Are You Maintaining Your "Large Shield of Faith"? - PROTECT YOURSELF FROM UNDUE ANXIETIES, LIES AND DISCOURAGEMENT

Some types of anxiety are good.  For example, we are properly concerned about pleasing Jehovah and Jesus.  (1 Corinthians 7:32)  IF we commit a serious sin, we are anxious  to restore our friendship with God. (Psalm 38:18)  We are also anxious to please our marriage mate and to care for the welfare of our family members and fellow believers. - 1 CORINTHIANS 7:33; 2 CORINTHIANS 11:28.

On the other hand, undue anxiety could damage our faith.  For example, we may constantly worry about having enough food and clothing.  (Matthew 6:231,32) To ease that worry, we might focus on gaining material possessions.  We could even develop a love of money.  If we allow that to happen, our faith in Jehovah  will become weak and we will suffer serious spiritual harm.  (Mark 4:19; 1 Timothy 6:10)  Or we might fall victim to another type of anxiety-becoming overly concerned about gaining the approval of others.  We may then fear being ridiculed or persecuted by men more than we fear displeasing Jehovah.   To protect ourselves from that danger, we must beg Jehovah  to give us the faith we need to face the challenge. - Read PROVERBS 29:25; LUKE 17:5. 

Satan, "the father of lie," uses those under his control to spread lies about Jehovah and about our brothers and sisters.  (John 8:44) For instance, apostates publish lies and distort facts about Jehovah's organization on websites and through television and other media. Those lies are among Satan's "burning arrows."  (Ephesians 6:16)  How should we respond if someone confronts us with such lies?  We reject them! Why? Because we faith in Jehovah and we trust our brothers. In fact, we avoid all contact with apostates. We do not allow anyone or anything, including curiosity to draw us into arguing with them.

Next time: Are You Maintaining Your "Large Shield of Faith"? - Conclusion of PROTECT YOURSELF FROM UNDUE ANXIETIES, LIES AND DISCOURAGEMENT

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