Watchtower Study, Let Us Continue Satisfying Our “Spiritual Needs”, Week of February 2-8, 2026, Comments and Answers.

Watchtower Study, Let Us Continue Satisfying Our “Spiritual Needs”, March 2-8, 2026, Comments and Responses.

TEXT FOR THE YEAR 2026: “Blessed are those who recognize their spiritual needs” (MAT. 5:3).

1. What basic needs did Jehovah create us with? (Matthew 5:3).

Jehovah created us with certain basic needs, such as food, clothing, and shelter. These needs are so important that if we were to lack them, even for a short time, our lives would be very difficult. In addition, Jehovah created us with spiritual needs, and if we want to be truly happy, we must recognize these needs and never fail to satisfy them.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

He created us with basic needs like shelter, clothing, and food, and if we were to lack these even for a short time, life would become much more difficult. But He also created us with a great spiritual need.

Jehovah has endowed us with reason and feelings to differentiate us from other beings, and to be truly happy we have to cover and satisfy our spiritual needs.

Thinking about the creation of Adam and Eve: When Jehovah created Adam and he opened his eyes, what did he say? “I am hungry”? Or rather, “Who am I? Who created me? What am I doing here?” It seems clear that what we most need is to satisfy that spiritual need and answer questions about our transcendence. That is what Matthew 5:3 explains.

One of humanity's greatest questions is how to be happy, and we know the answer because the Bible provides it: recognizing that there is a spiritual need we must fulfill. This world doesn't see it that way. It's materialistic and believes everything is based on what can be seen and touched. But we understand that a spiritual need exists, and recognizing it brings us happiness.

2. What example helps us understand what it means to recognize our spiritual needs?

The example of a very poor man, dressed in rags and sitting in a corner, exposed to the heat of the day and the cold of the night, helps us understand this point. He is weak and emaciated from lack of food, and, combined with his poor appearance, people avoid him. This person recognizes that he needs help to improve his situation.

The same is true of spiritual beggars, that is, those who recognize their spiritual needs. They recognize how desperate their situation is and that they need help to improve it. For that reason, they feel the need to take advantage of the spiritual gifts that Jehovah gives them.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The idea of ​​recognizing spiritual needs is related to being "spiritual beggars." Just as a beggar experiences many physical needs and knows they need help to overcome them, so too do spiritual beggars recognize that they are in a difficult spiritual situation and need assistance.

Just as a physical beggar wouldn't be expected to receive a little help and think they no longer need it, we spiritual beggars seize every opportunity and moment to receive spiritual nourishment. We know that if we stop feeding ourselves spiritually, our situation will once again become desperate. That's why we crave this spiritual nourishment so much.

When we know the Bible, we can explain it—perhaps not with the same words used in The Watchtower. But even those who don't know the Bible or God sometimes express it with phrases like, "Material things leave you feeling empty." This feeling of emptiness is a kind of lack that's hard to explain, but it's definitely felt. That's why the paragraph says that those who do understand it know how to fill that void: by taking advantage of the many spiritual gifts that Jehovah gives us.

As the paragraph states, the beggar is clear about his basic needs. He isn't thinking about great luxuries or fantasies, but about the things he needs to continue living. Similarly, a spiritual beggar isn't thinking about things that might distract him, but about what he truly needs to serve God.

3. What will we see in this article?

In this article, we will examine the example of the Phoenician woman who begged Jesus for help and how she demonstrated three essential qualities for those who recognize their spiritual needs. We will also analyze the examples of three highly spiritual men: the apostles Peter and Paul, and King David.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

First, we will look at three qualities a Phoenician woman demonstrated when she asked Jesus for help, qualities we too must demonstrate to meet our spiritual needs. Then we will analyze the example of three very spiritual men: the apostles Peter and Paul, and King David.

AN EXAMPLE OF HUMILITY, PERSISTENCE, AND FAITH

4. What did the Phoenician woman want Jesus to do for her?

The Phoenician woman went to Jesus because her daughter was “cruelly possessed by a demon,” and she had faith that he could help her. She approached him, knelt down, and begged for his help. In this way, this woman demonstrated remarkable qualities.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The Phoenician woman wanted Jesus to heal her daughter, who was cruelly possessed by a demon.

This woman approached Jesus, who was accompanied by his disciples, and called him “Son of David,” thus recognizing him as the Messiah. In great anguish, she begged him to help her daughter, who was cruelly possessed by a demon. At first, Jesus did not respond to her request, since his mission was focused primarily on the sheep of the house of Israel and not on the Gentiles. Even so, the woman did not give up. She continued to follow him and humbly insist that he grant her this favor. Finally, seeing the woman's great faith and perseverance, Jesus answered her request and performed the miracle.

5. What qualities did the Phoenician woman demonstrate, and what did Jesus do? (See also the image.)

The Phoenician woman demonstrated true humility when she wasn't offended by Jesus comparing her to a little dog. She wasn't insulted, nor did she turn away without asking for his help. Furthermore, she showed persistence by repeatedly pleading with him for help, because she had faith in him.

In this way, Jesus saw that the woman had great faith and decided to help her, even though he had said that he had been sent to help only “the lost sheep of the nation of Israel,” and he cast out the demon that tormented her daughter.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

She demonstrated humility, faith, and persistence, and that is why Jesus saw her great faith and expelled the demon that tormented her daughter.

In the image, we can see some details that reflect the qualities of the Phoenician woman. She, who was not Jewish, was speaking with men and was bowing in an attitude of humility. These qualities are clearly reflected in her.

She showed humility because, although Jesus compared her to a little dog, she could have turned away or been offended, but she didn't. On the contrary, she begged him again and again. Her faith was so great that Jesus changed his attitude, for at first he had told her that he had been sent only to help the lost sheep of the nation of Israel. However, seeing the great faith of that woman, he was moved, helped her, and cast out the demon that tormented her daughter.

In this account, we not only see the qualities of that woman, which are so essential for drawing close to Jehovah, but we also see how Jesus treated her with great respect, patience, and love. Although she was from a different culture, and the comparison he made could have hurt her, Jesus demonstrated qualities characteristic of our King: justice, wisdom, and profound love. These qualities help us draw ever closer to Jehovah, because he seeks out those who show humility.

ILLUSTRATION

A Phoenician woman is on her knees asking Jesus for help, while he is sitting at a table eating with three of his disciples.

The Phoenician woman demonstrated humility, persistence, and faith, and thus obtained the help she needed. (See paragraph 5.)

6. What do we learn from the story of the Phoenician woman?

We learn that if we want to satisfy our spiritual needs, we need to cultivate humility, perseverance, and unwavering faith. Humility and perseverance motivate us to ask God for help consistently and sincerely.

Furthermore, we must strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and have complete trust in those he is using to lead his disciples. When we demonstrate these qualities, Jehovah and his Son are pleased to satisfy our spiritual needs.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

From the Phoenician woman we learn to cultivate humility, something that is often difficult for us humans. In James 1:5-7 we are told that if anyone lacks wisdom—or even faith or some other quality—they should constantly ask Jehovah for it. But that requires humility, because it involves recognizing that perhaps we lack certain qualities.

We often realize we need to cultivate certain qualities when we go through situations that bring to light aspects of our personality we hadn't noticed before. At those times, we should work on them, imitate this woman, be humble, and ask Jehovah for help.

We learn that Jehovah and Jesus highly value faith, humility, and perseverance, and they bless those who display these qualities.

One reason why it is important to have faith is that Jehovah—through Jesus—has chosen the one who gives us spiritual food: the faithful and discreet slave. If we were to doubt who really helps us understand God’s Word, we would have a problem.

It's striking how much she endured. At first, it seemed Jesus was rejecting her, as if to say she wasn't entitled to that help, but she persevered. This demonstrates her remarkable persistence. She listened and considered what Jesus said, yet she kept insisting. Her greatest desire was for her daughter to be freed. Jesus, for his part, never rebuked her; on the contrary, he acknowledged her great faith. After all, she too was a creation of his Father.

Regarding persistence, James 1:5-7 says: “Keep asking God.” That is, we must be persistent, not only in our faith but also in our petitions to Jehovah. If we are this persistent and Jehovah helps us, we will have strong faith. Then, as the text says, we will not be like a wave of the sea tossed about, but we will have such firm trust in Jehovah that we will not be easily swept away.

Jesus likely perceived the faith in the woman's heart from the very first moment he saw her. But then a question arises: if Jesus knew what was in her heart, why didn't he grant her what she needed from the beginning? One reason could be that he gave her the opportunity to demonstrate her faith and those beautiful qualities. Furthermore, her example would serve to teach those around her, and it also serves us today.

What we learn is that today, we sometimes ask Jehovah for things and may not receive an immediate answer. We might think, “If what I’m asking for is in harmony with your will, why don’t you give it to me now?” However, the fact that Jehovah does not answer right away does not mean that he is not listening to us. Rather, it can be an opportunity for us to demonstrate qualities such as humility, persistence, and faith.

LET US BE LIKE PETER: LET US ALWAYS BE WELL-NOURISHED SPIRITUALLY

7. What task did Peter receive, but what else did he have to do? (Hebrews 5:14-6:1).

Peter received the task Jesus entrusted to him before ascending to heaven: to “feed his little sheep.” He faithfully fulfilled that responsibility and was even used by Jehovah to write two letters that are part of the Bible.

However, in addition to spiritually feeding others, he also had to feed himself spiritually. To do so, he diligently studied the inspired letters written by the apostle Paul. Although he recognized that some things were difficult to understand, he persevered and had faith that Jehovah would help him to understand and apply that “solid food.”

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

At John 6:68, we see that Peter recognized that Jesus had words of eternal life. When others said they would stop following him, Peter replied: “To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” and he followed Jesus. Even before ascending to heaven, Jesus told him to feed his sheep. Furthermore, Jehovah used him to write two letters in the Bible.

Peter was aware that he needed spiritual nourishment. That is why he also studied the letters that the apostle Paul had written. However, he realized—as 2 Peter 3:15, 16 says—that there were things that were hard to understand. Even so, he persisted and had faith that Jehovah would help him to understand the meaning of what was said there.

Peter said that Paul had written things that were difficult to understand. And Paul himself, in his letters, explains that some teachings are like solid food; that is, food that requires study and effort, unlike the fundamental teachings we learned at the beginning. Therefore, Peter had to strive to understand these things and assimilate that solid food.

Let's remember that Peter was one of the first apostles who was with Jesus and received many privileges. If he still had to struggle to understand certain teachings, he is undoubtedly a good example for us all.

Peter was humble in recognizing his need for solid food and that he shouldn't settle for just the basics. He was also persistent in striving to understand the things he found difficult, without giving up. And, moreover, he had faith in Jehovah, acknowledging that he could not accomplish this on his own but needed Jehovah's help.

8. What did Peter do when he received new instructions from Jehovah?

When Peter received new instructions from Jehovah, although at first it seemed unthinkable to him to eat animals that the Law considered unclean, he obeyed after receiving this instruction: “Stop calling unclean the things that God has purified.”

Furthermore, he changed his way of thinking and acted immediately according to the new guidance. He went to Cornelius's house, even though he would never have entered the home of a non-Jew before. There he preached boldly, and he had the joy of seeing Cornelius and his family accept the truth, receive the Holy Spirit, and be baptized.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Peter made decisions that would have been unthinkable for him not long before. For example, there was the case in which he received instructions from a servant of Jehovah to kill and eat animals that were forbidden by the Law. That is why he reacted by saying: “No, I will never do that. I have always obeyed the Law.” And that is understandable, because we have to put ourselves in his place. He was already quite old and had never done anything like that. From childhood, he had been raised in a Jewish family and had faithfully obeyed those rules.

Peter was now being asked to do something different, and it was understandable that at first he didn't understand. But Jehovah explained that he had already cleansed those things, that the situation had changed, and that now he wanted Peter to see them in a different light. Then, understanding this, Peter aligned himself with what Jehovah expected of his servants.

We see that Peter changed his attitude. As Proverbs 4:18 mentions, the path of the righteous is like the bright morning light, shining ever brighter until dawn. Peter understood that Jehovah was giving him new enlightenment, and so he had to make a change, which he did immediately.

According to the account in Acts 10:28, 29, Jehovah instructed Peter to go to the house of a Gentile. This was unheard of at the time, and for a Jew, it was unthinkable to enter the home of someone from another nation. However, Peter agreed and put into practice what he had learned. He allowed himself to be guided by Jehovah, went to the house, and there Cornelius and his family became believers.

Although Jehovah had already announced this change, it is understandable that those customs took some time to be abandoned. Even so, Peter obeyed what Jehovah had instructed him to do. This is also a good example for us. Sometimes it may be difficult for us to accept or apply new teachings or instructions, but the important thing is to obey and trust in Jehovah's guidance.

What happened to Cornelius, as we see in Acts 10:44-48, had very joyful consequences. They accepted the truth, received the Holy Spirit, and were even baptized.

9. What two benefits do we gain from developing a strong desire for solid spiritual food?

By developing a strong desire for solid spiritual food, we gain at least two benefits. First, we learn things about Jehovah that motivate us to love and respect him more. Second, we feel more moved to tell others about how wonderful our heavenly Father is.

Furthermore, we learn from Peter's example that when the organization changes its understanding of a Bible truth, we should accept that change promptly. Only in this way can we remain spiritually well-nourished and continue to be useful to Jehovah.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The first lesson is that we learn about Jehovah, which motivates us to love and respect him. Furthermore, we are moved to tell others about how good Jehovah is, even though this requires time and effort on our part.

Jehovah and his organization are constantly evolving, and sometimes they change their understanding of certain Bible truths. So, if we want to remain spiritually well-nourished and for Jehovah to continue using us to be more useful to him, we must also accept these changes without delay.

The text of Romans 11:33 shows Paul's profound admiration for Jehovah's wisdom, comparing it to an abyss. This helps us understand that God's wisdom is so immense that we can never fully comprehend it.

Another benefit is that, by understanding these profound truths, we feel more compelled to tell others about who Jehovah is. As Revelation 4:11 says, He is worthy to receive glory and honor.

To use the example of food, we might really enjoy a dish our wife or mother prepares, and one day she adds something different because she realizes it will be even better. The same is true with spiritual truths. At first, this change might shock us, but as we try it, we discover it's better and we like it more and more. Each new ingredient added to our meals is likened to new Bible understandings: they enlighten us more each day, not only reinforcing what we already know but also drawing us closer to Jehovah and allowing us to enjoy his truth even more.

Why should we accept changes without delay? Because it reflects our attitude. Sometimes we think, “I based my faith on this idea, and now they’ve changed it.” By accepting changes without delay, we show that we truly trust that they are Jehovah’s guidance. If we find it difficult, that indicates that we need to work on our attitude toward the new understanding.

LET US BE LIKE PAUL: LET US ALWAYS BE WELL-CLOTHED SPIRITUALLY

10. What does it mean to be well clothed spiritually? (Colossians 3:8-10).

Being spiritually well-dressed involves taking off “the old personality” and putting on “the new personality,” which requires constant effort. This means striving to abandon negative attitudes and behaviors and replace them with qualities that please Jehovah.

Paul was spiritually impoverished because, although he had striven to please God from a young age, he lacked a precise understanding of God's purpose. Furthermore, his pride, coupled with his ignorance, resulted in him exhibiting an unpleasant personality.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Being clothed spiritually involves taking off our old personality and putting on our new one, which requires constant effort. If we do this, we will strive to leave behind negative attitudes and behaviors and replace them with qualities that please Jehovah.

Jehovah also gives us spiritual clothing, which we should put on to strengthen ourselves and please him.

As we see in Galatians 1:14, Paul was a Pharisee and had been educated by a Jewish religious teacher. However, he lacked accurate knowledge of God's purpose and was spiritually impoverished. In Philippians 3:4-5, by using the expression "flesh," Paul refers to things that might give him some benefit from a human perspective, as mentioned in those verses, but we already see that none of it provided him with accurate knowledge of God's purpose.

Paul acknowledged that he had immense zeal for God. However, lacking accurate knowledge and imitating the attitudes of the Pharisees—who were proud, insolent, and believed themselves to be the only ones with unique knowledge of God—his zeal was ineffective. When he embraced Christianity, he realized that all of that was worthless. Therefore, he had to change, for that spiritual garment was quite corrupted.

11. What flaw in his old personality did Pablo struggle against?

The Bible indicates that Paul was furious with the followers of Jesus; he threatened them and “wanted to kill them.” After becoming a Christian, he tried his best to rid himself of the remnants of his “old self.” But even so, on one occasion he had a disagreement with Barnabas, and it is mentioned that there was “a fierce outburst of anger” between them.

However, far from being a definitive setback in his struggle to rid himself of his "old personality," he continued to strive tirelessly to overcome his weaknesses and thus gain God's approval.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The Bible mentions that he was so furious with Jesus' followers that he constantly wanted to kill them. In fact, when he became a Christian, he had to work hard to rid himself of that part of his old personality. However, he never gave up; he continued working to control those imperfections because he wanted to gain Jehovah's approval.

This is something he continued to struggle with, because, even after becoming a Christian, he had a disagreement with Barnabas. As mentioned in Acts 15:37-39, a heated argument erupted. This shows us that, although he took a step back, he continued to strive to control his temper.

Paul knew it was difficult, because it is not easy to control as many imperfections as he himself acknowledged having. In fact, he sometimes showed it, for he was a man aware of his own shortcomings and constantly strove to do what was right. He said: “I always want to do the right thing, but what is wrong is in my mind.” 1 Corinthians 9:27 mentions that he “beat his body and subjected it as a slave,” which indicates that he continually strove to do what pleased Jehovah.

12. How did Pablo manage to get rid of his old personality?

Paul managed to shed his old personality by not relying on his own strength, but, like Peter, by depending “on the strength that God gives.” Although he sometimes made mistakes and became discouraged, he regained his strength by remembering all the good things his Father had done for him. In this way, he recovered the courage to continue his struggle to rid himself of his old personality.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

He was able to shed his old personality because he did not trust in his own strength. He knew that it was Jehovah who could help him. This is reflected in Philippians 4:13, where he said: “I have strength for all things thanks to him who gives me power.”

As Romans 7:21-25 says, although he felt unhappy because he could not perfectly fulfill what Jehovah required of him, meditating on what Jehovah had done for him—such as giving his Son—made him feel at peace.

Paul demonstrated humility. He was forming congregations and was admired by Christians who already recognized that Jehovah’s spirit was upon him. And yet, he said that he considered himself “a prisoner of the law of sin.” This helps us to understand that we should highly value humility and, moreover, strive like Paul, fighting to the end.

13. How can we imitate Paul?

We can imitate Paul by making a continuous effort to put off our old personality and put on the new spiritual clothing that Jehovah provides. If we take a step back in our struggle to control the traits of our old personality, let us not think that we are a lost cause. Rather, let us continue to exert all our effort to align our thinking and actions with what Jehovah expects of us.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

By putting all our efforts into transforming our way of thinking and acting, without becoming discouraged or giving up because we have made a mistake or taken a step backward in trying to change our habits or character, we must dedicate continuous effort to abandoning our old personality and putting on the new spiritual garment that Jehovah, in his infinite love, gives us.

When we think of Paul, the first things that come to mind are surely good things and how much Jehovah valued him. Seeing that this was more important than his old personality, the mistakes he may have made, and his imperfections gives us peace of mind. As the paragraph expresses, we may take a step backward or make mistakes sometimes, but if we love Jehovah and continually discipline ourselves, as Paul did to continue putting on his new personality, Jehovah sees it and will value our effort more than our mistakes.

The correct attitude is that we should adapt to this new personality, not identify with our weaknesses by saying, “That’s just how I am.” We know that Jehovah knows all personalities and doesn’t give up on anyone. So we can ask ourselves, “What should I do to clothe myself with that spiritual garment?”

Ephesians 4:24 says that the new personality was created according to God's will. And Romans 12:2 says that God's will is good, pleasing, and perfect. So, if we make that effort, it will be well worth it, because we will be wearing the finest garments we could possibly have.

LET US BE LIKE DAVID: LET US ALWAYS SEEK THE SHELTER OF JEHOVAH

14, 15. How does Jehovah protect his people today? (Psalm 27:5; see also the picture.)

Jehovah protects his people today by ensuring that nothing and no one can destroy the faith of his servants. Even if Satan, the demons, or persecutors are powerful, they cannot cause us irreparable harm. Even if we were to lose our lives, Jehovah promises to restore them.

Not only does it protect us from external threats, but it also helps us manage our worries and burdens, so that we can continue to serve Him with courage.

Furthermore, it provides us with protection through the congregation, surrounding us with constant spiritual support: it gives us a large family of brothers and sisters who support us, pastors who care for us, and meetings where we receive encouragement and practical guidance.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jehovah makes sure that nothing and no one can destroy the faith of his servants. As Psalm 34:7 mentions, it is comforting to know that, if we look with the eyes of faith, there is an army of angels encamped around us, ready to defend us when we need it most.

Just as in David's case, we can trust that Jehovah will help and protect us in the day of calamity, especially when we need him most. He mentions in this verse that he will keep us safe in a secret place or on a high rock, inaccessible to the wicked and our enemies. Therefore, the faith that David demonstrated is the same faith that we too should show.

Isaiah 32:1-2 shows us that we, the brothers and sisters in the congregation, are part of the shelter that Jehovah offers us; we are part of that protection, and we can also be a refuge or support for our brothers and sisters. If we apply this in our congregation, for example, before speaking we should think carefully about what we are going to say, so as not to hurt our brothers and sisters, because if we were to hurt them, the congregation would cease to be the refuge that Jehovah has prepared for us.

Jehovah can help us cope with life's anxieties so that we can continue serving him. As Matthew 6:27-29 says, we should not be overly anxious, because that will not add even a cubit to our lifespan.

Isaiah 32:1-2 shows us that Jehovah helps us in his refuge, in his tent, not in our own. Sometimes, when problems arise or we don't feel well, we tend to isolate ourselves. As we see in the image, that is not the best thing to do. The best thing is to attend meetings and surround ourselves with our brothers and sisters, because that is Jehovah's refuge, not ours.

The caption at the bottom of the image tells us what it really means. The photo shows a congregation, with brothers and sisters raising their hands to comment, and it reflects what we are explaining: a sister seeks Jehovah's protection by attending meetings.

If we want to receive Jehovah's help and show that we truly have a spiritual need, we must attend meetings, be with our brothers and sisters, participate actively, and be an integral part of the congregation. This is how we are protected in these challenging times and, at the same time, show that we value our spiritual need.

ILLUSTRATION

A sister raises her hand during the Watchtower Study. Other brothers and sisters also raise their hands.

A sister seeks Jehovah's protection by attending a meeting with her brothers. (See paragraphs 14 and 15.)

16. In what ways did Jehovah protect David?

Jehovah protected David when, by following his guidance, he made good choices that shielded him from the consequences faced by those who do not respect God’s standards. Furthermore, when David suffered because of others, he took refuge in prayer, and Jehovah protected him by giving him comfort and assuring him of his love and care.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

When David did something wrong, Jehovah did not protect him from the consequences of his actions. But when David suffered because of others, Jehovah did protect him, comforting him and assuring him that he loved him and would care for him, especially when David took refuge in prayer.

Another way Jehovah protected David was by giving him, as Proverbs 5:1-2 says, wisdom and discernment, so that he could use his thinking ability well and consider the consequences of his actions. We have seen that he sometimes made wrong decisions, but also some right ones. So Jehovah also helps us by giving us this ability to make good decisions.

In 2 Samuel 12, Jehovah allowed David to suffer the consequences of his actions. Verse 10 says: “The sword will never depart from your house.” However, in Psalm 23:1-4, we see him as a shepherd who cares for David and assures him that he will lack nothing. Even in the valley of deep darkness, David would fear no evil.

17. How can we imitate David?

We can imitate David by seeking Jehovah’s guidance when we need to make decisions, being mindful that if we make bad choices, Jehovah will not protect us from the negative consequences. Furthermore, when we suffer because of others, we take refuge in prayer and trust that Jehovah will protect us.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Always keeping Jehovah in mind, whenever we face a situation and have to make a decision, we should pray to him and take refuge in prayer.

We may have to suffer because of different circumstances or other people, but it is very encouraging that Philippians 4:6-7 tells us not to be anxious about anything. It is natural to feel worry or stress, but as we pray to Jehovah in faith, God's peace works in us, giving us tranquility and peace of mind.

We can also learn from David’s example that Jehovah does not shield us from the consequences of our bad actions, because, as Galatians 6:7 says, “what a man sows, that he will reap.” So, if we do our best to turn to Jehovah instead of making bad choices, we will save ourselves a lot of pain.

LET US NOT NEED TO SATISFY OUR SPIRITUAL NEEDS

18. What challenge do we face, and how can we continue to meet our spiritual needs? (See also the pictures.)

The challenge we face is living in a world surrounded by people who ignore their spiritual needs or try to satisfy them in ways that displease Jehovah. To continue satisfying our spiritual needs, we must regularly feed on God’s Word, put on the new personality, and seek the spiritual shelter that Jehovah provides through prayer, the congregation, and meetings.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The challenge is to remain humble enough to recognize that we always have spiritual needs. As mentioned at the beginning of The Watchtower, we are spiritual beggars, and we will always remain so. What do we do to satisfy these needs? The paragraph concludes with a very simple explanation: we feed on God's Word so that we can clothe ourselves with the new personality and seek the spiritual shelter that Jehovah offers us in all the ways we have seen.

It is a very realistic challenge to recognize that we are surrounded by people who do not seek to develop this character trait or the desire to change, as the Bible says. Some people do not feel this spiritual need and completely reject it. That is why it is important to dedicate ourselves to reading the Bible, strive to change our character, help others, and seek the support of the elders and brothers and sisters in the congregation, since not everyone around us has this need.

The fact that people try to fill the emptiness they feel in their own way means that we are constantly bombarded with formulas for filling it. We must make a conscious effort to fill it correctly, with God's word. If we don't, we will end up filling that void with the world's system of things. Therefore, we must keep striving and avoid those influences. This is a real challenge: to take to heart what Jehovah asks.

The article's title reads: “Let Us Continue Satisfying Our Spiritual Needs.” The verb “continue” indicates ongoing action. It is not simply a matter of eating one day and then not eating again the next; it involves nourishing ourselves consistently every day to stay close to Jehovah.

The image shows a sister who is alone. When you are married, it is easier to study and overcome difficulties, but this sister is alone and has a great spiritual need; even so, she prepares herself very well. Furthermore, she is aware of the importance of helping older or sick siblings, and she does so.

In another picture, we see a sister seeking help from the beloved pastors. This sister is an example to the congregation. The truth is, there are many sisters who are alone and who must also study and preach on their own. However, it is a joy to see them at the meeting, participating and enjoying the congregation.

ILLUSTRATION

Images: The sister in the previous image continues to meet her spiritual needs. 1. She studies an article in “The Watchtower.” 2. She goes to a couple’s home to bring them food. The husband is sitting in an armchair with his head bandaged and an IV in his arm to receive medication. 3. Two elders are shepherding the sister.

We must continue to satisfy our need for spiritual food, clothing, and shelter. (See paragraph 18.)

WHAT CAN WE DO TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FOLLOWING GIFTS FROM JEHOVAH?

Spiritual food

We must persist in understanding and applying the teachings that we find difficult to grasp or that seem profound, trusting that Jehovah will help us.

We must go beyond the basic teachings. It is not enough to just stick to "the milk"; we must strive to understand the "solid food," that is, the deeper truths that strengthen our faith and spiritual maturity.

We must promptly obey new instructions. Just as Peter accepted the new understanding he received through a vision, we too must readily accept adjustments in our understanding of biblical teaching.

We must apply what we learn and share it with others. Just as Peter not only understood the new direction but acted immediately, we too benefit from spiritual nourishment when we put it into practice and tell others about what we learn.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jehovah created us with spiritual needs. If we want to be truly happy, just as we need food and clothing, we must also remember that we have spiritual needs. As Matthew 5:3 says: “Happy are those who recognize their spiritual needs, for the Kingdom of the heavens is theirs.”

We can imitate Peter, who always strove to eat solid food, even though it was more difficult than milk, which represented basic principles. We too can try the “new recipes” that Jehovah gives us; that is, when we are given new understanding, accept it immediately and enjoy the spiritual banquet that Jehovah offers us.

Spiritual clothing

To take advantage of the gift of spiritual clothing, we must strive daily to live in accordance with the new personality and fight against our old personality, relying on the help God gives us and maintaining perseverance even when we make mistakes.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We must shed our old personality and put on the new one. To achieve this, we need to acquire accurate knowledge, which is obtained through continuous effort, dedicating ourselves to transforming our way of thinking and acting to adapt to what God expects of us.

Paul's example helps convince us that it is possible to discard our old personality. It is true that it wasn't easy for him, but he succeeded, and he did so not by relying on his own strength, but by recognizing his dependence on God's strength.

Spiritual shelter

To take advantage of the gift of spiritual shelter, we must turn to Jehovah in prayer when we face difficulties, trusting that he will provide us with comfort and protection.

We must follow his guidance and make correct decisions, aware that if we disobey, Jehovah does not automatically free us from the consequences of our actions.

We must rely on the congregation, taking advantage of the company of brothers who support us, pastors who care for us, and the meetings where we learn and receive encouragement.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We can trust in Jehovah and follow his counsel. For example, Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us: “Let us keep an eye on one another to motivate each other to show love and to do good works, without neglecting to meet together. Rather, let us encourage one another, especially as you see the day drawing near.”

As we have seen, no matter how much food or clothing we have, without a roof over our heads, our lives would be very difficult. Likewise, without a congregation or the support of the elders, we could not endure. Therefore, we must remain within and close to the congregation, actively participating and seeking the counsel of the elders.

When we make decisions, we should take Jehovah into account, and in that way He will help us avoid the consequences of having made a bad choice.