivers. But if the rivers were ones existing in the post-Flood period, other natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, may since have altered their courses. More recent happenings illustrate that such changes can take place. For example, in 1950 a powerful earthquake in the region of Assam, India, caused some rivers to disappear and others to change their courses.

However, the Euphrates is well known, and Idiqlat (Hiddekel) is the name used for the equally well-known Tigris in ancient Akkadian (Assyro-Babylonian) inscriptions. These rivers provide a real clue as to the location of Eden’s garden. The Hebrew word translated “heads” at Genesis 2:10 has a bearing on the matter. It would favor placing the garden of Eden in the mountainous region near the source of the Tigris and the Euphrates. As The Anchor Bible states in its comment on Genesis 2:10: “In Heb[rew] the mouth of the river is called ‘end’ (Josh xv 5, Jos xviii 19); hence the plural of ro’s ‘head’ must refer here to the upper course. . . . This latter usage is well attested for the Akk[adian] cognate resu.”

Both the Euphrates and the Tigris have their present sources in the mountainous region to the north of the Mesopotamian plains. Although opinions vary, numerous scholars would locate the garden of Eden in this area, a few miles south of Lake Van, in eastern Turkey.

“For the Purpose of a Witness”

IT WAS in the spring of 33 C.E. that Jesus Christ, while on the Mount of Olives, told his disciples: “As for you, look out for yourselves; people will deliver you up to local courts, and you will be beaten in synagogues and be put on the stand before governors and kings for my sake, for the purpose of a witness to them.”​—Mark 13:9, New World Translation, 1950 edition.

The experiences of Christ’s followers since that time prove this to be true. More than fifty days after Jesus uttered these words the apostles Peter and John had to defend their faith before the highest Jewish court, the Sanhedrin. Though unlettered and ordinary, they gave a powerful and fearless witness to that august body composed of rulers, scribes and older men of influence. (Acts 4:5-19) Not long thereafter all the apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin. Boldly they addressed the members of that court: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men. The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew, hanging him upon a stake. God exalted this one as Chief Agent and Savior to his right hand, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these matters, and so is the holy spirit, which God has given to those obeying him as ruler.”​—Acts 5:27-32.

Years later the apostle Paul made his defense before Governor Felix and his wife Drusilla, Governor Festus, King Agrippa and his wife Bernice, and finally before Caesar himself. (Acts 24:24; 25:8-12, 23; 26:32) So convincing was Paul’s defense that King Agrippa exclaimed: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.”​—Acts 26:28.

By being haled before kings and governors, first-century Christians were able to give a witness about their faith to persons who might otherwise not have been reached. This was in harmony with Jehovah’s purpose. It being his will that “all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth,” men in high governmental station, by having Christians brought before them, were given an opportunity to learn the truth.​—1 Tim. 2:4.

IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

Also in this twentieth century there have been Christians who have recognized that their being brought before governmental officials was for the “purpose of a witness.” Therefore they have not been afraid to defend their faith. Whereas questions have often been asked in an insulting manner, these Christians have presented their reasons with calmness and gentleness. They have not responded in an irritated or resentful way. Though not cowed by the fear of men, they have manifested a deep respect or wholesome fear, as if in the presence of Jehovah God, whose ‘eyes are upon the righteous ones.’ (1 Pet. 3:12) In so doing, they have heeded the counsel at 1 Peter 3:15: “Sanctify the Christ as Lord in your hearts, always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.”

About five years ago, in Lebanon, one of Jehovah’s witnesses and the young man accompanying him in the door-to-door ministry for the first time were taken to the police station for questioning. Told by the police that they would be released if they promised to stop preaching, the Witness asked what was wrong about preaching the Bible, as that is what the people really need. He also mentioned that it would be good for them to read and study the Bible, and presented some Bible literature to them. Had you been in the position of this Witness and his companion, would you have spoken out courageously in behalf of your faith?

The fine stand taken by this Witness and his companion did not result in their being detained longer. Instead, one of the policemen said to the other one: ‘I think we had better let them go and not ask them any more questions or they will be changing our minds and way of thinking.’ Truly, the reaction of these policemen to the witness given was similar to that of King Agrippa after hearing Paul’s defense in the first century C.E.

However, not only adults, but also persons of school age have been able to defend their faith. Not long ago two girls used their school vacation to tell the inhabitants of a village in East Germany about the Bible. At noontime, however, the two girls were arrested and taken to the police headquarters. While there, they preached the truth to the policemen whom they met. Each girl was interrogated separately for three and a half hours. Finally, when the officials decided to expel them from the county, the chief said that he had never experienced such a thing. One of the girls replied that he too needed to hear the good news in order to make a decision about his own future, and both girls expressed appreciation for having been able to preach God’s message to the officials. Yes, these girls recognized that they were at the police headquarters for the purpose of a witness and made the best of that opportunity.

While those listening to the defense often do not make any changes in their lives, they nevertheless have received a witness. At times, though, those who have courageously taken advantage of the occasion to make a defense of their Christian hope have had the additional blessing of seeing their words fall on responsive ears. This was the experience of one Witness in Portugal a number of years ago. He received a notice to appear at the local police station for questioning. On his arrival, he was taken into a room with several officers, including the one who had brought the notice to his door. Questions were asked about his religion, and a good opportunity was given to witness about his faith. Most of the men belittled what he had to say, but the Witness observed that the officer who had knocked at his door listened attentively. During the hours that the Witness was kept at the police station, he had occasion to speak directly to this officer. Later, arrangements were made to study the Bible with this receptive man. Eventually he retired from the police force and himself became one of Jehovah’s witnesses. Interestingly, this former police officer was baptized by the Witness on whom he had served notice to appear at the police station. Was this not a blessed reward for taking advantage of the opportunity to give a witness?

Surely the experiences of Christians, past and present, illustrate that their being brought before officials has been for the purpose of a witness. Knowing this, the Christian should be ever alert to seize the opportunity to give a fearless witness concerning his faith, doing so respectfully and with mildness. Genuine love and concern for others, coupled with the ardent hope that they might be helped to see the truth, will move the Christian to take advantage of every opportunity to speak about his faith to all persons. He can also rest assured of the help of God’s spirit in this respect, for Jesus told his followers: “You are not the ones speaking, but the holy spirit is.”​—Mark 13:11.

Annual Meeting, October 1, 1971

The annual meeting of the members of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania on October 1, 1971, will be held at Jehovah’s Witnesses Assembly Hall, Buckingham, Pennsylvania. At the annual meeting last year the members determined upon this location for 1971, and accordingly the meeting will be at 10:00 o’clock in the forenoon of Friday, October 1, 1971, at the assembly hall in Buckingham.

It will be appreciated if the members of the corporation will now see to it that the Secretary’s office has their present mailing addresses so that the regular letters of notice and proxies can be sent to them to reach them shortly after September 1.

The proxies, which will be sent to the members along with the notice of the annual meeting, are to be returned so as to reach the office of the Secretary of the Society not later than September 15. As each member knows, he should complete and return his proxy promptly whether he is going to be at the meeting personally or not.

Questions From Readers

● At Ephesians 4:23, what is meant by being ‘made new in the force actuating the mind’?​—U.S.A.

After discussing the need to ‘put away the old personality which conforms to one’s former course of conduct,’ the apostle Paul wrote to Christians at Ephesus: “You should be made new in the force actuating your mind.” (Eph. 4:20-23) Evidently, therefore, the ‘new force’ that should actuate our minds as Christians must be one that contrasts with the inclination of the mind belonging to the “old personality.” This “force” must be an inclination, disposition, or dominant attitude to do that which is in harmony with God’s will.

The Bible shows us that, as imperfect creatures, both our heart and mind have an inclination toward bad, from birth onward. What can this lead to? With reference to people of the nations, the apostle Paul noted that they “walk in the unprofitableness of their minds, while they are in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the insensibility of their hearts. Having come to be past all moral sense, they gave themselves over to loose conduct to work uncleanness of every sort with greediness.” (Eph. 4:17-19) Similarly, Paul reminded the Christians at Colossae of the change they had made, saying: “You who were once alienated and enemies because your minds were on the works that were wicked, he now has again reconciled by means of that one’s [Jesus’] fleshly body through his death.”​—Col. 1:21, 22.

The Bible calls one who follows this wrong inclination a “physical” (literally, “soulical”) man, as distinguished from a “spiritual” man. The “physical” man’s mind is inclined toward materialistic things, toward satisfying his fleshly desires and passions. (1 Cor. 2:14, 15) The force that activates his mind has been formed in him in part by inheritance and in part by his reaction to the things he has been taught and has experienced. When a matter is presented to him, perhaps involving a moral decision, this force pushes or inclines his mind in a materialistic or fleshly direction. What should we do if we find ourselves inclining this way?

By a study of God’s Word and by the operation of God’s spirit, this activating force or dominant attitude can be changed so that it is inclined in a right direction. In this process our hearts clearly come into play. The heart motivates the mind in the effort to gain the right information and then to apply it. We thus can come to have “the mind of Christ,” who was at all times activated by the proper force, his mental inclination or dominant attitude always being spiritual. (1 Cor. 2:16) Then, whatever matters are presented to us, our minds will be activated and directed toward a proper spiritual course by a ‘new force,’ a new dominant attitude, inclination or disposition.

If we, as Christians, are to be able to resist pressures toward wrongdoing, we must continue to develop a dominant inclination to do that which is pleasing in God’s eyes. This calls for continual study of God’s Word, association with others of like precious faith, persevering in prayer and constant application of the things learned. As a result the individual’s heart and mind will come to be in full agreement that nothing should be allowed to jeopardize his standing with the Creator. Appreciating Jehovah’s love, his dominant attitude inclines him to respond to it in loyal obedience. He realizes that such obedience is right and leads to the greatest blessings, for God’s law serves to ensure the welfare of all concerned.

Hence, when confronted with temptation, the person’s dominant attitude will push him away from the temptation. He will not entertain thoughts and desires about how pleasurable it might be to take a course of action that he knows to be wrong. He will not reason that, well, he is weak and ‘God is very merciful.’ Rather, his reaction will be much like that of Joseph when Potiphar’s wife shamelessly invited him to have sex relations with her. Joseph immediately replied: “How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God?”​—Gen. 39:9.

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