DAILY TEXT, Today Friday October 25, 2024,  You must put on the new personality (Eph. 4:24).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024

Friday, October 25, 2024

They must put on the new personality (Eph. 4:24).

To do this, we cannot sit back and do nothing. For example, we must work hard to overcome personality defects such as bitterness, rage, and anger. (Eph. 4:31, 32) Why can this be difficult? Because some of these defects are deeply rooted in us. In fact, the Bible speaks of one who is “prone to anger” and one who is “inclined to rage.” (Prov. 29:22) We may need to continue to work hard to keep negative personality traits at bay even after baptism. (Rom. 7:21–23) Let us pray about the defect we are struggling with, knowing that he will hear us and help us. (1 John 5:14, 15) Jehovah will not miraculously remove it, but he will give us the strength not to be dominated by it. (1 Pet. 5:10) How can we act on our prayers? We must avoid anything that feeds the tendencies of the old personality. And let us not allow our minds to indulge in wrong desires. (Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:2) w23.01 10 pars. 7, 9, 10.

How can we continue to cultivate the new personality?

In addition to putting off your old personality, it is important to continue cultivating your new one. How can you do this? Set a goal to get to know Jehovah and his qualities better and to imitate his example. (Eph. 5:1, 2) When you find a Bible account that highlights Jehovah’s forgiveness, ask yourself, “Do I forgive others?” Or when you read about Jehovah’s compassion for those who are going through difficult times, ask yourself, “Do I also care for my brothers and sisters in need and do something for them?” Keep renewing your mind by putting on your new personality, and be patient with yourself.

How does Stephen's example demonstrate that the Bible has the power to transform people?

Stephen, mentioned in paragraph 8, gradually put on the new personality. He explains: “Since my baptism, there have been times when I have had trouble controlling my temper. I just walk away to avoid fights or try to calm the situation. Many people, including my wife, have complimented me on my response, and I have even surprised myself. I take no credit for these changes in my personality. I truly believe that they are a testament to the power of the Bible to transform people.”

What will help us nourish right desires? (Galatians 5:16)

(Read Galatians 5:16.) Jehovah is generous and gives us holy spirit to help us win our battle to do what is right. When we study God’s Word, we allow that spirit to influence us. We also receive holy spirit when we attend meetings. There, we spend time with our brothers and sisters who, like us, are struggling to do right. This encourages us. (Heb. 10:24, 25; 13:7) And when we pray from our heart to Jehovah and ask him to help us overcome some weakness, he gives us holy spirit to be strong and keep fighting. Of course, these activities may not make our evil desires go away, but they will give us the strength to resist them. As Galatians 5:16 says, those who walk according to the Spirit “will not fulfill any desire of the flesh.”

Why is it important to continue cultivating correct desires?

Once we have a good routine of spiritual activities, it is very important that we do not lose it and that we continue to nourish right desires. Why? Because one of our enemies—temptation—never sleeps. Even after we are baptized, we may still feel drawn to things we know we should avoid, such as gambling, abusing alcohol, or viewing pornography. (Eph. 5:3, 4) A young man who is one of Jehovah’s Witnesses confesses: “One of the most intense struggles I have is that I am attracted to people of the same sex. I thought these feelings were just a passing thing, but I have not been able to get rid of them; they are still there.” What can help us if a wrong desire is very intense?

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.