Study From The Watchtower, Week of February 6 to March 12, 2023, “Be transformed by renewing your mind”, Underlined Answers.

Study From The Watchtower, 6-12-March-2023, "Be transformed by renewing your mind", Underlined Answers.

Yellow: Direct Answer.

Dark Yellow: Additional Answer.

Light Blue: Additional Points.

"Be transformed by renewing your mind, so that you can verify for yourselves what is the good, pleasing and perfect will of God" (ROM. 12:2).

1, 2. What should we continue to do after baptism, and why?

 How often do you clean your house? Perhaps before moving in, he cleaned it thoroughly. But what would happen if you stopped cleaning it? As we well know, dust and dirt would accumulate quickly. To keep the house presentable, it must be cleaned frequently.

2 We must do something similar with our thoughts and our personality. Of course, before we are baptized we strive to make the necessary changes in our lives and cleanse ourselves "from everything that defiles the body and spirit" (2 Cor. 7:1). But now we have to obey this advice from the apostle Paul: "You must keep renewing your way of thinking" (Eph. 4:23). Why is it so important that we make this constant effort? Because the "dirt" and "dust" of this world can quickly accumulate within us. So that this does not happen to us and we are always presentable before Jehovah, we must frequently examine our thoughts, our personality and our desires.

LET'S KEEP RENEWING OUR MIND

3. What does it mean to renew our mind? (Romans 12:2).

3 What do we have to do to renew our mind, that is, change our way of thinking? (Read Romans 12:2.) It is not about doing a few good deeds to beautify our lives. Rather, we should examine how we are on the inside and make the necessary changes so that our lives conform as closely as possible to Jehovah's standards. That is something we must do constantly, not just once.

4. What should we do so that this system does not influence our way of thinking?

4 When we are perfect, we can always please Jehovah in everything. In the meantime, we have no choice but to fight to achieve that goal. Let's look at the relationship established by the apostle Paul in Romans 12:2 between renewing our mind and making sure of what God's will is. Instead of becoming passive and being molded by this system, it is very important that we analyze ourselves to see to what degree God's way of thinking influences our goals and decisions.

5. How can we know what we think about how close the day of Jehovah is? (See pictures).

5 For example, our God wants us to be very aware “of the presence of the day of the Lord” (2 Pet. 3:12). So let's ask ourselves: “Is it seen in my life that I really understand that the end of this system is very close? Do my educational and work decisions reflect that serving Jehovah is most important to me? Do I have faith that he will take care of me and my family, or am I always worried about material things? Jehovah is very happy when he sees that we strive to live according to his will (Matt. 6: 25-27, 33; Philip. 4:12, 13).

ILLUSTRATION

Image series: A young Christian decides between two goals. 1. He imagines that he is a businessman who is giving a conference. 2. You imagine giving a Bible class to a man. Do our decisions about education and work reflect that the Kingdom comes first in our lives? (See paragraphs 4 and 5).

6. What should we continue to do?

6 We must constantly examine our way of thinking and get to work to make any changes that are necessary. Paul gave this advice to the Christians in Corinth: “Keep testing yourselves to see if you are firm in the faith. Keep proving what yourselves are” (2 Cor. 13:5). Being “in the faith” is much more than attending meetings or participating in the preaching from time to time. It also has to do with our way of thinking, our tendencies and our motives. So we need to keep renewing our minds by reading God's Word, learning to think as he thinks, and then correcting whatever is necessary to please him (1 Cor. 2:14-16).

LET'S PUT ON THE NEW PERSONALITY

7. According to Ephesians 4:31, 32, what else must we do, and why might it be difficult to do?

7 (Read Ephesians 4:31, 32). In addition to changing our way of thinking, we must put on “the new personality” (Eph. 4:24). To achieve this, we cannot sit idly by. For example, we must work hard to leave behind our personality defects such as bitter resentment, fury, and anger. Why can it be difficult to do this? Because some of these defects are deeply rooted in us. In fact, the Bible speaks of the one who is "prone to anger" and the one who has a "tendency to fury" (Prov. 29:22). It is very likely that in order to keep the negative characteristics of our personality at bay, we will have to continue working hard even after baptism. Let's see an experience that proves it.

8, 9. How does Stephen's experience show the importance of continuing to shed the old self?

8 A brother named Stephen had a struggle with anger control. He recounts: “Even after I was baptized, I had to keep controlling my temper. For example, one day we were visiting families in a neighborhood to preach to them , and I saw a thief take my car radio. I ran after him. As he was about to grab it, he threw the device to the ground and kept running. When telling the rest of the group how I got my radio back, an experienced Christian said to me, 'What would you have done if you had caught him?' That question made me realize that I still had traits of my old personality.”

9 Stephen's case shows that a personality defect can reappear unexpectedly, even when we thought we had it under control. If something like this happens to us, let's not get discouraged or think that we are bad Christians. Even the apostle Paul acknowledged: “When I want to do what is right, what is bad is with me” (Rom. 7:21-23). Since we are imperfect, all Christians have defects that reappear like dirt and dust that accumulate in a house. Therefore, we must continue to strive to be clean. What will help us?

10. What can we do to fight against personality defects? (1 John 5:14, 15).

10 Let us prayerfully talk to Jehovah about the defect we are struggling with, knowing that he will listen and help us.—Read 1 John 5:14, 15. It is true that Jehovah will not eliminate him in a miraculous way, but he will give us the strength so that he does not dominate us (1 Pet. 5:10). How can we act on our prayers? We must avoid anything that feeds the tendencies of the old personality. For example, it wouldn't be wise to entertain ourselves with movies, TV shows, or readings that present the flaws we're struggling with as good. And let's not let our mind dwell on wrong desires (Phil. 4:8; Col. 3:2).

11. How can we continue to cultivate the new personality?

11 In addition to removing the old personality, it is important to continue cultivating the new one. How can we do it? Let's set ourselves the goal of getting to know Jehovah and his qualities better, and copy his example (Eph. 5: 1, 2). When we find a story in the Bible that highlights Jehovah's forgiveness, let's ask ourselves: “Do I forgive others?” Or, when we read about Jehovah's compassion for those who are going through difficult times, ask ourselves: “Do I also care for the brothers in need and do something for them?” Let's keep renewing our mind by putting on the new personality and be patient with ourselves.

12. How does Stephen's example show that the Bible has power to transform people?

12 Stephen, mentioned in paragraph 8, gradually managed to put on the new personality. He explains: “Since my baptism, there have been times when I have struggled to control my temper. What I do is leave to avoid fights or try to calm the situation. Many people, including my wife, have complimented my reaction, and even I have been surprised. I do not take credit for these changes in my personality. I sincerely believe that they are a sample of the power that the Bible has to transform people”.

LET'S KEEP FIGHTING AGAINST INCORRECT DESIRES

13. What will help us to nurture correct desires? (Galatians 5:16).

13 (Read Galatians 5:16). Jehovah is generous and gives us holy spirit to help us win our battle to do what is right. When we study God's Word, we allow that spirit to influence us. We also receive holy spirit when we attend meetings. There we spend time with our brothers, who, like us, are struggling to do things right, and that encourages us (Heb. 10:24, 25; 13:7). And when we pray to Jehovah from our hearts and beg him to help us overcome some weakness, he gives us holy spirit so that we can be strong and keep fighting.Sure, these activities probably won't make the bad desires go away, but they will give us the strength not to get carried away by them. As Galatians 5:16 says, those who walk according to the spirit "will not fulfill any desire of the flesh."

14. Why is it important to keep cultivating correct desires?

14 When we already have a good routine of spiritual activities, it is very important that we do not lose it and that we continue feeding correct desires. Because? Because one of our enemies—temptation—never sleeps. Even after we are baptized, we may be attracted to things we know we should avoid, such as gambling, abusing alcohol, or viewing pornography (Eph. 5:3, 4). A young Jehovah's Witness confesses: “One of the most intense struggles I have is that I am attracted to people of the same sex. I thought these feelings were temporary, but I haven't been able to get rid of them; Still there". What can help us if an incorrect desire is very intense?

15. Why are we encouraged to know that wrong desires are common to all people? (See picture).

15 If an incorrect desire is making life miserable for us, let's remember that we are not alone. The Bible says: “No temptation has been presented to you that is not common to all people” (1 Cor. 10:13a). Another version translates this verse like this: "You have only had the same temptations as everyone else." These words were addressed to the Christians of the city of Corinth. Some of them had been adulterers, homosexuals, and drunkards (1 Cor. 6:9-11). It seems to us that they did not have to fight against any evil desire after being baptized? It is very unlikely. It is true that they were all anointed, but they were still imperfect. So surely from time to time they had to fight some wrong desire.That should encourage us, because it shows us that others have already gone through the same thing as us and have won the battle. Therefore, we can be “steadfast in the faith, knowing that the whole brotherhood in the world is undergoing the same sufferings” (1 Pet. 5:9).

16. What trap should we not fall into, and why?

16 We must not think that no one can understand the weakness that we have. That's a trap. Thinking like this can lead us to believe that our situation is hopeless and that we cannot overcome that weakness. But the Bible says otherwise: "God is faithful and will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when temptation comes, he will also give you the way out so that you can bear it" (1 Cor. 10: 13b). So no matter how strong a desire, we can be faithful to Jehovah. With his help, we won't be carried away by that desire.

ILLUSTRATION

A sister and two brothers read the Bible. Behind them appear some obstacles that they had to overcome and that are represented by boxing gloves, some bottles with alcoholic beverages, a cigarette, a weapon, a deck of cards, dice and chips to play for money. If we are fighting with a weakness, let us not think that our situation is hopeless. Other Christians have won the battle. (See paragraphs 15 and 16).

17. Although it is inevitable to have wrong desires, what can we do?

17 Let us always remember that due to imperfection it is inevitable that we have wrong desires. When that happens, let us firmly reject them, as Joseph did when he ran away from Potiphar's wife (Gen. 39:12). We don't have to be slaves to evil desires.

LET'S KEEP WORKING

18, 19. What questions will help us continue to renew our minds?

18 If we want to renew our mind, we must continue to strive so that our way of thinking and acting pleases Jehovah. That is why we must frequently analyze ourselves and ask ourselves: “Do my actions show that I am aware that we are very close to the end? Am I still cultivating the new personality? Do I allow the spirit of Jehovah to guide me so that I do not get carried away by evil desires?

19 In doing this analysis, let us look at our progress and do not expect perfection. If we see that we have to improve on something, don't get discouraged. Rather, let us follow the advice at Philippians 3:16: “No matter how far we have progressed, let us continue to walk rightly on that same path.” If we do, Jehovah will bless our efforts to keep renewing our minds.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What should we do to renew our mind?

We must examine how we are within ourselves and make the necessary changes so that our lives conform as closely as possible to Jehovah's standards. That is something we must do constantly, not just once.

It is very important that we analyze ourselves to see to what degree God's way of thinking influences our goals and decisions.

What should we do to put on the new personality?

We must avoid anything that feeds the tendencies of the old personality.

Let's make it a goal to get to know Jehovah and his qualities better, and to copy his example.

 When we find a story in the Bible that highlights Jehovah's forgiveness, let's ask ourselves: “Do I forgive others?” Or, when we read about Jehovah's compassion for those who are going through difficult times, ask ourselves: “Do I also care for the brothers in need and do something for them?” 

What should we do to fight wrong desires?

We must not think that no one can understand the weakness that we have. That's a trap. 

Let us firmly reject them, as Joseph did when he ran away from Potiphar's wife. We don't have to be slaves to evil desires.