DAILY TEXT, Today Tuesday, October 1, 2024, I will praise you in the midst of the congregation (Ps. 22:22).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2024

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

I will praise you in the midst of the congregation (Ps. 22:22).

We can all do our part in the meetings by singing and giving well-prepared comments. Some people have a hard time singing and commenting at meetings. Do you? Some people have found it helpful to overcome their fears by singing with enthusiasm. Remember that the most important reason we sing at meetings is to praise Jehovah. So when you prepare for a meeting, don’t overlook the songs. Try to see how the words relate to the topic being discussed at the meeting. And focus more on the words than on your voice. Other brothers and sisters find it very difficult to comment. What can you do if you also have a hard time? Strive to comment regularly. Remember that it is okay if your responses are to the point, short, and simple. Jehovah sincerely appreciates our efforts to praise him at the meetings. w22.04 7, 8 ¶12-15.

What kind of words should we avoid?

Avoid all “hurtful words” (Eph. 4:31). As we’ve seen, a Christian should never use bad language. But we may use hurtful language in other ways without realizing it, and we need to be careful. For example, we shouldn’t make negative comments about people of other cultures, ethnicities, or nationalities. And we also don’t want to say things that will make others feel bad and offend them. One brother admits: “I have sometimes made sarcastic comments that I thought were harmless and funny, but in reality they hurt someone’s feelings. Over the years I’ve gotten much better at it because my wife has told me privately when I’ve made a rude or hurtful comment about her or someone else.”

According to Ephesians 4:29, how can we build up and encourage others?

Say things that build up and encourage. Instead of complaining and criticizing, always try to compliment others. (Read Ephesians 4:29.) We don’t want to be like the Israelites. Although they had many reasons to be thankful, they were always complaining—and complaining is contagious. Because of the negative report given by 10 spies, “all the Israelites began to complain about Moses.” (Num. 13:31–14:4) In contrast, complimenting others has a very positive effect on them. Consider Jephthah’s daughter. The praise and encouragement from her friends surely helped her continue in her assignment. (Judges 11:40.) Sarah, mentioned in paragraph 13, says: “When we compliment others, we make them feel that Jehovah cares about them and that they have a place in his organization.” Take advantage of every opportunity to compliment others.

Considering what Psalm 15:1, 2 says, why should we always tell the truth, and what does that entail?

Always tell the truth. If we don’t, Jehovah will not be pleased with us, for he hates all kinds of lies. (Prov. 6:16, 17) Even though lying is normal for people, we want to think like Jehovah. (Read Psalm 15:1, 2.) Of course, we would never tell an outright lie, but it’s also not okay to withhold information so others will think something that isn’t true.

What else should we be careful of?

Don’t go around spreading gossip (Prov. 25:23; 2 Thess. 3:11). Juliet, mentioned in paragraph 15, says that gossip has a very negative effect on her. She says, “When I hear someone gossip, I get very discouraged and lose confidence in that person. How do I know that he or she won’t talk about me?” If you see that a conversation is heading toward gossip, change the subject and talk about something positive (Col. 4:6).

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