Practicing Bible Principles in the Home - DISPLAYING BEAUTIES OF "NEW PERSONALITY"

Much of the counsel here given applies to homelife, whatever the makeup of the family may be.  It is so easy to indulge in a little falsehood, saying to yourself that it does not always pay to tell the truth.  Do you like it if you find other pursuing that policy?  Does it not undermine confidence and create suspicioun?  It certainly does not foster  the feeling of  "belonging to one another." says Paul: "Put away falsehood and speak truth each one of you." Again, it is easy to cherish a smoldering resentment due to continual irritation. Not being willing to admit this, you might live a falsehood by denying it. Even when the anger on your part is right and proper, be careful;  "let the sun not set with you in a provoked state."  The cause of anger may still  be there, but endeavor to get Jehovah's viewpoint on the problem, and ask for his help.  "Throw your burden upon Jehovah himseld, and he himself will sustain you." (Ephesians 4:25, 26; Psalm 55:22) So doing, you will not "allow place for the Devil."  Next, the point is made: "Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him do hard work . . . that he may have something to distribute to someone in need."  What a temptation it can be  to do a little stealing -just a  mouthful of your favorite dish before it comes  on the table. It will not be missed, and no one sees, unless to omit to wipe away the evidence from around your mouth!  This is not limited to small children, though it is then that right principes  should inculcated, kindly yet ceaselessly.  Each member of the family also has the right to a certain measure of privacy, depending on age and circumstances. Do not intrude on that privacy.  It to is a form of stealing, to say the least. - EPHESIANS 4:27, 28.

 

Continuing, there is good counsel given as to speech, including the motive prompting it.  "Let a rotten saying not proceed out of your mouth,but whatever saying is good for building up . . . let all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech be taken away from  you along with all badness," including "foolish talking" and "obscene jesting."  (  Ephesians 4:29-31; 5:4)  Home is often the place where you feel you can  just be natural self, even more so than in the congregation, where righteous principles are more on the fore.   How necessary, then, to be aware of the need for self-control, especially if the general atmosphere is easygoing, drawing no lines on funny stories and  jokes, or choice of words when one is irritated.  A "rotten saying" does not have to be  obviously foul or obscene. It mauy be a clever play on words, something with a double meaning, like an apply that looks smart and polished outside, but actually rotten to the core. Yes, it depends on what you are at heart.  (Matthew 12:34) Such things belong to the old personality.  They must be replaced by what belongs to the new, what is "good for building  up," and the "giving of thanks."  The malicious and bitter attitude, along with abusive speech, must be replaced by our becoming "kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another."  These are Bible principles to be practiced in the home.  - EPHESIANS 4:32; COLOSSIANS 3:8-10. 

Next time: Practicing Bible Principles in the Home - DISLAYING BEAUTIES OF 'NEW PERSONALITY" -Conclusion

From the jw.org publications 

Note: Sorry, but my arm is killing me and I can barely raise it up to do this, so I will finsih the rest of it after a bit.