DAILY TEXT, Today's Thursday, November 11, 2021

Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2021

Thursday, November 11, 2021

If some are not obedient to the word, let them be won over without a word by having they witnessed their chaste conduct along with deep respect (1 Pet. 3: 1, 2).

We cannot force our family members to accept the truth. But we can help them to be more receptive to the message of the Bible (2 Tim. 3:14, 15). Let our behavior speak for us. Many times, our family members pay more attention to what we do than what we say. Let's not give up. Jehovah sets the example for us. Over and over again he gives people the opportunity to accept the good news and receive life (Jer. 44: 4). And the apostle Paul told Timothy not to stop helping others because that way he would save himself and also save those who would listen (1 Tim. 4:16). Because we love our family members, we want them to know the truths of the Bible. w19.08 14 par. 2; 16, 17 paras. 8, 9

Why do we have to be patient?

Be patient. When we begin to live up to God's standards, our family members may find it difficult to get used to our beliefs and way of life. Usually, the first thing they see is that we no longer celebrate religious holidays with them and that we don't get involved in politics. At first, some may be upset with us (Matt. 10:35, 36). But we must not give them up for lost. If we stop trying to help them understand our beliefs, we have actually judged them and decided that they don't deserve eternal life. But Jehovah has entrusted the task of judging to Jesus, not to us. --John 5:22. If we are patient, our family members may eventually be willing to hear the message (see the box “Let's use our website”).

What do we learn from how Alice acted with her parents?

Be gentle but firm (Prov. 15: 2). Let's look at Alice's example. He learned the truth when he lived away from his parents, who were atheists and very active in politics. He understood that he had to tell them as soon as possible about all the good things he was learning. She says, "If you wait to tell them what your new beliefs and customs are, your family's displeasure will be greater." So he wrote letters to his parents asking their opinion on biblical topics that he hoped would interest them, such as love (1 Cor. 13: 1-13). She thanked them for raising and caring for her, and she sent them gifts. When she visited them, she did her best to help her mother with the housework. But, at first, her parents did not react well when she told them about her new beliefs.

While he was at home with his parents, he continued to read the Bible every day. Alice says that helped her mother see how important God's Word was to her. At the same time, her father decided to learn something from the Bible to understand what his daughter was thinking now and to find errors. Alice says, "I gave him a Bible and wrote him a dedication." What happened? That his father found no mistake; rather, he was impressed by what he read.

We are to be kind but firm even when we have to go through trials (1 Cor. 4: 12b). For example, Alice had to endure opposition from her mother. He says: "When I was baptized, my mother told me I was a bad daughter." What did Alice do? She herself says: “Instead of avoiding talking about it, I respectfully told him that I had decided to be one of Jehovah's Witnesses and that I was not going to back down. I tried to assure her that I loved her very much. We both cried, and I made him a nice meal. From that moment, Mom began to recognize that the Bible had made me a better person. "

Why should we never give in to pressure from our family members?

It may take time for our family members to fully understand that we take Jehovah's service very seriously. For example, when Alice decided to pioneer rather than pursue the career her parents had chosen for her, her mother burst into tears again. But Alice was firm. He says: “If you give in on one issue, the family will likely pressure you on other things. But, if you defend your position with kindness and firmness, some may listen to you ”. That's what happened to her. Now his parents are pioneers, and his father serves as an elder.

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DAILY TEXT, Saturday, August 8, 2026. They have become a source of great comfort (Col. 4:11).