Maintain Your Neutrality in a Divided World

BENEFIT FROM FAITHFUL SERVANTS OF JEHOVAH

A fourth thing that helps us stay neutral is to think abot the examples of faithful servants of Jehovah.  Many in Bible times had courage, and they made wise decisions that helped them to stay neutral.  Think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abedenego, who refused to worshiup and image that represented the government of Babylon.  (Read Daniel 3:16-18.)  This Bible account helps many Witnesses today to be courageous and refuse to worship the flag of the country where they live.  Jesus did not get involved with politics or other issues that divide people.  He knew that his good example would help his disciples.  He said:  "Take Courage! I have conquered the world." - JOHN 16:33.

Many Witnesses in our time have remained neutral.  Some of them have been tortured, put in prison, and even killed because they stayed faith to Jehovah.  Their examples can help us to have courage.  One brother from Turlley said:  "Franz Reiter was a young brother who was exectued because he refused to join Hitler's army.  The letter he wrote to his mother the night before he died showed tremendous faith and confidence in Jehovah, and I wanted to follow his example if I faced such a trial. 

The brothers and sisters in your congregation can help you to stay neutral.  Let the elders know if you are in a difficult situation.  They can give you good advice from the Bible.  Also, if members of the congregatio  know what your situation is, they can encourage you .  Ask them to pray for you.  But we too should support our brothers and pray for them. (Matthew 7:12)  To find lists of names of brothers who are in prison, see the article on jw.org called "Jehovah's Witnesses Imprisoned for Their Faith-By Location,"  which can be found  under Newsroom Legal Developments.  Choose a few names, and ask Jehovah to help these brothers and sisters to be courageous and stay loyal to him. - EPHESIANS   6:19, 20.

As we close to the end, we can expect the governments to put more and more pressure on us to take sides.  That is why it is important for us to prepare now to stay neutral in his divided world!

Next time:  Why Don't Jehovah's Witnesses Go to War?

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