Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2025
Thursday, June 12, 2025
If sinners try to entangle you, do not be led astray by them (Prov. 1:10).
Learn from Jehoash’s bad choices. After the death of High Priest Jehoiada, Jehoash made bad friends. (2 Chron. 24:17, 18) He decided to listen to the advice of the princes of Judah who did not love Jehovah. He shouldn’t have listened to them, right? But he acted wrongly and allowed himself to be led astray by these wicked friends. When his cousin Zechariah tried to correct him, he ordered Jehoash’s execution. (2 Chron. 24:20, 21; Matt. 23:35) Wow! Jehoash was a fool. He had started out well, but sadly, he ended up an apostate and a murderer. Later, his own servants killed him. (2 Chron. 24:22-25) How different his life would have been if he had continued to listen to Jehovah and those who loved God! w23:09 9 par. 6
Which friends should you choose?
We can learn a valuable lesson from Jehoash’s poor decision: choose friends who will be a positive influence on us—friends who love Jehovah and want to bring joy to his heart. And, of course, we can have friends of all ages. Remember, Jehoash was much younger than Jehoiada. Think about your friends and ask yourself: “Do they help me have more faith in Jehovah? Do they encourage me to follow his standards? Do they enjoy talking about Jehovah and what they study in the Bible? Do they respect his standards? Do they dare to correct me when I am wrong, or are they just telling me what I want to hear?” (Prov. 27:5, 6, 17) To be honest, if your friends don’t love Jehovah, you don’t need them in your life. But if your friends love Jehovah, take good care of those friendships. They are good for you! (Prov. 13:20)
What should you keep in mind when using social media?
Social media can be very helpful for staying in touch with family and friends. But, to impress others, many people post photos and videos of what they've purchased or what they've done. If you use social media, you might ask yourself, “Do I want to impress others? What would I like to accomplish: encourage others or receive a lot of praise? Do I let other people negatively influence the way I think, speak, and act?” Brother Nathan Knorr, a former member of the Governing Body, once gave this advice: “Don't try to please men, for in the end you will please no one. Please the Lord, and you will please all who love him.”
What did Uzziah do with Jehovah’s help? (2 Chronicles 26:1-5)
Make good choices like Uzziah. As a young man, King Uzziah was humble and learned to “fear the true God.” He lived 68 years, and Jehovah blessed him for most of his life. (Read 2 Chronicles 26:1–5.) Uzziah defeated many enemy nations and made sure that Jerusalem was well protected. (2 Chronicles 26:6–15.) He must have been very happy about all he was accomplishing with Jehovah’s help. (Ecclesiastes 3:12, 13.)
How did Uzziah end up?
Learn from Uzziah's bad decisions. King Uzziah was used to giving orders. And perhaps that made him think he could do whatever he wanted. One day, he entered Jehovah's temple and dared to burn incense on the altar, something kings were not allowed to do (2 Chron. 26:16-18). High Priest Azariah corrected him, and Uzziah was furious. Sadly, Uzziah ruined his record of faithful service, and Jehovah struck him with leprosy (2 Chron. 26:19-21). How different his life would have been if he had remained humble!
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