How to Find Real Happiness - Think of Your Spiritual Needs

One of the beatitudes is:  "Happy are those conscious of their spiritual need."   (Matthew 5:3) Why did Jesus say this?  Because, unlike animals, we have spiritual needs.  Created in God's image, we can to a degree cultivate divine attributes, such as love, justice, mercy, and wisdom.  (Genesis 1:27; Micah 6:8; 1 John 4:8) Our spiritual needs include the need to have meaning in our life.

How can we satisfy such spiritual needs?  Not through transcendental meditation or mere introspection.  Rather, Jesus said:  "Man must live, not on bread alone but on every utterance coming forth through Jehovah's mouth."  (Matthew 4:4) Notice, Jesus said that God is the source of "every utterance3" vital to our life.  Some questions only God can help us to answer.  That insight is especially timely today, given the proliferation of theories about life's purpose and the way to happiness.  Bookstores, devote entire sections to works that promise readers health,wealth and happiness. Internet sites dealing specifically with happiness have been set up. 

Nevertheless, human thinking in these areas is often misguided.  It tends to play to selfish desires or to the ego.  It is based on limited knowledge and experience, and quite often it rests on false premises.  For instance, a growing trend among writers of self help books is to base their ideas on the theory of "evolutionary psychology," which assumes that human emotions are rooted in our supposed animal ancestry. The truth is, any effort to find happiness that is based on a theory that ignores the role of our Creator cannot be valid and will ultimately lead to disappointment.  An ancient prophet said: "The wise  ones have become ashamed. . . . Look!  They have rejected the very word of Jehovah, and what wisdom do they have?"-Jeremiah 8:9.

Jehovah God knows our makeup and what will make us truly happy.  He knows why he put man on the earth and what the future holds, and he shares that information with us in the Bible.  What he reveals in that inspired book strikes a responsive chord in rightly disposed individuals  and inspires happiness.  (Luke 10:21; John  8:32) This was the case with two of Jesus' disciples.  They were disconsolate following his death.  But after learning from the mouth of the resurrected Jesus himself about his role in God's purpose for mankind's salvation, they said:  "Were not our heart burning as he was speaking to us on the road as he was fully opening up the Scriptures to us?" -Luke 24:32.

Such joy intensifies when we allow Bible truth to guide  our life.  In this regard happiness can be likened  to a rainbow.  It appears  when conditions are favorable, but it becomes more brilliant-even becoming a double rainbow-when conditions are perfect.  Let  us now look at a few examples of how the application of Bible teachings can make for greater happiness.

Next time: How to Find Real Happiness - Keep Your Life Simple

The Watchtower, 2001

How to Find Real Happiness

A BUDDHIST religious leader, the Dalai Lama, said: "I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness."  He then explained that he believe that happiness can be achieved by training, or disciplining, the mind and the heart.   "A mind," he said,  "is all the basic equipment we need to achieve complete happiness."  Belief in God is unnecessary, he maintains. (he is so very, very wrong)

In contrast, consider Jesus, who had strong faith in God and whose teachings have affected hundreds of millions of people over the centuries.  Jesus was interested in human  happiness.  He began his well-known Sermon on the Mount with nine beatitudes - nine expressions that begin:  "Happy are l. . ."  (Matthew 5:1-12) As one of his disciples later exhorted, we should "continue considering" things that are  'true, of serious concern, righteous, chaste, lovable, well spoken of, virtuous, and praiseworthy.' -Philippians 4:8.

Jesus knew that the true happiness involves relationships with others.  We humans are gregarious by nature, so we cannot be truly happy if we isolate ourselves or if we are constantly   in conflict with those around us. We can be happy only if we feel loved and if we love others.  Fundamental to such love, Jesus taught, is our relationship with God.  Here especially, Jesus' teaching departs from that of the Dalai Lama, for Jesus taught that humans cannot be truly happy independent of God.  Why is that so? -Matthew 4:4; 22:37-39.

Next time: How to Find Happiness - Think of Your Spiritual Needs

The Watchtower, 2001

Can You Be Truly Happy

GEORGE greeted everybody with a  smile.  To him, life was a precious gift to be enjoyed.  His happiness and optimism were his trademark-even more so as he started to suffer the pangs of old age.  Till the day he died, George was known as a happy person.  Are you happy like George?  Do you view each new day as a gift to be enjoyed?  Or does the prospect of a new day make you apathetic or even apprehensive?  is something robbing you of happiness?

Happiness has been defined as a state of well-being that is relatively permanent.  it is characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to a deep and intense joy and by a natural desire for the state to continue.  Does happiness like that really exist?

Today, society promotes the view that people would be happy if only they were rich enough.  Millions keep us a hectic pace in their frantic efforts to get rich.  In doing so, many sacrifice personal relationships and other important things in life.  Like ants on an anthill, they are constantly rushing about, and they have little time for reflection or for one another.  Understandably, "the number of people diagnosed as depressed keeps going up," says a report in the Los Angeles Times,  "and the age of onset [of depression] keeps going down. . . . Antidepressants are on the drug company best-seller list." Millions take illicit drugs or try to drown their problems with alcohol.  Some go on spending sprees when they feel depressed.  In one survey,m "women emerged as the most prone to indulge in retail therapy," says the British newspaper.  The Guardian.  "They were three times as likely as men to shop when depressed."  However. true happiness is not found in  a store, a bottle, a pill, a syringe, or a  bank account.  Happiness is not for sale, it is free.  Where can you find such a precious gift? We will discuss  that in the following article.

Next time: How to Find Real Happiness

The Watchtower, 2001

FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS -Fear of God Versus Fear of Man

Fear of God Versus Fear of Man

While fear of God can impel us to do what is right, fear of man can undermine our faith.  For this reason, when encouraging the apostles to be zealous preachers of the good news, Jesus told them:  "Do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, but rather be in fear of him that can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna."  (Matthew 10:28) Fear if men is shortsighted,, Jesus explained, for men cannot destroy our future life prospects.  Furthermore, we fear God because we recognize his awesome power, in comparison with which the might of all the nations is insignificant.  (Isaiah 40:15)  Like Abraham we have absolute confidence in Jehovah's power to resurrect His faithful servants.  (Revelation 2:10) Thus, we say with confidence:   "If God is for us, who will be against us?" -Romans 8:31.

Whether our opposer is a family member or a school-yard bully, we will find that "in the fear of Jehovah there is a strong confidence."  (Proverbs 14:26)  We can pray to God for strength, knowing that he will hear us.  (Psalm 145:19)  Jehovah never forgets those who fear him.  Through his prophet Malachi, he reassures us:  "At that time those in fear of Jehovah spoke with one another, each one with his companion, and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of remembrance began to be written up before him for those in fear of Jehovah and for those thinking upon his name." -Malachi 3:16.

The time is near when everyone on earth will worship Jehovah and fear of man will disappear.  (Isaiah 11:9) Fear of hunger, disease, crime, and war will also be gone.  But the fear of God will remain throughout eternity as his faithful servants  in heaven and on earth continue  to show him due respect, obedience, and honor.  (Revelation 15:4)  Meanwhile, may all of us take to heart the inspired counsel of Solomon:  "Let your heart not be envious of sinners, but be in the fear of Jehovah all day long.  For in that case there will exist a future, and your own hope will not be cut off." -Proverbs 23:17, 18.

Next time: Can You Be Truly Happy?

The Watchtower, 2001

FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS -Three Who Feared God

Three Who Feared God

There is one man in the Bible whom Jehovah personally described as his friend-the patriarch Abraham.  (Isaiah 41:8) Abraham's godly fear was put to the test when God asked hm to offer  as a sacrifice his only son, Isaac, through whom God would fulfill his promise that Abraham's offspring would become a great nation.   (Genesis 12:2, 3; 17:19) Would  "Jehovah's friend" pass this painful test?  (James 2:23) At the very moment when Abraham raised his knife to kill Isaac, Jehovah's angel said:  "Do not put your hand against the boy and do not do anything at all to him, for now I do know  that you are God-fearing in that you have not withheld your son, your only one, from me." -Genesis 22:10-12.

Although Abraham had previously proved himself to be one who feared Jehovah, on that occasion he manifested his godly fear in an outstanding way.  His willingness to sacrifice Isaac was far more than a show of respectful obedience.  Abraham was motivated by an absolute trust that his heavenly Father would fulfill His promise by resurrecting Isaac if necessary. As Paul wrote, Abraham was "fully convinced that what [God] had promised he was also able to do."  (Romans 4:16-21) Are we prepared to do God's will even when it requires major sacrifices?  Do we have total confidence that such obedience will bring long-term benefits, knowing that Jehovah is "the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him?" (Hebrews 11:6)  That is true fear of God. -Psalm 115:11.

Let us examine another example of godly fear in action-that of Joseph.  As a slave in Potiphar's household,m Joseph found himself faced with pressure to commit adultery.  There apparently was no way he could avoid contact with his master's wife, who persistently made immoral advances toward him.  Finally, when she "grabbed hold of him,"  he "took to flight and went on outside."   What impelled him to turn aside from bad immediately? undoubtedly, the principal factor was fear of God, the desire to avoid committing "this great badness and actually sin against God."  (Genesis 39:7-12)  Joseph could rightly describe himself as a man who 'feard the true God.' -Genesis 42:18. 

Years later Joseph came fact-to-face with his brothers, who had heartlessly sold hm into slavery.  He could easily have used their desperate need for food as an opportunity to avenge the wrong they had done to him.  But treating people tyrannically does not reflect the fear of God.  (Leviticus 25:43)  Thus, when Joseph saw ample proof of his brothers' change of heart, he mercifully forgave them.  Like Joseph, our godly fear will move us to conquer evil with good, as well as hold  us back from falling into temptation. -Genesis 45:1-11; Psalm 130:3, 4; Romans 12:17-21.

Job was another outstanding example of one who feared God.  Jehovah said to the Devil:  "Have you set your heart upon my servant Job, that there is no one like him in the earth, a man blameless and upright, fearing God and turning aside from bad?"  (Job 1:8) For many years, Job's blameless conduct had gladdened the heart of his heavenly Father.  Job feared God because he knew that it was the right thing to do and the best way to live.  "Look! The fear of Jehovah-that is wisdom," Job exclaimed,  "and to turn away from bad is understanding."  (Job 28:28)  As a married man, Job was not improperly attentive to young women, nor did he harbor adulterous schemes in his heart.  Although a rich man, he refused to put his trust in riches, and he shunned every form of idolatry. -Job 31:1, 9-11, 24-28.

Fear of God, however, means doing what is good as well as turning aside from what is bad.  Thus, job took a kindly interest in the blind, the lame and the poor.  (Leviticus 19:14; Job 29:15, 16)  Job understood that "anyone who withholds loving-kindness from his own fellow, he will also leave off even the fear of the Almighty." (Job 6:14)  Withholding loving-kindness could include withholding forgiveness, or harboring a grudge. At God's direction, Job prayed in behalf of his three companions, who had caused him so much grief.  (Job 42_7-10) Could we show a similar forgiving spirit toward a fellow believer who may have hurt us in some way? A sincere prayer in behalf of the one who has offended us can do much to help us overcome resentment.  The blessings Job enjoyed for his godly fear give us a foregleam of 'the abundant goodness Jehovah has treasured up for those fearing him.' -Psalm 31:19; James 5:11.

Next time: FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS Fear of God Versus Fear of Man

The Watchtower, 2001

Conclusion of FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS -Turn Away From Bad

Turn Away From Bad

Apart from what happened to the nation of Israel as a whole, the Bible contains real-life experiences of individuals who were overtaken by jealously, immorality, greed, or pride.  Some of these men had served Jehovah for many years, but at one crucial moment in their life, their fear of God was  not sufficiently strong, and they reaped a bitter harvest.  Meditating on such Scriptural examples can strengthen our resolve not to make similar mistakes.  How sad it would be if we waited until we had a personal tragedy before taking God's advice to heart!  Contrary to what is commonly believed, experience -especially from self-indulgence-is not the best teacher. -Psalm b19:7.

Another powerful reason for cultivating godly fear is our desire to safeguard our relationship with God.  We fear to displease Jehovah because we treasure  his friendship.  Whom does God consider to be a friend, someone he would invite into his figurative tent? Only the one "who is walking faultlessly and practicing righteousness."  (Psalm 15:1, 2) if we value this privileged relationship with out Creator, we will take care to walk faultlessly in his eyes.

Sadly, some Israelites in Malachi's day took friendship with God for granted.  Instead of fearing and honoring Jehovah, they offered sick and lame animals on his altar.  Their lack of godly fear was also reflected  in their attitude toward marriage.  In order to marry younger women, they divorced the wives of their youth for trivial reasons.  Malachi told them that Jehovah hated  "a divorcing" and that their treacherous spirit had alienated them from their God.  How could God look with favor on their sacrifices when the altar was figuratively covered with tears-the bitter tears shed by their abandoned wives?  Such flagrant disrespect for his standards moved Jehovah to ask:  "Where is the fear of me?" -Malachi 1:6-8; 2:13-16.

Today, Jehovah likewise sees the heartbreak of many innocent mates and children who have been devastated by selfish and immoral husbands and fathers or even wives and mothers.  Surely it grieves him.  A friend of God will see matters the way God sees them and will work hard to strengthen his marriage, reject worldly thinking that belittles the importance of the marriage bond, and "flee from fornication. " -1 Corinthians 6:18.

In marriage as well as in other areas of our life, hatred for all that is bad in Jehovah's eyes, along with a deep; appreciation for his friendship, will bring Jehovah's favor and approval.  The apostle Peter firmly stated:  "For a certainty I perceive that God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him."  (Acts 10:34. 35) We  have Scriptural examples that show how godly fear moved individuals to do what was right in various trying circumstances.

Next time: FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS - Three Who Feared God

The Watchtower, 2001

FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS -Turn Away From Bad

Turn Away From Bad

The Bible explains that  "the fear of Jehovah means the hating of bad."  (Proverbs 8:13)  A Bible lexicon describes this hatred as "an emotional attitude toward persons and things which are opposed, detested, despised and with which one wishes to have not contact or relationship."  So godly fear includes an inner aversion or disgust toward all that is bad in Jehovah's eyes.  (Psalm 97:10)  It impels us to turn aside from bad, just as we would back away from the edge of a cliff when our instinctive fear sounds the alarm.  "In the fear of Jehovah one turns away from bad," says the Bible. -Proverbs 126:6.

We can reinforce this wholesome fear and hatred for what is bad by considering the harmful consequences that sin inevitably brings.  The Bible assures us that we will reap what we sow -whether we sow according to the flesh or according to the spirit.  (Galatians 6:7, 8) For this reason Jehovah graphically described the inevitable results of disregarding his true worship.  Without divine protection, the small, vulnerable nation of Israel would be at the mercy of cruel and powerful neighbors.  (Deuteronomy 28:15, 45-48)  The tragic outcome of Israel's disobedience was recorded in detail in the Bible "for a warning" so that we can learn the lesson and cultivate godly fear. -1 Corinthians 10:11.

Next time: Conclusion of FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS - Turn Away From Bad

The Watchtower, 2001

FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS

"Fear the true God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole obligation of man.' -ECCLESIASTES  12:13.


"JUST as courage imperils life, fear protects it," observed Leonardo da Vinci. Bravado, or foolhardy courage, blinds a man to danger, whereas fear reminds him to be careful.  For example, if we near the edge of a cliff and see how far down we could fall, most of us instinctively move back.  Similarly, a wholesome fear not only promotes a good relationship with God, as we learned in the preceding article, but also help safeguard us from injury.

Fear of may modern-day hazards, however, has to be learned.  Since young children are unaware  of the dangers of electricity or city traffic, they can easily have a serious accident.  Wise parents try to instill a wholesome fear in their offspring, warning them again and again of surrounding dangers.  Parents know that this fear may well save their children's life.

Jehovah has a similar concern for our well-being.  As a loving Father, he teaches us through his Word and his organization, to benefit ourselves.  (Isaiah 48:17)  Part of this divine teaching program involves warning us "again and again" about spiritual pitfalls so that we can develop a healthy fear of such danger.  (2 Chronicles 36:15;  2 Peter 3:1)) Throughout history many spiritual disasters could have been avoided and much suffering averted 'if only people had developed   this heart of theirs to fear God and keep his commandments.'  (Deuteronomy 5:29)  In these "critical times hard to deal with,"
 how can we develop our heart to fear God and keep out of spiritual danger? -2 Timothy 3:1.

Next time: FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS -Turn Away From Bad

The Watchtower, 2001

DEVELOP YOUR HEART TO FEAR JEHOVAH - Happy Is Everyone Fearing Jehovah

From the foregoing, we can see that fear of God is a wholesome attitude that all of us should cultivate, since it is a fundamental part of our worship of Jehovah.  It leads us to trust him implicitly, to walk in his ways, and to cling to him.  As was true of Jesus Christ, fear of God can also move us to fulfill our dedication vow now and for all eternity.

Godly fear is never morbid, or unduly restrictive.  "Happy is everyone fearing Jehovah, who is walking in his ways,"  the Bible assures us.  (Psalm 128:1) Jehovah encourages us to fear him because he knows that this quality will protect us.  We note his loving concern in his words to Moses:  "If only they [the Israelites]  would develop this heart of theirs to fear me and to keep all my commandments always, in order that it might go well with them and their sons to time indefinite!" -Deuteronomy 5:29.

Similarly, if we develop our heart to fear God, it will go well with us.  In what ways?  First of all, such an attitude will please God and will draw us close to him.  David knew from personal experience that "the desire of those fearing him he will perform, and their cry for help he will hear, and he will save them."  (Psalm 145:19) Second, godly fear will benefit us because it will affect our attitude toward what is bad.  (Proverbs 3:7) The following article will examine how this fear  safeguards us from spiritual danger, and it will review some Scriptural examples of men who feared God and turned aside from bad. 

Next time: FEAR JEHOVAH AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS

The Watchtower, 2001

DEVELOP YOUR HEART TO FEAR JEHOVAH - Learning to Fear Jehovah

Unlike the instinctive awe we feel when confronted by the power and majesty of nature, fear of God does not c0me  automatically.  That is why the Greater David, Jesus Christ, prophetically extends to us the invitation:  "Come, you sons, listen to me, the fear of Jehovah is what I shall teach you." (Psalm 34:11) How can we learn from Jesus to fear Jehovah?

Jesus teaches us to fear Jehovah by helping us to understand the wonderful personality of our heavenly Father.  (John 1:18) Jesus' own example reveals hos God thinks and how he deals with others, for Jesus reflects his Father's personality perfectly.  (John 14:9, 10)  Furthermore, through Jesus' sacrifice, we gain access to Jehovah when we pray fro forgiveness of our sins.  This outstanding expression of God's mercy is in itself a powerful reason to fear him.  The psalmist wrote:  "There is the true forgiveness with you, in order that you may be feared." -Psalm 130:4.

The book of Proverbs outlines a series of steps that enable us to develop godly fear.  "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 itself, . . . in that case you will understand the fear of Jehovah, and you will find the very knowledge of God."  (Proverbs 2:1-5) To fear God, therefore, we must study his Word, earnestly endeavor to understand its instruction, and then pay careful attention to its counsel.

Every king of ancient Israel was instructed to make a copy of the Law and 'read it in all the days of his life, in order that he might learn to fear Jehovah his God so as to keep all the words of the law.'  (Deuteronomy 17:18, 19) Bible reading and study are just as vital for us if we would learn to fear Jehovah. As we apply Bible principles in our life, we gradually acquire divine wisdom and knowledge.  We come to  "understand the fear of Jehovah" because we see the good results it produces in our life, and we treasure our relationship with God.  Furthermore, by congregating regularly with fellow believers, bot young and old can listen to divine teaching, learn to fear God, and walk in his ways. -Deuteronomy  31:12.  

Next time: DEVELOP YOUR HEART TO FEAR JEHOVAH - Happy Is Everyone Fearing Jehovah

The Watchtower, 2001