Is Your Conscience a Reliable Guide?

BE REASONABLE

The Bible encourages us to avoid harmful practices and to be moderate in habits, such as eating and drinking.  (Proverbs 23:20; 2 Corinthians 7:1) As we apply Bible principles, we will be safeguarding our health to a degree, even if advancing age and infirmity may still affect us.  In some lands, both conventional medicine and a range of alternative therapies are available .  Branch offices regularly receive  letters from brothers and sisters who are considering one form of treatment or another.  Many ask, "Can a servant of Jehovah accept such treatment?"

Neither a branch office nor the local congregation elders are authorized to make health-care decisions for a Witness, even if he  asks what to do. (Galatians 6:5)  They can, of course, call attention to what Jehovah has said that may have a bearing on the decision.  For example, a Christian needs to remember the Biblical command "to keep abstaining from . .  .blood." (Acts 15:29) That would clearly rule out medical treatments that  involve taking in whole blood or any of its four major components.  This knowledge could even influence a Christian's conscience when he makes a personal decision regarding minor fractions derived from one of those four components. 
But what other Bible advice can guide us when we are contemplating medical treatment?

Proverbs 14:15 says:  "The naive person believes every word, but the shrewd one ponders each step."  For some illnesses, there may be no known cure.  So it is wise to be cautious when it comes to treatments that feature stunning claims but that are promoted merely with hear-say testimonials.   Paul was inspired  to write:  "Let your reasonableness become known to all men." (Philippians 4:5)  Reasonableness also holds us back from devoting so  much time to health care that spiritual matters are forced into the background. Were we to allow health care to become the main focus of our life, we would run the risk of becoming self-centered.  (Philippians 2:4) Spiritual matters are most important, and with regard to health, our expectations should remain reasonable.  -Read Philippians 1:10. 


A Christian who is reasonable does not impose his views on others.  In one European land, a married couple were zealously  advocating certain food supplements, but others chose not to. In time, the results fell short of expectations, and there was widespread resentment.  The couple had a right to choose for themselves whether they should follow a certain diet and take the supplements, but was it reasonable to put the unity of the congregation at risk over health care?  For a time, Christians in ancient Rome had differing opinions with regard to eating certain foods and observing certain days.  What advice did Paul give them?  Regarding the latter, he said:  "One man judges one day as above another;  another judges one day the same as others; let each one be fully convinced  in his own mind."  It was important not to put a stumbling block before others.  -Read Romans 14:5, 13, 15, 19, 20. 

If we cannot understand the conscientious decision of a fellow believer on some personal matter, we should not quickly judge him or feel that we ought to pressure him to change his mind.  Perhaps his conscience is still "weak" and in need of more training or is too sensitive on certain issues.  (1 Corinthians 8:11, 12) On the other hand, it may be that we need to examine our own conscience, which may need further training in line with divine principles. On matters like health care, each of us should be willing to make a personal decision and accept the responsibility that comes with it. 

Next time: Is Your Conscience a Reliable Guide? -ENJOY UPBUILDING RECREATION

From the Watchtower magazine