DAILY TEXT, Thursday, February 19, 2026. Be obedient and submissive to those who lead you (Heb. 13:17).

Let us examine the Scriptures every day 2026

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Be obedient and submissive to those who lead you (Heb. 13:17).

The elders carefully read the instructions they receive and then follow them as best they can. They receive instructions on how assignments and prayers should be made at the meeting, but also on how to care for Christ’s sheep. When the elders follow all the instructions given to them by the organization, the brothers feel that Jehovah loves them and is caring for them.

When the elders give us instruction, the best thing we can do is follow it willingly. This makes it easier for them to fulfill their responsibility. The Bible tells us to be obedient and submissive to those who lead us (Heb. 13:7, 17). This is not always easy, because the elders are imperfect. But let us remember that if, instead of focusing on their good qualities, we become fixated on their shortcomings, we would be doing just what our enemies want. Why do we say this? Because if we think badly of the elders, we can end up distrusting God’s organization. w24.04 10 pars. 11, 12

How do our enemies portray God's organization?

Our enemies portray God’s organization in such a way that its good things appear bad. For example, the Bible teaches that Jehovah wants his servants to be clean physically, morally, and spiritually. It also says that anyone who lives an unclean life and does not repent should be disfellowshipped from the congregation (1 Cor. 5:11-13; 6:9, 10). Because we follow this command, our enemies accuse us of being intolerant and cruel, and of thinking we are better than others.

What is the origin of the false stories that are told about our organization?

Let us remember the true source of these attacks. Satan, “the father of lies,” is behind the false stories being told about our organization (John 8:44; Gen. 3:1-5). It is no surprise that he uses certain individuals to spread these lies. After all, he did so in the first century.

What did the religious leaders do to Jesus and his disciples?

Although Jesus, the Son of God, was perfect and performed wonderful miracles, Satan used certain people to spread all kinds of lies about him. For example, the religious leaders told people that Jesus cast out demons “by means of the ruler of the demons” (Mark 3:22). Then, during Jesus’ trial, the religious leaders accused him of blasphemy and persuaded the crowds to demand that he be sentenced to death (Matthew 27:20).

Later, when Christ’s disciples began preaching, their enemies “stirred up the people” and “turned them against” them so that they would persecute them (Acts 14:2, 19). Referring to Acts 14:2, the December 1, 1998, Watchtower explained that the Jewish opposers were not content with rejecting the message, but “launched a campaign of slander” to turn people of other nations against the Christians.

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