DO NOT LET YOUR STRENGTH BECOME YOUR WEAKNESS

Subjecting A Strong Personality

A strong personality that is set on righteousness and doing Jehovah's will wholesouled can be a fine asset when softened by modesty and humility. Yet, it can be a weakness if it causes one to dominate or intimidate others. This is especially true withing the Christian congregation. Christians should feel relaxed with one and the, including when in the company of congregation elders. -Matthew 20:25-27.

Elders in turn, should feel at ease in one another's company. and when they meet together, holy spirit, not the force of personality, should influence their decisions. Indeed holy spirit can influence any elder on the body, including the youngest or most reticent elder. So those who have stronger personalities, even when they feel that they are in the right, should manage their strength by learning the art of deference, thus, "showing honor" to fellow elders. (Romans 12:10) Ecclesiastes 7:16 kindly warns: "Do not become righteous overmuch, nor show yourself excessively wise. Why should you cause desolation to yourself?"

Jehovah, the Source of "every good gift," manages his awesome strengths with absolute perfection. (James 1:17; Deuteronomy 32:4) And he is our Teacher! So let us learn from him and work hard, both at developing our natural gifts, or strengths, and at managing them wisely, modestly and lovingly. What a blessing to others we will then be!

Next time: IS THE WORD "CHRISTIAN" LOSING ITS MEANING?

Watchtower, 1999