Watchtower Study, How to Use Bible Principles to Train Your Conscience. Week of July 13-19, 2026, Comments and Answers.

Watchtower Study, How to Use Bible Principles to Educate Your Conscience. July 13-19, 2026, Comments and Answers.

“Each one will bear his own load of responsibility” (GAL. 6:5).

1, 2. a) What gift did Adam and Eve receive?

Adam and Eve received the gift of free will, that is, the ability to choose and make their own decisions. Jehovah created them in his image and likeness, with intelligence and the capacity to reason, so they were neither like animals guided by instinct nor like machines programmed to obey.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The gift they received was free will, that is, the freedom to choose and make their own decisions in life.

When Jehovah created us, he endowed us with free will. We were created in his image and likeness, so, like Adam and Eve, we have the ability to make our own choices. Furthermore, both Adam and his wife were very intelligent and enjoyed the freedom to choose for themselves.

The Bible shows that Adam and Eve were created in God’s image. So when Jehovah commissioned them to care for the earth and have children, he knew perfectly well that they could fulfill it. Why? Because he had created them with qualities that reflected his own, enabling them to make responsible decisions and carry out the task he had entrusted to them.

1, 2. b) How should they have shown appreciation for that gift?

Adam and Eve should have shown appreciation for that gift by properly using their freedom of choice and willingly obeying the instructions Jehovah had given them. He charged them to care for the earth, populate it with their children, and respect the reasonable boundaries he had set. By obeying those instructions, they would have shown that they loved Jehovah, trusted him, and wanted to make him happy.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

They should have shown their appreciation by obeying Jehovah’s standards. In that way, they would have shown that they loved him and wanted to make him happy.

They should have obeyed Jehovah’s standards, for he did not give them a long and endless list of laws. He simply set reasonable limits, as mentioned at Genesis 2:16, 17, when he told them that they could not eat the fruit of one tree.

3. How did Adam and Eve use their freedom of choice?

Adam and Eve misused their freedom of choice. Instead of obeying and showing love and gratitude, they chose to disobey and give in to selfishness. For this reason, humanity is still paying the consequences of that poor decision.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

They misused it because, instead of showing gratitude to Jehovah and obeying him, they chose to act selfishly and disobey him. As the paragraph at the end points out, we continue to suffer the consequences of that decision to this day.

The paragraph mentions the word selfishness. We might think it's simply a characteristic of imperfection, but the definition offered by Jehovah's Witnesses is very interesting. He explains that selfishness is a way of thinking and acting that puts one's own benefit before Jehovah's will, seeking to satisfy one's own interests. We see that Adam and Eve made a wrong choice, and to this day, we continue to suffer the consequences of that choice.

4. a) According to Galatians 6:5, what should we all do?

According to Galatians 6:5, each one must carry his own load of responsibility. This means that we all have to make decisions daily, some simpler and others more complex. But if we want to make decisions that please Jehovah, we must recognize that we need his help.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

First and foremost, we must recognize that we need Jehovah's help. Even Jesus, though perfect, understood that he depended on his Father's help and guidance.

Based on Galatians 6:5, which says that each one will carry his own load, we must recognize that each person is responsible for making his own decisions and accepting their consequences. Although some decisions are easier than others, our desire is always to please Jehovah. That is why we turn to him and ask for his help in making good choices.

Proverbs 16:3 shows us the importance of seeking Jehovah’s help. This verse says: “Leave everything you do in Jehovah’s hands, and your plans will succeed.” Therefore, we should continually seek Jehovah’s guidance, approval, and counsel so that our decisions will be as wise as possible.

Jeremiah 10:23 makes it clear that humans are not even entitled to direct their own steps. Jehovah knows this, and that is why he wants us to ask for his help. Even Jesus, who was perfect, constantly turned to his Father for guidance. How much more should we, who are imperfect, do so!

4. b) What other gift will we talk about in this article?

Jesus, though perfect, recognized that he needed God’s help. All the more so, we who are imperfect, need to depend on Jehovah and seek his guidance. That is why Jehovah has given us another precious gift that helps us make good decisions: our conscience. In this article, we will discuss this gift and how we can use it properly.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jehovah has not left us adrift; quite the contrary. He has given us another precious gift: our conscience. However, for it to guide us correctly, we must educate and train it according to his standards.

WHAT IS CONSCIOUSNESS?

5. a) What is consciousness?

Conscience is an internal sense of right and wrong that Jehovah has given us. It is like an inner judge that analyzes our thoughts and actions and can accuse or excuse us according to what we think or do, as explained at Romans 2:14, 15.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Conscience is an internal sense of right and wrong. Even people who don't know God's laws have a conscience.

The note in the study Bible on the text of Romans, explaining the term "conscience," is very interesting. It indicates that it literally means "shared knowledge" or "self-knowledge." This teaches us that conscience is the ability to know ourselves and to judge whether what we do is right or wrong.

Our conscience warns us against doing what we know is wrong. Furthermore, it can be nurtured and strengthened through knowledge.

According to 1 Samuel 26:8-11, David knew Jehovah's way of thinking. He did not need a specific law telling him what to do; because he knew how Jehovah viewed things, he acted in harmony with his way of thinking.

5. b) How does our conscience help us? (Romans 2:14, 15).

Our conscience helps us distinguish between a good and a bad decision. It warns us against doing what we know is wrong and also motivates us to do what is right. However, to guide us well, it needs to be trained according to Jehovah’s principles, because freedom of choice alone does not guarantee that our decisions will please him.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Conscience has the same problem we do: because we are imperfect, it is also imperfect. It can be negatively influenced by our upbringing, our background, or even by ill will.

For our conscience to serve as a good guide, it needs constant maintenance. We must feed it with the knowledge of what is right in Jehovah’s eyes, so that when we have to make decisions, our conscience will move us to act in harmony with God’s will.

The Bible repeatedly describes the conscience with adjectives such as weak, tainted, insensitive, or evil. This also warns us that we must educate and strengthen it so that it can be a good guide for us.

1 Timothy 4:2 can be understood in two ways, as the footnote explains. In Paul’s day, a red-hot iron was used to brand cattle to identify their owners. The burned area became numb due to the resulting scar. Paul uses this image to illustrate that when a person repeatedly does wrong, their conscience can become desensitized. As a result, they may sin without remorse and cease to feel remorse.

According to 1 Timothy 4:2, some may think that the image of having a marked conscience refers to those who sin repeatedly becoming associated with Satan and the demons. Therefore, we do not want to allow our conscience to become insensitive or stray from Jehovah’s standards.

This idea is better understood by looking at the revised edition of the Bible, in the translation of 1 Peter 3:16, which says: “Maintain a good conscience.” Previously, it said: “Have a good conscience.” However, the expression “maintain” makes it clearer that we can have a well-educated and trained conscience, but we could lose it if we don't take care of it and maintain it.

We see that our conscience is not always an infallible guide. It is an inner sense that Jehovah has given us, but it needs to be properly adjusted. The illustration of the scales helps us understand this: if a scale is out of adjustment, it must be calibrated so that it can weigh correctly.

If our conscience becomes misaligned, we must re-educate it and adjust it to Jehovah's standards so that it can be a good guide, even if it is not infallible in all cases.

6. What problem does our conscience have?

Our conscience has the problem that, like us, it is imperfect. It can be negatively affected by our upbringing, culture, experiences, or evil desires. That is why the Bible says that it can become weak, tainted, insensitive, or even evil.

When our conscience isn't properly trained, it can fail to guide us correctly. It's like a scale that's out of balance and needs recalibrating. To keep it working properly, we must maintain it.

HOW TO EDUCATE OUR CONSCIENCE

7, 8. a) What will help us to educate our conscience?

To train our conscience, we must learn what is right and wrong in Jehovah’s eyes. One way to do this is by regularly reading and studying the Bible. By studying its laws and principles, we can better understand Jehovah’s way of thinking and feeling, and our conscience will be better equipped to guide us.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Since Jehovah is the one who knows and decides what is right and wrong, we must learn what is right in his eyes. To do this, it is not enough to simply read the Bible; we must also look for the principles, standards, and guidance that Jehovah has given to mankind.

In some cases, the answer may be very clear in the Bible, but in others we must make a greater effort and delve deeper to understand how to apply biblical principles.

Isaiah 55:9 reminds us that Jehovah's ways and thoughts are superior to our own. We are imperfect, and so is our conscience. Therefore, what better way to shape it than by conforming it to something that is perfect and reliable: Jehovah's viewpoint.

7, 8. b) How do Bible principles help us? Give an example (see also the picture).

Bible principles help us understand Jehovah’s way of thinking and make good decisions even when the Bible does not mention a specific situation. They are like reference points that help us know if we are on the right path and correct our course if necessary.

For example, just as a hiker consults the landmarks on his map to confirm that he is going in the right direction, we, as Christians, have the Bible as a map with specific directions that guide us toward the destination we want to reach: Jehovah's approval.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

As the example in the paragraph illustrates, when we travel through an unfamiliar place, or one without signs, it's easy to get lost or encounter unexpected events that could lead us astray. But if we use a map with key landmarks, it will help us know where we are, whether we're on the right track, and how to get back on the correct route. Similarly, biblical principles guide us in making decisions in life.

Jehovah has provided us with landmarks to guide our lives. Just as a map shows us features like mountains, palm trees, or other landmarks that help us find our way, Bible principles serve a similar purpose. By understanding, accepting, and applying these principles, we can make good decisions and reach the destination Jehovah desires for us.

The image helps us see that when we have to make decisions or want to achieve a good result, it's not always enough to apply just one principle. Sometimes, we'll have to look for several principles that complement each other.

If we removed several landmarks from this map, it would probably be much harder to reach our destination. Similarly, when making decisions, we should look to different biblical principles to help us choose the best option.

ILLUSTRATION

A hiker checks landmarks on his map to confirm he is heading in the right direction toward his destination in the middle of the desert.

Biblical principles are like reference points that show us we are going in the right direction. (See paragraph 8.)

9. According to Romans 9:1, what other help do we have to educate our conscience?

According to Romans 9:1, another aid we have in training our conscience is God’s holy spirit. This helps us to understand Jehovah’s way of thinking on various matters and also gives us the strength and motivation needed to act in harmony with his will, as Philippians 2:13 indicates.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

That help is the holy spirit, and it benefits us in three ways: it helps us to understand Jehovah's opinion, it motivates us to do his will, and it also gives us the necessary strength, because at many times it can be difficult to do so.

The Holy Spirit helps us in every situation we find ourselves in. He gives us the courage to speak or to remain silent when necessary, and He provides us with the wisdom to wait and act patiently.

Philippians 2:13 mentions that Jehovah gives us both the energy and the desire and the strength necessary to act in accordance with his principles.

10. What must we do to receive help from the holy spirit? (Luke 11:10, 13).

To receive help from the holy spirit, we must ask Jehovah. As Luke 11:10 states, “everyone asking receives, and everyone seeking finds.” Therefore, we can be sure that he will give it to us generously, since he grants it to those who are willing to be guided by him and seek his wisdom.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In Proverbs 1:23, Jehovah shows us that he will not only give us holy spirit, but he will pour it out on us. And of course, one who pours something out does not do so sparingly, but generously. So Jehovah promises us that if we ask him for his spirit, he will give it to us abundantly.

11. a) What should be our main goal in life?

Our primary goal in life should always be to seek Jehovah's approval. Having this objective clear will help us to make decisions that are in harmony with his will. We must train our conscience so that our thinking is in tune with Jehovah's and so that our heart is interested in what he feels.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

When we introduce God's thoughts and will into our minds, it is not simply a matter of accumulating a lot of knowledge, but of allowing our conscience to begin to react in a more spiritual way, with the goal of always having Jehovah's approval.

We have a biblical basis in Proverbs 8:34, 35, where it says that happy is the man who finds Jehovah, for he finds life and receives his approval.

When the conscience is well trained, as the paragraph says, our way of thinking will be in tune with Jehovah's way of thinking, and our heart will be concerned about what he feels.

When we face everyday situations in our lives, whether at work, during leisure activities, with our family, or with the people we interact with, our actions will reflect how we have trained our conscience. If it is well-trained, we will be able to act in harmony with Jehovah's way of thinking.

11. b) Why should we make sure that our conscience is well educated and functioning properly?

We must make sure that our conscience is well-trained because modern life presents many situations that the Bible does not specifically mention, such as matters related to entertainment, work, studies, or personal relationships. A well-trained conscience, one that is in harmony with Jehovah’s way of thinking, will help us to make decisions that please him and give us the peace of mind that comes from knowing we have his approval.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because today we face unforeseen situations that aren't directly addressed in the Bible or about which we may not have found specific information in any publication. In such cases, we will have to make sound decisions based on a conscience trained by the Bible. Without a well-formed conscience, we could make wrong choices.

As 2 Corinthians 1:12 says, our conscience can help us act with holiness, that is, to maintain a way of life different from that of the world. It can also bear witness to the difference between the way the world acts and the way we live. But, in order to fulfill this function, it must be well-calibrated and trained according to biblical principles.

12. What will help us see if our conscience is leading us in the right direction? (Ephesians 5:10).

Meditating on what we read in God’s Word will help us to see if our conscience is guiding us in the right direction. When studying the Bible, we should look for principles that enable us to understand Jehovah’s way of thinking. These principles help us to evaluate our decisions and, if necessary, to adjust our conscience to follow the path that pleases God.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

As Ephesians 5:10 mentions, we must make sure of what pleases Jehovah. To do this, we meditate on what we read in his Word, look for Bible principles that apply to each situation, and then put them into practice.

We also need to examine our conscience, that is, compare our thoughts with biblical principles. If we find that our thinking doesn't align with them, then we must make the necessary adjustments, because otherwise we won't be acting rightly.

Principles allow us to understand the way Jehovah thinks, and in this way we can please him.

Reading the Bible is not about covering a lot of ground, but about letting what we read reach our hearts and meditating on it. Therefore, it is good to ask ourselves questions like, “What does Jehovah think about this?” or “How would his Son act in this situation?” as we read the Bible. In this way, we can be sure that the decisions we make are in harmony with Jehovah’s principles.

How important it is to read the Bible every day, because, as the paragraph says, we need to constantly readjust and correct our conscience. We can compare it to a car's windshield wipers in the rain. If they don't work consistently, the water droplets accumulate until the vision becomes blurred, which can be dangerous and cause an accident.

Daily Bible reading helps us correct our imperfections and keep our conscience clear. If we don't read the Bible regularly, our conscience can become impaired and fail to guide us correctly.

There are cutting machines that are truly marvels of design. However, a small amount of dust on one of their sensors can cause the laser cut to veer off course. So, what does the technician have to do? As the paragraph states, he must readjust and correct the machine. Similarly, we should use Bible principles, read the Bible regularly, and make sure we understand what Jehovah really wants from us. Then we can correct any deviations and stay on the right path.

13. What mistake of the Israelites should we avoid?

We must avoid the mistake of making a decision first and then looking for Bible principles to justify it. The Israelites in Jeremiah’s day pretended to seek Jehovah’s guidance, but in reality, they had already decided what to do. When they received an answer that did not align with their desires, they rejected divine counsel and suffered the consequences.

To prevent that from happening to us, we must first seek out Bible principles that teach us Jehovah's way of thinking and then make decisions that are in harmony with his will.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We do not want to make a decision first, as the Israelites did, and then try to justify it with Bible principles, because that would show that we are putting our own desires above what Jehovah thinks and wants.

When we have to make a decision, we should first look to Bible principles. In this way, we can know Jehovah’s viewpoint and make decisions that are in harmony with his will.

It is interesting that Jeremiah’s account shows how they came to him and consulted him directly, giving the impression that they genuinely cared about what Jehovah thought. However, Jeremiah 43:1, 2 mentions that they rejected his answer and said: “What you are saying is a lie. Jehovah has never commanded us to do that.” Then, verse 4 shows that they completely disobeyed Jehovah’s voice.

What the Israelites did teaches us that we should not merely pretend to care about what Jehovah thinks while in reality we have already made a decision based on our own desires. Rather, we should demonstrate with our hearts that we value Jehovah’s opinion and act in harmony with it.

In reality, we all have our own opinions, and sometimes these don't align with Jehovah's way of thinking. That's where the danger lies: we can come to believe that our way of doing things is the best and, deep down, make a decision before considering Jehovah's perspective.

We must not reverse the process. First we have our own opinion, but then we must compare it with Bible principles and mold it to conform to Jehovah's way of thinking. In this way we align our conscience with his will.

14. Why should we apply Bible principles when making decisions?

We should apply Bible principles when making decisions because in doing so we allow ourselves to be guided by the holy spirit and act in harmony with Jehovah’s will. When we follow that guidance, Jehovah continues to give us his spirit, which strengthens us and helps us to do what is right.

On the other hand, if we ignore the guidance of the holy spirit or act against it, we could “grieve” him, and as a result, Jehovah could take him away. That is why basing our decisions on Bible principles allows us to maintain a good relationship with Jehovah and receive the strength we need.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Because if we do that, we are letting ourselves be guided by the holy spirit. In this way, we allow Jehovah to guide us and for things to be done as he desires. Otherwise, we would be like the Israelites, who first made a decision and then sought to justify it.

Ephesians 4:30 also mentions that we can “grieve the holy spirit.” This teaches us that it is not simply a matter of disobeying or misusing it. The holy spirit is not just a tool or a source of power that we use when we need it, but a help with which Jehovah expects us to actively cooperate.

It is not just about following principles to gain a benefit, but about asking ourselves whether our decisions please or sadden Jehovah and show that we value the help he gives us through his spirit.

In the map example, we see that what we are seeking is Jehovah's approval. To achieve this, we must follow the map and use Bible principles as our points of reference.

As James 1:23-25 ​​says, it's like looking in a mirror and seeing that our hair is messy, but doing nothing to fix it. Similarly, if we know biblical principles but don't let them guide us, it's like looking in the mirror and then running away without correcting what we've seen.

There is a saying that reflects the attitude of many people regarding doing things right: “It is better to ask forgiveness than permission.” However, we do not want to have to ask Jehovah for forgiveness for having done something wrong. That is why we rely on Bible principles that help us to act in the way he desires.

HOW TO FIND THE PRINCIPLES WE NEED

15, 16. a) How can we find the principles we need?

We can find Bible principles by using the study tools that Jehovah provides. For example, the Study Guide for Jehovah’s Witnesses helps us to locate information on different topics and to identify the Bible principles related to each situation.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We have a tool called the Study Guide for Jehovah's Witnesses. It contains various topics organized under headings. The example mentioned in these paragraphs is tobacco.

The Study Guide for Jehovah's Witnesses is really very interesting because, after explaining the harmful effects of tobacco based on what science shows, it presents Bible principles that help us to have reasons to strive to keep Jehovah's standards.

The Study Guide for Jehovah's Witnesses mentions that tobacco is an addiction, something many people already know. However, this helps us understand that we do not want to become slaves to an addiction like tobacco, because our loyalty and service should belong solely to Jehovah.

15, 16. b) What Bible principles can help a student to quit smoking?

Although the Bible does not specifically mention tobacco, it contains principles that can help a person understand Jehovah's viewpoint. Some of these are:

1. Not to become slaves to anything that can harm us (Romans 6:16).

2. Avoid anything that harms our body (2 Corinthians 7:1).

3. Serve Jehovah with all your soul (Matthew 22:37).

4. Do not harm others with our actions (Matthew 22:39; 1 Corinthians 10:24).

5. Trust that Jehovah will give us the strength to do what is right (Philippians 4:13).

These principles help the student to see that quitting smoking is not just about following a rule, but about showing love for Jehovah and a desire to please him.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

The first mentions that we don't want to become slaves to something that can lead to death. It also quotes Romans 6:16, which helps us understand this idea clearly.

2 Corinthians 7:1 speaks of cleansing ourselves from all defilement. We know that tobacco harms our bodies; therefore, this biblical principle helps us understand the importance of remaining clean in Jehovah's eyes.

The third shows that Jehovah wants us to follow him with all our dedication, based on some words that Jesus said to the people.

The fourth principle tells us that we should not harm our neighbor. Therefore, we see that cigarettes not only harm the person who smokes, but also those around them.

The fifth point reminds us that Jehovah gives us the strength to do what is right. Philippians 4:13 expresses this idea by saying: “I have strength for everything thanks to the one who gives me power.”

This paragraph has thoroughly reviewed five principles that influence the issue of quitting smoking, and each of them demonstrates that, indeed, there are biblical reasons to quit this habit.

If we continue searching the Bible, we will find many more principles related to quitting smoking. Five have been mentioned in this paragraph as examples, but there are many others that can help us make good decisions.

17. How can a Witness couple find Bible principles to help them plan their wedding?

A Jehovah's Witness couple can find Bible principles by using the Jehovah's Witnesses Study Guide. Under the heading "Weddings and Receptions," they will find articles with principles that will help them make good decisions.

These principles include:

1. Let all preparations honor Jehovah (1 Corinthians 10:31, 32).

2. Dress modestly and avoid extreme fashions (1 Timothy 2:9; 1 Peter 3:3, 4).

3. Avoid worldly ostentation (John 17:14; James 1:27; 1 John 2:15, 16).

4. Maintain order throughout the celebration (1 Corinthians 14:40).

5. Ensure that the reception is dignified and not an out-of-control party (Galatians 5:21).

6. It is advisable to assign someone to supervise the banquet (John 2:8, 9).

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Similarly, the Study Guide for Jehovah's Witnesses includes the topic of weddings and receptions. It mentions five principles to keep in mind when planning them.

The first principle is that all preparations must honor Jehovah. This principle is based on Paul's words to the Corinthians, where he said that whether we eat, drink, or do anything else, we must do it all for Jehovah's glory.

The second principle states that clothing should be appropriate and modest, and that we should not follow extreme fashions. 1 Timothy 2:9 indicates that women should dress appropriately and adorn themselves with modesty and good judgment.

The third principle states that all ostentation that imitates the world of Satan should be avoided.

The fourth principle is that everything should be done in an orderly manner, as shown in 1 Corinthians 14:40.

The fifth principle states that the reception should not turn into a wild party where people get drunk. Rather, it should be a simple and modest celebration.

And finally, the sixth principle mentions that it is advisable to entrust someone with supervising the banquet.

18, 19. a) What other tool can help us?

Another very useful tool is the book Bible Verses for Christian Living. This publication brings together verses organized by topic and presents questions that help identify Bible principles applicable to different situations. Thus, we not only find Bible texts but also the opportunity to reason and better understand Jehovah’s viewpoint.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We also have the book Biblical Texts for the Christian Life. It is organized by topic and contains a list of verses related to each one. Within these topics, we find questions and texts that help us identify biblical principles.

The book Biblical Texts for the Christian Life is wonderful because it helps us train our thinking skills and our conscience. When consulting any title, we don't find paragraphs that tell us exactly what we should or shouldn't do; rather, we find questions that help us meditate and biblical texts in which we can find principles.

18, 19. b) What principles related to the theme of celebrations can we find in this book? (See the box “Can we identify the principles?”).

In the section “Celebrations,” the book sets out principles that help a Christian to analyze whether he should attend a particular celebration. Among these principles is that Christians should keep themselves separate from false religion (1 Corinthians 10:21; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 5:10, 11).

Principles are also presented for evaluating patriotic celebrations, historical or political events, war commemorations, and ceremonies that bestow undue honor on people or symbols.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In the entry “Celebrations,” for example, we find the beginning of Exodus 32:1-10, which shows that Jehovah was very angry with the Israelites when they tried to mix true worship with false worship. This shows us that the origin of a celebration is also important to Jehovah. Therefore, before deciding whether to attend or participate in a celebration, researching its origin can help us make a good decision.

Under the topic “Patriotic Celebrations,” for example, we find a question: whether Christians should participate in ceremonies that give prominent people the honor that only Jehovah deserves. How timely this topic is for those of us who love soccer, especially now with the World Cup! We find three very interesting Bible passages related to people who received honor or worship as if they were gods: King Herod, Paul and Barnabas, and even an angel.

Analyzing how some Bible characters reacted to certain situations related to celebrations and how Jehovah reacted helps us to make good decisions. We can imagine for a moment what would happen if Jehovah had had to regulate these cases with specific laws.

In line with what was mentioned in the previous Watchtower, Jehovah dignifies us by allowing us to make decisions. But, on the other hand, this places a significant responsibility on each of us, because the decisions we make and how we react are our responsibility. Furthermore, we will have to give an account to Jehovah for them.

We have tools that Jehovah has made available to us so that we can make decisions that are in accordance with his purpose.

LET'S SHOW THAT WE HAVE A WELL-EDUCATED CONSCIENCE

20. How do we demonstrate that we have properly educated our conscience?

We show that we have trained our conscience well when we responsibly use our freedom of choice to make decisions that honor Jehovah and are in harmony with his will.

To achieve this, we continue to educate our conscience through biblical principles, constantly ask for the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to guide us. In this way, we will be able to appreciate the power of God's Word in our lives.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

A well-trained conscience will help us to make decisions that honor Jehovah and are in harmony with his will. For this, we need the help of holy spirit, which we must earnestly ask Jehovah for.

As 2 Timothy 3:16 says, all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching. So we also have God's Word, where we find principles that reveal Jehovah's way of thinking.

WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What is consciousness?

Conscience is an inner sense of right and wrong that Jehovah has given us. It is like an inner judge that analyzes our thoughts and actions, and can accuse or excuse us for what we think or do. It warns us against doing what is wrong and motivates us to do what is right.

However, because we are imperfect, our conscience can also be affected and fail to guide us correctly. Therefore, it needs to be continually educated and strengthened through the principles of God's Word.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

It is an internal sense of good and evil that warns us not to do what we know is wrong and also motivates us to do what we know is right.

How can we educate our conscience?

We can train our conscience by learning what is right and wrong in Jehovah’s eyes. To do this, we must read the Bible every day, study its laws, and search for the principles it contains. In this way, we will come to a better understanding of Jehovah’s way of thinking and feeling.

In addition, we should ask for the help of the holy spirit. It helps us to understand Jehovah’s viewpoint, motivates us, and gives us the strength to act in harmony with his will.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We need to align our thinking with Jehovah’s way of thinking. This is similar to tuning a radio: we search for the stations we want and then memorize them so we can access them quickly.

When we face situations not specifically mentioned in the Bible and must make a decision, whether related to education, employment, or any other matter, a well-trained conscience will help us make the best choice.

To educate our conscience, we must always ask Jehovah for his holy spirit and seek Bible principles.

How can Bible principles help us make decisions?

Bible principles are like reference points that help us know if we are on the right path and correct our course when necessary. If we follow them, we will be able to make decisions that please Jehovah and maintain his approval.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

We have seen that Bible principles are like landmarks on a map, helping us to know where to go and where not to go in order to gain Jehovah’s approval. Therefore, they should shape our thinking and not become a justification for decisions we have already made based on our own opinion.

They give us a broader view of Jehovah's way of thinking. Unlike specific laws, which have a more limited application, principles help us to understand what he thinks and feels in general, and to apply it to situations that the Bible does not directly address.