DEVELOPING GODLY QUALITIES

Of course, more is involved in pleasing Jehovah than avoiding things that he hates.  You also need to love what he loves. (Romans 12:9) Do you not feel drawn to those who share your views, interests, and values?  Jehovah does too. So learn to love the things  that Jehovah holds dear.  Some of these are described at Psalm 15:1-5, where we read about those whom God considers his friends.  Jehovah's friends display what the Bible calls "the fruitage of the spirit."  It includes  such qualities as "love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control." -Galatians 5:22, 23.

Reading and studying the Bible regularly will help you to develop godly qualities. And learning what God requires will help you to harmonize your thoughts with God's thinking.  (Isaiah 30:20, 21)  The more you strengthen your love for Jehovah, the greater will be your desire to live in a way that pleases God. 

Effort is required to live in a way that pleases Jehovah. The Bible likens  changing your life to stripping off your old personality and clothing yourself with a new one. (Colossians 3:9, 10) But regarding Jehovah's commandments, the psalmist wrote: "In the keeping of them there is a large reward." (Psalm 19:11) You too will find that living in a way that pleases God  is richly rewarding.  By so doing, you will give an answer to Satan's challenge and make Jehovah's heart rejoice!

Next time: A Godly View of Life, Chapter Thirteen

From the Book: What Does the Bible Really Teach? 2005 and 2006