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“Jehovah, the God of truth” (Ps. 31:5).
1. What do we have to do to become part of Jehovah's family?
To become part of Jehovah’s family, we must demonstrate that we love and live by the truth, which includes being honest in what we say and do. In this way, we show that Bible truth is very important to us and influences every aspect of our lives.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Psalms 15:1-3 says: “Who may reside on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is right and speaks the truth in his heart.” This implies that, to show that we are part of Jehovah’s family, we must love and live the truth. This includes following this principle from Psalms and being honest in what we say and do.
It's noticeable when we have truth in our hearts, because everything we do stems from there. Our actions are born from the heart; therefore, it's not enough to tell half-truths or to be honest only in some things and not in others. Rather, we must be people of integrity, with our hearts truly honest and demonstrating that truth resides within them.
In this article, we will examine truth in two ways. On the one hand, it refers to biblical truths; there, the word "truth" is used to describe everything related to what we will be studying. On the other hand, there is truth as a statement, that is, something that is certain and true. Both are important in our lives: biblical truth and always speaking things that are true and true.
2. a) What reputation did Jesus have?
Jesus had a reputation for always telling the truth; even his enemies acknowledged that he was honest, even when other people didn't like what he said.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jesus had a reputation for always telling the truth. In Matthew 22:16, we read how even his enemies told him, “Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in accordance with the truth, and that you don’t seek anyone’s approval.” Thus, we see that Jesus was honest, even when others didn’t like what he said.
2. b) What effect did the truths that Jesus taught have?
The truths Jesus taught had the effect of causing division. As he said at Matthew 10:35: “I came to cause division: a son will be against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Although Jesus did not intend to provoke this negative reaction, he was realistic, for he knew that the truths he and his disciples taught would divide the world into two groups: those who love Bible truths and those who do not.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jesus knew that his message would divide people between those who would appreciate the truths he taught and those who would not. In fact, he said that he came to cause division, not because he desired it, but because his message would inevitably lead to that division.
According to what Paul explains in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, just as there is truth, there is also falsehood. Falsehood comes from Satan the Devil, and as Paul points out there, those who believe falsehood are headed for destruction because they do not accept the love of truth. So, as the passage mentions, truth, surprisingly, in some ways, instead of uniting people, divides them.
3. What will we analyze in this article?
In this article, we'll explore where we can find the truth. Then we'll examine why, how, and when we should speak about it. This way, we can become more adept at crafting it with pleasant words.
Although, like Jesus, we strive to always tell the truth and to preach and teach biblical truths, even when others don't like what we say, that doesn't mean we shouldn't care about how and when we express ourselves.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
What we're going to analyze in this article is where we can find the truth, how we should tell it, and when to do so. All of this will help us be more skillful and season the truth with kind words.
We will see how we can season the truth with patience and kind words, analyzing and respecting the opinions of others, even though we know that we will find people who believe in deceptions and false facts that we do not share.
Sometimes we've heard, or even said, "I always tell the truth, I'm upfront about everything." But it's not just about telling the truth, but about how we tell it, when we tell it, and how we express it. And that's precisely what we're going to look at in this article.
As the paragraph mentions, we want to strive to be like Jesus, who, although he knew that the truth wouldn't always please everyone, knew how to speak it. We have to learn from him.
WHERE TO FIND THE TRUTH
4. Why do we say that Jehovah is the source of truth?
We say that Jehovah is the source of truth because, as Psalm 119:142 and 151 show, everything he says is true, and he never breaks his promises. In fact, it is impossible for him to lie; for this reason, the Bible calls him “the God of truth” at Psalm 31:5. Therefore, we can be sure of what he says about right and wrong and that everything he foretells about the future will come true.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
As we know, Jehovah is the source of truth. Everything he says is true and authentic. He also foretells the future, never breaks his promises, and, in fact, it is impossible for him to lie. All these qualities demonstrate that he is a truthful God. Isaiah 55:10, 11 provides a perfect example: it speaks of rain, something we all know and see; thus, we can have complete confidence in Jehovah, certain that he is the “God of truth.”
As for the promises Jehovah has given us, he always fulfills them. Numbers 23:19 says that he is not like people, from whom we hear promises every day that we know they neither keep nor intend to keep. However, in Jehovah's case, it is different. We know that he has already fulfilled the vast majority of his promises, and we only have to see the fulfillment of those we eagerly await.
If we analyze the texts mentioned in this paragraph, we find several, such as Psalms 119:151 and Psalms 31:5. There, Jehovah is called the God of truth. Therefore, there is no doubt that when speaking and preaching, we must always teach the truth, since Jehovah is “the God of truth.”
Psalm 31:5 states: “Into your hands I commit my spirit,” words that we know were fulfilled when Jesus spoke them. The psalm continues: “You have rescued me, O Jehovah, the God of truth.” So, just as those words were fulfilled in Jesus’ case and are a proven fact, we can also be certain that everything Jehovah has promised for the future will be fulfilled in the same way.
5. Why is it not difficult to find the “God of truth”? (Acts 17:27).
It is not difficult to find the “God of truth,” because all around us we find much evidence of his existence and what he is like. The apostle Paul affirmed in Acts 17:27 that God wants us to find him and that he is “not far from each one of us.” Furthermore, Jehovah draws humble people who seek the truth to himself.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because if we look around us, all that Jehovah has done and created, with so many good things, shows us what kind of God he is. As Romans 1:20 says, when we observe the creation of the world and the things he has made, we have no excuse.
As John 6:44 says, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them.” This means that it is possible to find the God of truth if one has that desire in their heart, because it is Jehovah who draws them to himself.
God wants us to find him, and as we read at Acts 17:27, “he is not far from each one of us.” That is, he is not far from humanity in general, but from each individual person, with their personality, shortcomings, and imperfections. So we can be sure that, if we set our minds to it, we can find Jehovah.
John 6:44 states very clearly that it is Jehovah who draws humble people to find the truth if they seek it. In other words, Jehovah reveals himself in many ways and through many means, allowing people to find him.
Returning to the text of Romans 1:20, it is interesting because the study guide explained that the legal expression “they have no excuse” applied to someone unable to present convincing evidence in their defense. Indeed, Jehovah's qualities are clearly perceived through created things. Furthermore, it is curious that we don't have to look far; we simply need to reflect on our inner selves, on how we are made, and on what we feel. All of this makes it evident how easy it is to perceive Jehovah's qualities.
It's interesting that Acts 17:27 says, "in case they should be seeking him, even groping for him." What does this idea convey to us? "Groping for him" implies that something is near, that you can perceive it with your hands. Paul is saying, in effect, "Even if it were night, you have him all around; just stretch out your hand and you will find him." In other words, it is accessible.
6. What are some truths that the Bible teaches, and why are you grateful to know them?
Some of the truths taught in the Bible include the origin of the universe and life on Earth, the reason we sin, suffer, and die, and the promise that Jehovah will use his Son to undo all the damage Satan has done. It also teaches that Jesus will destroy the wicked, resurrect the dead, transform the earth into a paradise, and help us reach perfection.
We are grateful to know these truths because they were inspired by God's holy spirit and are reliable; they give us hope for the future and provide us with the opportunity to teach them to others, which is a great privilege.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We have some texts, for example, Romans 5:12 and Romans 6:23, that explain why we suffer and why we die. It is very comforting to understand why things happen and also to know, to some extent, what will happen next. We all appreciate it when someone clearly explains what will happen to us, why certain things happen to us, and also gives us the peace of mind of knowing that all of this will come to an end in the future.
We can be sure that everything the Bible teaches is true. The reason is that Jehovah God, through his holy spirit, guided the Bible writers, which gives us the assurance that what is said is true, since it is backed by him. For example, one of the fundamental truths of the Bible is creation and how Jehovah made everything, which is recorded in Genesis and which we accept as truth.
We are grateful that Jehovah does not keep these truths to himself. Matthew 28:19, 20 reminds us that he gives us the privilege of sharing them, and that, for us, is an expression of trust, because Jehovah could use angels, but he chooses to use imperfect people like us. This makes us feel part of something bigger than our own lives.
A powerful example is found in Genesis 1:1, which says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This indicates that the universe had a beginning, something that science only came to understand much later. Previously, some ideas held that the universe was eternal; however, the Bible has told the truth from the time it was written.
Another beautiful truth is the confidence of knowing that, whatever happens in this system, Jehovah will resolve it; nothing is irreparable. Very serious things can happen, and no one is immune to suffering misfortune. But keeping in mind what the end of 1 John 3:8 says—that all the works of the Devil will be undone—gives us great peace of mind, no matter what the future holds.
We also find comfort in knowing who the father of lies is: he is identified as Satan, as well as knowing the plans that Jehovah has, through his Son, to restore all this.
In today's society, it's common to hear, "I give advice, but I don't take it myself." However, the Bible tells us in Matthew, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." In other words, Jehovah, so to speak, is right now with us. What more could we ask for?
The fact that Jehovah has taught us all these truths also gives us the opportunity to teach them to others.
Most importantly, Jehovah gave his Son's life to rescue us from all the bad things we had. We have been celebrating that sacrifice, and thanks to it, we can look forward to living on earth in perfect peace and tranquility.
WHY TELL THE TRUTH AND SPEAK ABOUT THE TRUTH
7, 8. Why is the motive for telling the truth important? Give an example (Mark 3:11, 12; see also the pictures).
The reason we tell the truth is important because, to please God, it is not enough to simply tell it; the reason why we do it also matters. Therefore, it is essential that we teach the truth out of love for Jehovah and that we always direct any praise we may receive to him.
For example, during Jesus’ ministry, while he was preaching near the Sea of Galilee, some demon-possessed men in the crowd shouted to him: “You are the Son of God!” The demons were right in acknowledging that Jesus was the Son of God, but they did so with selfish motives, trying to deceive people. This account teaches us that, to Jehovah, our motives for speaking the truth are important.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because if we don't act with the right motive, with the truth in mind, it won't do any good. Just as Jesus rejected those demons who spoke the truth about him, whose aim was to turn people away from Jehovah, we see that those demons couldn't deceive him. In the same way, our motivation and the reason we act, if it isn't out of love for Jehovah, will also be useless.
For Jehovah, it is not only important that we tell the truth, but also that we do so with the right motive. So, whenever we say something, we should keep this in mind, because Jehovah is very attentive to it.
When we teach the truth, instead of drawing attention to Jehovah, we may divert it to ourselves, as shown in the picture. Therefore, when we receive praise, we should not think we are the best, but rather give credit to Jehovah.
The first picture on the left perfectly illustrates misdirected attention. She's even holding the Bible upside down; that is, she's conducting a study and not teaching from the publications, but rather talking about her own life or whatever it is she's being told. In the other picture, we see them sitting together, using the Bible correctly. Even the student's expression is different, and she's learning from what truly comes from Jehovah, the source of truth.
What will always help us when we speak, give a study, or preach is using the Bible, because we know that the Bible is the truth. That way there is no risk of being confused; therefore, we should use the Bible whenever we can.
Acts 14:12-15 recounts how they tried to make Barnabas and Paul into gods. In verse 15, they said to them, “Sirs, why are you doing this? We too are human and have the same weaknesses as you.” So we too should follow their example.
In Acts 14:15, Barnabas and Paul said: “We are preaching the good news so that people will abandon their bad ways.” This reminds us of what Jesus always said: “What I teach is not my own, but what I have heard from the Father. I follow the Father’s commandments.” Therefore, we should follow this example, because we want our listeners to clearly understand that what we say comes from Jehovah and the Bible.
ILLUSTRATION
Two contrasting scenes of a sister teaching the Bible to a young woman. 1. The sister talks about herself while holding the Bible open face down on the table. 2. The sister holds the Bible open in her hand and shows a passage to the student.
When we teach the truth, to whom do we direct our attention? (See paragraphs 7 and 8.)
9. What should we not do, and why?
We should not try to gain the admiration of others. Imagine that an elder tells us something confidential, and then we tell someone else. Even if that person later finds out that what we said was true and is amazed, deducing that we have access to confidential information and perhaps even impressed, that does not impress Jehovah.
Because, even if what we say is true, our motive for telling the truth is not the right one.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Imagine that an elder tells us something confidential, and then we tell someone else. Even if that person later finds out that what we said was true and is surprised, deducing that we have access to confidential information and perhaps even impressed, that does not impress Jehovah.
We should not seek the admiration of others by revealing information that is not our responsibility, because, even if it is true, it does not please Jehovah and shows a wrong motive.
As Proverbs 11:13 says, someone who reveals confidential conversations is likened to a slanderer. We don't want to become like that just to be the first to know and impress others, because that's not our intention. We want Jehovah to see us as trustworthy, so even if it's true, we shouldn't reveal information that isn't ours to share.
Someone might excuse themselves by saying, “What I said is true and can be verified.” However, their motive for telling the truth isn't love for it, but rather seeking a favor. Therefore, we must completely avoid acting in that way.
HOW TO TELL THE TRUTH AND SPEAK ABOUT THE TRUTH
10. What does Colossians 4:6 mean when it says that the words of Christians should be “gracious”?
Colossians 4:6 refers to the fact that the words of Christians should be “pleasing” in the sense that our way of speaking should not only benefit others, but should also be kind and attractive.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Paul knew that our words could make the truth more or less appealing to the people we speak to. That's why he urges us to strive to use kind and loving words. This will make the truth shine brighter and continue to benefit others.
It's not just what we say that matters, but also how we say it. We have the truth, but the way we communicate it is truly crucial. Otherwise, we risk obscuring the truth we share.
One of the things salt does is add flavor; without it, something can be bland and leave no lasting impression. We can imagine, for example, someone serving us our favorite dish, but without adding salt; we would hardly enjoy it. The same is true with our words. When we add "salt" to them—that is, when we speak with kindness, tact, and respect—we can strengthen those who listen to us and bring a special touch to their lives.
The apostle Paul says that our words should always be pleasant. The accompanying study note explains that this isn't limited to when we're with certain people or in certain environments, but should be our habitual way of speaking. Therefore, it would be good for us to ask ourselves if we speak pleasantly.
When we preach, we sometimes encounter people who aren't very pleasant and say, "I just speak the truth, or what I think is right, because that's who I am." In those circumstances, we must remember that it's important to season the truth we share with the "salt of life," because we want to teach it correctly. So we should not only preach whenever we have the opportunity, but we should also do so in a special way, because we are representatives of the truth and we want to act in accordance with it.
The footnote on Colossians 4 explains that Paul used this term to convey the idea that our language should be beneficial, especially kind, attractive, and even charming when speaking to others. This applies not only to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but we should always strive to ensure that what we say benefits those who hear us.
11, 12. Why should we speak the truth tactfully? Give an example (see also the pictures).
We must speak the truth tactfully because biblical truths are like a sharp sword that separates the soul from the spirit—that is, it reveals what a person truly feels and their motives. If we don't use the Bible skillfully, we could end up offending someone or provoking unnecessary arguments.
For example, if we encounter a sincere man in our preaching who regularly prays to images and celebrates Christmas and Easter with his family, immediately telling him that these practices are wrong would be telling the truth, but it wouldn't be using the Bible skillfully. By doing so, we wouldn't be following Paul's advice to use pleasant language when teaching the truth to others.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because we might offend people when we tell them the truth, or even provoke an unnecessary argument. Hebrews 4:12 explains it clearly: the Bible has such great power that it is compared to a two-edged sword, capable of piercing even to the point of dividing soul and spirit, revealing a person's thoughts and innermost being. Therefore, we must be very careful when communicating the truth to someone.
This is because, above all, we want to be respectful of others' beliefs. In fact, when we preach, we don't seek to confront anyone, but rather to reach out to them. That's why we must be very careful with how we use these truths, so as not to harm anyone. Jesus, who is the best example we have, didn't use the truth to rebuke or systematically discredit what others did, so let's try to imitate him.
Regarding the images, we can see situations that anyone might encounter. Christmas is coming, and we see that people have decorated their homes. In the first image, the siblings are showing someone an article about Christmas and explaining that it's a pagan holiday. In the second image, we see them showing someone an article about how to be a good parent, as a small child also appears in the scene. We can see that the second situation is much more beneficial.
In the first image, even though the information is correct, the person may feel attacked; in the second, this doesn't happen, and they will likely pay closer attention and better understand what is being said. From this, we learn that in daily life, we must be careful with what we say, so as not to offend or hurt others, and be discerning when communicating the truth.
Therefore, when we look at the images on the left and right, we might ask ourselves: with respect to teaching the truth, is there any difference? We can say no, because in both cases the truth is being taught. The difference lies in the approach used, as the previous paragraph points out: in a kind and engaging way in the image on the right.
We only need to look at the homeowner's expression in each picture. In the first, he has his arms crossed and a serious face, as if to say, "You come to my house to tell me this?" In the second, he appears much more affable, with a smile, because they are also talking to him about the child and other matters. We can communicate the truth in many ways that are not offensive to those who hear it.
ILLUSTRATION
Two contrasting scenes of a married couple preaching to a man on his front porch while his family decorates a Christmas tree inside. 1. The couple shows the man the jw.org article “What Does the Bible Say About Christmas?” The man has his arms crossed and listens with a very serious expression. 2. The couple shows the man the jw.org article “How to Be a Good Dad.” The man listens with a smile.
If we want to use the Bible skillfully to teach the truth, what should we do? (See paragraphs 11 and 12.)
13. How do we season our words with salt?
We season our words with salt by presenting the truth in a way that suits the listener's taste, without disguising or hiding it. This means speaking in a way that is understandable and pleasant for our audience, taking into account their culture, customs, and way of thinking, so that the message is effective and not offensive. The important thing is to season our words according to the culture and preferences of the person we are speaking to.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We season our words with "salt" when we present the truth in a way that suits the listener's perspective, always remembering that we must not disguise or conceal the truth. In other words, we must speak in a way that is understandable and pleasant for our audience, taking into account their culture, customs, and way of thinking, so that the message is effective and not offensive.
The detail the paragraph provides about cultural differences and ways of expressing things is very interesting. In some cultures, speaking frankly and directly is valued; it's how people feel comfortable. Other cultures, however, operate in the complete opposite way.
Obviously, we can't know every culture in the world, and we often interact with people from different cultures. Therefore, it's helpful to do some research or, when talking to someone, ask them and try to understand what makes them feel comfortable, so that communication isn't based on our own cultural perspective, but on the other person's preferences and comfort.
This is similar to what happens, for example, when we invite someone to our home: we want to know if they like the food we've prepared, whether they prefer it bland, saltier, spicier, or milder. If we know their preferences, we try to adapt the food to suit their taste. It's not about seasoning it to our own liking, but to the other person's.
WHEN TO TELL THE TRUTH AND SPEAK OF THE TRUTH
14. While on Earth, did Jesus teach his disciples everything he knew?
Jesus didn't teach his disciples everything he knew. He was considerate of them and took their limitations into account, teaching them only what they could understand at that time, because he knew that some biblical truths weren't yet ready to be learned. He even told them it would be too much for them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Although his disciples had much to learn and Jesus would not remain on earth for long, he did not try to teach them everything he knew immediately.
Just as good parents don't reveal certain things to their children until they are old enough to understand, Christ didn't reveal some truths to them until they were mature and capable of understanding them. That is, he acted with consideration and kindness, thinking first of them and taking into account their imperfections and limitations.
This is shown in John 16:12, where Jesus told them: “I still have many things to say to you, but now it would be too much for you.”
Some assignment instructions tell us, “Don’t talk too much, listen and pay attention to the person…” What does “too much” mean? It means that when the conversation turns into a monologue and we launch into a long spiel about what we know, including prophecies, it might not be the right time, especially in the first few conversations. We have to keep in mind that, for some people, certain information can be overwhelming.
As we see in the image of Christmas, for that man, knowing that Christmas is a pagan celebration might be information he already knows or that doesn't interest him, since he celebrates it out of tradition. Explaining its origins to him at that moment would be too much. That's why it's important to know when to stop.
15. Should we teach students everything we know at once? (Proverbs 25:11; see also the picture.)
We shouldn't try to teach students everything we know all at once. We should imitate Jesus and be considerate, teaching biblical truths gradually and at the right time. While some students immediately apply what they learn, it takes others longer to change their thinking and behavior, so it's important to know when to teach them the truths they need to hear.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
No, because all we would achieve is overwhelming him with so much that he wouldn't know where to begin. Everything has its time and place, just as certain lessons have taken us time to understand ourselves. We can't give the student everything at once; he must progress gradually, assimilating the information so that it penetrates his mind and, most importantly, his heart.
The image shows that the brothers already knew what to say and how to say it. It's clear the person is at peace at home and has received the right information. They knew how to express themselves correctly and, by communicating the truth with kind words, they made a positive impact on the person's heart.
As the paragraph states, not all students progress at the same rate. Some find it more difficult than others to put what they learn into practice. That's why we should act as Jesus did: be considerate and take into account when and how they should apply what they've learned.
We couldn't learn everything in a single day either. Furthermore, the Slave Bible Course is very well structured. It's not until section 3, lesson 44, that the discussion of which holidays are acceptable to God and which are not begins. Therefore, there's no need to jump ahead; doing so could overwhelm the student or interested person and cause them to lose interest in continuing the course.
The cited text, Proverbs 25:11, presents us with another valuable truth, like all those we find in Jehovah's Word. It says that "it is like apples of gold in settings of silver." This refers not only to the truth itself, but to the word spoken at the opportune moment: any word expressed at the right time becomes something beautiful, a true gift.
Well-chosen and well-spoken words, at the right time and well-seasoned, can leave a lasting impression on the person to whom we say them, and whom we are trying to help.
The important thing is to be prudent. Sometimes we might want to say many things, but, as Jesus said, perhaps they won't be able to bear it. That's why we must be balanced: we don't want to be so stingy that the person is left wanting too much knowledge or doesn't fully grasp the idea we want to convey. At the same time, we must be prudent and measured, offering the teaching as if it were a gift.
We must be discerning. Using discernment will help us decide whether the time is right or not, as well as when and how to say something. Sometimes straightforward situations arise, but if we are discerning, we will know how to act.
Analyzing the illustration of a good recipe, you can see that the ingredients are important, but it's not enough to just have them; it's also necessary to know when to add them, how to do it, and how to regulate the heat, whether higher or lower, so that in the end the recipe has the best result.
We can see something striking in the image. It's the same couple from the previous picture. This time, the brother delivered the message correctly and, as a result, has earned a scholarship. Now the person is in their own home, the little tree is still there, and they are gradually learning the principles.
This year's second report indicated that we could tailor the study to each student. Sometimes there are certain videos we decide whether or not to show, depending on whether we deduce they will be more relevant to the student. For example, if the student is already quite advanced because they have studied the topic previously, there are things we can omit and others we do show. In the videos we do show, we delve deeper because they need more information on that subject.
ILLUSTRATION
The couple in the previous image are studying the "Enjoy Life" brochure with the man in their home. The Christmas tree is in front of them.
When teaching the truth, let us imitate Jesus and think about what to say and when to say it. (See paragraph 15.)
16. How can we help a student to continue “walking in the truth”?
We can help a student to keep “walking in the truth” by setting a good example with our own lives, showing that we believe in the Bible’s promises. We should also speak the truth with the right motive, using pleasant, kind, and timely words, and direct any praise we receive to Jehovah. In this way, we show that we serve Jehovah, the God of truth.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
To help someone continue growing in the truth, it's important to set a good example—that is, to show through our own lives that we believe in the promises of the Bible. How is this evident? In the way we speak and act.
If we show enthusiasm and a sincere attitude when speaking the truth, the student will sense it. We should also use pleasant, kind, and timely words. And if, for any reason, we receive praise, we should direct all praise to Jehovah; in that way, we are also helping the student.
3 John 1:3, 4 refers to walking in the truth and highlights the importance of setting a good example. Students need to see that we truly mean what we say, that our words come from the heart, and that we believe in what we teach, because in this way the message will reach them more directly.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE FOLLOWING BIBLE TEXTS?
Acts 17:27
From Acts 17:27 I learned that Jehovah wants us to find him and that he is not far from each one of us. Furthermore, he draws to himself humble people who are sincerely searching for the truth. This shows us that God makes it easy for people to come to know him if they have a heart willing to learn from him.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
From Acts 17:27 we learn that the truth is accessible to everyone. In fact, the verse indicates that God is not far from any of us. Furthermore, we see that it is God who draws people to Him; therefore, if a person has a willing heart, He will ensure that they discover the truth.
We are struck by the way Jehovah is described: a God who wants to be found, not a distant, inaccessible God, or one reserved only for a privileged few. Here, Paul tells us that He is not far from any of us.
Colossians 4:6
From Colossians 4:6 I learned that our words should always be pleasant, which means that when speaking to others, we should be kind, so that our message is attractive and beneficial to them.
I also learned that we must "season" our words, that is, present the truth in a way that suits the taste of the person receiving it, taking into account their culture, customs and way of thinking, so that the message is effective and does not offend.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We shouldn't hide or disguise the truth, but neither should we offend. We must be skillful in presenting it in a kind and appealing way, always keeping the person in mind.
Proverbs 25:11
From Proverbs 25:11 I learned that it is important to teach the truth at the right time and in the right way. Just as an “apple of gold in settings of silver” is valuable and pleasing to the eye, our words must be timely and well-chosen so that they have a good effect on the one who receives them.
This teaches us that, in teaching the truth, it is not enough to say what we know; we must also think about what to say and when to say it, imitating Jesus and showing consideration for the person who is learning.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It teaches us that, in order to speak at the right time, we must consider people's limitations. We don't want to overwhelm them with everything we know or everything the Bible says at once. We must be considerate and patient with the students' progress. Some apply what they've learned sooner, while others take a little longer; therefore, we must be patient.
It's not just about teaching the truths people need today, but about knowing when the right time is to do so. As the proverb says, our words should be "like apples of gold in settings of silver": beautiful, attractive, and always with the aim of helping others.
We learn that Jehovah deeply values sensitivity in our speech. A right word spoken at the wrong time can lose its value, but a wise word, spoken calmly, respectfully, and appropriately, can become something precious that truly builds up.
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