DAILY TEXT, Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The wisdom from above is ready to obey (James 3:17).

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Wednesday, October 1, 2025

The wisdom from above is ready to obey (James 3:17).

Do you sometimes struggle with obedience? David sometimes did. So he asked God: “Stir up in me a desire to obey you.” (Ps. 51:12) Although David loved Jehovah, he sometimes found it difficult to obey him, and the same thing happens to us. Why? First, because we have inherited a tendency to disobey. Second, because Satan is always inciting us to rebel, just as he did. (2 Cor. 11:3) And third, because the world around us has a rebellious attitude—that is “the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.” (Eph. 2:2) So to obey Jehovah and those in authority, we must do our best to fight against our imperfection, against Satan, and against this world.

What does it mean to be ready to obey? (James 3:17)

(Read James 3:17.) The Bible writer James said that a wise person “is ready to obey.” What does that mean? We should be willing and eager to obey those to whom Jehovah has given certain authority. Of course, Jehovah does not expect us to obey someone who asks us to go against his rules. (Acts 4:18–20)

Why is it important to Jehovah that we obey those in authority?

We may feel that it is easier to obey Jehovah than humans because his instructions are always perfect. (Ps. 19:7) And that is almost never the case with humans in authority. Yet, our heavenly Father has given parents, authorities, and elders some authority. (Prov. 6:20; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Pet. 2:13, 14) In reality, when we obey such people, we are obeying Jehovah. Let’s see what we can do to obey those to whom Jehovah has given authority, even when we find it difficult to accept and follow their standards.

Why do so many young people disobey their parents?

Young people have many peers who are “disobedient to their parents.” (2 Tim. 3:1, 2) Why do so many act this way? Some see their parents asking them to do things they themselves won’t do, and they may find this hypocritical. Others think their parents’ advice is outdated, too strict, or impractical. Young people, have you ever felt this way? Many may find it difficult to respect Jehovah’s command: “Be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord, for this is right.” (Eph. 6:1) What can help you do this?

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