“He who is discerning in dealing with a matter will succeed” (PROV. 16:20).
1, 2. What is insight, and how does it help us?
Insight is the ability to understand a situation well and see beyond the obvious. It helps us understand why certain things happen and why people act in a certain way.
Through discernment we can be more prudent and sensible. It helps us to restrain our words, to know when to be silent, to control our anger, to forgive others, and to accept counsel and discipline. Furthermore, when we act with discernment, we please Jehovah and also benefit those around us.
INSTEAD OF BEING PROUD, LET'S SHOW HUMILITY
3. Who was Naaman?
Naaman was a man of great authority, the commander of the army of Syria, a nation north of Israel. However, he suffered from leprosy, a terrible skin disease.
4. How did Naaman demonstrate that he was able to see beyond?
Naaman showed he could see beyond the surface because he didn't act arrogantly or dismiss the young Israelite woman's words. Even though she was a slave from an enemy nation, he was humble and took seriously what she said about Jehovah's prophet. Because of this, he was willing to go to Israel in search of a cure.
5. What happened to Naaman when he arrived in Israel?
When Naaman arrived in Israel, he went to King Jehoram hoping to regain his health. However, Jehoram thought the king of Syria was looking for an excuse to fight. Later, Elisha didn't even go out to meet him personally, but instead sent a messenger with instructions on what he should do to be healed.
6. a) Why might Naaman have reacted with pride to the messenger's instructions?
Naaman reacted with pride because he thought that, as leader of the Syrian army, he deserved more respectful treatment. Furthermore, he may have believed that Elisha was showing contempt for Syria by giving him instructions through a messenger.
6. b) How did Naaman’s servants show that they were discerning, and what happened in the end? (2 Kings 5:13, 14).
Naaman's servants proved to be wise because they helped him reason calmly and pleaded with him to reconsider. Thanks to this, Naaman set aside his pride, humbly obeyed Elisha's instructions, and recovered his health.
7. What do we learn from Naaman? (Proverbs 22:4; see also the pictures.)
We learn that discernment helps us to see beyond appearances and not let our emotions control us. It also motivates us to be humble and to recognize that we need the help of others and, above all, Jehovah's help.
Naaman showed wisdom because he listened humbly to the young Israelite woman, his servants, and Elisha, who spoke in the name of Jehovah. Because he set aside his pride, he made a good decision and recovered his health.
This story also teaches us that, before reacting to a situation or advice that we don't fully understand, we should stop and think about whether our words and actions will reflect humility or pride.
ILLUSTRATION
Images of a brother being discerning by humbly listening to others: 1. He pays attention to a younger brother who is using the brochure “Become Better Readers and Teachers” to give him advice. 2. He listens to an older sister who tells him about the congregation’s plans to use mobile preaching carts. 3. He attentively watches a JW Broadcasting video on his tablet.
Let us be like Naaman and listen humbly when we are given advice, a suggestion, or instructions from the organization. (See paragraph 7.)
INSTEAD OF REACTING WITH ANGER, LET'S REMAIN CALM
8. In what situations might it be difficult for us to remain calm?
It can be difficult to stay calm when faced with frustrating situations, especially if someone doesn't treat us well or we suffer an injustice. In those moments, even if we have reasons to feel upset, insight helps us control our emotions and remain calm.
9. How did Nabal treat David?
Nabal treated David with contempt and insulted him. Instead of thanking David and his men for the protection they had given his shepherds and flocks, he responded disrespectfully when David politely asked him for provisions.
10. How did Abigail and David demonstrate discernment? (1 Samuel 25:32, 33; see also the picture.)
Abigail showed discernment because she was able to see beyond David’s impulsive reaction. Although he was furious and determined to take revenge, she understood that David was a good man and did all she could to help him calm down. Humbly, she brought him gifts and gave him wise counsel that reflected Jehovah’s viewpoint.
David also showed insight because he listened carefully to Abigail and recognized that her words were wise. Thanks to this, he managed to calm himself and avoided making a serious mistake.
ILLUSTRATION
David listens attentively to Abigail's pleas as she kneels before him. David's men, standing beside her, watch intently. Abigail's servants wait behind her, their hands full of gifts.
David and Abigail showed discernment in a very tense situation, and thus avoided a tragedy. (See paragraph 10.)
11. How does insight help us when someone or something angers us? (Proverbs 19:11).
Insight helps us stay calm when someone or something angers us. It allows us to think about the consequences of our words and actions instead of reacting impulsively.
Furthermore, discernment helps us to seek Jehovah’s viewpoint on the situation and to control our emotions. Instead of acting in anger and without thinking, we can pray to Jehovah and reflect before reacting.
12. How can others help us to be insightful and remain calm?
Others can help us to be discerning and remain calm by helping us to see situations from Jehovah’s standpoint. For example, a mature brother can give us wise counsel and help us to think before we react when we are angry.
Furthermore, we too can help others, just as Abigail did with David, by tactfully and calmly showing them Jehovah's viewpoint so that they do not act impulsively.
INSTEAD OF BEING AFRAID, LET US TRUST IN JEHOVAH
13. How does insight help us see beyond our fears?
Insight helps us see beyond our fears because it reminds us that any problem or situation that frightens us is nothing compared to Jehovah’s immense power. It also helps us to trust that Jehovah can help us in any situation, even when there seems to be no way out.
14. Why might Jonah have been afraid of the task Jehovah assigned him?
It is possible that Jonah was afraid of the task Jehovah assigned him because he had to travel to Nineveh, an Assyrian city known for its cruelty and violence, to deliver a message of destruction. Furthermore, the journey was long and dangerous. Therefore, Jonah felt intimidated and decided to flee rather than obey immediately.
15. What helped Jonah to trust Jehovah more? (Jonah 2:6-9).
What helped Jonah to trust Jehovah more was seeing God’s immense power when He saved his life in a spectacular way. That experience taught him that Jehovah could protect him from any danger and helped him to see beyond his fears. Because of this, Jonah obeyed the second chance Jehovah gave him and went to Nineveh.
16. How does insight help us to cope with intimidating situations? (Proverbs 29:25; see also the pictures.)
Insight helps us cope with intimidating situations because it enables us to focus on Jehovah rather than on our fears or fear of man. It also helps us remember how Jehovah has protected and helped us in the past, which strengthens our trust in him.
Furthermore, meditating on the example of brothers and sisters who faced difficult situations because of their trust in Jehovah encourages us to do the same. In this way, we can continue to serve Jehovah courageously and help others to trust him completely.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. The prophet Jonah walks toward the gates of the city of Nineveh. 2. A young brother walks through the halls of his school. He is surrounded by things that displease Jehovah. Rainbow flags are everywhere. And one young man threatens another.
Jonah’s example teaches us that discernment helps us to do what Jehovah asks of us and to successfully cope with intimidating situations. (See paragraph 16.)
LET US STRIVE TO BE EVER MORE PERSPECTIVE
17. What can we do to become more insightful?
To become more discerning, we need to draw closer to Jehovah, for he is the one who can help us develop this quality. We can do this by meditating carefully on the Bible and applying its counsel to make good decisions and control our emotions.
In addition, we should constantly ask for Jehovah's holy spirit, since it helps us to have insight and to see situations as Jehovah sees them so that we can react in the best way.
18. What are you determined to do?
I am determined to keep asking Jehovah for insight and to strive to show this quality in every situation. In this way, I will not stray “from the path of insight” and I will make Jehovah happy.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO BE AS PERSPECTIVE AS THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS?
Naaman
To be discerning like Naaman, we must strive to see beyond appearances and not let our emotions control us. It is also important to be humble and recognize that we do not know everything, so we need to listen to others and, above all, to Jehovah.
Before reacting to a situation, we should stop and think. If we receive biblical advice we don't like or don't understand an instruction, we should ask ourselves whether our words and actions reflect humility or pride.
David and Abigail
To be as perceptive as Abigail, we must learn to see beyond the impulsive reactions of others, act with humility, and recognize the qualities the other person may possess. Just as Abigail realized that David was a good man, but that he acted out of anger, and did everything she could to help him calm down.
To be discerning like David, we must be willing to listen to advice and recognize when it reflects Jehovah’s viewpoint. We must also remain calm and not let our emotions get the better of us when we are upset. In this way, we can avoid making mistakes and act wisely.
Jonah
To be discerning like Jonah, we must avoid letting fear of man stop us from serving Jehovah. We also need to focus on the fact that Jehovah is on our side, not on the challenges ahead.
Furthermore, we can see beyond our fears if we remember how Jehovah has helped and protected us in the past and if we meditate on the example of brothers and sisters who trusted in him in difficult situations. Thus, by trusting fully in Jehovah and helping others to do the same, we demonstrate true discernment.
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