1, 2. In this system of things, why will there always be some poor people?

TODAY, the economic system is cruel and unfair. For example, it is difficult for many young people to find jobs. Some people risk their lives to move to rich countries. And even in rich countries, there are many poor people. Around the world, the rich are becoming richer while the poor are becoming poorer. According to recent estimates, the richest 1 percent of people have as much money as the other 99 percent of people combined. Clearly, while some people have more than enough money to last for many lifetimes, billions of others are very poor. Jesus recognized this when he said: “You always have the poor with you.” (Mark 14:7) Why does such unfairness exist?

² Jesus knew that only God’s Kingdom could change this world’s commercial system. The Bible shows that “the merchants,” or the commercial system, along with the political and religious systems, are part of Satan’s world. (Revelation 18:3) God’s people are able to separate themselves completely from politics and false religion. However, most of God’s people cannot completely separate themselves from the commercial part of Satan’s world.

3. What questions will we consider?

³ As Christians, we need to examine our attitude toward the world’s commercial system. To do so, we could ask ourselves: ‘How can I use my material things to show that I am faithful to God? How can I become less involved with the commercial world? What experiences show that God’s people today fully trust in him?’

THE STORY OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS STEWARD

4, 5. (a) What happened to the steward in Jesus’ story? (b) What did Jesus tell his followers to do?

⁴ Read Luke 16:1-9. Jesus’ story of the unrighteous steward should make all of us stop and think. The steward was accused of being wasteful, and his master decided to fire him.a (See footnote.) But the steward used “practical wisdom.” Before he left his job, he made friends with people who would be able to help him later. Jesus did not tell this story because he wanted his disciples to act in an unrighteous way in order to survive. That is what people of this world do. Instead, Jesus used the story to teach a very important lesson.

⁵ Jesus knew that like the steward who was suddenly in a difficult situation, most of his followers would find it very difficult to make a living in this unjust world. So he told them: “Make friends for yourselves by means of the unrighteous riches.” Why? So that when such riches fail, those friends, Jehovah and Jesus, “may receive you into the everlasting dwelling places.” What can we learn from Jesus’ counsel?

6. How do we know that today’s commercial system was not part of God’s purpose?

⁶ Although Jesus does not explain why he calls material things “unrighteous,” the Bible makes it clear that making a lot of money from things was not part of God’s purpose. For example, Jehovah freely gave Adam and Eve more than what they needed in the garden of Eden. (Genesis 2:15, 16) Later, when God gave his holy spirit to his anointed ones, “not even one of them would say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.” (Acts 4:32) The prophet Isaiah said that there would be a time when all humans would freely enjoy whatever the earth produces. (Isaiah 25:6-9; 65:21, 22) But until that time comes, Jesus’ followers would need “practical wisdom.” They would need to make a living using the unrighteous material things of this world and, at the same time, also try to please God.

WISE USE OF UNRIGHTEOUS RICHES

7. What counsel does Jesus give at Luke 16:10-13?

⁷ Read Luke 16:10-13. The steward in Jesus’ story made friends to benefit himself. However, Jesus wanted his followers to make friends in heaven for unselfish purposes. He wanted us to understand that the way in which we use our unrighteous riches can show whether we are faithful to God. How can we do that?

8, 9. Give examples of how some are showing faithfulness in their use of unrighteous riches.

⁸ One way to prove ourselves faithful with our material things is by making donations to the worldwide preaching work that Jesus foretold would happen. (Matthew 24:14) A young girl in India kept a small money box and gradually added coins. She even gave up buying toys to do so. When the box was full, she donated all the money she had saved to be used for the preaching work. A brother in India has a coconut farm. He donated a lot of coconuts to the Malayalam remote translation office. Because the office needs to buy coconuts, he felt that his donation had more value than if he had given money. That is “practical wisdom.” In a similar way, brothers in Greece regularly donate olive oil, cheese, and other foods to the Bethel family.

⁹ Another brother has made his property in Sri Lanka available for meetings and assemblies and for housing full-time servants. It is a financial sacrifice for the brother, but it is a great help to the publishers there, who do not have a lot of money. In a land where the work is restricted, brothers use their homes as Kingdom Halls. That allows pioneers and others who do not have a lot of money to have a meeting place without having to pay rent.

10. What are some benefits we receive when we give generously?

¹⁰ Such examples show that God’s people are “faithful in what is least.” (Luke 16:10) They use their material things to benefit others. How do those friends of Jehovah feel about making such sacrifices? They are very happy knowing that when they are generous, they gain “true” riches in heaven. (Luke 16:11) One sister who regularly donates money to help the Kingdom work says that something unusual has happened to her over the years. She explains: “I find that the more generous I am materially, the more generous my disposition toward others has become. I am more generous in being forgiving, in being patient with others, and in being able to accept disappointments and counsel.” Many have learned that generosity has benefited them personally.​—Psalm 112:5; Proverbs 22:9.

11. (a) How does our generosity show “practical wisdom”? (b) What is happening among God’s people today? (See opening picture.)

¹¹ We also show “practical wisdom” when we use our material things to support others in the ministry. Then, even if we cannot serve full-time or move where the need is greater, we will still be benefiting others. (Proverbs 19:17) For example, our donations help to supply literature and support the preaching work in very poor areas where many are coming into the truth. In such countries as Congo, Madagascar, and Rwanda, Bibles can be very expensive. Sometimes one costs as much as a weekly or monthly salary. For years, our brothers had to choose between buying food for their families and buying a Bible. Now, because of the donations of others and “an equalizing” of funds, Jehovah’s organization translates and distributes Bibles free of charge to each family member as well as to Bible students. (Read 2 Corinthians 8:13-15.) So both those who give and those who receive can become Jehovah’s friends.

HOW CAN WE BECOME LESS INVOLVED WITH THE COMMERCIAL WORLD?

12. How did Abraham show that he trusted in God?

¹² We can also become friends with Jehovah when we become less involved with the commercial world and seek “true” riches. That is what the faithful man Abraham did. He obeyed Jehovah and left the very wealthy city of Ur in order to live in tents because he wanted to be Jehovah’s friend. (Hebrews 11:8-10) He always trusted in God rather than in material things. (Genesis 14:22, 23) Jesus encouraged others to imitate that kind of faith. Once, he told a rich young man: “If you want to be perfect, go sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come be my follower.” (Matthew 19:21) That young man did not have faith like Abraham’s. But there were other people who trusted in God.

13. (a) What counsel did Paul give to Timothy? (b) How can we apply Paul’s counsel today?

¹³ Timothy was a man of faith. After calling Timothy “a fine soldier of Christ Jesus,” Paul told him: “No man serving as a soldier involves himself in the commercial businesses of life, in order to gain the approval of the one who enrolled him as a soldier.” (2 Timothy 2:3, 4) Jesus’ followers today, including the more than one million full-time ministers, do their best to apply Paul’s counsel. They resist the tempting advertisements of this greedy world. They remember the principle: “The borrower is a slave to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7) Satan wants us to spend all our time and energy working for his commercial world. Some get huge loans to pay for a home, a car, an education, or even a wedding. If we are not careful, we may end up in debt for many years. We show practical wisdom when we simplify our life, avoid debt, and spend less money. In that way we will be free to serve God rather than slave for today’s commercial system.​—1 Timothy 6:10.

14. What must we be determined to do? Give examples.

¹⁴ In order to keep our life simple, we must put God’s Kingdom first. One husband and wife owned a large and profitable business. However, they wanted to return to the full-time ministry. So the couple sold their business, their boat, and other material things. They then volunteered to help with construction of the world headquarters in Warwick, New York. This was very special for them because it meant serving at Bethel with their daughter and son-in-law and, for some weeks, with the husband’s parents, who also worked on the Warwick project. A pioneer sister in Colorado, U.S.A., found a part-time job at a bank. Her employers were so pleased with her work that she was offered a full-time position at triple her salary. However, since the job would not allow her to focus on the ministry, she refused this tempting offer. These are just a few examples of the many sacrifices that Jehovah’s servants have made. When we are determined to put Kingdom interests first, it shows that we value God’s friendship and true riches much more than material things.

WHEN MATERIAL RICHES FAIL

15. What riches bring the greatest satisfaction?

¹⁵ Having material wealth does not necessarily mean that we have God’s approval. Jehovah blesses those who are “rich in fine works.” (Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19.) For example, a sister named Lucia learned that there was a need for ministers in Albania.b (See footnote.) So she moved there from Italy in 1993. She had no job but trusted that Jehovah would provide for her. She learned the Albanian language and has helped more than 60 people make a dedication. We may not all have the same results from preaching in our territory. But anything we do to help others learn about Jehovah and become his friends is something that we will treasure forever.​—Matthew 6:20.

16. (a) What will happen to today’s commercial system? (b) How should that affect our view of material things?

¹⁶ Jesus made it clear that today’s commercial system will end. He said: ‘When such material riches fail,’ not ‘if they fail.’ (Luke 16:9) In these last days, some banks have failed and some countries have had serious economic problems. But in the near future, things will get worse. The political, religious, and commercial systems that are part of Satan’s system will fail. The prophets Ezekiel and Zephaniah foretold that gold and silver, which have always been important to the commercial system, will become worthless. (Ezekiel 7:19; Zephaniah 1:18) How would we feel if we reached the end of our life in this world and realized that we had sacrificed true riches for the world’s unrighteous material things? We might feel like a man who has worked all his life to make lots of money, only to find out that the money is all fake. (Proverbs 18:11) The material things of this world will fail. So do not lose the opportunity to use your material things to make friends in heaven. What we do for Jehovah and his Kingdom will make us truly happy.

17, 18. What do God’s friends look forward to?

¹⁷ When God’s Kingdom comes, no one will have to pay rent or get a loan. Food will be free and plentiful, and there will be no need to pay for doctors or medicine. Jehovah’s friends will enjoy the best of earth’s products. Gold, silver, and gems will be used for their beauty, not to make someone rich. High-quality materials of wood, stone, and metal will be freely available to build beautiful homes. Our friends will help us because they want to, not because we pay them. We will share all the things the earth produces.

¹⁸ This is just part of the priceless reward for those who make friends in heaven. Jehovah’s worshippers on earth will shout for joy when they hear Jesus’ words: “Come, you who have been blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the founding of the world.”​—Matthew 25:34.

1, 2. Why do we need to discuss how to comfort those who are grieving? (See opening picture.)

“FOR almost a year after the death of our son, we felt deep and excruciating pain,” said Susi. After his wife died suddenly, one brother said that he experienced “indescribable physical pain.” Sadly, many people experience this kind of pain. In the Christian congregation today, many of our brothers and sisters did not expect their loved ones to die before Armageddon. Perhaps someone you love has died, or maybe you know someone who is grieving. If so, you may wonder, ‘How can a grieving person find comfort?’

² Some people say that time can heal all wounds. But is this always so? One widow said, “I have found it more accurate to say that it is what one does with one’s time that helps one to heal.” A physical wound needs time and tender care in order to heal. In a similar way, it takes time and tender care to heal emotional pain. What, specifically, can help those who are grieving to lessen their emotional pain?

JEHOVAH IS “THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT”

3, 4. Why can we be sure that Jehovah understands our grief?

³ Our compassionate Father, Jehovah, is the main one who gives us the comfort that we need. (Read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.) He is the greatest example of empathy, and he promises his people: “I myself am the One comforting you.”​—Isaiah 51:12; Psalm 119:50, 52, 76.

⁴ Our loving Father has also experienced the loss of loved ones, such as his servants Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and King David. (Numbers 12:6-8; Matthew 22:31, 32; Acts 13:22) The Bible shows us that Jehovah really looks forward to the day when he will resurrect those faithful men. (Job 14:14, 15) At that time, they will be happy and enjoy perfect health. Jehovah also experienced the death of his firstborn Son. The Bible says that Jesus was the one God was “especially fond of.” (Proverbs 8:22, 30) We cannot even imagine how distressing it must have been for Jehovah to watch his Son die a painful death.​—John 5:20; 10:17.

5, 6. How does Jehovah comfort us?

⁵ We can be absolutely sure that Jehovah will help us. So we should always feel free to pray to him and express our intense pain and grief. How comforting it is to know that Jehovah understands our feelings and that he gives us the comfort we need! But how does he do that?

⁶ One of the many ways Jehovah comforts us is by means of his holy spirit. (Acts 9:31) Jesus promised that our Father would give his powerful holy spirit to all those who ask him for it. (Luke 11:13) Susi, mentioned earlier, says: “There were so many times when we just dropped to our knees and implored Jehovah to comfort us. Every single time, the peace of God truly guarded our hearts and minds.”​—Read Philippians 4:6, 7.

JESUS ALSO UNDERSTANDS OUR FEELINGS

7, 8. Why can we be sure that Jesus will comfort us?

⁷ When he was on earth, Jesus perfectly imitated his Father’s beautiful qualities by what he said and what he did. (John 5:19) Jehovah sent Jesus to the earth to comfort “the brokenhearted” and “all who mourn.” (Isaiah 61:1, 2; Luke 4:17-21) People knew that Jesus understood their suffering and really wanted to help them.​—Hebrews 2:17.

⁸ When Jesus was young, he likely had close friends and family members who died. For example, it seems that his adoptive father, Joseph, may have died when Jesus was still a young man.a (See footnote.) Imagine how difficult it must have been for such a caring young person to endure his own grief, as well as the sorrow of his mother, brothers, and sisters.

9. How did Jesus show empathy when Lazarus died?

⁹ During his ministry, Jesus showed that he really understood people and had empathy for them. For example, when his close friend Lazarus died, Jesus felt the intense pain that Mary and Martha experienced. His empathy for them was so strong that he began to cry, even though he knew that he was going to resurrect Lazarus.​—John 11:33-36.

10. How can we be sure that Jesus understands how we feel today?

¹⁰ How can Jesus’ comforting words from the past help us today? The Bible makes it clear that Jesus has not changed. It says: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) He is called “the Chief Agent of life” because he makes it possible for us to live forever. Jesus also understands grief personally and “is able to come to the aid of those who are being put to the test.” (Acts 3:15; Hebrews 2:10, 18) So we can be sure that Jesus is still affected when others are in pain. He understands their grief, and he is able to give them comfort “at the right time.”​—Read Hebrews 4:15, 16.

“COMFORT FROM THE SCRIPTURES”

11. Which scriptures are particularly comforting to you?

¹¹ The account about Jesus’ intense grief at the time of Lazarus’ death is just one of the many comforting scriptures found in God’s Word. This does not surprise us because “all the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) If you are grieving, you too can find soothing comfort from such scriptures as the following:

• “Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are crushed in spirit.”​—Psalm 34:18, 19.

• “When anxieties overwhelmed me, you [Jehovah] comforted and soothed me.”​—Psalm 94:19.

• “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave everlasting comfort and good hope by means of undeserved kindness, comfort your hearts and make you firm.”​—2 Thessalonians 2:16, 17.b​—See footnote.

THE CONGREGATION IS A SOURCE OF GREAT COMFORT

12. How can we comfort others?

¹² Grieving ones can also find comfort in the Christian congregation. (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11.) How can you strengthen and comfort those who have “a crushed spirit”? (Proverbs 17:22) Remember that there is “a time to be silent and a time to speak.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) A widow named Dalene explains that those who are grieving need to express their thoughts and feelings. Therefore, the most important thing you can do is to listen without interrupting. Junia, whose brother committed suicide, says, “Even though you may not be able to grasp their grief completely, what counts is that you want to understand how they feel.”

13. What do we need to remember about grief?

¹³ We need to remember that not all of us feel and express grief in the same way. Sometimes it is impossible to explain exactly how much pain we are feeling. God’s Word says: “The heart knows its own bitterness, and no outsider can share in its joy.” (Proverbs 14:10) Even when someone does express how he feels, it is not always easy for others to understand what he is trying to say.

14. What can we say to comfort those who grieve?

¹⁴ It can be difficult to know what to say to someone who is grieving. But the Bible says that “the tongue of the wise is a healing.” (Proverbs 12:18) Many have found comforting words to share from the brochure When Someone You Love Dies.c (See footnote.) Often, though, the most helpful thing you can do is to “weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:15) Gaby, whose husband died, says that sometimes the only way for her to express her feelings is by crying. She adds: “That is why I get some comfort when friends cry with me. At that moment, I don’t feel quite so alone in my grief.”

15. How might we comfort others if we find it difficult to do so in person? (See also the box “Soothing Words of Comfort.”)

¹⁵ If you find it difficult to say something comforting in person, it may be easier to send a card, an e-mail, a text message, or a letter. You could simply quote a comforting scripture, mention a special quality that you remember about the person who died, or share a happy memory that you cherish. “Receiving a short encouraging message or an invitation to spend time with a fellow Christian helps me more than I can say,” says Junia. “Those expressions make me feel loved and cared for.”

16. What is a very effective way to comfort others?

¹⁶ Our prayers can help our grieving brothers and sisters. We can pray for them or even pray with them. Even though it may be difficult to do because you feel that you may cry, your heartfelt prayer can be a powerful comfort. “Sometimes when sisters have come to comfort me,” recalls Dalene, “I have asked them if they are willing to say a prayer. They start praying, often battling to speak at first, but every time, within a few sentences, their voice gets stronger and they say the most heartfelt prayer. Their strong faith, their love, and their concern have been very faith-strengthening.”

KEEP PROVIDING COMFORT

17-19. Why do we need to keep providing comfort?

¹⁷ It is not possible to know exactly how long it will take for each person to grieve. When a loved one dies, at first many friends and relatives are there to provide comfort. But after they return to their normal way of life, those who are grieving still need comfort. So be ready to help. “A true friend shows love at all times, and is a brother who is born for times of distress.” (Proverbs 17:17) We need to comfort grieving ones for as long as they need us.​—Read 1 Thessalonians 3:7.

¹⁸ Remember that a person may suddenly be overwhelmed by grief at any time. This could be because of anniversaries, certain music, photographs, activities, or even a smell, sound, or season of the year. When a grieving widow or widower does something alone for the first time, such as attending an assembly or the Memorial, it can be very painful. “I expected my first wedding anniversary to be very traumatic,” relates one brother, “and it was not easy. But a few brothers and sisters planned a small gathering of my closest friends so that I wouldn’t be on my own.”

¹⁹ Remember that those who are grieving need encouragement not just on special occasions. “Often the help and companionship offered when there is no special anniversary can be very beneficial,” explains Junia. “Those spontaneous moments are so valuable and bring much comfort.” True, we cannot take away all their grief or loneliness, but we can comfort those who grieve by doing things for them. (1 John 3:18) Gaby says: “I am truly grateful to Jehovah for the loving elders who walked me through every difficult step of the way. They have truly made me feel Jehovah’s loving arms around me.”

20. Why are Jehovah’s promises a source of great comfort?

²⁰ It is comforting to know that Jehovah, the God of all comfort, will completely remove all grief at the time of the resurrection. (John 5:28, 29) God promises that “he will do away with death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.” (Isaiah 25:8, footnote) Then, instead of having to “weep with those who weep,” everyone on earth will “rejoice with those who rejoice.”​—Romans 12:15.

1-3. (a) When was Psalm 147 probably written? (b) What can we learn from studying Psalm 147?

OFTEN we praise someone when we are impressed by what he has said or done. How much more we are moved to praise Jehovah God! We praise him for his great power, which we see in his wonderful creation, and we praise him for his deep love for us, which we see in the ransom sacrifice of his own Son.

² When we read Psalm 147, it becomes clear to us that the writer had a deep desire to praise Jehovah. He also encouraged others to praise God with him.​—Read Psalm 147:1, 7, 12.

³ We do not know who wrote Psalm 147. But the writer probably lived during the time when the Israelites returned to Jerusalem after Jehovah freed them from Babylon. (Psalm 147:2) The psalmist praised Jehovah because once again His people could worship in their own land. Then the psalmist gave even more reasons to praise Jehovah. What were they? And what reasons to call out “Hallelujah!,” or “Praise Jah!,” do you have?​—Psalm 147:1, footnote.

JEHOVAH HEALS THE BROKENHEARTED

4. When King Cyrus freed the Israelites, how must they have felt, and why?

⁴ Imagine how the Israelites must have felt when they were in exile in Babylon. Those who brought them there made fun of them and said: “Sing for us one of the songs of Zion.” But the Jews did not feel like singing. Jerusalem, their greatest reason for joy, had been destroyed. (Psalm 137:1-3, 6) Their hearts were broken, and they needed comfort. But just as God’s word foretold, Jehovah helped his people. How? King Cyrus of Persia conquered Babylon and said about Jehovah: “He has commissioned me to build him a house in Jerusalem.” Cyrus also told the Israelites: “Whoever there is among you of all his people, may Jehovah his God be with him, and let him go up.” (2 Chronicles 36:23) How this must have comforted the Israelites in Babylon!

5. What did the psalmist say about Jehovah’s power to heal us?

⁵ Jehovah gave comfort not only to the nation of Israel but also to each Israelite. Jehovah does the same for us today. The psalmist wrote that God “heals the brokenhearted; he binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3) When we are sick or depressed, we can be sure that Jehovah cares for us. Jehovah is eager to comfort us and to heal our emotional wounds. (Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 57:15) He gives us wisdom and strength so that we can cope with any problems we may have.​—James 1:5.

6. How can we benefit from the psalmist’s words at Psalm 147:4? (See opening picture.)

⁶ Next the psalmist looked at the sky and said that Jehovah “counts the number of the stars” and “calls all of them by name.” (Psalm 147:4) The psalmist could see the stars, but he had no idea of how many there really are. Today, scientists know that there are billions of stars in our galaxy. And there may be trillions of galaxies in the universe! Humans cannot count all the stars, but the Creator can. In fact, he knows each star so well that he has given each one a name. (1 Corinthians 15:41) The God who knows where each star is also knows you. He always knows exactly where you are, how you feel, and what you need!

7, 8. (a) What does Jehovah understand about us? (b) Give an example that shows Jehovah’s compassion.

⁷ Jehovah understands what you are going through, and he has the power to help you with your problems. (Read Psalm 147:5.) You may feel that your situation is too difficult and that you cannot cope with it. God understands our limitations, “remembering that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14) We are imperfect, so we make the same mistakes again and again, and we may feel discouraged. How we regret certain things we have said, wrong desires we have felt, or jealous feelings we have had! Jehovah does not have any weaknesses, but he fully understands how we feel.​—Isaiah 40:28.

⁸ Have you personally felt Jehovah’s mighty hand helping you recover from trials? (Isaiah 41:10, 13) This happened to a pioneer named Kyoko. After she moved to a new assignment, she was very discouraged. But how did Kyoko know that Jehovah understood her problems? In her new congregation, there were many people who could understand her feelings. She felt that Jehovah was saying: “I love you, not just because you are a pioneer, but because you are my daughter and dedicated to me. I want you to enjoy your life as one of my Witnesses!” How has Jehovah shown you that “his understanding is beyond measure”?

JEHOVAH PROVIDES WHAT WE NEED

9, 10. What is the most important way Jehovah will help us? Give an example.

⁹ We all need things such as food, clothing, and shelter. Perhaps you may worry that you will not have enough food to eat. But Jehovah made the earth to produce enough food for all, even for “the young ravens that call out for it.” (Read Psalm 147:8, 9.) If Jehovah feeds the ravens, we can be sure that he will provide for our material needs.​—Psalm 37:25.

¹⁰ Most important, Jehovah provides what we need to keep our faith strong, and he gives us “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.” (Philippians 4:6, 7) A brother named Mutsuo and his wife saw how Jehovah helped them. When a tsunami hit Japan in 2011, they barely escaped death by climbing onto the roof of their house. On that day, they lost almost everything they owned. They spent the night in a dark, cold room on the second floor of their home. In the morning, they looked for something that would encourage them. The only thing they could find was the 2006 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. As Mutsuo turned the pages, he saw the title “The Deadliest Tsunamis Ever Recorded.” That section was about an earthquake in Sumatra in 2004 that caused the most destructive tsunamis ever recorded. Mutsuo and his wife wept as they read the experiences of their brothers and sisters. They felt that Jehovah was giving them exactly the encouragement they needed. Jehovah also took care of them in other ways. Their brothers in other parts of Japan provided food and clothing for them. But what strengthened them most were the visits to the congregation by brothers who were sent by God’s organization. Mutsuo says: “I felt that Jehovah was right next to each one of us and caring for us. What comfort!” God first provides what we need to keep our faith strong, and then he takes care of our material needs.

BENEFIT FROM GOD’S HELP

11. What do we need to do to benefit from God’s help?

¹¹ Jehovah “raises up the meek.” He loves us and is always ready to help us. (Psalm 147:6a) How can we benefit from his help? We need to have a strong relationship with him. To have that, we need to be meek. (Zephaniah 2:3) Meek ones rely on Jehovah to correct any injustice and end their suffering. Jehovah approves of them.

12, 13. (a) To benefit from God’s help, what should we avoid? (b) With whom is Jehovah pleased?

¹² On the other hand, God “hurls the wicked to the ground.” (Psalm 147:6b) We do not want this to happen to us! We want God to show us his loyal love. So we must hate what he hates. (Psalm 97:10) For example, we must hate sexual immorality. This means that we must avoid anything that could lead us into it, including pornography. (Psalm 119:37; Matthew 5:28) This may be a hard fight, but it is worth the effort because we will receive Jehovah’s blessing.

¹³ We cannot fight this battle on our own. We must rely on Jehovah. Will he be pleased if we rely on things humans turn to for help? No, Jehovah “does not delight in the power of the horse.” Should we rely on our own strength or on other people? Jehovah is not “impressed by the strong legs of a man.” (Psalm 147:10) Instead, we need to continue to pray to Jehovah for help and beg him to save us from our weaknesses. Jehovah will never get tired of hearing these prayers. “Jehovah finds pleasure in those who fear him, in those waiting for his loyal love.” (Psalm 147:11) Because he is loyal and he loves us, we know that he will keep helping us conquer our wrong desires.

14. What was the psalmist sure of?

¹⁴ Jehovah reassures us that he will help us when we have problems. When the Israelites returned to Jerusalem, the psalmist thought about how Jehovah was helping them. The psalmist sang: “He makes the bars of your city gates strong; he blesses your sons within you. He brings peace to your territory.” (Psalm 147:13, 14) The fact that Jehovah would strengthen the city gates made the psalmist feel safe. It reassured him that Jehovah would protect his people.

15-17. (a) How might we at times feel about our trials, but how does Jehovah use his Word to help us? (b) Give an example that shows how God’s word “runs swiftly” to help us.

¹⁵ You may feel anxious because of your problems, but Jehovah can give you the wisdom to cope. The psalmist said that God “sends his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.” Then the psalmist mentioned snow, frost, and hailstones and asked: “Who can withstand his cold?” He then said that Jehovah “sends out his word, and they melt.” (Psalm 147:15-18) Our God, who knows everything and can do anything, who controls the hail and the snow, can surely help you conquer any problem.

¹⁶ Today, Jehovah guides us with his Word, the Bible. The psalmist said that Jehovah’s word “runs swiftly” to help us. God guides us in the right way and at the right time. Think about how you benefit from the Bible, the publications of “the faithful and discreet slave,” JW Broadcasting, jw.org, the elders, and your brothers and sisters. (Matthew 24:45) Have you seen in your own life that Jehovah is swift to guide you?

¹⁷ A sister named Simone experienced how God’s Word helped her. She felt worthless, and she thought that Jehovah was not pleased with her. However, when she was discouraged, she kept praying to Jehovah, begging him for help. She also continued studying the Bible. Simone said: “I have never been in a situation where I have not felt Jehovah’s strength and his guidance.” This has helped her to have a more positive attitude.

18. Why do you feel that Jehovah is close to you, and what reasons to “Praise Jah!” do you have?

¹⁸ The psalmist knew that Jehovah had selected the ancient nation of Israel to be his people out of all the nations of the earth. They were the only nation that had received God’s “word” and “his regulations.” (Read Psalm 147:19, 20.) Today, we have the great honor of being called by God’s name. We are grateful that we know him, that we have his Word to guide us, and that we can have a close relationship with him. Like the writer of Psalm 147, you have many reasons to “Praise Jah!” and to encourage others to do the same.

1. What must young people decide about their future? What can help them not to be overly anxious? (See opening picture.)

YOU young ones will probably agree that before starting a journey, it is wise to plan where you will go. Life is like a journey, and the time to plan where you want to go is when you are young. Of course, it may not be easy to make such plans. A girl named Heather said: “It’s scary. You have to decide what to do with the rest of your life.” If you feel this way, remember that Jehovah says: “Do not be anxious, for I am your God. I will fortify you, yes, I will help you.”​—Isaiah 41:10.

2. How do you know that Jehovah wants you to plan for a happy future?

² Jehovah encourages you to plan wisely for your future. (Ecclesiastes 12:1; Matthew 6:20) He wants you to be happy. This becomes clear when you see, hear, and taste the things he created. Jehovah also cares for us in other ways. He gives us advice and teaches us the best way to live. So when people reject his wise advice, he is not pleased. He tells those who do not follow his guidance: “You chose what displeased me. . . . Look! My servants will rejoice, but you will suffer shame. Look! My servants will shout joyfully because of the good condition of the heart.” (Isaiah 65:12-14) When we make wise choices in life, we bring glory to Jehovah.​—Proverbs 27:11.

PLANS THAT WILL MAKE YOU HAPPY

3. What does Jehovah recommend for you?

³ What plans does Jehovah recommend for you? In order to be happy, you need to know Jehovah and serve him. This is the way Jehovah created humans. (Psalm 128:1; Matthew 5:3) Animals just eat, drink, and have babies. But Jehovah wants you to plan your life in a way that will be happy and meaningful. Your Creator is “the God of love,” “the happy God,” who made humans “in his image.” (2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Timothy 1:11; Genesis 1:27) You will be happy when you imitate our loving God. The Bible says: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” (Acts 20:35) Have you not felt this yourself? This is a basic truth about life. So Jehovah wants you to make your plans for the future based on love for others and for him.​—Read Matthew 22:36-39.

4, 5. What made Jesus happy?

⁴ Jesus Christ set the perfect example for you young ones. When he was a child, he must have played and had fun. As God’s Word says, there is “a time to laugh” and “a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4) Jesus also drew close to Jehovah by studying the Scriptures. When he was 12 years old, the teachers at the temple were amazed by “his understanding and his answers.”​—Luke 2:42, 46, 47.

⁵ When Jesus became an adult, doing what God asked him to do made him happy. For example, God wanted him “to declare good news to the poor” and “a recovery of sight to the blind.” (Luke 4:18) Psalm 40:8 describes Jesus’ feelings: “To do your will, O my God, is my delight.” Jesus enjoyed teaching people about his Father. (Read Luke 10:21.) Once, after talking to a woman about true worship, Jesus said to his disciples: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” (John 4:31-34) Jesus was happy because he showed love for God and for others. If you do the same, you will be happy too.

6. Why is it good to talk to others about your plans for the future?

⁶ Many Christians started pioneering when they were young, and this made them happy. Could you talk to some of them about your plans? “Plans fail when there is no consultation, but there is accomplishment through many advisers.” (Proverbs 15:22) These brothers and sisters will probably tell you that pioneering gives you an education that will help you throughout your life. Jesus learned many things from his Father when he was in heaven. Then, during his ministry on earth, he continued to learn. He experienced joy as he shared the good news with others and kept his integrity in difficult circumstances. (Read Isaiah 50:4; Hebrews 5:8; 12:2) Let us see why full-time service can make you happy.

WHY MAKING DISCIPLES IS THE BEST WORK

7. Why do many young ones enjoy making disciples?

⁷ Jesus told us to go “make disciples” and teach people. (Matthew 28:19, 20) If you plan to make this work your career, you will have a satisfying life that honors God. As with any career, you need time to become skilled. A brother named Timothy who started pioneering as a teenager said: “I like serving Jehovah full-time because it’s the way I express my love for him. At first, I couldn’t start any Bible studies, but later I moved to another territory, and within a month I started several studies. One student began coming to the Kingdom Hall. After I attended the two-month Bible School for Single Brothers, I received a new assignment where I have started four studies. I love teaching people, as I can see that holy spirit is changing them.”a (See footnote.)​—1 Thessalonians 2:19.

8. What have some young people done in order to preach to more people?

⁸ Some young people have learned another language. For example, Jacob, from North America, writes: “When I was seven, many of my classmates were Vietnamese. I wanted to tell them about Jehovah, so after a while I made plans to learn their language. For the most part, I learned by comparing the English and Vietnamese editions of The Watchtower. I also made friends in a nearby Vietnamese-language congregation. When I was 18, I started pioneering. Later, I attended the Bible School for Single Brothers. This helped me with my present pioneer assignment, where I am the only elder in a Vietnamese-language group. Many Vietnamese people are amazed that I have learned their language. They invite me in, and often I can study the Bible with them. Some have progressed to baptism.”​—Compare Acts 2:7, 8.

9. What does the work of making disciples teach us?

⁹ The work of making disciples teaches you good work habits, how to communicate well, and how to be confident and tactful. (Proverbs 21:5; 2 Timothy 2:24) But this work is especially joyful because you learn how to prove what you believe from the Scriptures. You also learn how to work closely with Jehovah.​—1 Corinthians 3:9.

10. How can you find joy in the disciple-making work even when your territory is difficult?

¹⁰ You can find joy in the disciple-making work even if few people in your territory want to study the Bible. To make disciples, the whole congregation works together as a team. Although only one brother or sister may find a person who becomes a disciple, we all are happy because we all shared in the search. For example, Brandon, who pioneered for nine years in an area where few people studied the Bible, says: “I like preaching the good news because it is what Jehovah asks us to do. I started pioneering soon after finishing school. I enjoy encouraging the young brothers in our congregation and seeing their spiritual progress. After I attended the Bible School for Single Brothers, I received a new pioneer assignment. It’s true that I have never found anyone in the territory who progressed to baptism, but others have. I’m glad I planned to share fully in the disciple-making work.”​—Ecclesiastes 11:6.

WHERE YOUR PLANS MAY LEAD YOU

11. What form of service to Jehovah have many young people enjoyed?

¹¹ There are many opportunities to serve Jehovah. For example, many young people help in construction work. Hundreds of new Kingdom Halls are needed. These places honor Jehovah, so helping to build them can make you happy. You can also have the joy of working with your brothers and sisters. And you can learn many things, such as how to do a good job in a safe way and how to cooperate with your overseers.

12. How may pioneer service lead to other opportunities?

¹² A brother named Kevin says: “Ever since I was a little boy, I have wanted to serve Jehovah full-time someday. Finally, I started pioneering when I was 19. I supported myself working part-time for a brother who was a builder. I learned to install roofs, windows, and doors. Later, I spent two years with a hurricane relief team, rebuilding Kingdom Halls and homes for the brothers. When I heard about the construction needs in South Africa, I applied and was invited to go. Here in Africa, I move from one Kingdom Hall project to another every few weeks. My construction group is like a family. We live together, study the Bible together, and work together. I also enjoy preaching with the local brothers each week. The plans I made as a boy have made me happy in ways I did not foresee.”

13. Why are many young ones happy serving Jehovah at Bethel?

¹³ Some who were pioneers are now serving at Bethel. Bethel service is a happy way of life because everything you do there is for Jehovah. The Bethel family helps to provide Bibles and publications so that people can learn the truth. A Bethelite named Dustin says: “I made full-time service my goal when I was nine years old, and I started pioneering when I finished school. After a year and a half, I was invited to Bethel, where I learned to operate printing presses and later to do computer programming. At Bethel, I enjoy hearing firsthand about the progress of the disciple-making activity worldwide. I love serving here because what we do helps people to draw close to Jehovah.”

WHAT PLANS WILL YOU MAKE FOR YOUR FUTURE?

14. What can you do now to prepare for the full-time ministry?

¹⁴ How can you prepare yourself for the full-time ministry? To serve Jehovah in the best way you can, you need to develop Christian qualities. Study God’s Word regularly, meditate deeply on it, and try to express your faith at congregation meetings. During your school years, you can improve your ability to speak to others about the good news. Learn to show interest in people by tactfully asking their opinion and listening to their answers. Also, you can offer to do things in the congregation, such as helping to clean and repair the Kingdom Hall. Jehovah is pleased to use those who are humble and are willing to work. (Read Psalm 110:3; Acts 6:1-3) The apostle Paul invited Timothy to serve as a missionary because “he was well-reported-on by the brothers.”​—Acts 16:1-5.

15. What can you do to get a job that will help you pioneer?

¹⁵ Most full-time servants need to have a job. (Acts 18:2, 3) Perhaps you could take a short school course that will help you to get a part-time job that is available in your area. Talk to your circuit overseer and to other pioneers about your plans, and ask them for suggestions. Then, as the Bible says, “commit to Jehovah whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”​—Proverbs 16:3; 20:18.

16. How can full-time service prepare you for other responsibilities in the future?

¹⁶ You can be sure that Jehovah wants you to “get a firm hold” on a happy future. (Read 1 Timothy 6:18, 19.) Full-time service helps you to become a mature Christian as you work with other full-time servants. Also, many have found that being in full-time service when they were young later helped them in their marriage. Often, those who pioneered before marriage continue pioneering together as a married couple.​—Romans 16:3, 4.

17, 18. How does making plans involve your heart?

¹⁷ Psalm 20:4 says about Jehovah: “May he grant you the desires of your heart and give success to all your plans.” As you plan for your future, think about what you really want to do with your life. Think about what Jehovah is doing in our time and what you could do in his work. Then plan to do what is pleasing to him.

¹⁸ When you use your life to serve Jehovah fully and honor him, you will be very happy. You will “find exquisite delight in Jehovah, and he will grant you the desires of your heart.”​—Psalm 37:4.

Should a Christian keep a gun, perhaps a handgun or a rifle, to protect himself from other humans?

Christians follow Bible principles when choosing how they will protect and defend themselves. These principles show that it would be wrong for Christians to use such weapons as handguns, rifles, or other types of guns to protect themselves from other humans. Think about the following points:

Human life is sacred to Jehovah. The psalmist David wrote about Jehovah: “With you is the source of life.” (Psalm 36:9) Therefore, if a Christian chooses to defend himself or his property, he would do everything possible to avoid becoming bloodguilty, that is, responsible for the death of another person.​—Deuteronomy 22:8; Psalm 51:14.

It is true that any object a person uses to defend himself may cause him to become bloodguilty. However, guns make it easier to kill someone, whether by accident or on purpose.a (See footnote.) Also, an attacker may already be nervous, so if he sees a gun, the situation is likely to become more dangerous and someone might get killed.

When Jesus told his followers to carry swords on the night before he died, this was not so that they could protect themselves. (Luke 22:36, 38) Rather, Jesus wanted to teach them a lesson: His followers should not use violence, even when they have to face a crowd that has weapons. (Luke 22:52) After Peter used his sword to attack the high priest’s slave, Jesus commanded Peter: “Return your sword to its place.” Then Jesus stated a principle that guides Christians even today: “All those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.”​—Matthew 26:51, 52.

As foretold at Micah 4:3, God’s people “beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears.” True Christians are known for being peaceable. They follow the commands God gave through the apostle Paul to “return evil for evil to no one” and to “be peaceable with all men.” (Romans 12:17, 18) Even though Paul experienced difficult situations, including “dangers from robbers,” he never went against Bible principles in order to protect himself. (2 Corinthians 11:26) Instead, he trusted in God and knew that the wise counsel of the Bible “is better than weapons of war.”​—Ecclesiastes 9:18.

To Christians, life is much more valuable than material things. We know that a person’s “life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) So if talking in a mild way to a robber with a gun does not stop him, we follow Jesus’ advice: “Do not resist the one who is wicked.” This may mean that we let him have whatever he wants. (Matthew 5:39, 40; Luke 6:29)b (See footnote.) Of course, it is best to avoid becoming a target of criminals. They may be less likely to attack us if we follow the Bible’s advice and avoid “the showy display of one’s means of life.” (1 John 2:16) It will also be a protection for us if we are known by our neighbors as being peaceable Witnesses of Jehovah.​—Proverbs 18:10.

Christians respect the conscience of others. (Romans 14:21) Some brothers and sisters would be shocked, or even stumbled, if they learned that one of their Christian brothers had a gun to protect himself from other humans. We may have a legal right to own a gun, but because we love our brothers, we would never do something that we know might stumble them.​—1 Corinthians 10:32, 33; 13:4, 5.

Christians want to be a good example to others. (2 Corinthians 4:2; 1 Peter 5:2, 3) If a Christian has a gun to protect himself from other humans, the elders will give him counsel from the Bible. If he decides to keep the gun, he would not be a good example. As a result, he would not be able to have any responsibilities or special privileges in the congregation. The same applies to a Christian who continues to carry a gun as part of his secular work. It would be much better if he tried to find another job.c​—See footnote.

A Christian must make his own decisions about how he will protect himself, his family, and his possessions, as well as where he will work. But when he makes such choices, he should base them on Bible principles. Our wise God gave these principles to us because he loves us. That is why Christians who have a strong relationship with Jehovah choose not to keep a gun to protect themselves from other humans. They know that if they trust in God and follow Bible principles in their life, they will have true security forever.​—Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 1:33; 2:6, 7.

The apostle Paul knew that Satan’s propaganda was very dangerous. But not all Christians were aware of the danger. For example, it seems that some in Corinth thought they were so strong in the truth that they could never be taken in by Satan. (1 Corinthians 10:12) That is why Paul gave this warning: “I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent seduced Eve by its cunning, your minds might be corrupted away from the sincerity and the chastity that are due the Christ.”​—2 Corinthians 11:3.

Paul’s words show how important it is not to become too confident. To win the battle against Satan’s propaganda, you must recognize how dangerous it is and then protect yourself from it.

HOW DANGEROUS IS PROPAGANDA?

In this context, propaganda is inaccurate or misleading information that is used to trick people or control the way they think and act. According to the book Propaganda and Persuasion, propaganda is “unethical, harmful, and unfair.” People describe it using such words as “lies, distortion, deceit, manipulation, [and] mind control.”

Propaganda is very dangerous because it can gradually influence our thinking without our even noticing. We can compare it to a poisonous gas that we cannot see or smell. Vance Packard, an expert in human behavior, said that propaganda affects the way we act “far more than we realize.” Another expert said that propaganda has caused people to behave in extremely dangerous and unreasonable ways and has led to genocide (where an entire race of people is wiped out), war, and persecution because of race or religion.​—Easily Led—​A History of Propaganda.

If men can fool us with their propaganda, how much more so can Satan? He has studied human behavior since man was created. Also, he now controls “the whole world,” so he can use any part of the world to spread his lies. (1 John 5:19; John 8:44) Satan “has blinded the minds” of so many people with his propaganda that he is now “misleading the entire inhabited earth.” (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9) How can you resist his propaganda?

STRENGTHEN YOUR FAITH

Jesus taught us that there is a simple way to fight propaganda: “Know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32) In a war, a soldier needs to know where to get reliable information because the enemy will spread lies in order to trick him. So where can you get reliable information? Jehovah has provided this in his Word, the Bible. There you can find all you need to fight Satan’s propaganda.​—2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

Of course, Satan knows this. So he uses the world he controls to distract us and discourage us from reading and studying the Bible. Do not be tricked by the evil “schemes of the Devil”! (Ephesians 6:11, footnote) It is not enough to have a basic understanding of the truth. We need to work hard to deepen our knowledge of the truth. (Ephesians 3:18) As author Noam Chomsky said, “Nobody is going to pour truth into your brain. It’s something you have to find out for yourself.” So “find out for yourself” by “carefully examining the Scriptures daily.”​—Acts 17:11.

Satan does not want you to think clearly and understand the truth about what you hear. Why? Because propaganda “is likely to be most effective” if people are “discouraged from thinking critically.” (Media and Society in the Twentieth Century) Do not simply believe everything you hear without thinking carefully about it. (Proverbs 14:15) God gave you “thinking ability” and the “power of reason,” so use them to strengthen your faith.​—Proverbs 2:10-15; Romans 12:1, 2.

REMAIN UNITED

Soldiers who are influenced by propaganda become afraid and less willing to fight. Propaganda may even cause them to fight among themselves or isolate themselves from the rest of the troops. According to a German general, propaganda was one reason that Germany was defeated in World War I. He said that the people were so influenced by propaganda that it was as if they were hypnotized by it. Satan uses similar methods to destroy the unity of Christians today. For example, he tries to cause disagreements among the brothers. Or he tries to get them to leave Jehovah’s organization by making them think that it has been unfair or has done something wrong.

Do not be fooled! Follow the advice of God’s Word and remain united with your brothers. For example, the Bible encourages us to continue “forgiving one another freely” and to be quick to settle any disagreements. (Colossians 3:13, 14; Matthew 5:23, 24) And it warns us not to isolate ourselves from the congregation. (Proverbs 18:1) Make sure that you are prepared to resist Satan’s propaganda. Ask yourself, ‘The last time one of my brothers offended me, did I react in a way that pleased God or that pleased Satan?’​—Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 2:2, 3.

DO NOT LOSE YOUR TRUST

A soldier who is not loyal to his leader will not fight well. So enemies use propaganda to destroy soldiers’ confidence and trust in their leaders. If leaders make a mistake, the enemies will try to use this and say: “You cannot trust them!” and “Do not let them lead you into disaster!” Satan does the same. He tries to destroy your confidence in those whom Jehovah is using to lead his people.

How can you protect yourself? Be determined to remain in Jehovah’s organization. Continue to be loyal and to support the men who are leading God’s people, even though these men are imperfect. (1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13) Apostates and other deceivers may attack the organization. (Titus 1:10) Even if what they say seems to be true, do not be “quickly shaken from your reason.” (2 Thessalonians 2:2) Follow the advice Paul gave to Timothy: “Continue in the things that you learned,” and remember “from whom you learned them.” (2 Timothy 3:14, 15) Think about all the evidence that proves that you can trust the faithful slave whom Jehovah has used for almost a hundred years now to teach us the truth.​—Matthew 24:45-47; Hebrews 13:7, 17.

DO NOT BE AFRAID

Satan also tries to influence you in more direct ways. Sometimes he tries to make you feel afraid. Terror is “one of the oldest of all forms of propaganda.” (Easily Led​—A History of Propaganda) Philip M. Taylor, a British professor, wrote that the Assyrians, for example, used terror together with propaganda in order to dominate their enemies. Satan will use fear, such as fear of man, fear of persecution, and fear of death, to make you stop serving Jehovah.​—Isaiah 8:12; Jeremiah 42:11; Hebrews 2:15.

Do not let Satan do this to you! Jesus said: “Do not fear those who kill the body and after this are not able to do anything more.” (Luke 12:4) Be completely confident that Jehovah will keep his promise to care for you, give you “the power beyond what is normal,” and help you resist Satan’s attacks.​—2 Corinthians 4:7-9; 1 Peter 3:14.

Of course, there may be times when you feel weak or afraid. But remember Jehovah’s encouraging words to Joshua: “Be courageous and strong. Do not be struck with terror or fear, for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) If you feel anxious, immediately pray to Jehovah about your worries. You can be sure that “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers.” Then you will have the strength to resist all of Satan’s propaganda.​—Philippians 4:6, 7, 13.

Do you remember the propaganda that the messenger of the Assyrians, the Rabshakeh, used in order to scare God’s people? He wanted them to believe that no one could protect them from Assyria, not even Jehovah. He then claimed that Jehovah had told the Assyrians to destroy Jerusalem. What did Jehovah say in return? “Do not be afraid because of the words that you heard, the words with which the attendants of the king of Assyria blasphemed me.” (2 Kings 18:22-25; 19:6) Jehovah then sent an angel who destroyed 185,000 Assyrians in one night!​—2 Kings 19:35.

BE WISE​—ALWAYS LISTEN TO JEHOVAH

Have you ever watched a movie where someone does not realize that he is being tricked? Did you want to yell out: ‘Do not believe it! They are lying to you!’ Imagine, then, the angels telling you: “Do not be fooled by Satan’s lies!”

So do not listen to Satan’s propaganda. (Proverbs 26:24, 25) Listen to Jehovah and trust in him in all that you do. (Proverbs 3:5-7) He loves you and he urges you: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice.” (Proverbs 27:11) If you do this, you will win the battle for your mind!