KEEP PRACTICING THE THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED

RELIGION is Gaining Ground, but Morality is Losing Ground." This headline in the newsletter Emerging Trends summarized the results of a nationwide poll in the United States. Evidently, that country has seen an increase in the number of people who attend church and say that religion holds and important place in their life. However, the report says: "Despite these impressive figures, many Americans clearly question the impact religious faith is having on individual lives and society as a whole."

This situation is not unique to just one country. Throughout the world, many people who say that they accept the Bible and are religious are not letting the Scriptures exert any real influence in their life. (2 Timothy 3:5) "We still hold the Bible in high regard," stated the head of our research group," but in terms of actually spending time reading it, studying it and applying it-that is a thing of the past." With genuine Christians, however, the situation is different. The application of counsel from God's Word has brought about changes in their thinking and conduct. And their new personality that they display is readily noted by others. (Colossians 3:5-10) For followers of Jesus,the Bible is not an unused book that gathers dust on a shelf. On the contrary, the apostle Paul told Christians in Philippi: "The things that you learned as well as accepted and heard and saw in connection with me, practice these; and the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:9) Christians do more than accept the truth of God's Word. They act on what they learn, continually, on the job, in the congregation and in all other areas of life.

Putting God's laws and principles into practice is not easy. We live in a world that is under the power of Satan the Devil, whom the Bible calls "the god of this system of things." (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19) Therefore, it is essential to be on guard against anything that would hinder us from pursuing a career of integrity to Jehovah God. How can we be integrity keepers?

Next time: Hold to "the Pattern of Healthful Words"

Watchtower,2002