“We walk by faith and not by sight” (2 COR. 5:7).
1. Why did Paul feel satisfied when he thought about his life?
Paul felt contentment when he looked back on his life, because he had finished his race and remained in the faith. This meant he had made good choices throughout his Christian life and was confident that Jehovah was pleased with him, which gave him deep satisfaction, despite facing imminent execution.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Paul said he had finished his race and had remained in the faith. He could say this loudly, because he had made very good decisions in his Christian career and was certain that Jehovah was very pleased with him.
We want to say, like Paul in 2 Timothy 4:6-8, that we have finished the race and have kept the faith. We also want every decision we make to always be with Jehovah's approval.
As mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:7, when Paul spoke of running the race to the end, he was comparing his life to a race that had a starting point, a route, and a finish line. He was about to reach that goal, and since he had done everything Jehovah had asked of him, he saw himself reaching the finish line triumphantly. That is what we too long to do: follow Paul's example and win that race.
2. What does it mean to walk by faith?
Walking by faith, as Paul explained in 2 Corinthians 5:7, means living life by making decisions based on what Jehovah wants, rather than relying solely on what we can see, hear, or feel. Those who walk by faith fully trust that God will reward them and that following the standards of His Word is best.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Here, the verb "walk" shows that it refers to a person who lives their life their own way, and also to someone who walks only guided by sight, making their own decisions. We Christians, when we walk by faith, make the decisions outlined in the Bible, the decisions Jehovah tells us to. That's why it's important that we walk by faith, because in this way it will go well for us. In Psalm 119:66 we are told very clearly: "Teach me understanding and give me knowledge, for I put my trust in your precepts." So the most important thing is that we put our trust in Jehovah.
So walking by faith is demonstrated by actions; it's not just something we say, it's something we live day by day. Our motivation is that we know it's best for us, because it's what Jehovah tells us. Furthermore, we trust that Jehovah will reward us for doing it.
This means living guided by trust in Jehovah and his promises, even if we don't fully understand them. As Hebrews 11:6 says: "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
3. How does walking by faith benefit us? (2 Corinthians 4:18)
Walking by faith benefits us because it helps us make decisions that please Jehovah. While we sometimes use our senses to make decisions, basing ourselves solely on what we see, hear, or feel can lead us to ignore God's will and make mistakes.
Instead, when we live by faith, placing our trust in biblical principles and Jehovah's promises, we find inner peace, true happiness, and the hope of eternal life.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It benefits us greatly, because if we walk by sight, we may overlook Jehovah's counsel. But if we walk by faith, we will make good decisions, and all of them will be pleasing to Jehovah. As Ephesians 5:10 says, "We must be sure of what pleases the Lord."
Psalm 16:8 also shows that we will have a heart of peace for doing what is right and for walking in faith. Jehovah will reward us in due time.
As 2 Corinthians 4:18 says, the things seen are temporary, but the things unseen are eternal. So, following Jehovah's advice will not only make us happy now, but will also allow us to live forever.
This text makes us think about what an optical illusion is. Something similar could happen to us; illusions are created deliberately to confuse us and make us believe we're seeing something that isn't really the case. There can be many illusions in life if we don't combine the information our senses capture, which is necessary, with that spiritual vision that only Jehovah's counsel and our own faith can give us.
Isaiah 48:17-18, among other things, speaks of Jehovah as the one who teaches us for our own good and guides us in the path we should follow. If we truly do this, we will be able to attain the peace of God that will make us truly happy, and thus we will be able to attain eternal life.
4. How do we know if we are walking by faith or by sight?
We can find out by asking ourselves honest questions, such as: What do I base my decisions on? Is it just what I see or my trust in Jehovah and his standards?
In this article, we'll explore how we can continue walking by faith in three important areas of life: when we have to choose a job, when we choose whom to marry, and when we receive instructions from an organization.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Asking ourselves the questions the paragraph shows us, when we have to make an important decision, what do we base it on: only what we see, or, on the contrary, do we trust in Jehovah and his moral standards? The answer we get will tell us how we are walking.
In this article, we'll analyze three aspects: when we have to choose a job, when we choose who to marry, and when we receive instructions from the organization. Thus, based on the answers to these questions, we'll see whether we're walking by faith or by sight.
WHEN WE HAVE TO CHOOSE A JOB
5. Should we focus only on salary when choosing a job?
No, we shouldn't focus solely on salary when choosing a job. While it's natural to want a job that allows us to cover our family's needs, if a person focuses solely on salary, they're just looking at something.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We know it's important to focus on salary. Furthermore, 1 Timothy 5:8 says that anyone who doesn't provide for his family has rejected the faith and is worse than a person without faith. But it's true that salary shouldn't be the most important factor. If we put that first and were guided by it alone, we'd be following only the eyes.
Ecclesiastes 7:12 says that money is a protection, because when we have it, we can cover our needs and buy the things we need. However, it draws a contrast and also says that we need wisdom, and that wisdom is more important. So, let's see what other things we can also focus on, besides our salary.
It's important to weigh and consider both the financial and spiritual aspects. If we make good financial decisions, we'll be able to meet our needs. But we also know that we must put our spiritual needs first, in order to stay on this path and earn a living.
6. How do we demonstrate that we walk by faith when choosing a job? (Hebrews 13:5)
We demonstrate that we are walking by faith in choosing a job when we consider not only the salary, but also the impact the job would have on our friendship with Jehovah.
We wondered if the job would lead us to do things Jehovah hates, if it would affect our spiritual routine, or if it would force us to leave our family alone for long periods.
If the answer is yes, we choose not to accept it, trusting fully that Jehovah will provide for our needs, thus showing our faith in his care.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We will consider what effect work might have on our friendship with Jehovah.
We need to consider certain factors besides salary. Here are some examples: whether we'll be required to do things Jehovah hates, whether it will affect our spiritual routine, or whether we'll have to leave the family alone for long periods. So, as Philippians 1:10 mentions, we need to make sure we focus on the things that are truly important.
What is clear is that if we walk by faith, we will have the confidence, as Matthew 6:33 says, that if we put the Kingdom first, Jehovah will not leave us behind. So, even if we are going through difficult times due to a lack of employment, if we have confidence that Jehovah will provide for us, we will be walking by faith.
When one asks oneself the questions in this paragraph, if the answer to any of them, even just one, is that what we are about to do is not right, the wisest thing would be to not accept that job and to put everything in the hands of Jehovah, who will help us.
When we walk by faith, we have complete confidence in Jehovah, as Hebrews 13:5 says, where Jehovah promises that he will never leave us nor forsake us. So, if we have absolute confidence in these words, we demonstrate that we are walking by faith.
7, 8. How did a brother from South America demonstrate that he was walking by faith? (See also the image.)
Javier demonstrated his faith by prioritizing his spiritual goals over a prestigious, well-paying job. Although he was recommended for a position that doubled his salary, he turned down the offer because the demands of the job, such as overtime, interfered with his goal of pioneering.
He trusted in Jehovah, prayed for guidance, and refused to compromise his spiritual pursuits. Soon after, he found a part-time job that allowed him to fulfill his dedication as a pioneer. His decision reflected his full confidence that Jehovah would bless his efforts to put God first.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
When we walk by faith, we have complete confidence in Jehovah, as Hebrews chapter 13, verse 5 says, where Jehovah promises us that he will never leave us nor forsake us. So, if we have absolute confidence in these words, we demonstrate that we walk by faith.
We see that this brother had the opportunity for a promotion at work with a higher salary, but before doing so, he prayed to Jehovah to help him make a good decision. Knowing that he would likely have to work overtime, which would prevent him from fulfilling his goal of pioneering, he decided to decline the offer. He trusted in Jehovah and later found a part-time job that allowed him to continue pioneering and caring for the brothers.
What the brother says is very interesting: before going to the interview, he prayed to Jehovah, and what he was very clear about was that he wanted to achieve his spiritual goals. He was also convinced that he wanted a job that would allow him to achieve them.
The image shows the supervisor probably offering him a position with his own office, surely well-conditioned compared to the heat of the factory. He would also earn a better salary, but the brother doesn't just see what's in front of him; because he walks by faith, he thinks about his friendship with Jehovah and realizes it wouldn't be a good decision. In Brother Javier's case, it could be something similar, but as mentioned, he is very happy because he got the best job: serving Jehovah full-time.
An interesting thing about this experience is that, at the time this job opportunity arose, he wasn't yet a pioneer; it was a goal he had. It wasn't a change he needed to make in his life at that time, so he could have accepted the job. However, he didn't, because his goal wasn't to dedicate himself to work, but to dedicate himself to serving Jehovah.
An interesting detail is that he says he found a part-time job that same year. We don't know how much time passed, but then he says, "The Lord heard my prayers." So, we realize that, throughout this time, he remained focused on his clear goal: to continue praying and looking for a job that would allow him to continue pioneering. And in the end, throughout this entire process, he continued walking by faith.
They subtly told him he'd have to put in a few hours. But this world, if it gives you anything, it certainly demands full dedication. As some point out, this world sees you like a lemon: they squeeze you, and when the juice's gone, they throw you away. A good salary isn't something they give you just for the hell of it, or because they're kind.
Our brother Javier's experience is not an isolated case. Surely many of us have experienced the same thing when faced with a choice, even about attending a meeting or convention. We have prayed to Jehovah, and He has answered us. So it is always good to walk by faith and not by sight.
This brother's experience is striking because the position was available, and he applied. But he didn't let his desires guide him: he prayed to Jehovah, and although he wanted the position and it was well-paid, he let himself be guided by Jehovah's thoughts, truly demonstrating that he was walking by faith.
In the end, the brother mentions that he doesn't regret not having accepted the offer, because he was happy to have a job that allowed him to dedicate more time to Jehovah and his brothers. This shows us that we too can imitate his example. Although it may seem difficult, if we allow ourselves to be guided by Jehovah, we can achieve it.
This experience shows us the importance of having spiritual goals, because if we do, when faced with a difficult decision, it will be much easier to put them first.
ILLUSTRATION
A brother wearing a hard hat and work clothes looks at the empty office the supervisor is showing him. The supervisor is offering him a promotion.
If you are offered a promotion, will you make a decision that shows you trust in Jehovah? (See paragraphs 7 and 8.)
9. What did you learn from Trésor’s experience?
Trésor learned that even though he had his dream job, it kept him from walking by faith because it distanced him from Jehovah. Job demands, such as working overtime and lying for the company, affected his spirituality and church attendance.
Despite worrying about not finding another job, he trusted Jehovah, resigned, and clung to the promises of Habakkuk 3:17–19. A year later, Jehovah blessed him with a stable job that met his needs and enabled him to serve Him better.
Her experience teaches us that by prioritizing our relationship with God, He cares for us and provides for us, even when we face difficult times.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This brother lives in the Congo, a place where finding stable employment and supporting a family is a challenge. He mentions that he had found his dream job; however, he was able to give up that well-paying job because it prevented him from attending meetings and, in addition, he was pressured to lie. It must have been a great sacrifice for him and his family; they had to reject many things, but they trusted completely in Jehovah.
The brother mentions that he didn't find a job until a year later. It was probably not easy during that time, since he had turned down his dream job. However, Jehovah always provided them with what they needed to meet their needs. This shows us that when we give up something and sacrifice our own desires for Jehovah, He will never fail us.
Brother Trésor was presented with a better opportunity than Javier's, with three times the salary. But what Trésor's experience teaches us is that he turned to the Bible—that is, he sought counsel from Jehovah. He knew that even if there was drought or famine in the country, Jehovah would not abandon him. That's what Trésor did: he sacrificed his dream job and put Jehovah and his spiritual pursuits first.
We learn that a person educated in the faith will not allow anyone to corrupt them, even when the offer is very tempting, because they will always try to follow Jehovah's advice and trust in His promises. It is very important to apply what Habakkuk 3:19 tells us: "The Sovereign Lord Jehovah is my strength. He will make my feet like those of a servant and set me on high places."
Trésor said, "I'm happy to have protected my relationship with Jehovah." This teaches us that when we walk by faith, we are willing to fight when something comes between us and our relationship with Jehovah.
Putting ourselves in Trésor's shoes, we can imagine that he has no income, yet he has to pay bills and feed his children, and he lacks the most basic necessities. Even so, he had to make the decision to turn down his dream job under those circumstances. But he trusted in Jehovah and that he would not lack what he needed.
WHEN WE ARE GOING TO CHOOSE WHO TO MARRY
10. How would someone demonstrate that they are looking by sight when deciding who to marry?
Someone would be blind to the idea if, when choosing a partner to marry, they only considered aspects such as personality, physical appearance, reputation, financial situation, or how that person makes them feel. While these factors may be important, they are not sufficient on their own.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
If we focus solely on superficial aspects, such as appearance or economic situation, without considering the person's spirituality.
It is important not to rely solely on your own vision on this issue, because marriage is a gift from Jehovah and we could be undervaluing it.
Of course, we don't have to pay attention to everything, but the most important thing we have to do is see how our brother or sister is spiritually, and then everything will work out well.
11. How do we demonstrate that we are walking by faith when choosing whom to marry? (1 Corinthians 7:39)
We demonstrate that we are walking by faith in choosing whom to marry when we carefully follow Jehovah's counsel. This includes waiting until the “prime of youth” has passed before beginning a courtship, seeking a partner with qualities Jehovah values, such as those of a good wife or husband, and marrying “only in the Lord,” that is, someone who is one of Jehovah's Witnesses. By doing so, we trust that Jehovah will take care of our emotional needs.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
For example, by putting into practice the words of Proverbs 31:26-28. When brothers and sisters look for or seek the qualities Jehovah says a good husband or wife should have, or when they follow the advice of 1 Corinthians 7:36, being patient and waiting until the bloom of youth passes before beginning a courtship, they demonstrate that they are walking by faith, seeking Jehovah's guidance and counsel in such an important decision.
In the case of brothers or sisters who, through that patience, pass the years, they wait and marry only in the Lord because they trust that the need with which Jehovah created us is also a need that He meets.
A competent wife or husband, as Proverbs 31:10 says, is worth far more than corals. And, in the right measure, it also takes effort to find one. That's why one article stated that a young man is right to take his time choosing a spouse. Then, we demonstrate that we are not following sight when we consider how that decision would affect our relationship with Jehovah.
Psalm 55:22 tells us to cast our burden—our worries—on Jehovah and ask Him for what we need, because He will not allow us to fall. So, better than anyone, Jehovah knows us and will help us meet our emotional needs.
12. What did you learn from Rosa's case?
Rosa's case teaches us that walking by faith involves making decisions based on Jehovah's will, even when our feelings incline us in another direction.
Although she felt attracted to a man who seemed to have desirable qualities, Rosa cut off all contact because he was not a Witness and prioritized her relationship with Jehovah.
As she focused on spiritual activities, Jehovah blessed her abundantly, taking her to the school for Kingdom evangelizers and giving her joy as a special pioneer.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Rosa felt attracted to a coworker who, in her opinion, was the ideal man to be a good husband, except he wasn't a Witness. It was very difficult for her to decide against it, especially since she felt alone and couldn't find anyone in the truth. What helped her was thinking about how that decision would affect her friendship with Jehovah. So she cut off all contact with the man and remained very busy with spiritual activities.
At the end of the paragraph, it explains that it's not easy to walk by faith when emotions are so involved, but that it's worth it. Rosa was very clear about this; therefore, when she made that decision, she cut off all contact and began to participate more in spiritual activities. What this teaches us is that when we know what decision we should make and that it is the one that pleases Jehovah, we must act immediately and be firm in our decision.
Rosa's example helps us see that sometimes Jehovah doesn't give us what we want, as she said she wanted to get married, but he does give us what we need. In the end, she says her heart was filled with great joy. Furthermore, to continue walking in faith, we must focus on spiritual activities, because that is what will help us stay on the right path.
Rosa didn't focus solely on what she could see, but also considered how her friendship with Jehovah would affect her. It's true that this desire often leads us to make hasty decisions, because she said she felt alone at that moment and could have thought, "Well, maybe in time that man will become a Witness." But she did what Jehovah intended: that when a person has to make a decision, they should think about doing Jehovah's will.
WHEN WE RECEIVE INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE ORGANIZATION
13. How would someone demonstrate that they are walking by sight when receiving instructions from the organization?
Someone would be blind to the truth if, when receiving instructions from the organization, they focused only on the apparent drawbacks or imperfections of those delivering those instructions.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
When we don't understand or like a change or instruction, we may focus on the potential drawbacks of implementing it, or we may start to notice the imperfections of our siblings.
14. What will help us walk by faith when we receive instructions from the organization? (Hebrews 13:17)
What helps us walk by faith when receiving instructions from the organization is to trust that Jehovah is in complete control and knows our circumstances well.
Therefore, we obey willingly and without delay, as we are encouraged in Hebrews 13:17. This obedience strengthens unity in the congregation.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Trust in Jehovah because we know He knows our circumstances and has everything under control. Furthermore, although the brothers who give us instructions are imperfect, Jehovah values our obedience first. First Samuel 15:22 says that He values our obedience more than any sacrifices we make.
If we obey promptly and willingly, we will contribute to a more united congregation. As we read in the Letter to the Hebrews, the brothers in charge will fulfill all their responsibilities and exercise their privileges more happily and without sighing. Otherwise, this would be detrimental to us; we would not be so united, and there would be discord. Therefore, it is good that we obey willingly.
Even though the brothers who give us these instructions are imperfect humans, we must have the attitude expressed in Micah 7:7 of waiting patiently on Jehovah, because, just as we see those defects that could be serious, Jehovah is also seeing them, and in due time he will put things right.
Furthermore, in Ephesians 4:2 we are told to be humble. If we are humble, it won't be difficult for us to accept the instructions given to us.
Ephesians 4:3 says, "Make every effort to maintain the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace." That is, even if it's difficult for us, we should do our best to maintain unity by accepting the organization's instructions.
One thing is very clear: our lives depend on obedience. Therefore, we must be humble and accept all instructions from the organization.
15, 16. What helped Kevin walk by faith? (See also the image.)
Kevin, an elder in a Quechua-speaking congregation in Peru, was helped to walk by faith by meditating on Proverbs 3:5 and the example of Moses, who obeyed Jehovah despite facing a seemingly impossible situation at the Red Sea.
Although initially hesitant about the new instructions, Kevin trusted Jehovah and adapted to the new method. As a result, Jehovah blessed his efforts, allowing him to find more Quechua-speaking people, hold more conversations, conduct return visits, conduct Bible studies, and increase his meeting attendance, proving that obedience by faith brings rewards.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Kevin, a brother from Peru, had to adapt to the changing laws by following the organization's instructions. Although at first it seemed they would have little success, by focusing on Quechua-speaking areas, they managed to increase attendance at meetings and Bible studies. This proves that following the organization's instructions is the wisest course of action.
We see that they applied the principle of Romans 13:1. And what did they do? Well, what it says there: submitting to higher authorities because they knew they were appointed by God.
Brother Kevin learned from the experience of Moses, who faced a difficult situation that seemed like a dead end, but Jehovah used it to sanctify himself. Today, we are warned that we may receive instructions that seem contrary to reason, so we must be attentive to these matters.
Kevin, though elderly, had doubts about new instruction, proving that this can happen to anyone. However, he reconsidered and applied Proverbs 3:5, which says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Because of that attitude, the Lord blessed him.
Looking at the image, we notice how Jehovah even used people from the area to help. Many told the brothers where to find Quechua speakers. This teaches me that when we walk by faith, Jehovah can use even unexpected means to support us and multiply our results.
ILLUSTRATION
A Quechua-speaking man talks to a Witness couple who are preaching. He shows them where someone lives.
Many people pointed out to the brothers some areas where they could find Quechua-speaking people. (See paragraphs 15 and 16.)
17. What did you learn from this article?
In this article, we learned that walking by faith means making decisions based on trust in Jehovah and his standards, rather than relying solely on what we see, hear, or feel.
We also learned how to walk by faith in three key areas: choosing a job, deciding who to marry, and receiving instructions from the organization.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We have learned that whenever we have to make a decision, we must keep in mind the text of Micah 4:5, which says that we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God forever.
We've also seen that walking by faith applies in three different areas: employment, choosing a spouse, and receiving instructions from the organization. In all of these areas, we must walk by faith.
We also learned that when we brothers and sisters put our faith into practice and make decisions that are in keeping with Jehovah, it ultimately brings happiness. Furthermore, seeing the previous examples of how Jehovah helped, cared for, and protected his people helps us strengthen our faith.
When we have to make decisions that, in themselves, are not bad or condemned by the Bible. But if we want to please Jehovah, it's when we must use the eyes of faith to see beyond and always keep in mind that He has promised to take care of us. Then, we're not just going to focus on those things that may not be bad, but on how we can please Jehovah.
In many areas of life, we have to make decisions constantly, perhaps daily, about entertainment, education, or raising children. Therefore, it's important to take everything we've learned in this article into account and put it into practice in our lives.
HOW CAN WE WALK BY FAITH IN THE FOLLOWING FIELDS?
When we have to choose a job.
We walk by faith in choosing a job if, in addition to salary, we primarily consider how the job will affect our friendship with Jehovah and our spiritual routine.
This means asking ourselves whether the job would require us to do things Jehovah hates, interfere with our spiritual activities, or take us away from our families for long periods.
If the answer is yes, faith prompts us to reject the offer, fully trusting that Jehovah will provide for our needs if we put his will first.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We need to consider what effect the job we choose might have on our friendship with Jehovah. Therefore, we are encouraged to ask ourselves three questions: Does this job require us to do things Jehovah hates? Would it affect our spiritual activities? Would I be away from my family for long periods of time? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, we should reject that job.
When we are going to choose who to marry.
Walking by faith in this area means taking into account not only external factors, such as a person's personality or financial situation, but also whether they truly love Jehovah and adhere to his principles. It involves obeying the counsel to marry "in the Lord" and seeking spiritual qualities that please God.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Heed the advice to wait until you're past your prime before starting a relationship; also, look for someone who has qualities that Jehovah appreciates in making a good husband or wife, and, above all, marry in the Lord.
When we receive instructions from the organization.
We demonstrate that we walk by faith by obeying instructions, even if we don't fully understand the reasons behind them. Instead of focusing on potential drawbacks or the imperfections of those delivering the instructions, we trust that Jehovah is directing his people through his organization.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Remember that Jehovah has a higher perspective than ours, that he has placed the organization in charge of protecting and guiding us, and that even if we have doubts about new instructions, we must trust in Jehovah and not in our own understanding, and be obedient.
That if we obey, we will contribute to the unity of the congregation, and that Jehovah blesses obedience more than sacrifices.
At the beginning of paragraph 14, it said, "If we trust that Jehovah has things under control." If we don't trust, we'll try to take control ourselves, which shows that we're not walking by faith, but by sight.
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