Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021
Sunday, August 29, 2021
Please allow me to speak to you. Listen to the words of your servant (1 Sam. 25:24).
Like Abigail, we must have the courage to speak up if we see that someone is going to make a serious mistake (Ps. 141: 5). We must be respectful, but also determined. When we lovingly counsel someone in need, we show that we are good friends (Prov. 27:17). It is especially important that elders have the courage to speak to those who make a wrong move (Gal. 6: 1). They are humble and know that because they are also imperfect, they may one day need advice. But they do not allow this to prevent them from correcting those in need (2 Tim. 4: 2; Titus 1: 9). When they advise someone, they go out of their way to teach them with skill and patience. They love their brothers and therefore want to help them (Prov. 13:24). But their main interest is to honor Jehovah by upholding his standards and protecting the congregation from harm. 20:28). w20.03 20 pars. 8, 9
When should we "pull the reins" and shut up?
What do we do when a brother knows certain information that is confidential? For example, if we meet someone who lives in a place where the work of the Witnesses is prohibited, are we tempted to ask them to tell us how our work is carried out there? Our motives for doing so are certainly good. We love our brothers and we are interested in how they are doing. Also, we want to be specific when we pray for them. But in situations like this we must "pull the reins" and keep quiet. Putting pressure on someone who handles confidential information is a lack of love towards that person and towards the brothers who trust that he will not say anything. Of course, we do not want to make things more difficult for the brothers who live in places where our work is prohibited. Secondly,
According to Proverbs 11:13, what should elders do, and why?
Elders in particular should follow the principle found in Proverbs 11:13 (read it). They do this by keeping confidential matters private. This can be difficult especially for those who are married. Married couples keep their relationship strong by talking about what they think, what they feel, and what concerns them. But the elders know not to reveal the “confidential conversations” of the brothers in the congregation. If they did, they would lose the trust of others and damage their reputation. Those with responsibilities in the congregation cannot be "double-tongued" or "false" (1 Tim. 3: 8; fn). That is, they must not deceive others or be inclined to gossip. If an elder loves his wife, he will not burden her with information that she does not need to know.
How can an elder's wife help maintain her good reputation?
The wife of an elder can help maintain her husband's good reputation. How? Not pressuring him to talk about confidential things. In this way, she not only supports her husband, but also shows respect to those who have trusted him. Most importantly, it brings joy to Jehovah, contributing to the peace and unity of the congregation. --Rom. 14:19.
What did Jehovah think of three of the men who came to see Job, and why?
The biblical book of Job teaches us a lot about when to speak and what to say. After Job suffered several unfortunate misfortunes, four men came to comfort and advise him. They spent a long time without saying anything. But what three of them said — Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar — makes it clear that they did not take advantage of that time to think about how to help Job. On the contrary, they were thinking about how to prove that he had done something wrong. Some of their claims were true, but much of what they said about Job and Jehovah was untrue and unkind. Furthermore, they judged Job harshly (Job 32: 1-3). How did Jehovah react? He was very indignant with those three men. He called them fools and made them ask Job to pray for them (Job 42: 7-9).
What lessons does the bad example of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar teach us?
The bad example of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar teaches us several lessons. First, that we should not judge our brothers (Matt. 7: 1-5). Rather, we must listen to them carefully before we speak. Only then will we understand what is happening to them (1 Pet. 3: 8). Second, that when we speak we must make sure that our words are kind and true (Eph. 4:25). And third, that Jehovah is very interested in what we say to each other.
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