Living in a Way That Pleases God?DEVELOPING GODLY QUALITIES

Of course, more is involved in pleasing Jehovah than avoiding things he hates. You also need to love what he loves.  (Romans 12:9) Do you 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 withe 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 that of 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 keeping  of them is a large reward."  (Psalm 19;11)  You too will find that living in a way that pleases God is  richly rewarding. By doing so,  you will give an answer to Satan's challenge and make Jehovah's hear rejoice!  

Next time: CHAPTER THIRTEEN; A Godly View of Life

From the book:  WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY TEACH?