KEEP PRACTICING THE THINGS YOU HAVE LEARNED

Hold to "the Pattern of Healthful Words"



One aspect of practicing what we have learned entails loyally upholding true worship, despite opposition from unbelievers. Endurance calls for effort. "If anyone wants to come after me," said Jesus, "let him disown himself and pick up his torture stake and continually follow me." (Matthew 16:24) Jesus did not say that we should follow him for only a week, a month, or a year. Rather, he said: "Continually follow me." His words indicate that our discipleship cannot be a mere phrase of our life or a passing devotion that is here today and gone tomorrow. Loyally upholding true worship means that we faithfully endure in the course we have chosen, come what may. How can we do that?



Paul urged his coworker Timothy: "Keep holding the pattern of healthful words that you heard from me with the faith and love that are in connection with Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 1:13) What did Paul mean? The Greek word here rendered "pattern" literally refers to an artist's sketch. Although not overly detailed, such a representation has well defined boundaries so that a discerning viewer can perceive the overall picture. Similarly, the pattern of truth that Paul taught Timothy and others was not designed to give a specific answer to every conceivable question. Yet, this body of teaching provides sufficient guidance-an outline, as it were-so that honesthearted ones can perceive what Jehovah requires of them. To please God, of course, they would need to keep holding to that pattern of truth by practicing what they have learned.



In the first century, such individuals as Hymenaeus, Alexander, and Philetus were advocating ideas that did not fit "the pattern of healthful words." (1Timothy 1:18, 20; 2 Timothy 2:16, 17) How could the early Christians avoid being led astray by apostates? By carefully studying the inspired writings and applying them in life. Those walking in accord with the example they had in Paul and other faithful ones were able to recognize and reject anything that did not conform to the pattern of truth they had been taught. (Philippians 3:17; Hebrews 5:14) Instead of being "mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words," they continued moving ahead in their positive course of godly devotion. (1 Timothy 6:3-6) We do the same thing when we keep putting into practice the truths we have learned. How faith-strengthening it is to see that the millions serving Jehovah throughout the earth are maintaining a firm hold on the pattern of Bible truth they have been taught. -1Thessalonians 1:2-5.

Next time: Reject "False Stories"

Watchtower, 2002

"PAY MORE THAN USUAL ATTENTION"

Paying "More Than the Usual Attention" Today

Like first-century Christians, we need to "pay more attention" to the truths of God's Word. Why? Because we too face an impending destruction, not of just one nation, but of an entire system of things. (Revelation 11:18; 16:14, 16) Of course, we do not know the precise day and hour when Jehovah will take this action. (Matthew 24:36) Nevertheless, we are eyewitnesses to the fulfillment of Bible prophecies that clearly indicate that we are living in "the last days." ( 2 Timothy 3:1-5) Hence, we should be on guard against anythings that could distract us. We need to pay attention to God's Word and maintain a keen sense of urgency. Only by doing so will we "succeed in escaping all these things that are destined to occur." -Luke 21:36.

In these momentous times, how can we show that we are paying "more than the usual attention" to spiritual things? One way is to be regular in our attendance at Christian meetings, assemblies and conventions. We should also be ardent students of the Bible so that we can draw close to its Author, Jehovah. (James 4:8) If we take in knowledge of Jehovah through personal study and meetings we will be like he psalmist who said to God: "Your word is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway." -Psalm 119:105.

The Bible serves as 'a light to our roadway' when it tells us God's purposes for the future. It is also 'a lamp to our foot.' In other words, it can help us with our next step when we face the trialsome problems of life. that is why it is vital that we "pay more than the usual attention" when we gather for instruction with fellow believers and when we personally read God's Word. The information we take in will help us to make wise and beneficial decisions that please Jehovah and make his heart rejoice. (Proverbs 27:11; Isaiah 48:17) How can we increase our attention span at meetings and during periods of personal study so that we get the most benefit from God's spiritual provisions?

Next time: Improving Our Concentration at Meetings

Watchtower, 2002

Conclusion of What Draws People to the Occult?

Desire for Protection and good luck - In some regions of Africa, villagers hire a "prophet" from a charismatic church to exorcise bad spirits from the community. Rituals involve drinking potions and "holy water." Elsewhere, people consult spirit mediums in order to invoke good luck on a new house or a grave.

Threats to children - In Papua New Guinea, a mother may refuse to go outside with her newborn at night. Why? She fears that evil spirits might harm the infant. In Uganda, mothers routinely tie strings, sometimes with beads and shells, to the wrists and ankles of their babies to shield them from harm.

Loss of a loved one - British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle lost his son, brother-in-law, and a nephew in World War I. Distraught and desperate, Doyle and his wife attended seances, hoping to speak with their dead son. Today, too, many consult spirit mediums in an effort to speak with dead love ones. In some lands traditional religions and so-called Christian churches teach that death is the result of a malevolent act by angry spirits. Several compulsory, expensive rituals may be performed in order to ward off a chain of deaths in a community.

Fear of the dead - Beliefs regarding death and the dead have profoundly influenced humankind. Hence, in many lands people perform all kinds of rituals, including self-injury, to appease the dead or to "prove" their love for them. Among some peoples of the Pacific islands, widows or widowers are forced to wear black clothing and go into mourning for months, locked up in a house where they must refrain from eating the deceased person's favorite foods. Individuals who practice this custom can become depressed or sick from hunger or even die.

Clearly there are many enticements luring people into the occult. How important, then, that we understand the true source of occult teachings! To that end, let us examine the Bible, the only book that gives us the full picture.

Next time; Who Is Really Behind the Occult?

Awake! 2011

BENEFITS FROM LOVING GOD'S WORD

Glorious Future Benefits

The sowing of Kingdom seed continues to bring great benefits to mankind. In recent years more than 300,000 persons each year have allowed the Bible's message to take root in their hearts to the extent that they have dedicated their lives to Jehovah and symbolized this by means of water baptism. what a glorious future awaits them!

Soon, lovers of God's Word know that Jehovah God will rise up to magnify his name. "Babylon the Great," the world empire of false religion, will be destroyed. (Revelation 18:2, 8) Then, those who refuse to live in harmony with God's Word will be put to death by the King, Jesus Christ. (Psalm 2:9-11; Daniel 2:44) Afterward, God's Kingdom will bring permanent relief from crime, war and other disasters. There will no longer be need to comfort people because of pain, sickness and death. -Revelation 21:3, 4.

What glorious good works will then be accomplished by those who love God's Word! Armageddon survivors will start with the joyful task of transforming this earth into a paradise. They will have the thrilling privilege of preparing for the needs of dead humans who are now resting in the grave and held in God's memory with the prospect of sharing in the resurrection of the dead. (John 5:28, 29) During that time, perfect direction will flow to earth's inhabitants from the Sovereign Lord, Jehovah, through his exalted Son, Jesus Christ. 'Scrolls will be opened,' revealing Jehovah's instructions for new world living. -Revelation 20:12.

In Jehovah's due time, the complete body of faithful anointed Christians will be raised to their heavenly reward as "joint heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:17) During the Thousand Year Reign of Christ, all humans on earth who love God's Word will be uplifted to perfection of mind and body. After proving faithful under a final test, they will be rewarded with everlasting life and will come to enjoy "the glorious freedom of the children of God." (Romans 8:21; Revelation 20:1-3, 7-10) What a wonderful time that will be! Truly, whether Jehovah has granted us a heavenly or an earthly hope, an enduring love of his Word and a determination to live according to godly wisdom will safeguard us. And in the future it 'will glorify us because we embrace it.' -Proverbs 4:6, 8.

Next time: WHEN GENEROSITY ABOUNDS

Watchtower, 1999

"Jehovah Himself Gives Wisdom"

"Pay Attention to Wisdom"

In the loving words of a father, was King Solomon of ancient Israel says: "My son, if you will receive my sayings and treasure up my own commandments with yourself, so as to pay attention to wisdom with your ear, that you may incline your heart to discernment; if, moreover, you call out for understanding itself and you give forth your voice for discernment itself, if you keep working for it as for silver, and as for hid treasures you keep searching for it, in that case you will understand the fear of Jehovah and you will find the very knowledge of God." -Proverbs 2:1-5.

Do you see where the responsibility for gaining wisdom lies? In these verses, the expression "if you" appears three times. Clearly, it is up to each one of us to seek wisdom and its handmaidens-discernment and understanding. First, though, we need to "receive" and "treasure up" in memory the words of wisdom recorded in the Scriptures. For this we need to study the Bible.

Wisdom is the ability to put God-given knowledge to proper use. And how wonderfully the Bible makes wisdom available! Yet, it contains words of wisdom, such as those recorded in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, and we need to pay attention to these words. We also find in the pages of the Bible many examples that show the benefits of applying godly principles and the pitfalls of ignoring them. (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11) For instance, consider the account of greedy Gehazi, the attendant of the prophet Elisha. (2 Kings 5:20-27) Does it not teach us the wisdom of avoiding greed? And what about the tragic outcome of seemingly harmless visits made by Jacob's daughter Dinah to "the daughters of the land" of Canaan? (Genesis 34:1-31) Do we not readily discern the folly of bad associates? -Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33.

Paying attention to wisdom entails acquiring discernment and understanding . According to Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, discernment is "the power or faculty of the mind by which it distinguishes one thing from another." Godly discernment is the ability to distinguish right from wrong and then to choose the correct course. Unless we 'incline our heart' to discernment or are eager to acquire it, how can we stay on "the road leading off into life?" (Matthew 7:14; compare Deuteronomy 30:19, 20) The study and application of God's Word imparts discernment.

How may we "call out for understanding" -the ability to see how the aspects of a subject relate to one another and to the whole? Age and experience, of course, are factors that can help us to develop greater understanding-but not necessarily so. (Job 12:12; 32:6-12) "With more understanding than older men I behave," said the psalmist "because I observe your [Jehovah's] own orders." He also sang: "The very disclosure of your words gives light, making the experienced ones understand." (Psalm 119:100, 130) Jehovah is "the Ancient of Days," and he has understanding infinitely superior to that of all mankind. (Daniel 7:13) God can impart understanding to an inexperienced one, enabling him to surpass in that quality even those older in years. Therefore, we ought to be diligent in studying and applying God's Word,the Bible.

The repeated phrase "if you" in the opening passage of the second chapter of Proverbs is followed by such expression as "receive," "treasure up," "call out," "keep seeking," "keep searching." Why does the writer use these expression of increasing intensity? Says one reference work: "The sage [here] emphasizes the necessity of earnestness int he pursuit of wisdom." Yes, must earnestly pursue wisdom and its related qualities-discernment and understanding.

Next time: Will You Put Forth the Effort?

Watchtower, 1999

ARE YOU FULFILLING YOUR WHOLE OBLIGATION TO GOD!

Weigh Your Decisions Carefully!

Perhaps you are a young person dedicated to Jehovah Rich blessings will be yours if you keep Kingdom interests first in life. (Proverbs 10:22) With prayer and careful planning, you may be able to spend at least your younger years in some form of full-time service-a fine way to show that you remember your Grand Creator. Otherwise, material interests may begin to occupy most of your time and attention. Like people in general, you may marry early in life and go into debt to acquire material things. A lucrative career may absorb much of your time and energy. If you have children, you will have to shoulder family responsibilities for decades. ( 1Timothy 5:8) You may not have forgotten your Grand Creator, but it is wise to realize that your early planning, or lack of it, may set the course for your adult life In later years, you may look back and wish that at least your young adulthood had been more fully spent in sacred service to our Grand Creator. Why not give your prospects to prayerful thought right now, so that you will find satisfaction in your sacred service to Jehovah in your younger years?

Consider another set of circumstances -those of a man who once served as a shepherd of "the flock of God." (1 Peter 5:2, 3) For some reason, he voluntarily relinquished such privileges. True, he has grown older now, and it may be more difficult for him to carry on in God's service. But could it be that he should again reach out for theocratic privileges? What blessings such a man might bring to others if he is able to shoulder more responsibility in the congregation! And since no one lives with regard to himself only, friends and loved ones will rejoice if he is able to increase his service, to God's glory. (Romans 14:7, 8) Most of all, Jehovah will not forget what anyone does in his service. (Hebrews 6:10-12) So, what can help us to remember our Grand Creator?

Next time: Aids to Remembering Our Grand Creator

Watchtower, 1999

ARE YOU FULFILLING YOUR WHOLE OBLIGATION TO GOD!

Dedication and Our Obligation to God

Some baptized Christians need to pray earnestly because they are not living up to the ministerial obligations they assumed when they made a dedication to God. Annually, well over 300,000 have been baptized for a number of years now, but the overall number of active Witnesses of Jehovah had not kept pace. Some who became Kingdom publishers have ceased to proclaim the good news. Yet, individuals must have a meaningful share in the Christian ministry before they are baptized. So they are aware of the commission Jesus gave to all his followers: "Go . . . and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you." (Matthew 28:19, 20) Unless they have the most extraordinary limitations because of health, or other factors beyond their control, baptized individuals who are no longer serving as active Witnesses of God and Christ are not living up to their whole obligation before our Grand Creator. -Isaiah 43:10-12.

Ancient Israel was a nation dedicated to God, and under the Law covenant, its people had obligations before Jehovah. For instance, all males were to assemble for three annual festivals, and a man who deliberately did not keep the Passover was "cut off" in death. (Numbers 1:13; Leviticus 23:1-43; Deuteronomy 16:16) To fulfill their obligation to God as his dedicated people, the Israelites had to gather for worship. (Deuteronomy 31:10-13) Nothing in the Law said, 'Do this if you can and fit it into your life.' For those now dedicated to Jehovah, surely this adds weight to Paul's words: "Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together,as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24, 25) Yes, regularly assembling with fellow believers is part of a dedicated Christian's obligation to God.

Next time: Weigh Your Decisions Carefully!

Watchtower, 1999