Right and Wrong: Guidance That Works

 BIBLE GUIDANCE WORKS: Quang and Thi, from Vietnam, felt trapped in their unhappy marriage. Quang was often unkind: He says: "I didn't care about the feelings and often humiliated her." This wanted a divorce. She said: "I felt that I could no longer trust or respect my husband." 

Eventually, Quang and Thu learned what the Bible teaches and how to apply Ephesians 5:33 in their marriage.  "This verse helped to see the need to be kind," says Quang, "and to make Thi feel loved and cared for materially, physically, and emotionally. When I act that way, I gain her love and respect." And Thi says, "the more I apply Ephesians 5:33 and show my husband respect, the more my husband makes me feel loved, protected, and at peace." 

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For more information on marriage, read Awake! no. 2 2018, entitled "12 Secrets of Successful Families" on jw.org. 

Next time: Right and Wrong: Guidance That Works - Continue

From the jw.org publications

Right and Wrong: Guidance That Words

 Consider four areas of life in which millions have learned that the Bible's guidance works and can be trusted.

1. Marriage

People have different views about marriage and about what

it takes to have a happy marriage.

THE BIBLE SAYS: "Each one of you must love his wide as he does himself; on the other hand, the wife should have deep respect for her husband. - EPHESIANS 5:33. 

MEANING:  Marriage is an arrangement that God originated, so he knows what is needed for a couple to be happy.  (Mark 10:6-9) Happiness results when marriage mates focus, not on what each other gets, but on what one can to strengthen their marriage. A husband who loves his wife will show it by the way he treats her and cares for her. And a wife who respects her husband will show by the way she speaks and acts.

Next time: Right and Wrong: Guidance That Works - Conclusion

From the jw.org publications 

A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE

 Objection

Objection: The Bible promotes an intolerant view of others."

Fact: The Bible encourages treating other people with respect. It does not condone.

. considering oneself superior to others. - PHILIPPIANS 2:3.

. disrespecting people who have different values or beliefs. - 1 PETER 2:17. 

.  forcing others to adopt one's view. - MATTHEW 10:14. 

For more information, read the article "Tolerance-How the Bible Can Help" on jw.org.

Next time: Right and Wrong: Guidance That Works

From the jw.org publications

A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE

 Objection

Objection: "People who claim to follow the Bible do bad things, so it must not be a good moral guide.

Fact: The Bible is not to blame for the bad conduct of those who do not apply its teachings. It foretold that many people -including religious leaders - who claim to follow the Bible would act contrary to what it says. It also says that as a result, Bible teachings would be spoken of abusively." -2 PETER 2:1, 2. 

For one example of the ways many religious leaders have strayed from what the Bible really teaches, read the article "Is Religion Just Another Big Business?" on jw.org. 

Next time: A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE -Objection -Conclusion

From the jw.org publications

A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE

 Objection

Objection: "The Bible contradicts itself." 

Fact: The relatively few passages that may appear contradictory can be resolved by taking into account the context, historical facts and customs, the writer's viewpoint, and other factors.

To see some specific examples, read the article "Are There Contradictions in the Bible?" on jw.org.

Next time: A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE -Objection - Continue

From the jw.org publications

A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE

 Relationships

."Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage,       but that of the other person." -   1 CORINTHIANS   10:24.

. " Continue putting up with one another and forgiving

    one another freely." - COLOSSIANS 

Making Decisions

. "The naive person believes every word, but the 

   shrew one ponders each step."  - PROVERBS 14:15 .

. "The shrew one sees the danger and conceals 

   himself, but the inexperienced keep right on 

   going and suffer the consequences." - 

   PROVERBS 22:3. 

Next time: A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE - Objection 

From the jw.org publications

   

A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE

 We would expect a wise and loving Creator to make his moral guidance available to everyone. Consider these facts about the Bible: 

. 3,000+ the number of languages in which at least a portion of the Bible is available, making it the most widely translated book. Although the Bible was completed almost 2,000 years ago, it continues to be relevant today. Basic human nature has not changed-we still seek fulfillment and happiness in life. (Ecclesiastes 1:9) The Bible's timeless wisdom can help us to reach that goal. 

HONESTY

. "We wish to conduct ourselves honestly in all things." - HEBREWS 13:18.

. "Let the one who steals no more; rather, let him do hard work." - EPHESIANS 4:28.

Next time: A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE - RELATIONSHIPS

From the jw.org publications

GUIDANCE WE NEED

 In the Bible, Jehovah God explains that he intended for humans to look to him for guidance, not to guide, or direct, themselves. (Jeremiah 10:23) That is why he has provided the moral guidelines found in the Bible. He loves the human family and wants to spare us from experiencing the harmful consequences and frustration of making important life decisions based on trial and error. (Deuteronomy5:29; 1 John 4:8) More than that, as our Creator, he has the wisdom and knowledge needed to give us the best possible moral advice. (Psalm 100:3; 104:24) Yet, God never forces people to live by his standards.

Jehovah gave the first man and woman, Adam and Eve, everything they needed to be truly happy. (Genesis 1:28, 29; 2:8, 15) He also gave them simple instructions that he expected to them to obey. However, he let them choose for themselves whether they would follow those instructions or not.  (Genesis 2:9, 16, 17) Sadly, Adam and Eve chose to live by their own standards rather than God's standards. (Genesis 3:6) What has been the result? Is the human family better off deciding for themselves right and wrong? No. History proves that ignoring God's standards does not bring lasting peace and happiness. ECCLESIASTES 8:9. 

This Bible provides the guidance we need in order to make wise moral choices, regardless of background. (2 Timothy 3:16, 17; see the box "A Book for all People") Consider how the Bible does this. 

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Learn more about why the Bible can rightly be called "the Word of God." - 1 THESSALONIANS 2:13. Watch the video Who Is the Author of the Bible? on jw.org. 

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Next time: A BOOK FOR ALL PEOPLE

From the jw.org publications 

Right and Wrong: The Bible -A Reliable Guide

 We cannot be sure that our moral choices will turn out well if we base them only on how we or other people feel. The Bible reveals why, but it also does more. It contains reliable moral guidance-the key to enjoying a happy and fulfilling life. 

Next time: GUIDANCE WE NEED

From the jw.org publications

IS THERE A BETTER WAY

 When we decide between right and wrong, our feelings and the feelings of others play a valuable role. But that guidance alone does not always lead to a good outcome. We can be victims of own shortsightedness, failing to see the harm that our choices may cause us or others. (Proverbs 14:12) And there is no guarantee that our values of those around us are truly good for us and will not need to change. After all, certain behavior once viewed as wrong is now commonly accepted, while conduct previously thought of as acceptable is now viewed as improper. 

Is there a better guide for deciding what is right and what is wrong?  Is there a moral standard we can follow today that will not leave us disappointed years from now?

Thankfully, there is a source for consistent and reliable more guidance that works for everyone everywhere. The next article will discuss where we can find the most reliable guide for determining right and wrong.

Next time: Right and Wrong: The Bible-a Reliable Guide

From the jw.org publications