Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2025
Saturday, May 31, 2025
Keep walking according to the spirit and you will not fulfill any desire of the flesh (Gal. 5:16).
Some people are ready to dedicate themselves and be baptized, but they hesitate. They may be afraid of committing a serious sin and ending up disfellowshipped. But the Bible says that Jehovah will give his servants everything they need “to conduct themselves worthy” of him “and thus be fully pleasing to him.” (Col. 1:10) So you can be confident that Jehovah will give you the strength you need to do what is right. After all, he has already done this for many others. (1 Cor. 10:13) That is one reason why relatively few people end up disfellowshipped. With Jehovah’s support, it is possible to be faithful to him. Because we are imperfect, we are all tempted to do wrong. (James 1:14) But when temptation comes, you don’t have to give in to it; what you do or don’t do in your life is ultimately up to you. Although some people say we can’t control our impulses, that is not true. We can learn to control what we feel and what we do. w24.03 5 pars. 11, 12.
What will help us avoid committing a serious sin?
Because we are imperfect, we are all tempted to do wrong. (James 1:14) But when temptation comes, you don't have to give in to it; what you do or don't do in your life is ultimately up to you. Although some people say we can't control our impulses, that's not true. We can learn to control how we feel and what we do. Several things can help us: praying to Jehovah every day, having a good personal study program, attending meetings, and preaching. If we are consistent in all these things, we will have the strength to fulfill our vow of dedication. Let us not forget that we are not alone in this struggle; Jehovah is with us. (Gal. 5:16)
What good example did Joseph give us?
It will be easier to remain faithful to Jehovah if we think ahead of time about what we will do when faced with temptation. We find examples in the Bible of people who undoubtedly did this, and they were imperfect like us. Consider Joseph. Potiphar's wife repeatedly urged him to sleep with her. But he knew exactly how to respond. The Bible records that he “refused” and said to her: “How could I do such a wicked thing and actually sin against God?” (Gen. 39:8-10) Everything indicates that Joseph already knew how he would react even before Potiphar's wife tempted him. So, when the time came, it was easier for him to say no.
How can we learn to reject everything Jehovah hates?
How can we imitate Joseph and be determined to be faithful? By thinking now about how to react when temptation arises. We must learn to reject everything Jehovah hates instantly, without pausing to think about it for even a second. (Ps. 97:10; 119:165) This will help us avoid committing serious sin. When temptation comes, we will already know how to react; it will be crystal clear.
How can you show that you are one of those who “earnestly seek” Jehovah? (Hebrews 11:6)
You may know you have found the truth and desire to serve Jehovah with all your heart. But is something holding you back from taking the step of dedication and baptism? You can do what King David did and pray to Jehovah: “Search me thoroughly, O God, and know my heart. Look within me and know my anxious thoughts. Consider if there is any evil inclination in me, and lead me in the way of eternity.” (Ps. 139:23, 24) By working toward the goal of dedication and baptism, you will be demonstrating that you are earnestly seeking Jehovah. And the Bible assures us that he blesses those who do this (Read Hebrews 11:6).
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