Be Jealous for Jehovah

Godly jealously, however, has its place in true worship.  When we tend to be unduly concerned with our own reputation or rights, godly jealousy turns our attention to declare the truth about him, defending his ways and  his people. 

Akiko, a full-time minister of Jehovah's Witnesses, was sternly rebuffed by a householder who had misconceptions about God's law on blood. Akiko tactfully defended God's Word, even mentioning the medical complications and problems associated with blood transfusions. Moved by an ardent desire to talk about Jehovah, she turned the conversation to what she discerned was the real basis  for the woman's  objections-her lack of belief in the existence  of a Creator.  Akiko reasoned  with the householder on how creation supported belief in a Creator.  Her bold defense led not only to the removing of unfounded prejudices but also to a home Bible study  with the woman. Today the formerly irate householder is a praiser of Jehovah.

Proper jealously, or zeal, for true worship compels us to be alert and to seize the opportunities to talk about and defend our faith at work, in school, at the store, and while traveling. Midori, for example, makes it a point to speak about her faith to her workmates. One colleague who was in her 40's said that she wanted nothing to do with Jehovah's Witnesses . Later, during another conversation, the woman complained of her daughter's developing a personality problem. Midori showed her the book Questions Young People Ask-Answers That Work, and she offered  to arrange a study in the book with the daughter. A study was started,, but the mother did not sit in on the discussion. Midori decided to show the woman the video Jehovah's Witnesses-The Organization Behind the Name.  
This cleared up many of her misimpressions. Moved by what she saw, she said:  "I want to be like Jehovah's Witnesses."  She joined her daughter in studying  the Bible.

Proper jealousy has its place in the Christian congregation too. It fosters a warm spirit of love and concern and moves us to resist disruptive influences that would harm our spiritual brothers, such as damaging gossip and apostate thinking. Godly jealousy moves us to support the decisions of the elders, who on occasion find it necessary to reprove wrongdoers.  (1 Corinthians 5:11-13; 1 Timothy 5:20) Writing about his jealous feelings for fellow believers in the Corinthian congregation, Paul said:  "I am jealousy over you with a godly jealousy, for I personally promised you in marriage to one husband that I might present you as a chaste virgin to the Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:2) So, too, our jealousy moves us  to do all we can to protect  the doctrinal, spiritual, and moral purity of all in the congregation. 

Yes, properly motivated jealously--godly jealousy-has a wholesome influence on others. It elicits Jehovah's approval and should be one of the qualities observed in Christians today.  -John 2:17

Next time: "Become Wise in Your Future"

From the Watchtower magazine, 2002