Living in a Way That Pleases God/OBEYING JEHOVAH'S COMMANDMENTS

You can answer Satan's challenge by  living in a way that pleases God.  What does involve?  The Bible answers: "You must love Jehovah your God with all you heart and all your soul and all your vital force."  (Deuteronomy 6:5) As your love for God grows, you will be filled with a desire to do what he requires of you. "This is what the love of God means," wrote the apostle John, "That we observe his commandment and statutes." If you love Jehovah with your whole heart, you will find that "his commandments and statutes are not burdensome." -1 John 5:3.  

What are Jehovah's  commandment?  Some of involve conduct that we must avoid.  For example: 

Manslaughter                                       Violence

Sexual immorality                               Improper speech

Spiritism                                                  Misuse of blood

Idolatry                                                     Refusal to provide for one's family

Drunkenness                                           Participation in wars or political                   
                                                                       controversies of this world
Stealing                                 
                                                                      Use of tobacco or so-called recreational                                                                                  drugs
Lying

  "Shun what Jehovah hates:   Those are just some examples of what God hates and does  not want us to do. At first glance, some practices that are listed  might not seem so bad. But after meditating on these for awhile-look the scriptures up in the bible, you will likely see the wisdom  of Jehovah's Laws.  Making changes in your conduct may be the greatest challenge you have ever faced. Yet, living in a way that pleases God brings great satisfaction and happiness.  (Isaiah 48:17, 18) And it is something that is within your reach. How do we know that?  

Jehovah never asks more of us than we can do.  (Deuteronomy 30:11-14) He knows our potential and our limitations better than we do.  (Psalm 110:14) Moreover,  Jehovah can give us the strength to obey him.  The apostle Paul wrote:  "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but along with the temptation he will also make the way out in order for you to be able to endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) To help you endure, Jehovah can even supply you with "power beyond what is normal." (2 Corinthians 4:7) After enduring many trials, Paul could say:  "For all things I have the strength by virtue of him who imparts power to me." -Philippians 4:13. 

Next time: Living in a Way That Pleases God/DEVELOPING GODLY QUALITIES

From the book: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH?