“Understand what the will of Jehovah is” (EPHE. 5:17).
1, 2. How could something important become a distraction?
Some things that are important can become distractions, diverting our attention and causing us to neglect what is of utmost importance: our spiritual pursuits. Therefore, we must fight against distractions and decide what truly matters.
Similarly, someone who is driving and receives a call that may be important does not get distracted, but decides to focus all their attention on what is most important at that moment.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It's a matter of priorities, because maybe we're waiting, perhaps since all morning, for a call or an urgent announcement about something; but, if we're driving, that's not the most important thing at that moment, because our life is at stake.
Although not everything that distracts us is trivial and there may be important things, we must be clear about what the priority is and what is most important at any given moment.
The paragraph aptly points out that, although we have many important activities in our lives, we must always be mindful that our spiritual activities are the most important. As Matthew 6:33 tells us, we must be very attentive to our spiritual pursuits.
The paragraph shows us an example of how we should pay attention when we are driving and, in the same way, not lose sight of our spiritual needs and continue to attend to them.
As Proverbs 4:25 says, it's not just about ignoring a call, but about always keeping your eyes on the front and your gaze fixed ahead. Often, a small distraction can have serious consequences. That's why we must know how to prioritize well and always stay focused on what's most important.
Several of these spiritual activities may include, in addition to Bible reading and preaching, family worship. Other activities include participating in the construction of meeting halls, supporting relief efforts, volunteering at assemblies, or serving at Bethel.
Matthew 6:22 teaches us that, just as literal eyes function well when they are focused, our spiritual eyes will also function properly if we concentrate on the most important things, such as the Kingdom of God and everything related to it.
3. How will this article help us?
This article will help us focus on our service to Jehovah. It will also teach us to identify what might distract us, what Jesus did to stay focused, and how we can follow his example so that nothing distracts us from our spiritual activities.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This article will help us focus on our service to Jehovah by analyzing the following topics: first, what things could distract us; second, what Jesus did so that nothing would distract him; and third, how we can follow his example.
While it is true that we do not intend to be distracted from spiritual matters, there are situations that could do so. Luke 21:33, 34, for example, speaks of life's anxieties. We live in a system where we experience many pressures and face various difficulties. Although some of these things are not inherently bad, they could distract us from giving Jehovah's service first place.
WHAT COULD DISTRACT US?
4-6. What things could easily distract us?
Some things that could easily distract us are certain medical, family, or personal matters. In addition, political instability, economic problems, epidemic outbreaks, and constant violence could cause worry to consume us and keep us constantly preoccupied with our problems.
While all these things are important, they can become distractions if they absorb us so much that we have no time or energy for anything else. Some people even try to alleviate these worries by filling their lives with entertainment, which can also distract them from what's truly important.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Medical, family, or personal matters can easily distract us if they become so preoccupied that they steal time and energy from what's most important. Political instability, economic problems, epidemic outbreaks, and constant violence can also affect us, as these situations can generate a great deal of worry and cause us to focus excessively on our own problems.
The problems we face daily are important, such as medical, family, or financial issues. Of course, we should dedicate time to them, but the way we do so can turn them into a distraction. For example, if they absorb so much of our time that they leave us without energy for spiritual matters, or if worry consumes us to the point where we think only about them and leave no room for anything else.
With so many problems, many people, to alleviate their suffering, clear their minds, and avoid dwelling on them, fill their lives with fun and entertainment. This could also become a danger to us. Therefore, it's important that we consider what we can do to avoid getting distracted by such things.
Let us remember that we are living in the fulfillment of an important prophecy, that of 2 Timothy 3:1-5. It describes what the world situation would be like and what people would be like. Therefore, Christians must be attentive and aware that they can learn a little about the issues, but only what is necessary.
Daily responsibilities can easily consume us. Therefore, we could compare this system to a hotel room, where we are only temporarily. Just as no one would renovate a hotel room because they know they will only be there for a short time, similarly, if we become obsessed with trying to have a perfect life in this world, which is about to disappear, we could run out of energy for what truly matters.
When the paragraph says it's understandable that people feel distressed, it's right, because human beings weren't created to live under constant suffering. That happens to all of us, although some people experience much more difficult situations than we do.
Sometimes we get anxious about our own problems and also about those of others. If we have empathy and think about others, that can also cause us anxiety, especially if we worry excessively about things that are beyond our control.
We could say that being one of Jehovah's Witnesses is a marathon, and as such, we need to train. How do we do that? Primarily through the meetings and everything they entail, because that helps us to keep going. In short, it's a marathon, and we shouldn't neglect the meetings or our spiritual activities.
Nor are we told to forgo hobbies or moments of distraction. Rather, we are encouraged to be balanced and not lose sight of the ultimate goal: reaching the new world. Furthermore, we should strive to do everything we can to help others along the way.
WHAT DID JESUS DO TO ENSURE THAT NOTHING DISTRACTED HIM?
7. What possible distractions did Jesus face?
Some of the distractions Jesus faced included the social and political problems of the time, where poverty and disease were widespread. Furthermore, people were suffering at the hands of the Romans, and seeing that Jesus had the power to perform miracles, some wanted to make him king.
Satan also tempted him by offering him a shortcut to rule the world. And the apostle Peter, who was one of his closest friends, once encouraged him to lead an easier life.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jesus, like us, was surrounded by political problems, social injustices, widespread poverty, and disease. All of that could have been a major distraction for him, especially since he was capable of so much more than any other human being.
Jesus had one thing very clear in his mind: he wanted to worship Jehovah, obey his Father, and fulfill the purpose for which he came into the world. People in those days also faced political and social problems, just as they do today. Even Peter told him not to be so hard on himself, and Satan tempted him as well. However, Jesus was very clear about his objective.
A clear example of this can be seen in Matthew 14:14. On several occasions, Jesus had a plan in mind, but upon seeing the people, he was deeply moved and made time to help them. He performed many miracles, but he knew that if he focused solely on that, he would not be able to fulfill other very important aspects of his ministry.
In Mark 14:7, Jesus said: “You will always have the poor with you [...], but you will not always have me.” This clearly shows that social work and helping people were important to him, but there were even more important things, such as the sanctification of Jehovah’s name.
In Matthew 16:21-22, we see that when Jesus told one of the apostles, Peter, that he was going to face very difficult situations, such as being executed, he took him aside and rebuked him. He said, “Don’t be so hard on yourself; this won’t happen to you.” Thus, we see that the pressures didn’t come only from the outside, as we might all expect, but also from within. Peter didn’t act with bad intentions, but with the best intentions, thinking he was doing Jesus a favor. This shows us that we must be on guard not only against what comes from outside, but also against what might come from within.
John 6:14-15 tells how, when they saw how Jesus spoke and how he treated people, they wanted to make him king. However, it says that he withdrew to the mountains because it wasn't the right time for him to be king. Therefore, he made it very clear that the only solution was through the Kingdom of God, not through him becoming king and ruling at that time.
Something that could have been a major distraction is seen in Matthew 4:8-9, when Satan tempted Jesus with the kingdoms of the world. It was a way of saying, “You can have what Jehovah promises you right now, but without suffering.” Satan uses this same distraction with us today through materialism, making us believe that we can have a good life now without having to wait for the new world.
8. What did Jesus do to avoid getting distracted?
To avoid distractions, Jesus imitated Jehovah’s way of thinking, kept himself busy with spiritual activities, and always kept clear what was most important. Jesus did not allow what people thought, said, or did to distract him from doing God’s will. He firmly rejected Satan’s temptations and was not swayed by Peter’s well-intentioned but misguided advice.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jesus was very clear about what was most important. That's why he knew he should keep busy with spiritual activities and also avoid getting involved in matters that would distract him from preaching and teaching. Therefore, he didn't allow other things to distract him from fulfilling God's will.
It is mentioned that he firmly rejected the temptations, suggestions, or possible ways of thinking of his companions or other people. This was because, as mentioned, he was clear about God's will. And when we are clear about it and circumstances of this kind arise, we react firmly. We don't negotiate the situation with anyone or anything; we already know what we have to do.
In John 4:34, Jesus puts his service to Jehovah on the same level as physical food. That is, it wasn't merely something important to him; speaking about Jehovah was something he couldn't live without. So this firm decision to serve Jehovah was what motivated him not to be distracted by other things.
One of the keys for us is this question: Is there anything people think, say, or do that might distract us from doing Jehovah’s will? Jesus did not allow this to happen. So we too need to do this exercise. Certainly, many situations can distract us, because we are imperfect humans. Therefore, let us make the effort not to allow anything to distract us from serving Jehovah.
The paragraph says that the first thing Jesus did was imitate Jehovah’s way of thinking. This enabled him to be a person with sound judgment and to make balanced decisions that took into account what Jehovah wanted. If we too learn to see how Jehovah thinks, we too can do the same and be balanced.
As the word “our” in bold at the end of the paragraph indicates, the distractions Jesus faced are not the same as ours. For example, Jesus Christ didn't have a problem with social media, but he did have his own trials. So, just as the Bible records the trials Jesus faced, we can write down our own so we can be aware of them and confront them.
HOW TO FIGHT DISTRACTIONS?
9. According to Ephesians 5:17, what should we do?
According to Ephesians 5:17, we must learn to think like God so that we can understand “what is the will of Jehovah.” Furthermore, we can discover what pleases him by reading and meditating on his Word. In situations where the Bible is silent, we can familiarize ourselves with Jehovah’s way of thinking and allow ourselves to be guided by it.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We need to learn to think like God in order to understand His will and discover what pleases Him. And for this, we need to read and meditate on His Word, the Bible.
Learning to think like God will help us when there is a situation about which the Bible does not say anything specifically, because, by getting to know Jehovah and knowing how he thinks, we will be able to make decisions that are in accordance with his will.
The paragraph begins by stating that we need to understand Jehovah's will, because knowing it is one thing, but understanding why Jehovah asks it of us is even more important. Therefore, we should not stop at simply knowing it, but strive to understand what lies behind Jehovah's will.
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 that show how he treats and guides people. As we read the Bible, we can ask ourselves questions such as what this account teaches us about Jehovah and what we need to change so that our thinking is in harmony with his. In addition, it is important to turn to Jehovah in prayer to help us understand his way of thinking and to see things as he sees them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Meditating on Bible accounts that show how Jehovah deals with and guides people, for example in Jeremiah 45:1-5, we find a very interesting account. We see how Jehovah had to correct Baruch, telling him that he was seeking great things for himself and that he should stop doing so.
If we analyze accounts that show how Jehovah treats and guides people and ask ourselves questions such as, “What does this teach me about Jehovah?” or “What do I need to change about my way of thinking?”, this type of meditation will help us to better understand Jehovah’s way of thinking.
To better understand Jehovah’s way of thinking, we can approach him in prayer, asking him to help us understand him and to teach us to do his will, as Psalm 143:10 says: “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.” By asking him to help us understand his way of thinking and to see things as he sees them, we will be able to identify what is most important and avoid distractions.
11. What does Jehovah want?
Jehovah wants us to avoid distractions so that we will be ready for the end of this system. He also wants us not to be overwhelmed by worries. That is why he gives us good advice on how to deal with worries related to work, health, family, or other matters, and he encourages us to ask him for wisdom and strength to cope with problems.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
As Psalm 55:22 says, Jehovah wants us to leave our worries to him and trust in him. That way we will not let anxieties distract us from serving him well.
He also wants us to be prepared for the end of this system. Why does he want that? Because Matthew 24:44 says that the Son of Man is coming at an hour we do not expect.
In Matthew 6:31 and following, Jesus gave us several examples and illustrations. He spoke of clothing, eating, and drinking. Regarding clothing, he mentioned the lilies of the field, how they neither toil nor spin, and yet not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of them. He also spoke of the birds of the air: they do not sow, reap, or store away in barns, and yet the heavenly Father feeds them.
Worries remain a relevant topic today. That is why we must give priority to the Kingdom of God, because, as Jesus said, “Keep seeking first the Kingdom and his righteousness, and then you will receive all these things also.”
Matthew 6:31 tells us not to let worries crush us. When we crush something, it loses its shape. That's why we don't want to lose our way of being Jehovah's Witnesses, just as he wants us to be.
Therefore, when we begin to worry too much, Psalm 55:22 says: “Cast your burden on Jehovah.” He not only knows what we need, but he wants us to ask him, to trust in him, and to ask him for wisdom and strength to endure.
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 despite the bad things that happen in this world is keeping busy with spiritual activities. Although we cannot control the problems that occur, we can focus on satisfying our spiritual needs by getting to know Jehovah better through his Word and by participating in his worship. In this way, we please Jehovah, use our time well, and find happiness.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
As the paragraph aptly states, there are things beyond our control that we cannot do anything about. But Jehovah has created us in a way that gives us the opportunity to be happy, because he has given us a spiritual need, as we read at Matthew 5:3. Therefore, if we focus and keep busy with these activities, we will find the happiness we need.
We should strive to get to know Jehovah better through his Word, giving him our best in every aspect of our worship that is within our reach.
If we keep busy with spiritual activities, as the paragraph concludes, we will have the great privilege of being able to please Jehovah, and as Proverbs 23:15 rightly indicates, we can make his heart happy.
13. How do we make the best use of our time?
We make the most of our time when we use carefully the time we have before the end of this system. This includes limiting the amount of news we watch or read, as it can be distracting and discouraging. In this way, we avoid feeling overwhelmed and can keep ourselves occupied with spiritual activities. We also make the most of our time when we look for ways to expand our ministry and help people come to know the truth.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
One way is to take advantage of every opportunity to help people, as 1 Timothy 2:4 says, to have an accurate knowledge of the truth and also be able to be saved.
Analyzing the study note, there's a very interesting detail: we read that making the best use of our time requires something more. That is, we have to sacrifice time from less important activities, and it's good that we have the desire, since that's the first step. However, we have to act accordingly and give Jehovah our best efforts so that he can bless them.
We're given advice that seems to go against the grain: to be selective about the news we consume. This now appears to be countercultural, because the most sensible approach seems to be to monitor everything, know all the news, and be fully informed, as it seems that this will help us make better decisions. However, this isn't the case.
We are wisely advised not to expose ourselves excessively to bad news, because that fills our minds with worries about which, as already mentioned, we have no control. In this way, we can dedicate our time to more worthwhile pursuits, such as spiritual activities.
The note says that, literally, making the most of your time means "buying the allotted time," that is, setting aside a specific amount of time and investing it in things that will ultimately bring you happiness and, in the future, eternal life in paradise, something that cannot be bought with anything.
14. How does keeping busy with spiritual activities help us? (See also the picture.)
Keeping busy with spiritual activities helps us to view the times in which we live with balance. This helps us avoid becoming overly concerned about political instability, economic problems, and illness, since we understand that these things were foretold in the Bible. Instead of letting fear overwhelm us and becoming distracted, we trust that Jehovah will fulfill his purpose for the future and remain calm, confident that he is by our side.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Keeping ourselves occupied with spiritual activities helps us view these times with balance and prevents fear from overwhelming and distracting us. Furthermore, if we do this, we can stand firm, and as Psalm 16:8 says, if we always keep Jehovah before us, nothing will ever shake us.
The image shows this couple happily going to preach, because everything happening in the world reminds them that we are in the final days. So, instead of feeling fear or anxiety, on the contrary, it motivates them to redouble their efforts, because there is less time left.
Considering the image, what would happen to this couple if, instead of looking ahead, they were looking the other way? They would be overwhelmed by everything that's happening. All the bad news is there, and the more they look at it, the more burdensome it becomes. The news will continue to be there. But what is their decision? To do what brings them the most joy, which is attending to their spiritual needs.
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” will help us avoid adopting the world’s way of thinking, in which entertainment and fun often take precedence. It will enable us to maintain a balanced view of leisure activities and make good choices. In this way, we show that we think like Jehovah and that we know what is most important.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It will help us to be balanced with our time, knowing that things like entertainment have to have a place in our lives, but being clear about what the most important things are, which in this case should always be the spiritual ones.
We live surrounded by people for whom entertainment is the most important thing in life, and they don't care about anything else. But we shouldn't think the same way. That's why entertainment should be kept in its proper place, so that it doesn't take the place of spiritual things.
16. What was Jesus focused on during the hours before his death?
In the hours before his death, Jesus was completely focused on remaining faithful to Jehovah and doing his will. Unlike his disciples, who fell asleep from exhaustion and sadness, Jesus remained alert and prayed fervently.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
He was focused on remaining faithful to Jehovah and doing God's will, and he prayed fervently. Unlike Jesus, who remained vigilant, his disciples fell asleep; they were exhausted by sorrow.
The paragraph indicates that, unlike Jesus, his disciples fell asleep. It says they were exhausted by sadness and despair. Jesus acknowledged that they had been under immense pressure, that it was late, and that they had witnessed the agony he was experiencing. Because of all this, they were suffering. In this instance, they lost their composure and were not as focused as Jesus.
There's a phrase we should always remember: "They were exhausted by sadness." Sometimes we think of exhaustion only as the result of working hard or exerting ourselves physically, but sadness can also be very draining. That's why it's necessary to look elsewhere, toward what truly makes us happy, because otherwise, we can end up constantly exhausted and, moreover, unhappy.
17. Why do many people use social media, and what could happen to them? (See also the image).
Many people use social media to forget their problems and entertain themselves for long periods of time. However, they can easily become absorbed by it and spend too much time and energy keeping up with everything new, which can distract them from what's most important.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This phrase is interesting. It says: “To forget your problems and to be entertained for hours and hours.” And that's precisely what they're designed for: so that the moment you see something, it leads you to something else, and then to another, and so on, until hours and hours have passed, or until your battery dies. That's why we have to be very careful, because if we let ourselves get caught up in this way, we'll stop focusing on what's most important.
The paragraph also presents another perspective. People use them for things that are, in principle, legitimate, such as keeping in touch with distant relatives or sharing news and photos, in order to feel closer to people they may not see as often. And this, in principle, is fine. The problem is that it's very easy to get absorbed by them, and then we don't have time to keep up with all the news from everyone we know or care about.
As already mentioned, we must be very careful with social media and also ask ourselves the questions at the end of the paragraph: what effect do they have on me? Do they make me feel better or, in the end, do I also end up exhausted?
Many of us may have experienced what we see in the image: trying to read the Bible while our phones are buzzing with notifications, like WhatsApp or a clothing store ad. It's very easy to take our eyes off the Bible and look at our phones.
What we see in the image is a clear example of distraction. This sister, unfortunately, has become distracted. Her Bible reading time is being taken up by other things.
The paragraph mentions that we must have a balanced point of view: it is fine to be entertained for a while, but when that already prevents the spiritual routine of reading the Bible, then concentration has already been lost.
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 to exercise good judgment when choosing our entertainment because, while it can be a way to relax, it can also lead us to consume inappropriate or harmful content without realizing it. Many apps and platforms suggest videos or content that may include violent or immoral images. Therefore, good judgment helps us choose both the type and amount of entertainment we consume.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because we know that, in this world, what's popular or trendy isn't necessarily what's wisest for us. The paragraph explains how there are platforms that offer movies, series, short videos, video games, and even books that can expose us to immoral or violent content, even apostate content, and that are very dangerous. So, it's no longer just about choosing what we watch, but also about how much time we dedicate to it.
Social media platforms operate using algorithms that, when they detect you spend a few seconds watching a video, interpret that as interest and show you similar ones. Satan's goal isn't necessarily to immediately expose you to something clearly inappropriate, which you would likely reject, but rather to gradually introduce you to more subtle content, "little snippets" that you watch progressively. Therefore, this can be one of the most subtle traps, and you must be very careful when using social media.
The paragraph illustrates the example of a brother who used to watch videos highlighting moments from movies on social media. But gradually, he began receiving suggestions from apps and started viewing immoral content; he even went so far as to watch pornography. This highlights the importance of this issue, because if we don't handle it carefully, it can lead us to make mistakes that are difficult to undo later.
We must be very disciplined, because many years ago the first screens appeared—televisions. Then many channels emerged, followed by the internet, computers, and so on. Ultimately, we've become a "screen-addicted" generation, constantly switching from one screen to another, and every day we have more apps. Without discipline, we can certainly become distracted from what's most important. Therefore, good judgment will help us choose the type and amount of entertainment.
19. What might happen if we focus too much on free time and holidays?
If we focus too much on free time and vacations, we could lose our balance and end up stealing time from the most important things. While rest is necessary and beneficial, and we all need to relax and disconnect from time to time, if we focus too much on these activities, we risk neglecting what truly matters.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
These distractions can pull us away from what is truly important: our spiritual activities. So, if we spend too much time on vacation, we're unlikely to attend meetings, study at home as we should, or preach.
This dilemma can be compared to the jar, the sand, and the stones. If we put the sand, representing free time, into the jar first, there won't be enough room for all the stones, which represent what's most important. However, if we put the stones in first, almost all the sand can fit afterward, as it fills the gaps. This way, we ensure we have what's most important.
We always want to prioritize our most important things first and then use our free time for other activities. Otherwise, the truly important things, the ones that can influence our lives, would be left out.
Regarding good judgment or maintaining balance in these matters, entertainment can be a challenge, especially when we're talking about wholesome entertainment that helps us, benefits us, and that we even share with our siblings. Therein lies the challenge, that's the dilemma: How much time am I dedicating to that entertainment?
If we sign up for everything that comes up, we might miss church meetings or even other spiritual activities. That's why we need to be very careful, not only with the type of entertainment we choose, but also with the amount of time we spend on it.
In Philippians 1:10 we see how we can not only harm ourselves, but we also have to be careful, because we can cause other brothers in the congregation to stumble, and it is clear that we would not like that.
20. How does fighting distractions benefit us?
Fighting against distractions benefits us because it helps us stay focused on what is most important: our service to Jehovah. With his help, we can face life's problems without becoming overly concerned about world events or focusing too much on entertainment and amusement.
Furthermore, it allows us to stay engaged in spiritual activities and to be clear about what is most important. In this way, we not only avoid distractions, but we also cling to "the life that is truly life."
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Fighting against distractions benefits us because it allows us to give Jehovah the prominent place he deserves and to accomplish the work he has assigned us. This helps us to stay engaged in spiritual activities and to keep in mind that Jehovah is the most important thing. In this way, we can fight against distractions and worries, and if we do so, we will live the life that is truly life.
As Isaiah 48:17 says, all the counsel Jehovah gives us is for our benefit. Although it may not be our natural inclination at first, when we avoid distractions, we can better cope with life's problems. We don't worry excessively, and all of that benefits us, in addition to helping us be prepared for the end.
1 Timothy 6:19 tells us about how we must strive for “the life that is truly life.” Because today we can enjoy life to varying degrees. If we are balanced, we can have good things with our brothers and sisters or in our personal lives, but what is truly life is the life that Jehovah gives. Therefore, that is the life we want to keep in mind and the life we want to strive for.
HOW DOES THE FOLLOWING HELP US FIGHT DISTRACTIONS?
Learn to think like Jehovah.
Learning to think like Jehovah helps us fight distractions because it enables us to better understand “what is Jehovah’s will.” By reading and meditating on his Word, we discover what pleases him and can become familiar with his way of thinking. In this way, even in situations that the Bible does not directly address, we can be guided by his way of thinking.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
To learn to think like Jehovah, we first need to develop the habit of reading his Word, praying, being obedient to what we learn, and surrounding ourselves with people who strengthen our faith.
As Jehovah has taught us in this valley of tears, we need discipline, patience, and foresight. We are in a spiritual chess game, and what better way to win than with Jehovah as our teacher?
Keeping ourselves busy with spiritual activities.
Keeping busy with spiritual activities helps us fight distractions because it allows us to view the times in which we live with balance. This helps us avoid becoming overly concerned about political instability, economic problems, and illness, since we understand that these things were foretold in the Bible. Instead of letting fear and distraction overwhelm us, we trust that Jehovah will accomplish his purpose and remain calm, confident that he is by our side.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jehovah created us with certain spiritual needs, and we will feel happy if we satisfy them. And how do we do that? By getting to know Jehovah better through his Word and by giving our best in every aspect of our worship that is within our reach.
Paragraph 13 offered a key insight: it's not just what's mentioned in Ephesians 5:15-16, which says we have to buy time. We must make a conscious effort to take advantage of that time, because if we leave it to chance, it won't work; what we must do is organize it well.
Keeping ourselves engaged in spiritual activities will help strengthen our faith, especially when we preach. It will also prevent us from being so focused on world events and problems, so they don't affect us in the same way.
Although the problems remain, we will keep our minds focused on the priority that Jehovah gives us: to remain spiritually active and strong.
Always be clear about what is most important.
Always being clear about what is most important helps us fight distractions because it prevents us from adopting the world's way of thinking, where entertainment often takes precedence. “Good judgment” allows us to maintain a balanced view of leisure activities and make good choices. In this way, we show that we think like Jehovah and that we keep our priorities straight.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
On the one hand, we will avoid being influenced by the world's way of thinking, because we will be in a different setting, and we will also have a balanced view of entertainment.
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