DAILY TEXT, Today is Wednesday, August 18, 2021, More than anything else, protect your heart (4:23).

DAILY TEXT, today's Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Let's search the scriptures every 2021

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

More than anything else, protect your heart (4:23).

Whether we have a little or a lot in the material sense, we must protect the heart. Like? For avoiding the love of riches and for not allowing our employment to be more important than our service to Jehovah. To find out if this is happening to us, let's ask ourselves: “Do I often think about work while I'm in meetings or preaching? Am I constantly concerned about my future financial security? Do I have problems in my marriage because of money and material things? Would you be willing to accept a job that others despise if you could serve Jehovah more in this way? " (1 Tim. 6: 9-12). When we do this self-examination, let us remember that Jehovah loves us and makes this promise to those who serve him with a heart: "I will never leave you and never forsake you." the apostle Paul gave the following advice: "

According to 1 Corinthians 10:21, 22, why should we choose our entertainment wisely?

We want to give exclusive devotion to Jehovah, so we cannot eat from “the table of Jehovah” and “the table of demons” (read 1 Corinthians 10:21, 22). Eating with someone is often a sign of friendship. Choosing entertainment that encourages violence, the occult, immorality, or other carnal desires and attitudes is like sitting down to eat with God's enemies and taking what they prepared. If we do, we will damage ourselves and our friendship with Jehovah.

a) How can entertainment be compared to food? b) Considering what James 1:14, 15 says, why should we not indulge in evil desires?

How can entertainment be compared to food? When we eat, we control what we put in our mouths. But once we swallow it, a series of automatic processes are initiated that cause the nutrients in the food to become part of our body. A good diet helps us to be healthy, while a bad diet harms our health. Effects are not seen overnight, but over time.

Likewise, when we choose entertainment, we control what we put into our minds. But then begins a series of automatic processes that influence what we think and feel. Good entertainment makes us feel good, while inappropriate entertainment hurts us (read James 1:14, 15). Effects may not be seen immediately, but will become apparent over time. Therefore, the Bible warns us: “Do not be deceived: no one can make fun of God. Because what you are planting is what you will reap. He who sows thinking of the flesh will reap corruption from the flesh” (Galatians 6:7, 8). Therefore, it is very important that we reject all entertainment that promotes the things Jehovah hates. - Sal. 97:10.

What gift has Jehovah given us?

Many servants of Jehovah love to watch JW Broadcasting®, our Internet television channel. A sister named Marilyn said: “This channeling has helped me to be more positive and I don't need to control what I watch. When I feel lonely or discouraged, I always find a morning speech or adoration that cheers me up. This brings me closer to Jehovah and his organization. JW Broadcasting completely changed my life. " Are we enjoying this gift from Jehovah? In addition to the program that is featured each month, we can watch countless videos at any time, as well as listen to audio programs and uplifting songs.

Why should we carefully control the time we spend on entertainment and how can we do this?

The type of entertainment is not the only thing we must carefully monitor. We should also take care of the time we spend on this, because otherwise we might spend more time having fun than serving Jehovah. Many find it difficult to control themselves. For example, an 18-year-old sister named Abigail relates: “After a busy day, it's easy to sit back and watch TV. But if I'm not careful, I can spend hours in front of the screen”. And a young man named Samuel says: “Sometimes I've been watching short videos on the Internet non-stop. I start with one and before I know it, three or four hours have passed”.

How can we control the time we spend on entertainment? First, let's find out how much it really is. To do this, we could write down on a calendar the hours we spend during the week watching television, surfing the Internet and playing with our mobile device. If we find that we spend a lot of time on these things, let's try to make a schedule. Let's include the most important activities first and then set aside time for entertainment. So let's ask Jehovah to help us fulfill this schedule. This will give us the time and energy we need for personal Bible study, family worship, meetings, preaching, and discipleship. Plus, we won't feel guilty about spending time on entertainment.

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