Conclusion of Showing "A Different Spirit"
Avoiding harmful recreation will not condemn you to a joyless life. We worship a "happy God," who wants you to enjoy your youth! (1 Timothy 1:1; Ecclesiastes 11:9) But the Bible warns: "He that is loving merriment [ "entertainment," lamsa] will be an individual in want." (Proverbs 21:17) Yes, if you make recreation the most important thing in your life, you will suffer spiritual want. So follow Bible principles in your choice of recreation. There are many ways to enjoy yourself that will build you up and not tear you down. - Ecclesiastes 11:10.
Showing modesty in your dress and grooming, rejecting the world's fads will also mark you as different. (Romans 12:2; 1 Timothy 2:9) So will being selective in your choice of music. (Philippians 4:8, 9) "I have music that I know I'm supposed to throw out," confesses one young Christian, "but it sounds so good!" Another young man similarly admitted: "For me music is a pitfall because I love it. If I find out something is wrong with it, or if my parents call it to my attention, I really have to force my mind to take command over my heart because in my heart I love that music." Youth, do not be "ignorant of {Satan's ] designs"! (2 Corinthians 2:11) He is using music in an effort to turn young Christians away from Jehovah. Articles have appeared in Watchtower publications discussing rap, heavy metal and alternative rock music. However, Watchtower publications cannot possibly comment on every new form and style of music that might come along. You must, therefore, use "thinking ability" and "discernment" when you select music. -Proverbs 2:11.
Finally, you must keep morally clean. The Bible urges: "Flee from fornication." (1 Corinthians 6:18) The original Greek word for fornication, por-nei'a, refers to all illicit sexual activity involving the use of the genital organs carried on outside the bonds of marriage. That would include oral sex and the deliberate fondling of sexual organs. A number of Christian youths have engaged in such behavior, imagining that they really were not committing fornication. However, God's Word clearly says: "This is what God wills, the sanctifying of you, that you abstain from fornication; that each one of you should know how to get possession of his own vessel in sanctification and honor." -1Thesalonians 4:3, 4.
Next time: YOUTHS - TRAIN YOUR PERCEPTIVE POWERS!
Watchtower, 1999
Showing posts with label Showing A Different Spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Showing A Different Spirit. Show all posts
4.06.2011
YOUTHS-RESIST THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD
Showing "A Different Spirit"
Today, it takes courage and strength to show "a different spirit," or mental attitude - one different from the world's. One way you can do so is by avoiding sarcastic , disrespectful speech. Interestingly, the English word "sarcasm," is derived from a Greek verb that literally means "to tear flesh like dogs." (Compare Galatians 5:15) Just "as a dog's teeth can tear flesh off a bone, sarcastic "humor" can strip others of their dignity. But Colossians 3:8 exhorts you to "put the mall away from you , wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech and obscene talk out of your mouth." And Proverbs 10:19 states: "In the abundance of words there does not fail to be transgression, but the one keeping his lips in check is acting discreetly." If someone insults you, have the self-control to 'turn the other cheek,' perhaps calmly and peacefully speaking to the abuser in private. -Matthew 5:39; Proverbs 15:1.
Another way to show " a different spirit" is to maintain a balanced view of material things. Of course, it is only natural to want to have nice things. Jesus Christ himself evidently owned at least one quality garment. (John 19:23, 24) However, when owning things becomes as obsession and you are constantly begging your parents to buy you things they really cannot afford, or when you just want to imitate other youths, then the world's spirit may have more authority over you than you realize. The Bible says "Everything in the world - the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one's means of life - does not originate with the world." Yes, do not give in to the authority of the world's materialistic spirit! Learn to be content with what you have. -1 John 2:16; 1 Timothy 6:8-10.
keeping recreation in its place is also important. The prophet Isaiah declared: "Woe to those who are getting up early in the morning that they may seek just intoxicating liquor, who are lingering till late in the evening darkness so that wine itself inflames them! And there must prove to be harp and stringed instrument, tambourine and flute, and wine at their feasts; but the activity of Jehovah they do not look at, and the work of their hands they have not seen." (Isaiah 5:11, 12) Sad to say, some Christian youths have engaged in similar wild partying. When a group of Christian youths were asked to describe what goes on at youth nightclubs, one young sister said: "Fights happen all the time. I've found myself in the middle o them." Added a young brother: "Drinking, smoking, things like that." Another young brother admitted: "People get drunk. They act like idiots! And there are drugs. A lot of bad things happen. if you go there and think you won't be affected, you're wrong." For good reason, then, the Bible lists revelries, or "wild parties," as one of the "works of the flesh." -Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 13:13.
Next time: Conclusion of Showing "A Different Spirit"
Watchtower, 1999
Today, it takes courage and strength to show "a different spirit," or mental attitude - one different from the world's. One way you can do so is by avoiding sarcastic , disrespectful speech. Interestingly, the English word "sarcasm," is derived from a Greek verb that literally means "to tear flesh like dogs." (Compare Galatians 5:15) Just "as a dog's teeth can tear flesh off a bone, sarcastic "humor" can strip others of their dignity. But Colossians 3:8 exhorts you to "put the mall away from you , wrath, anger, badness, abusive speech and obscene talk out of your mouth." And Proverbs 10:19 states: "In the abundance of words there does not fail to be transgression, but the one keeping his lips in check is acting discreetly." If someone insults you, have the self-control to 'turn the other cheek,' perhaps calmly and peacefully speaking to the abuser in private. -Matthew 5:39; Proverbs 15:1.
Another way to show " a different spirit" is to maintain a balanced view of material things. Of course, it is only natural to want to have nice things. Jesus Christ himself evidently owned at least one quality garment. (John 19:23, 24) However, when owning things becomes as obsession and you are constantly begging your parents to buy you things they really cannot afford, or when you just want to imitate other youths, then the world's spirit may have more authority over you than you realize. The Bible says "Everything in the world - the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one's means of life - does not originate with the world." Yes, do not give in to the authority of the world's materialistic spirit! Learn to be content with what you have. -1 John 2:16; 1 Timothy 6:8-10.
keeping recreation in its place is also important. The prophet Isaiah declared: "Woe to those who are getting up early in the morning that they may seek just intoxicating liquor, who are lingering till late in the evening darkness so that wine itself inflames them! And there must prove to be harp and stringed instrument, tambourine and flute, and wine at their feasts; but the activity of Jehovah they do not look at, and the work of their hands they have not seen." (Isaiah 5:11, 12) Sad to say, some Christian youths have engaged in similar wild partying. When a group of Christian youths were asked to describe what goes on at youth nightclubs, one young sister said: "Fights happen all the time. I've found myself in the middle o them." Added a young brother: "Drinking, smoking, things like that." Another young brother admitted: "People get drunk. They act like idiots! And there are drugs. A lot of bad things happen. if you go there and think you won't be affected, you're wrong." For good reason, then, the Bible lists revelries, or "wild parties," as one of the "works of the flesh." -Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 13:13.
Next time: Conclusion of Showing "A Different Spirit"
Watchtower, 1999
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