You Can Avoid a Spiritual Heart Attack

A  World class athlete, in full command of his skill and to all outward appearances in excellent physical condition, suddenly collapsed during a practice session and died.  The athlete was Sergei Grinkov, a two-time Olympic gold medalist ice skater, whose  career was cut short just as it started to blossom-when he was only 28 years old.  What a tragedy!  The cause?  A heart attack.  It was said that his death was totally unexpected because there was no sign of any kind to indicate that he was suffering from heart disease.  Yet, examiners found that he had an enlarged heart and severely blocked arteries.



While it may appear that many heart attacks occur without warning, medical authorities say that it is rarely the case.  The truth is that such tell-tale signs and contributing factors are breathlessness, overweight, and chest pains are often ignored.  As  a result, even if death does not claim them as victims as the time of their heart attack, many become severely handicapped for the rest of their lives. 

The consensus of medical opinion today is that prevention of a heart attack requires constant vigilance in one's diet and life-style and regular check-ups.  Such measures, along with a genuine willingness to makes changes where necessary, will go a long way in sparing one the tragic efforts of a heart attack.

There is, however, another aspect of our heart that merits even more attention.  "More than all else that is to be guarded, safeguard your heart," the Bible warns us,  "for out of it are the sources of life."  (Proverbs 4:23)   This scripture, of course, is referring principally to the figurative heart.  Vigilance is needed to safeguard our physical heart, but it is even more important to remain on the alert if we want to protect our figurative heart against diseases that can lead to spiritual death.

Next time:  Anatomy of a Figurative Heart Attack

The Watchtower, 2001

THE GOLDEN RULE It Is Practical -What About You?

What About You?

Reflect for a moment on the agony and suffering that disregard for the Golden Rule has brought on mankind since the rebellion in Eden, instigated by Satan the Devil.  Jehovah purposes to reverse the situation soon.  How? "For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, namely, to break up the works of the Devil."  (1 John 3:8)  This will occur under the reign of God's Kingdom, in the wise and capable hands of Jesus Christ, the one who taught and lived by the Golden Rule. -Psalm 37:9-11; Daniel 2:44.

King David of ancient Israel observed: "A young man I used to be, I have also grown old, and yet i have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring looking for bread.  All day long he is showering favor and lending, and so his offspring are in line for a blessing."  (Psalm 37:25. 26)  Would you not agree that most people today are taking and grabbing rather than "showing favor and lending"?  Clearly, following the Golden Rule can lead to true peace and security because it puts one in line for blessings now and in the future under God's Kingdom.  God's Kingdom will do away with every last vestige of selfishness and wickedness on earth and replace the present system  of corrupt man-made rule with a new system of God's making.  Then, all people will enjoy living by the Golden Rule. -Psalm 29:11; 2 Peter 3:13.

Next time: You Can Avoid a Spiritual Heart Attack

The Watchtower, 2001

THE GOLDEN RULE It Is Practical -People Who Apply the Golden Rule

People Who Apply the Golden Rule

Are there people in our time who really live by the Golden Rule?  Yes, and not just when it is convenient.  For example, during World War II in Nazi Germany, Jehovah's Witnesses maintained  their faith in God an love for neighbor and refused to compromise the Golden Rule.  While the State enforced a campaign of hate and discrimination against all Jews, the Witnesses continued to follow the Golden Rule.  Even in concentration camps, they kept on caring for fellow humans, sharing food, though scarce, with starving Jews and non-Jews alike.  Furthermore, though commanded by the State to take up arms to kill others, they refused to do so, just as they did not desire to be killed by others.  How could they kill those whom they were to love as themselves?  For their refusal, many of them were sent not only to concentration camps but to their death.. -Matthew 5:43-48.

As you read this article, you are benefiting from another example of the Golden Rule at work.  Jehovah's Witnesses realize that today many people suffer hopelessly and helplessly.  Because of this, the Witnesses voluntarily take positive action  to help others to learn about the hope and the practical direction found in the Bible. It is all part of a global educational work now being done on an unprecedented scale.  The result?  As prophesied at Isaiah 2:2-4,  'many peoples," in fact over six million individuals around the world, have been  'instructed in Jehovah's ways and walk in his paths.'  Figuratively, they have learned "to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears."  They have found peace and security in these troublesome times.

Next time: THE GOLDEN RULE  It Is Practical -What About You?

The Watchtower, 2001

THE GOLDEN RULE It Is Practical

An Example to Imitate

Jesus Christ, on the other hand, not only taught the Golden Rule but also set the finest example in following it.  He genuinely cared for the welfare of others.  (Matthew 9:36; 14:14; Luke 5:12, 13)  Once, near the city of Nain, Jesus saw a heartbroken widow in a funeral procession for her only son.  The Bible account says:  "When the Lord caught sight of her, he was moved with pity for her."  (Luke 7:11-15) The expression "moved with pity,"  according to Vine's expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, denotes  "to  be moved to one's  inwards."  He felt her pain of heart, and it moved him to take positive steps to relieve her pain.  What joy it brought that widow when Jesus resurrected the boy and "gave him to his mother"!

Finally, in harmony with God's purpose, Jesus willingly suffered and gave his life as a ransom so that mankind could be freed from slavery under sin and death.  This was the ultimate example of living by the Golden Rule. -Matthew 20:28; John 15:13; Hebrews 4:15.

Next time: THE GOLDEN RULE It Is Practical - People Who Apply the Golden Rule

The Watchtower, 2001

THE GOLDEN RULEIt Is Practical

Selfishness Took Over

Since mankind had such a wonderful start, what happened? (Eve, the troublemaker, and man listening when he should not have) Simply stated, selfishness, made its ugly appearance.  Most people are familiar with the Bible's account of what the first human couple did, as recorded in Genesis chapter 3.  Urged on by Satan, an opposer to all that God stands for, Adam and Eve selfish rejected God's rulership in preference to independence and self-determination.  Their selfish and rebellious action resulted not only in great loss to themselves but also  in tragic consequences for all their future offspring.  That was a clear demonstration of the dire result of ignoring the teaching that came to be known as the Golden Rule.  Consequently,  "through on man sin entered into  the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." -Romans 5:12. 

Though mankind as whole turned their back on the loving ways of Jehovah God, he did not abandon them.  For example, Jehovah gave the nation of Israel his Law to guide them. It taught them to treat others as they themselves would want to be treated.  The Law gave direction  on treatment of slaves, fatherless boys, and widows. It outlined how assault, kidnapping,and stealing were to be dealt with.  Sanitary laws showed concern for the health of others. There were even laws on sexual matters.  Jehovah epitomized his Law by telling the people:  "You must love your fellow as yourself," a statement that Jesus later quoted.  (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39, 40)   The Law also dealt with the treatment of alien residences among the Israelites.  The Law commanded:  " You  must not oppress an alien resident, as you yourselves have known the soul of the alien resident, because you became alien residents in the land of Egypt." In other words, the Israelites were to show empathetic kindness to the disadvantaged. -Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:19)  (yes, but he did say to treat them better than anyone else, He does not want us to show partiality to one particular race; as we All are equal. Tell that to the government)

As long as Israel faithfully followed the Law, Jehovah blessed the nation. Under the reigns of David and Solomon, the nation prospered and the people were happy and satisfied.  A historical account tells us:  "Judah and Israel were many, like the grains of sand that are by the sea for multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing.  (some people don't know when to quit drinking)  And Judah and Israel continued to dwell in security, everyone under his own vine and under his own fig tree." -1 Kings 4:20, 25.

Sadly, the peace and security of the nation did not last long.  Though having God's Law, they Israelites did not observe it; they allowed selfishness to choke out their concern for others.  This, along with apostasy, resulted in hardship to them individually and as a nation.  Finally, in the year 607 B.C.E., Jehovah allowed the Babylonians to destroy the kingdom of Judah, the city of Jerusalem, and even the magnificent temple there.  For what reason?  " 'For the reason you did not obey my words, here I am sending and I will take all the families of the north,' is the utterance of Jehovah, 'even sending to Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and I will bring them  against its inhabitants and against all these  nations round about; and I will devote them to destruction and make them and object of astonishment and something to whistle at and places devastated to time indefinite.' " (Jeremiah 25:8, 9)  what a price to pay for abandoning Jehovah's pure worship!

Next time: THE GOLDEN RULE It Is Practical -An Example to Imitate

The Watchtower, 2001

THE GOLDEN RULE It is Practical

While most people view the Golden Rule as a moral teaching enunciated by Jesus, he himself stated:  "What I teach is not mine, but belongs to him that sent me." -John 7:16.


YES, the Originator of what Jesus taught, including what came to be known as the Golden Rule, is the one who sent Jesus, namely, the Creator, Jehovah God.

God originally purposed that all mankind treat one another as they would like to be treated.  He set the finest example in expressing care for the welfare of others in the way he created humans:  "God proceeded to create the man in his image, in God's image he created him; male and female he created them."  (Genesis 1:27)  This means that good lovingly endowed humans with a measure of his own outstanding qualities so that they could enjoy life in peace, happiness, and harmony-potentially forever.  Their God-given conscience, when properly trained, would guide them to treat others the way they themselves would want to be treated. 

Next time: Selfishness Took Over

The Watchtower, 2001

THE GOLDEN RULE A Universal Teaching - Golden Rule Tarnished

Golden Rule Tarnished

Throughout history, there have been cases of crime against humanity in which the rights of people were totally ignored.  These include the slave out of Africa, Nazi death camps, Japanese pow camps,  forced child labor, and brutal genocides in one place or another, the horrifying list could be much longer.  

Today, our high-tech world is self-centered.  Few people think about others when their own convenience or supposed rights are at stake.  (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Why have so many become selfish, cruel, unfeeling, and self-centered?  Is it not because the Golden Rule, though still widely known, is being brushed aside as unrealistic , a moral relic?  Sadly, this is the case even among many who claim to believe in God.  And judging by the way things are going,  people will only become more self-centered.

Therefore, the vital questions that must be considered  are:  What does living  by the Golden Rule involve?  Does anyone still live by it?  And will there ever be a time when all mankind will live in harmony with the Golden Rule?  For the truthful answers to these questions, please read the following article.

Next time: THE GOLDEN RULE It Is Practical

The Watchtower, 2001

THE GOLDEN RULE A Universal Teaching

"All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must do likewise do to them." -Matthew 7:12.


THOSE words were spoken nearly two thousand years ago by Jesus Christ in his famous Sermon on the the Mount.  In the centuries since, much has been said and written about that simple statement.  Among other things, it has been extolled as "the very essence of Scripture," a summary of the Christian's duty to his neighbor,"  and "a fundamental ethical principle."  So well-known has it become that it is often referred to as the Golden Rule.

The idea of the Golden Rule, however, is by no means confined to the so-called Christian would.  Judaism, Buddhism, and Greek philosophy all expounded this ethical maxim in one form or another. Well known, especially to people in the Far East, is a statement by Confucius, who is venerated in the Orient as the greatest sage and teacher.  In The Analects, the third of the Confucian Four Books, we find the thought expressed three times. Twice, in answers to queries from students.  Confucius stated:  "What you do not want done to you, do not do to others."  On another occasion,m when his pupil Zigong boasted
"What I do not want others to do to me, I also do not want to do to them," The teacher responded with this sobering rejoinder,  "Yes, but this you are not yet able to do."

Reading these words, one can see that Confucius' statement is a negative version of what Jesus later said.  The obvious difference is that the Golden Rule stated by Jesus requires positive actions of doing good to others.  Suppose people  were to act in harmony with Jesus' positive  statement, caring about and taking steps to help others, living by this code daily.  Do you think that would make today's world a better place? Undoubtedly.

Whether the rule is stated in the positive, the negative, or any other form, what is significant is that people in different times and places and with diverse backgrounds have put much  stock in the idea of the Golden Rule.  This simply shows that what Jesus stated in the Sermon on the Mount is a universal teaching that touches the life of people everywhere in every age.

Ask yourself:  'Would I like to be treated respectfully fairly, honestly?  Would i like to live in a world without racial prejudice crime and war?  Would I like to be in a family in which everyone showed concern for the feelings and welfare of others?' Actually, who would say not to such possibilities?  The grim reality is that very few enjoy these conditions.  For most people, it is almost too much to hope for such things. 

Next time: THE GOLDEN RULE - Golden Rule Tarnished

The Watchtower, 2001

PROVE YOURSELF READY FOR JEHOVAH'S DAY-By All Means, Prove Yourself Ready

By All Means, Prove Yourself Ready

Time ran out for the world of Noah's day, and it will run out for the present system of things.  The apostle Peter assures us:  "Jehovah's day will come as a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a hissing noise, but the elements being intensely hot will be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be discovered."  Neither the symbolic heavens-wicked governments-nor the symbolic earth-mankind alienated from God-will survive the heat of God's burning anger.  Indicating how we can prove ourselves ready for that day, Peter exclaims:  "Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah!" -2 Peter 3:10-12.

Our regularly attending Christian meetings and sharing in preaching the good news are included among these acts and deeds of godly devotion.  May we perform them with heartfelt devotion to God while we wait patiently for Jehovah's great day.  let us "do [our] utmost to be found finally by [God]spotless and unblemished and in peace. -2 Peter 3:14.

(note; God knows that we are not perfect and while on earth, will not be perfect. All we can do is the best we can to read all the bible, and ask for help in understanding what it says and follow it. God gives you understanding when he feels you are ready for it.  But in order to do all this and more.You have to make it a sincere effort to want to know the truth-true knowledge  of what God wants from all of us and  accept it for what it is, the truth.  It took me awhile to accept the truth, but in the end, when I was ready, something just told me that I need to accept the truth for what it is. Please people! Do  this for yourselves and you won't regret any of it. I don't. I did at first for a short time, then I realized it was meant to be.  You just know somehow that you are ready, believe me. It shocked me too. But it was great. I enjoy have a relationship with God. Just remember, God works in is own time and not mysteriously either!  Look around you, is all this a mystery? It looks pretty clear to me. )

Next time: THE GOLDEN RULE A Universal Teaching

The Watchtower, 2003

PROVE YOURSELF READY FOR JEHOVAH'S DAY

Conclusion of  Shun Spiritually Damaging Life-Styles

Anxiety may also be brought on by materialistic pursuits.  For example,m some complicate their lives by living beyond their means.  Others have been enticed  by get-rich-quick schemes and risky financial investments.  For others, secular education as a means to attain financial success becomes a snare.  Granted, a certain level of schooling may be useful to obtain employment.   However, the truth is that in the time-consuming pursuit of obtaining advanced education, some have harmed themselves spiritually.  What a dangerous situation to be in as the day of Jehovah nears!  The Bible warns:  "Those who are determined to  be rich fall into temptation and a snare and many senseless and hurtful desires, which plunge men into destruction and ruin." -1 Timothy 6:9.


Essential to not being drawn into a materialistic way of life is cultivating the ability to distinguish between right and wrong when making decisions.  This ability is developed  by regularly partaking of 'solid spiritual food belonging to mature  people' and by 'having our perceptive powers trained through use.'   (Hebrews 5:13, 14) Making sure "of the more important things"  when setting priorities will also safeguard us from making wrong choices. -Philippians 1:10.

 A materialistic life-style can blind us, leaving little or no time for spiritual pursuits.  How can we examine ourselves and avoid being ensnared  by such a life-style?  We need to consider prayerfully how and to what extent we can simplify our life.   King Solomon of ancient Israel said:  "Sweet is the sleep of the one serving, regardless of whether it is little or much that he eats; but the plenty belonging to the rich one is not permitting him to sleep."  (Ecclesiastes 5:12)  Does taking care of unnecessary material possessions consume a lot of our time and energy?  The more we own, the more we have to maintain, insure, and protect.  Could it be to  our advantage to simplify our life by freeing ourselves of certain belongings? 

Next time: By All Means, Prove Yourself Ready

The Watchtower, 2003