DAILY TEXT, From today Sunday, November 19, 2023, Put on the new personality (Col. 3:10).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2023

Sunday, November 19

Put on the new personality (Col. 3:10).

Whether we have been baptized for just a few days or for several decades, all of us want to have the kind of personality that pleases Jehovah. To achieve this, we need to control our thoughts. Because? Because these largely determine our personality. If we are always thinking about things that please our carnal desires, we will say and do evil things (Eph. 4:17-19). Instead, if we fill our minds with good thoughts, we will be more likely to speak and act as our Father, Jehovah, pleases. (Gal. 5:16) Of course, we cannot completely prevent bad thoughts from entering our minds. But we can choose not to put them into practice. Before we are baptized, we must stop speaking and acting in ways that Jehovah hates. This is the first and most important step to get rid of the old personality. However, to make Jehovah totally happy, we also have to put on the new personality. w22.03 8 paras. 1, 2.

What is “the new personality,” and how do we dress in it? (Galatians 5:22, 23).

“The new personality” is the way of thinking and acting that reflects the qualities of Jehovah. And how do we dress with it? Showing the fruit of God's spirit by allowing this spirit to influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions (read Galatians 5:22, 23). For example, the person who puts on “the new personality” loves Jehovah and his servants (Matt. 22:36-39). He maintains happiness even when he faces difficulties (James 1:2-4). He fosters peace (Matt. 5:9). He is patient and kind to others (Col. 3:12, 13). He loves what is good, and he does it (Luke 6:35). He demonstrates by his actions that he has strong faith in his heavenly Father (James 2:18). He remains gentle when provoked (Titus 3:2). And he controls himself in the face of temptations (1 Cor. 9:25, 27).

Why can't the qualities mentioned in Galatians 5:22, 23 be cultivated one by one?

To put on the new personality, we must cultivate both the qualities that appear in Galatians 5:22, 23 and those mentioned in other biblical texts.b These qualities are not like different pieces of clothing that we put on one by one. Rather, they are related to each other. For example, if we truly love others, we will be patient and kind to them. And to be really good, we must be gentle and have self-control.

What does it mean to have “the mind of Christ,” and why should we study the life of Jesus? (1 Corinthians 2:16).

(Read 1 Corinthians 2:16). To put on the new personality, we need to have “the mind of Christ”, that is, we need to learn how Jesus thinks and then imitate him. Jesus manifests the fruit of God's spirit to perfection. Like a good mirror, it reflects Jehovah's qualities exactly as they are (Heb. 1:3). The more our way of thinking resembles that of Jesus, the better we will imitate his way of acting and the better we will reflect his personality (Phil. 2:5).

What should we remember when we strive to put on the new personality?

Can we really follow the example of Jesus? Maybe you think, “Jesus is perfect. I can never be exactly like him!” If you think like this, remember three things. First, you were designed to be like Jehovah and Jesus. So you can choose to imitate them and you can succeed, at least to some degree (Gen. 1:26). Second, God's holy spirit is the most powerful force that exists. With his help, you can achieve things you would never achieve alone. Third, Jehovah does not expect you to manifest the fruit of the spirit perfectly now. Consider that our loving Father will give those who hope to live on Earth 1,000 years to become perfect (Rev. 20:1-3). What Jehovah expects of us now is that we do our best and trust that he will help us.

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