Watchtower Study, “Article 12”, Week of May 18-24, 2026, How to Fight Distractions, Answers.

Watchtower Study, “Article 12”, May 18-24, 2026, How to Fight Distractions, Answers.

“Understand what the will of Jehovah is” (EPHE. 5:17).

1, 2. How could something important become a distraction?

Sometimes, something important can become a distraction when it demands more attention than it should at a given moment. The driver example makes this very clear. Even if a phone call is important, the most urgent thing is to concentrate on the road.

Similarly, Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33 that we should put the Kingdom first. This makes us think about how we organize our priorities. There are matters such as work, family, or health that require attention; but if they absorb all our time and energy, they can pull us away from spiritual matters.

In the congregation, this becomes noticeable when we begin to neglect meetings or the preaching work. Maintaining this balance gives us inner peace and helps us feel that Jehovah is pleased with our choices.

3. How will this article help us?

This article will help us to stay focused on what is most important: our service to Jehovah. As Luke 21:34-36 indicates, we live in a time when it is easy to become distracted by daily worries or activities.

Here we will be taught to identify the things that can lead us astray, analyze how Jesus remained steadfast, and learn to imitate his example. This makes us reflect on the importance of regularly reviewing our priorities.

In daily life, this type of guidance helps us not to act automatically, but to make conscious decisions that strengthen our spirituality.

WHAT COULD DISTRACT US?

4-6. What things could easily distract us?

There are many things that can distract us, even some that are necessary, such as health issues, family, or personal responsibilities. The problem arises when, as 2 Timothy 3:1 mentions, we live in difficult times that increase worry and cause these situations to completely consume us.

This makes us wonder if we are allowing worries to dominate our thoughts. In daily life, this can be noticeable when we are so focused on problems or the news that we lose enthusiasm for spiritual activities.

Some try to relieve that pressure with constant entertainment, but that doesn't solve the problem. Maintaining balance helps us feel calm and remember that Jehovah understands our circumstances and wants to help us.

WHAT DID JESUS ​​DO TO ENSURE THAT NOTHING DISTRACTED HIM?

7. What possible distractions did Jesus face?

As we see in Matthew 14:14, Jesus faced many distractions, such as poverty, illness, and the political pressures of his time. There were also those who wanted to make him king, as John 6:15 mentions, and even Satan offered him power over the world.

This makes us think about how Jesus had opportunities that seemed good, but which led him away from his mission. In our lives, something similar can happen when we are presented with attractive options that affect our spirituality.

Even close friends, like Peter, gave him well-intentioned but incorrect advice. This reminds us that we must stand firm, and seeing Jehovah helping us to make good decisions gives us great confidence.

8. What did Jesus do to avoid getting distracted?

Jesus did not get distracted because, as John 4:34 shows, he imitated Jehovah's way of thinking, kept busy with spiritual activities, and always had his priorities clear.

This makes us reflect on the importance of filling our lives with spiritual activities, because that protects us. In the congregation, when we are active in preaching or regularly attend meetings, it is more difficult for anything to lead us astray.

Furthermore, Jesus firmly rejected temptations and was not swayed by wrong opinions. His example gives us peace of mind because it teaches us that, with Jehovah’s help, we too can remain steadfast no matter what happens around us.

HOW TO FIGHT DISTRACTIONS?

9. According to Ephesians 5:17, what should we do?

According to Ephesians 5:17, we should strive to understand Jehovah’s will, and that involves learning to think like him. We accomplish this by reading his Word and meditating on what we learn. This makes us realize how important it is not to act impulsively, but to be guided by Bible principles.

In daily life, this becomes clear when we face decisions for which the Bible doesn't provide a direct answer, yet we can still act correctly because we understand Jehovah's way of thinking. By doing so, we feel secure and guided, because we know that our decisions are aligned with what Jehovah expects of us.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

We must learn to think like Jehovah in order to understand his will, by reading the Bible and letting our decisions be guided by his principles.

10. How can we better understand Jehovah’s way of thinking?

We can better understand Jehovah’s way of thinking by meditating on Bible accounts and asking ourselves questions, as suggested by Jeremiah 45:5. It is also key to pray to him to help us see things as he sees them, as indicated at Psalm 143:10.

This suggests that it's not enough to simply read the Bible superficially; we must reflect deeply on what we learn. In daily life, this helps us gradually refine our thinking.

When we do this, we feel that our relationship with Jehovah is strengthened, and that gives us peace and confidence when making important decisions.

11. What does Jehovah want?

Jehovah wants us to avoid distractions and to be prepared for the end, as Matthew 24:44 points out. He also wants us to avoid being overwhelmed by worries, as Matthew 6:31 and 32 say.

This makes us reflect on how balanced Jehovah is. He does not ignore our problems, but neither does he want them to overwhelm us. In the congregation, this is reflected when we continue to trust in him even in difficult times.

Furthermore, Jehovah encourages us to ask him for help, as Psalm 55:22 indicates. Knowing this gives us peace of mind because we feel that we are not alone in facing life's challenges.

12. What will help us to be happy despite the bad things that happen in this world? (Matthew 5:3).

What will help us to be happy is keeping busy with spiritual activities, as Matthew 5:3 teaches. Jehovah created us with spiritual needs, and when we take care of them, we experience true happiness.

This makes us think that, although we cannot control what happens in the world, we can decide what we focus our attention on.

In daily life, this is reflected when we prioritize Bible reading, preaching, or fellowship. By doing so, we not only use our time well, but we also experience a deep and lasting satisfaction that is independent of external circumstances.

13. How do we make the best use of our time?

We make the best use of our time when, as Ephesians 5:15, 16 indicates, we use it thinking about what truly matters. This includes limiting our exposure to negative news and focusing more on spiritual activities. This makes us reflect on how much time we spend on things that do not build us up.

In daily life, we can notice the difference when we reduce our consumption of information that overwhelms us and dedicate more time to preaching or studying.

Furthermore, seeking opportunities to expand our ministry fills us with purpose. This brings us joy and helps us maintain a positive and focused attitude.

14. How does keeping busy with spiritual activities help us? (See also the picture.)

Keeping busy with spiritual activities helps us to view the world's problems with balance, as Psalms 16:8 and 112:6-8 show. Instead of letting fear overwhelm us, we trust in Jehovah.

This makes us reflect on how our perspective changes when we are spiritually active. In the congregation, this is evident in brothers and sisters who, despite difficulties, exude calm and confidence.

By focusing on spiritual matters, we remember that Jehovah will fulfill his promises. This assurance gives us emotional stability and helps us to move forward with inner peace.

ILLUSTRATION

A married couple walks with their public preaching carts, looking confidently ahead. Image series: Various alarming events happening around the world. 1. An angry crowd at a demonstration. 2. The results of an opinion poll. 3. Soldiers at war. 4. Medication. 5. A graph showing a rapidly declining stock value for a company.

Despite the problems of this world, let us keep busy with spiritual activities. (See paragraph 14.)

15. How will “good judgment” help us? (1 Peter 4:7).

Good judgment helps us maintain balance, especially when it comes to entertainment, as 1 Peter 4:7 indicates. It enables us to make decisions that demonstrate we understand what is most important.

This makes us wonder if we are unconsciously adopting the world's way of thinking. In daily life, this is reflected in how we choose our activities and how much time we dedicate to them.

When we use good judgment, we protect our spirituality and show that we want to please Jehovah. This gives us a sense of control and satisfaction in knowing that we are making wise decisions.

ADDITIONAL COMMENT

Good judgment helps us maintain balance, especially with entertainment, so that it doesn't distract us from what's most important.

16. What was Jesus focused on during the hours before his death?

Jesus was completely focused on remaining faithful to Jehovah and doing his will, as we see in Luke 22:39-46. He prayed intensely and remained vigilant.

This makes us think of the contrast with his disciples, who fell asleep from sadness. In our lives, something similar can happen when discouragement affects us spiritually.

Jesus' example teaches us the importance of staying spiritually active, especially in difficult times. This gives us strength and reminds us that Jehovah can help us to remain steadfast.

17. Why do many people use social media, and what could happen to them? (See also the image).

Many people use social media to distract themselves from their problems or to entertain themselves, but it can end up consuming too much time and energy.

This makes us think about the effect they have on us. In daily life, we can start with something simple and end up spending hours without realizing it.

If we are not careful, we can lose sight of what is most important. Reflecting on this helps us to make more balanced decisions and to protect our relationship with Jehovah.

ILLUSTRATION

A sister is at home trying to read the Bible, but she is distracted by notifications she receives on her phone from a social network, a multimedia content application, and a shopping application.

Good judgment helps us avoid being distracted by social media, entertainment, and amusements. (See paragraph 17.)

18. Why do we need to have good judgment when choosing our entertainment?

We need good judgment because entertainment can greatly influence us, as the brother's experience mentioned shows.

This makes us think about how something seemingly harmless can gradually lead to harmful things. In daily life, this is reflected in what we regularly see or hear.

Choosing the right content and limiting the time spent watching it protects us spiritually. This gives us peace of mind, because we know we are taking care of our minds and hearts.

19. What might happen if we focus too much on free time and holidays?

If we focus too much on leisure time, we could lose our balance and neglect what is most important, as Philippians 1:10 indicates. This makes us think about our priorities.

In daily life, it's easy to give too much space to rest or leisure. Having a balanced perspective helps us enjoy life without neglecting our spiritual well-being. This allows us to feel satisfied and at peace with our choices.

20. How does fighting distractions benefit us?

Fighting against distractions benefits us because it allows us to focus on our service to Jehovah and to cope better with problems, as Isaiah 48:17 indicates.

This makes us think about how our lives change when we keep our priorities clear. In the congregation, this is evident in the balanced and happy members.

Furthermore, it helps us avoid excessive worry and over-focusing on entertainment. This gives us a deep sense of purpose and draws us closer, as 1 Timothy 6:19 says, to “the life that is truly life.”

HOW DOES THE FOLLOWING HELP US FIGHT DISTRACTIONS?

Learn to think like Jehovah.

Learning to think like Jehovah helps us to make wise decisions and to understand his will in any situation.

Keeping ourselves busy with spiritual activities.

Keeping busy with spiritual activities protects us from distractions, gives us happiness and balance, and helps us keep our priorities clear.

Always be clear about what is most important.

Always being clear about what is most important allows us to use our time well and stay focused on serving Jehovah.