GUIDE YOUR STEPS BY GODLY PRINCIPLES - Think and Act on the Basis of Principles

You have probably seen people who are inclined to obey laws grudgingly, out of fear of a penalty.  Respect for principles precludes such an attitude.  The very nature of principles moves those governed by them to respond from the heart.  In fact, most principles do not involve an immediate punishment  for those not conforming to them.  This gives us the opportunity to reveal why we obey Jehovah, what our heart motivation is.  We find an example in Joseph's refusing g the immoral advances  of Potiphar's wife.  Though Jehovah had not yet given a written sentence was prescribed for having relations with another man's wife, Joseph was aware of the principles of God-ordained marital faithfulness.  (Genesis 2:24; 12:18-20)  We can see from his response that such principles powerfully affected him:  "How could I commit this great badness and actually sin against God." -Genesis 39:9.

Today, Christians want to be guided by Jehovah's principles when it comes to personal matters, such as choice of associates, entertainment, music, reading material.  (1 Corinthians 15:33; Philippians 4:8) As we grow in knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of Jehovah and his standards, our conscience, our moral sense, will help us to apply divine principles under whatever circumstances  we face, even in very private matters. Guided by Bible principles, we will not look for loopholes in God's laws; nor will we imitate those who try to see how far they can go without breaking a certain law.  We realize  that such thinking is self-defeating and harmful. -James 1:22-25. 

Mature Christians recognize that a key to following godly principles is wanting to know how  Jehovah feels about a matter.  "O you lovers of Jehovah," exhorts the psalmist, "hate what is bad." (Psalm 97:10)  Listing some of the things  that God would classify  as bad, Proverbs 6:16-19 says:  "There are six things that Jehovah does hate; yes, seven are things detestable to his soul: lofty eyes, a false tongue, and hands that are shedding innocent blood, a heart fabricating hurtful schemes, feet that are in a hurry to run to badness, a false witness that launches forth lies, and anyone sending forth contentions among brothers."  When a desire to reflect how Jehovah feels on such fundamentals governs our lives, living in accord with principles becomes a consistent practice. -Jeremiah 22:16.

Next time: Guide Your Steps  by Godly Principles - Good Motive Is Needed

The Watchtower, 2002