DAILY TEXT, Today Sunday September 22, 2024,  Become mature in your understanding (1 Cor. 14:20).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024

Sunday, September 22, 2024

Become mature in your understanding (1 Cor. 14:20).

The Bible rightly encourages us not to remain inexperienced. We gain wisdom by applying Bible principles in our lives. Little by little we see with our own eyes that these principles help us to make good decisions and avoid problems. It is good for us to examine ourselves to see how much progress we have made. For example, if you have been studying the Bible and attending meetings for some time but have not yet made a dedication to Jehovah or been baptized, you may wonder why you have not done so. Or, if you have already been baptized, how much progress have you made in preaching and teaching the good news? Do your decisions show that you are guided by Bible principles? Do you treat others as Jesus would have? If we see room for improvement, let us heed Jehovah’s reminders, which “make the inexperienced wise.”—Ps. 19:7. w22.10 20 par. 8.

How do “the scoffers” demonstrate that they reject wisdom?

The second kind of people who ignore God’s wisdom are “scoffers.” We sometimes encounter such people in the preaching work. They love to make fun of others. (Ps. 123:4) The Bible warned that there would be many scoffers in the last days. (2 Pet. 3:3, 4) Like righteous Lot’s sons-in-law, some people today ignore God’s warnings. (Gen. 19:14) Many people laugh at those who live according to Bible principles. Such scoffers are carried away by “their own irreverent desires.” (Jude 7, 17, 18) Doesn’t what the Bible says about scoffers fit well with the attitude of apostates and others who reject Jehovah?

According to Psalm 1:1, what can we do to avoid falling into the error of scoffers?

How can we avoid falling into the trap of scoffers? For example, we should avoid associating with those who complain about everything. (Read Psalm 1:1.) This means that we should not listen to or read anything that comes from apostates. If we are not careful, we could easily develop a critical spirit and begin to doubt Jehovah and the instructions we receive through his organization. To avoid this, we can ask ourselves: “Do I have a habit of saying something negative whenever we receive new explanations or instructions? Do I tend to find fault with the brothers who lead us?” If we are quick to correct these tendencies, Jehovah will be pleased with us.—Prov. 3:34, 35.

How do “fools” view Jehovah’s moral standards?

The third class of people who reject wisdom are “fools.” They are called such because they refuse to live according to God’s moral laws. They do what they think is right. (Prov. 12:15) They reject Jehovah, the source of wisdom. (Ps. 53:1) When we meet them in the preaching service, they often harshly criticize us for upholding Bible standards, but they have nothing better to offer. The Bible says: “True wisdom is beyond the reach of a fool; he has nothing to say at the city gate” (Prov. 24:7). Fools have nothing truly wise to say. No wonder Jehovah warns us: “Stay away from a foolish man.” (Prov. 14:7)

What will help us not to be like fools?

Unlike those who hate God’s counsel, we learn to love God’s way of thinking and all of His laws. We can strengthen that love by comparing the results of being obedient with those of being disobedient. Consider, on the one hand, all the trouble brought on by those who foolishly reject Jehovah’s wise counsel. And, on the other hand, consider how our lives are better for obeying God. —Ps. 32:8, 10.

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