The Watchtower, March 1, 1964
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The Watchtower — March 1, 1964
Source: jw.org
Contents
What Purpose Is There in Living?
Accurate Knowledge Leads to Life
Friend of the Emperor
Telling “the Generation to Come”
Youth, Get Saved from This Crooked Generation
Out of Darkness into Light
Beware of Toying with Sexual Immorality!
Provision to Care for Dominican Expansion
Conducting Ourselves Worthily of the Good News
Questions From Readers
Announcements
What Purpose Is There in Living?
What Purpose Is There in Living?
DID you know that throughout the world more than ten thousand persons commit suicide every day? Multiply this by 365 and the yearly figure is astounding. It is greater than the entire population of many cities. What is leading so many people to such a desperate state of mind? Has life become a purposeless vacuum for them? Have they lost all sense of obligation to themselves, to their fellowman, to God who is their Creator?
It is recognized that having a purpose in life is essential to the well-being of man. Some have the purpose of doing good to others, treating them kindly and generally being helpful. Some make it their purpose in life to have a good time, enjoy themselves, engrossing themselves in pursuits of pleasure. Some view working toward the goal of financial security as their purpose in life. Others center their life around their home and family. But judging from the lack of true happiness among people with such goals, it is evident that there is something defective about these goals as the main purpose for living. A loftier purpose is needed. What loftier purpose is there than that which man’s Creator has set before man?
God’s Word, the Bible, shows that our true purpose in living should be the doing of his divine will. This is how the wise man Solomon stated it: “Fear the true God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole obligation of man.” (Eccl. 12:13) That the doing of God’s will is indeed the “whole obligation of man” is what Simon Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, wrote to the early Christians: “Since Christ suffered in the flesh, you too arm yourselves with the same mental disposition; because the person that has suffered in the flesh has desisted from sins, to the end that he may live the remainder of his time in the flesh, no more for the desires of men, but for God’s will. For the time that has passed by is sufficient for you to have worked out the will of the nations when you proceeded in deeds of loose conduct, lusts, excesses with wine, revelries, drinking matches, and illegal idolatries.”—1 Pet. 4:1-3.
Since our purpose in living should be “no more for the desires of men, but for God’s will,” it is imperative that we learn what God’s will is. That is not something that can be determined simply by the conscience of each individual, or by custom, or by what a “Sunday-school” teacher says. Nor is God’s will always learned by parental training. God has provided for our instruction on his will through the pages of the inspired Bible, and wise persons will make this Book their constant companion and guide.
Certainly the Bible shows that God’s will is that we should “fear the true God,” Jehovah, rather than men. (Luke 12:4, 5) It shows that we should “keep his commandments.” God’s commandments relate to our conduct and activity, which he requires to be holy. In fact, the apostle Peter, at the beginning of his first letter, stressed being holy in all one’s conduct because this is the will of God: “As obedient children, quit being fashioned according to the desires you formerly had in your ignorance, but, in accord with the holy one who called you, do you also become holy yourselves in all your conduct, because it is written: ‘You must be holy, because I am holy.’” (1 Pet. 1:14-16) That means the divine will for man is a life set apart for living according to God’s holy standard of righteousness. So one who does God’s will cannot be running in the way of this ungodly system of things. The time past in a person’s life when doing the will of the nations, Peter said, has been enough, too much, in fact; from the time he begins to pursue the right purpose in living he should buy out time and use it, together with his strength and energy formerly spent on doing the will of men, in doing God’s will.
Peter also said that one who wants to do God’s will must arm himself. With what? “The same mental disposition” that Jesus Christ had. What a protection that is against this ungodly system of things, against despondency, unhappiness and purposeless living! To arm oneself with the mental disposition of Jesus Christ, one must learn about what Jesus taught—the kingdom of God. The one doing God’s will will put that kingdom foremost in his life, just as Jesus did, obeying his commandment: “Keep on, then, seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these other things [material needs] will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33) Then we will embrace the sure hope of everlasting life by means of God’s kingdom and Christ’s ransom sacrifice, which he provided by laying down his perfect human life.
Part of the Christian’s purpose in living should be to teach God’s will to others; certainly that involves teaching others about the kingdom of God established in the heavens and how it will bring blessings to all obedient mankind. Yes, it is God’s will that all true Christians recommend to others God’s message of salvation by means of Jesus Christ through his heavenly kingdom, which will make possible a righteous new order of things.
When Jesus Christ was on earth he stated his purpose in living this way: “For this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth.” (John 18:37) This was the purpose around which his activities were molded. He recommended God’s will to all with whom he came in contact who were humble and desirous of learning the right purpose in life. To live up to Jesus’ standard is not easy, but each individual has the responsibility to do what he can in praising God in such a way that others will learn God’s will. God is not unreasonable; he accepts our sincere efforts to live up to his requirements.
So it is important to do all we can in carrying out the good purpose of ‘fearing the true God and keeping his commandments,’ living “no more for the desires of men, but for God’s will.” Then we will have the right purpose in living and be in line for a future of eternal happiness under God’s kingdom.
Accurate Knowledge Leads to Life
Accurate Knowledge Leads to Life
Everyday living requires knowledge. But are you also acquiring the knowledge that affects your eternal welfare?
WOULD you perform an operation an someone’s brain or heart if you had never studied medicine?
Even the thought of performing such a delicate operation involving human life without the needed knowledge of medicine no doubt shocks you. You know that surgery requires the great skill that comes from accurate knowledge and training in this field. Only a person who had this accurate knowledge and training would be in position to perform such an operation successfully.
It is not only in a technical field such as medicine that accurate knowledge is needed. It is necessary even in making your daily living. For example, you could not very well get employment as a truck driver if you had never driven a truck and had no knowledge of traffic regulations. It requires knowledge of the vehicle and knowledge of the rules of the road to be a qualified driver.
A housewife, too, needs knowledge. She has to have a knowledge of cooking before she can prepare an appetizing as well as nourishing meal that her family can enjoy. She needs to know how to care for her home and her children. The more accurate her knowledge and the more practice she gets, the better the results will be.
Yes, to sustain and save life, to care for the necessary affairs of life, knowledge is needed.
WHAT ABOUT GOD?
You put much effort, then, into acquiring the knowledge you need so you can enjoy life and prolong it as long as possible. Yet there is something that can have an even more important effect on your life. Of it, too, you need possession. What is it? The accurate knowledge of God, his purposes and his requirements. It is God’s will that is going to prevail on earth ultimately, regardless of what men and nations do. Says the inspired proverb: “Many are the plans in the heart of a man, but the counsel of Jehovah is what will stand.” (Prov. 19:21) Upon Jehovah God depend the life prospects of every person on earth. For those who love and serve him, he assures life everlasting in a righteous new order.
In view of this, does it make sense to exert all your vital force in acquiring knowledge needed to sustain your present life for a brief seventy or eighty years, and at the same time ignore the far more important knowledge of God and of his provision for eternal life?
Life is a most precious possession. Even in this trouble-filled world you would rather be alive than dead. So you do what you have to do in order to stay alive as long as possible. Yet if you are to have any future at all beyond the normal life-span, it must of necessity be God who provides it. As the psalmist indicated: “With you [God] is the source of life.”—Ps. 36:9.
Men, with all their marvelous accomplishments to their credit, cannot keep you living indefinitely. But God can. And if you serve him faithfully, he will. His promise is: “My son, my law do not forget, and my commandments may your heart observe, because length of days and years of life and peace will be added to you.” (Prov. 3:1, 2) Just how enduring that will be is also shown in the Bible, at Psalm 37:29, which states: “The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it.” This is Jehovah God’s grand promise, living forever in a trouble-free world, without any of the troubles that sorely distress and perplex humanity today.
In that glorious new order, right here on this earth it will be true that pain and grief so prevalent today will be things of the past. All earth will be transformed into a paradise. Man will grow to perfection of mind and body and will enjoy to the full the marvels of God’s creation, and that throughout eternity. “They will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating. For like the days of a tree will the days of my people be; and the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full. They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance; because they are the offspring made up of the chosen ones of Jehovah, and their descendants with them. And it will actually occur that before they call out I myself shall answer; while they are yet speaking, I myself shall hear.” (Isa. 65:21-24) No man or nation can promise such things and then fulfill such a promise, but God can and he does. Are not these divine provisions worth learning about? Could the pursuit of any other field of knowledge be more worthwhile?
It is just not logical to spend all your time and effort to acquire possessions that will not endure, and at the same time not spend any time or effort to obtain that which will endure forever. You are amused at the child who picks up two bright, shiny pennies instead of a soiled ten-cent piece, because this shows the child’s immaturity and lack of knowledge concerning the value of things. But are you showing a sound sense of values if you expend all your vital force in the pursuit of material possessions, fleshly pleasures and knowledge of everything except what pertains to your relationship to God, the One on whom your very life depends?
This does not mean you can be unconcerned about your daily life, for you must rightly provide its necessities. But if you love life, you will not be completely absorbed in acquiring these things at the expense of the more important things. Keep in mind the words of Jesus Christ, who said: “Even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) Jesus then gave force to this expression by telling of a rich man who thought he had life all figured out: “[The rich man] said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my storehouses and build bigger ones, and there I will gather all my grain and all my good things; and I will say to my soul: “Soul, you have many good things laid up for many years; take your ease, eat, drink, enjoy yourself.’” But God said to him, ‘Unreasonable one, this night they are demanding your soul from you. Who, then, is to have the things you stored up?’ So it goes with the man that lays up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.”—Luke 12:18-21.
No matter what you have, sooner or later you will be confronted with the hard fact that the grave awaits you. All the wealth, the knowledge, the skill and the energy you possess cannot be enjoyed in the grave. All effort and pleasure cease there: “As for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all . . . for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol, the place to which you are going.”—Eccl. 9:5, 10.
Only God, who is the Creator, Sustainer and Giver of life, can provide an escape from the distressing prospect of death. The Bible shows how you can avail yourself of that provision.
WHAT IS NEEDED?
How can you build a life that will please God, one that will lead you to life in his promised Paradise? What must you do to gain favor with the Almighty?
The foundation for building the kind of life that pleases God is accurate knowledge. Just as you must have accurate knowledge of your employment so you can make a living, and as a doctor needs accurate knowledge to perform an operation that can save life, so you must have accurate knowledge of God to avail yourself of his provision of life.
Really, how can you expect to please God if you do not know what pleases him? How can you perform what he requires if you do not know what his requirements are?
‘Ah, but wait,’ you may say. ‘That is where my clergyman comes into the picture. He has that knowledge and takes care of those religious matters.’ But can a clergyman assume your responsibility to serve God? If a relative of yours is a skilled surgeon, that does not qualify you to be one. If your best friend is a skilled truck driver, does that qualify you to be one? Of course not. To qualify, you must study and acquire skill through experience.
You cannot take anybody’s word for it that you are pleasing God; no, not even the word of a clergyman. They have been wrong before, as were the Jewish clergy in Jesus’ day. The principle you must follow in learning of God is this: “Each one will carry his own load.” (Gal. 6:5) While others can assist you, you are still responsible to God for your own relationship to him. This cannot be shifted to another. If you want life in God’s righteous new order, you personally will have to learn and obey his commandments.
Hence, the first step in building a life that pleases God is to acquire accurate knowledge of him so you can be in position to observe his commandments. Jesus said: “If, though, you want to enter into life, observe the commandments continually.” (Matt. 19:17) Those commandments are contained in God’s Word, the Bible.
HAVING THE BIBLE NOT ENOUGH
A common response of many religious persons in this matter is, ‘I have my Bible and I read it.’ Yes, but do you draw the right conclusions from it? Also, does it serve as a guide for your life, or do you take from it what you want and discard what you might consider unpleasant?
Having and reading a Bible does not necessarily mean that you draw the correct conclusions from it or that you let it guide your life. As an example, consider the trinity doctrine taught by most of the religions of Christendom. Members of those religious organizations, though they may possess Bibles and read them to some extent, still believe that the heavenly Father, his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are all one God. They believe that when Jesus came to earth he was God Almighty in human form.
But is this drawing the proper conclusions from the Scriptures? Jesus said: “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30) But that does not mean he is God, nor does it make reference to any so-called third person of the trinity. Did Jesus not explain in chapter 17 of the Gospel of John Joh 17 that this means oneness, of purpose, unity? Read it in your own Bible. Can a father be the same as his son? Jesus is God’s Son. Even a child can understand that a father is greater than a son. Jesus himself said: “The Father is greater than I am.” (John 14:28) But clergymen have so clouded this simple truth that some Bible readers do not believe it anymore. How simple it is for truly humble persons to draw the proper conclusion about this doctrine from Jesus’ words: “I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him”! (John 8:28, 29) The Christian apostle Paul drew the proper conclusion, because he later wrote: “The head of the Christ is God.” (1 Cor. 11:3) So while clergymen may teach that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit are equal, all one God, the simple truth concerning it is that they are not, that Christ is God’s Son and inferior to him, and that the holy spirit is God’s active force, hence subordinate to him.
But just why do well-educated clergymen fail to understand and teach these plain Bible truths? Because they prefer the traditions and philosophies of men to the written Word of God. And when a person rejects the Word of Jehovah, what wisdom does he have? Surely not Godly wisdom, because he does not have the spirit of Jehovah God. Rather, Satan the Devil, the “god of this system of things,” blinds his mind, that “the glorious good news about the Christ, who is [not God, but] the image of God, might not shine through.”—2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 2:8; Jer. 8:9.
There is a great danger, then, in drawing wrong conclusions from the Bible or letting someone else draw them for you. Trying to please God without personally taking in accurate knowledge from his Word is like taking a long journey in the dark of night without a road map and without a light. It is like tossing a coin to decide which turn to take each time you come to an intersection. You soon get lost.
There are many roads, but only one leads to life. The Bible points out that one “road leading off into life.” (Matt. 7:14) As you travel that road to life, the accurate knowledge from God’s Word will enable you to “make sure of all things.” (1 Thess. 5:21) In this dark world it will serve as a lamp to your foot, and a light to your roadway. (Ps. 119:105) Accurate knowledge of God leads past the coming dead end of this system of things. It leads to life in God’s promised new order, now near at hand. Jehovah’s witnesses will be pleased to help you to obtain this vital knowledge from your Bible by studying the Bible with you in your own home for an hour each week, at your convenience and free of charge.
Friend of the Emperor
Friend of the Emperor
◆ Acts 18:12-16 tells how the apostle Paul, when in Corinth, was brought before Gallio, the “proconsul of Achaia.” The judgment seat before which Paul undoubtedly appeared was found by archaeologists, as well as a letter of Emperor Claudius that says: “As Lucius Junius Gallio, my friend, and the proconsul of Achaia wrote.” The letter indicates Gallio came to Corinth A.D. 51, harmonizing with the time of Paul’s visit indicated in the Bible.
Telling “the Generation to Come”
Telling “the Generation to Come”
“Relating them even to the generation to come the praises of Jehovah and his strength and his wonderful things that he has done.”—Ps. 78:4.
1. What responsibility comes upon those who exercise the God-given power of procreation, and what is the extent of this responsibility?
THE power and privilege of bringing children into existence are granted by Jehovah God, the Source of life and the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. (Ps. 36:9) Imperfect humans who exercise this power do so by his undeserved kindness. They having availed themselves of the privilege, a weighty responsibility comes upon them. Parents are entrusted with the job of imparting to their offspring the true meaning and purpose of life. To pass on to children physical life without spiritual life indicates a failure of duty. Even animals pass on physical life to their offspring. But from humans, made in God’s image and endowed with the power of reason, better things are expected. In his written Word, the Holy Bible, Jehovah has recorded his purpose in creating all the marvels of his universe, including man. That purpose is that they all should laud him, reflect his matchless creatorship, and demonstrate that his principles for governing the whole universe are of the highest practical value, directing man in the only right way of life.—Ps. 145:10.
2. Why do some parents fail to pass on vital knowledge to their offspring, and therefore how, justly, could they be appraised?
2 Creatures who fail to render honor and praise to the Creator with even the very limited life they now enjoy are in fact misusing and abusing a precious gift from God. They are no better than the foolish one who says in his heart: “There is no Jehovah.” (Ps. 14:1) Together they ignore and deny the existence of the Creator, and so idiotically deny their own existence, for how can there be creatures without a creator? Such godless ones have nothing to pass on to their children beyond what the animal passes on to its young. If they themselves do not know and appreciate why they were given life, how can they pass this information on to the next generation? And how can their children attain to the greatest measure of happiness and usefulness in life if denied the heritage Jehovah intended for them, a heritage of heavenly wisdom?
3. (a) Parents like Noah, Abraham, Jacob and others exemplified what? (b) Why did Jehovah become acquainted with Abraham?
3 Happily in every generation there have been those who did appreciate this responsibility, and who have faithfully passed on to the next succeeding generation their knowledge of the majesty and praiseworthiness of the Most High God. In doing so they have ranged themselves alongside such grand examples of parenthood as Noah, Abraham, Jacob and a host of others. Noah, for his part, trained and instructed his boys so well that during critical times they stood courageously by him and survived as members of a godly household. (Heb. 11:7) Jehovah informs us why he made himself acquainted with Abraham in these words: “I have become acquainted with him in order that he may command his sons and his household after him so that they shall keep Jehovah’s way to do righteousness and judgment.” (Gen. 18:19) Today each parent who claims to have friendship with Jehovah God must, like Noah and Abraham, prove true to the purpose of this valued relationship.
4. What erroneous reasoning have many parents followed? How do we know they are gravely mistaken?
4 Some parents have mistakenly concluded, however, that it would be easier to wait until the child reaches physical maturity before trying to impart to him the instructions of the Creator. Already over 130 years ago some professed Christians were advancing the idea that “children ought not to be taught religion, for fear of having their minds biased to some particular creed; but they should be left to themselves, till they are capable of making a choice,—and, choose to make one.” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary, on Deut. 6:6-9) God’s Word, on the other hand, instructs parents to “train up a boy according to the way for him; even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it.” (Prov. 22:6) The real-life examples of young Josiah and young Timothy bear out the practicability of accepting divine guidance in this as in all other matters. (2 Chron. 34:1; 2 Tim. 3:15) Most parents have chosen to follow human wisdom, and this, in turn, has produced today’s bumper crop of youthful delinquents.
5. (a) On this subject, where does worldly wisdom lead us? (b) What does heavenly wisdom dictate?
5 The plight of those who depart from the way of heavenly wisdom is indicated by these expressions by a professor of psychology reported in The Telegram, Toronto, December 11, 1952: “The constant and unquestioned authority of the family head is a thing of the past. It just doesn’t fit now. In the old days a chain of command was necessary. Survival depended on working together, sowing the seed and harvesting the crop. The father, or headman, demanded authority and got it. Now when authority is exercised, even rarely, it is resented. It’s just a new pattern which has developed. We’re not sure where we are, but we’ll find a way out.” Parents, you do not need to end up in a fog like that! Failure to wield the rod of parental authority means abdication of your God-ordained position in the household and opens the door to anarchy. God’s instruction on the subject is clear: “Chastise your son while there exists hope.” “The rod and reproof are what give wisdom; but a boy let on the loose will be causing his mother shame. Chastise your son and he will bring you rest and give much pleasure to your soul.”—Prov. 19:18; 29:15, 17.
6. Why is there no time to lose, and what must be determined upon?
6 Do not delay telling the new generation those vital things they must know. Before he reaches adulthood your child should be so imbued with true knowledge that he will be able to stand up to crucial tests of his faith applied by a hostile world. You have no time to lose. Recent history provided the spectacle of grown men being brainwashed and transformed into putty in the hands of their captors simply because they had never been given any real foundation for faith. A few years of teaching, therefore, will not suffice. A progressive program of training is called for, one that will mold your child’s life from infancy right through to adulthood.
PROGRESSIVELY TELLING
7. When should the training of children commence? Explain.
7 As soon as an infant opens its eyes and ears on the world it begins to record impressions. What kind of things does it hear? Loud, harsh talk, quarreling, confusion? Or quiet, kind, dignified speech and action? What kind of impressions are you parents making on the sensitive record of your child’s mind? As he later learns to speak and express himself, are you availing yourselves of the wonderful opportunities to begin shaping the young intellect? At home mother could go through some helpful Bible aid with the child, such as From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained, explaining its many illustrations and emphasizing that whether people are good or bad is determined by their obeying and pleasing God or disobeying and displeasing him. Then when father comes home from work the child can be invited to repeat what he has learned, and father will give encouragement by showing keen interest in his progress. To engage in such beneficial training only when you feel like it will produce but mediocre results. Make it part of your family schedule and experience the joy of seeing the first roots of divine truth taking firm hold in the soil of your child’s mind.
8. (a) What advantage is there in a progressive program of training? (b) Outline some of the things parents must keep in mind as they follow such a program.
8 Later on as the youngster is exposed to playing and schooling with other children he will come in contact with bad thinking and wrong attitudes. Now, as you apply discipline, his good and bad actions can be related to the events of inspired history with which you have already familiarized him. Parental reproofs and commendations will thus become more meaningful and authoritative. As the child becomes more and more aware of cause and effect, emotions and attitudes, how very careful you parents must be to maintain fine conduct in all family relationships! One exchange of hot words between you, one bout of not talking, can easily at this stage spoil many weeks of patient training. The child expects his parents to live and act in harmony with the good Scriptural teaching they are passing on to him. Besides, he is now at the point where he will want to reenact scenes and conversations for his own amusement and self-education. Will he have excellent material to work upon? That depends on how well Mum and Dad are behaving themselves. He will also have plenty of questions. What will you parents do about that? If you show impatience, stifle his curiosity, then he is likely to go elsewhere for his answers, and most likely answers based on worldly wisdom. (Jas. 3:15) Why not take time to answer his serious questions, being sure to tie in your answers to the source of all true wisdom—Jehovah God. (1 Cor. 2:6-10) Take time to satisfy your child with knowledge and understanding, for thereby he can become truly beautiful in Jehovah’s sight.—Prov. 4:7, 8.
9. Explain the discipline that should be applied especially from the early teen years forward.
9 Comes the early teen-age period. A vital time indeed, for now son and daughter become self-assertive. They have to associate with many other children who lack any kind of parental control. Soon your child wants to have his own way also. This is when the rod of authority, literal and figurative, must surely be brought into play, though always administered with empathy and in love. (Prov. 23:13, 14) Nor is it enough to say to the youngster who asks why he has to follow a prescribed course, “Never mind, I am asking you to do just as I say.” Is that how Jehovah deals with his earthly children? No, for by his written Word he ‘sets things straight’ so that we know the reason back of the requirement. (Isa. 1:18) And it is always a good reason. Also, you must explain to your child that what looks like genuine freedom enjoyed by other children is, in fact, lack of control based upon ignorance of Jehovah’s requirements for families.
10. How must parents meet the situation posed when worldly knowledge is being planted in the children’s minds? Explain why.
10 Teen-age boys and girls imagine they have already reached manhood and womanhood, and they keep trying to prove it. A little worldly knowledge gained at school goes to their heads like a draught of strong wine. What steadying influence are you going to bring to bear on this situation? Your preschool training of them should properly have impressed them with the fact that there is only one source of true knowledge. (Ps. 94:10) Now as they eagerly lap up the information presented to them in school, continually remind them that their study courses in history, religion and science will be dictated and slanted by nationalism, sectarianism and evolutionism. Explain why. You must get this message across to them, for upon this depends your continuing to be a respected authority in their lives. Most children, unfortified by true knowledge at this stage, quickly conclude that their parents are old-fashioned and out of step with modern learning.
11. Why is the desire for popularity a deadly foe, and how can it be combated successfully?
11 As the late teen years are reached one of the most deadly foes to your child’s future with which you will have to do battle is the desire for popularity. You will surely require “power beyond what is normal” to wage this fight successfully. That extra power you must obtain from Jehovah through prayer and through upbuilding association with others of his true worshipers. (2 Cor. 4:7) How legitimate this desire for popularity deceitfully appears to be! Yet it breeds the love of money, all kinds of excesses, and draws people into the social whirlpool of this world that can eventually land them in a cesspool of vice. Whether popularity is sought through sports, dress, sex, social or business success, or in any other field, it takes possession of the mind and crowds out all that is good and spiritually healthful. (1 Tim. 6:9, 10) Be on the alert for the early, stealthy advances upon your child from this quarter. Read over and discuss with him frequently the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, underlining the points that those men of approved faith were unpopular, they were persecuted, and yet in Jehovah’s view “the world was not worthy of them.” (Heb. 11:38) Teach your child to seek, above all else, favor with God.
12. (a) Is sex education of children important? Why? (b) How can it be carried out effectively?
12 Sex is a major problem at this stage of your child’s life. Many parents fail, through an exaggerated sense of delicacy, to inform their children properly on this subject, and then wonder why the young folk get mixed up in shameful immoralities. Note how tastefully, yet adequately, the Bible discusses this matter. Using a private, family-owned cistern as representing a woman with her ability to give sexual refreshment to her husbandly owner, the words of Proverbs 5:15-19 are most expressive: “Drink water out of your own cistern, and tricklings out of the midst of your own well. Should your springs be scattered out of doors, your streams of water in the public squares themselves? Let them prove to be for you alone, and not for strangers with you. Let your water source prove to be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth, a lovable hind and a charming mountain goat.” A mere youth can be taught that the expression “your own cistern” signifies a wife of legal ownership by marriage, and that anyone partaking of marriage privileges while still unmarried is in fact no better than a common thief. Aptly, then, the harlot’s words of enticement to the inexperienced young man are expressed at Proverbs 9:17: “Stolen waters themselves are sweet, and bread eaten in secrecy—it is pleasant.” Appropriately, too, the Bible lists fornicators, adulterers, thieves and extortioners as, all alike, unworthy of an inheritance in the new system of things under God’s kingdom.—1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
13. Explain how youth can be given the proper balance on the subject of sex.
13 The sex-consciousness of youth needs to be balanced also by sobering facts about the lurking diseases related to loose sex associations that are rife in the world today. Statistics can be produced to show how syphilis and other social scourges are on the increase. Pull no punches in explaining their dread, painful and often fatal effects. At the same time give proper supervision to your child’s companionships with those of the opposite sex. Do not count too heavily on their self-control and integrity. The sex drive is a most powerful force. To grant youth the opportunities for putting it to the test while yet they have not learned the rights and responsibilities connected with it is like permitting him to drive a high-powered car on a busy highway without bothering to give him proper instruction on driving and on other people’s rights. It matters not that this “smart” world views sex promiscuity with the utmost of tolerance. We must keep reminding ourselves and our children that it is God’s favor and life that we are seeking, not the world’s favor and death.
BECOMING ACQUAINTED
14. (a) What will guard your child against evil companionships? (b) How will you demonstrate genuine love for your child?
14 If your child is to be guarded against finding his own questionable companionships and ways of occupying idle time, something must be substituted. As Jehovah made himself acquainted with Abraham, why not make yourself acquainted with your children, and for the same loving purpose? This cannot be achieved by being isolated dwellers in the same home. There has to be a genuine sharing of lives. Start children early sharing with you the work and pleasure of maintaining a clean, comfortable home. In this way father and mother will have more leisure time to share with their family profitably. Imaginatively plan ways and means of keeping the family together even in hours of relaxation. Group research into history, natural history, geography, archaeology and many other fields can be organized. This can be done with the help of select books from the public library, tours of museums and other places of educational interest, and outings for firsthand glimpses of creation’s marvels. By means of a projector you may use film or slides right at home to provide your own and your neighbors’ children with a combination of pleasure and education. The extent to which you are prepared to go in competing with worldlings for the companionship of your growing child will be the true measure of your love for him.
15. While being a companion to your children, what must you guard against, and why?
15 Even while becoming a companion to your child you must also see to it that he does not become overfamiliar and disrespectful. Your respect for Jehovah in everything you say and do will, in turn, command your child’s respect for you. You must always show yourself firm for right principles. Never be inconsistent in your dealings. When you say Yes, then you should mean just that; and when you say No, that should be final. How frequently one sees some cute, smooth-talking youngster cajoling his parents into letting him have his own way! To take the course of least resistance here, either by letting him have his way or by letting him get away with even a minor disobedience, is really teaching him to disobey. What a great responsibility for his later life this must bring upon you!
PLANNING HIS FUTURE
16. How can your child be directed toward a happy and successful future?
16 Plans for the future of your child would be vain if they failed to take into account the main purpose of your training, namely, to impress upon the young mind the vitalness of knowing God and living according to his requirements. So at a tender age he should be directed toward a life of greatest usefulness. Point to the prophets as men who devoted their lives to the teaching of heavenly wisdom. Explain how the brave and fearless warriors of the Bible were patterns of the bold, spiritual warriors of today who, without carnal weapons, are able to put enemies to flight, pull down strongholds of error, and bring emancipation to multitudes of enslaved peoples. (2 Cor. 10:4-6) Open up to your child’s vision wide vistas of opportunity in the service of God’s kingdom. Aid him to grasp the truth that all secular activities, without exception, are at best only useful as they provide more time and means to expend in the grand work of spreading knowledge of Jehovah’s marvelous works and future purposes.
17. Explain the relationship between teaching your child good speech and his successful future.
17 Good speech is one of the basics for a successful future. To be able to speak well means to speak clearly, to speak graciously, to speak respectfully, and, above all, to speak the truth. Teaching your child to express himself well should have many good effects. You cannot help a youth who will not talk about his troubles. Suppression of young ideas and views could produce introverts who will be more concerned about their own selfish little world than about the family and the many truth-hungry people all around. (Prov. 18:1) For best results in warmth and loving cooperation there must be confidential talk in the family. (Prov. 15:22) If you are always approachable, reasonable and conversational with your child, there is less likelihood of some seed of error taking root in his mind without your being aware of the danger. (Heb. 12:15) Teaching good speech also requires the teacher himself to make sure that he is giving a good example. The power of good speech on a good subject is described in the Bible as healing and refreshing to the listener. (Prov. 15:23; Ps. 107:20) Your child can be equipped to give comfort and hope to multitudes of needy ones in this selfish, heartless system of things.
18. How can parents find support in their earnest efforts to tell “the generation to come”?
18 In discharging this parental obligation to tell “the generation to come” about Jehovah’s wonderful works, you are not alone. There are other parents who see this as their God-given work. They not only teach the children at home but also take them along to a Kingdom Hall or to some centrally located home where several families assemble for an hour at a set time each week to study the Bible and strengthen one another’s faith and hope in God’s promised New Order. If there is no such meeting place in the immediate neighborhood, why not organize a study group right in your own home where interested persons could come together for consideration of the Bible? This magazine could be used as study material, and would surely help one and all to find the treasures of knowledge stored up in God’s Word for this very day in which we live. Your family would be greatly benefited by such wholesome association.
19. To ensure success in their God-given career, what should parents guard against, and what prospect lies beyond their faithful discharge of duty?
19 Parents, Jehovah has given you a marvelous inheritance—children, together with the responsibility of molding and training them for an everlasting and successful future. Why not enter fully into your parental career? For one who has a family, no other is to be compared with it. Do not permit the incidental matters of life, your job, your standing in the community, your quest for personal relaxation, to push this career into the background. That your children should observe the operation of a practical faith in your life, and ask questions about it, and that you, in turn, should be able to explain to your children the basis of your faith, is made clear at Deuteronomy 6:20-25: “In case your son should ask you in a future day, saying, ‘What do the testimonies and the regulations and the judicial decisions mean that Jehovah our God has commanded you?’ then you must say to your son, ‘. . . Jehovah commanded us to carry out all these regulations, to fear Jehovah our God for our good always, that we might keep alive as at this day.’” Progressively train your child through the successive stages of his minority. Do a thorough job, and when he reaches adulthood he will not turn away, but will still be ranged alongside you, his parents, in the service of the grand Creator. Equip your child with knowledge and appreciation of Jehovah’s power, his wonderful works and his never-failing purpose. By word and example keep telling these things forth to “the generation to come.”
[Picture on page 141]
Be a companion to your child, arranging for outings to see creation’s marvels firsthand
Youth, Get Saved from This Crooked Generation
Youth, Get Saved from This Crooked Generation
“My son, to my wisdom O do pay attention. To my discernment incline your ears, so as to guard thinking abilities; and may your own lips safeguard knowledge itself.”—Prov. 5:1, 2.
1. Why are these days the time of grandest opportunity for youth?
YOU young men and women living at this time in history are offered opportunities unequaled in the past and never to be repeated in the future. This is not because the atomic age has brought us to the threshold of a new era, nor because the current gains in scientific knowledge have opened up vast new fields for progress. Indeed, all these discoveries appear to be hurrying this world toward catastrophe of man’s own making. What makes these the grandest of times in which to be alive with all the vigor and promise of youth is that there is now imminent a vaster change in man’s way of life than that resulting from the deluge of Noah’s day. That great transformation of earthly conditions, however, will not come about without first our earth’s experiencing “great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world’s beginning until now.” (Matt. 24:21) Happy will those be who survive that tribulation and live to enjoy the peace and happiness that will replace the present chaotic way of life.
2. Explain the worldwide indifference to the significance of these times. Why is there an urgent need to take note?
2 You young people may wonder why it is that the adult world does not get excited about this matter, and why everyone just goes his selfish way and pays no attention. The answer, according to Jesus’ words at Matthew 24:38, 39, is: “For as they were in those days before the flood, eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no note until the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be.” In the same Bible chapter you will find how Jesus foretold a series of most unusual happenings that would take place in swift succession, and that would herald the approach of this radical change in earthly conditions. Referring to those who would witness the beginning of those strange events, he added: “This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur.” (Mt 24 Verse 34) Since A.D. 1914 the generation of your grandparents has witnessed these things taking place. The majority have paid no attention. How about you? Will you take note? It is still not too late, and your everlasting future depends upon your doing so.
3. (a) Show how the situation in Noah’s day now also confronts the youth of today. (b) What responsibility does it place on youth?
3 One thing that should not escape your notice about the survivors of that first global calamity—they were a family. Had the youths of Noah’s household been more concerned about running with the crowd in their own age-group and having a fling at life than about heeding their father and working and building with the family, would they have survived? Certainly not. They would have perished with that unheeding generation of scoffers. Today you are confronted with the same situation and the same choice. If you choose the course of least resistance now and go along with this crooked world and its ways, then in company with this whole doomed system of things you will find yourself up against the irresistible forces of God’s Armageddon punishment of destruction. If, on the other hand, you choose to get saved from this wicked system of things through God’s merciful provision, then you must be prepared to make a great change in your life, your thinking and your attitudes.
4. Why is it wise for youth not to conform to this world’s practices, thinking, standards?
4 Let us face it. This world has nothing good to offer you. Those who have gained the most of what it has to offer are among the most unhappy, selfish and burdened people of all. Note how accurately the Bible appraises this world: “Everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever.” (1 John 2:16, 17) So it is wise counsel that the apostle Paul offers when he writes: “Quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over.” (Rom. 12:2) Whether you realize it or not this system of things is molding or fashioning you to suit its selfish purposes. To be transformed means getting a whole new outlook on life, and you can do this by getting God’s thoughts that are recorded in the Bible for your benefit.
5. Are the attitudes of worldly youth today any different from those popular before the Flood?
5 ‘Let us eat, drink and be merry, without any serious thought about the past or the future,’ seems to have been the policy of those people before the Flood. Is it any different today? Look around your own circle of acquaintances and observe for yourself. The desires of the flesh are uppermost in mind. One night’s empty, effervescent hilarity is not concluded before the question is arising, What shall we do tomorrow night? There is the never-ending quest for thrills and “kicks.” Popularity with the crowd is the main objective. Everyone seems to be busy trying to prove he is as good as everyone else. Rebellion against parental authority leads to other types of lawlessness. Statistics point to a continuing increase in juvenile crime. Complete disregard for the rights, the happiness, the well-being of others characterizes the attitude of today’s youth.
6. (a) How does modern teen-age conduct show that this generation is “in accord with the flesh”? (b) What urgent course is therefore advisable?
6 Add to the foregoing the loose and immoral conduct that is prevalent in teen-age circles. The many passion-arousing practices of worldly youth such as heavy petting, overfamiliarity between persons of opposite sex, inordinate drinking, wearing of clothing that is admittedly designed to excite, the abuse of sex functions whose uses are limited by God’s law to married persons—all these things mark this generation as one that has its mind on flesh and on material things, with no time for sober thought on such questions as, Why were we given life in the first place? and what is to be our destiny? If you are in harmony with or sympathetic toward any of these unclean practices, then you should take note of the following very plain words: “For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh . . . For the minding of the flesh means death, but the minding of the spirit means life and peace; because the minding of the flesh means enmity with God, for it is not under subjection to the law of God, nor, in fact, can it be. So those who are in harmony with the flesh cannot please God.” (Rom. 8:5-8) So if you love life, then the sensible thing to do is to heed the urgent counsel of the Bible to “flee from the desires incidental to youth” and seek the way of God’s favor and survival at this world’s approaching end.—2 Tim. 2:22.
7. (a) How does the “desire of the eyes” affect especially the adolescent generation? (b) What warnings should be heeded?
7 This whole world is geared to cater to the “desire of the eyes,” and especially to the eyes of youth. Every weapon of its advertising arsenal is used to bombard the mind of youth, your mind, with its cheap, blatant, often dishonest come-on techniques. Doubtless you have often reproved baby brother or sister for her endless cry “I want that, I want that,” as each new bauble comes to view. But are teen-agers any better? It is true they want more expensive baubles such as automobiles, lots of clothing in the most up-to-date mode, the latest in hi-fi; in fact, all kinds of gadgets the possession of which makes them no happier. But they are still suffering from a childish mania for possessing everything they see. If life in a new system of things is really what you want, then you will have to learn to say No to the “desire of the eyes.” And this does not mean closing your eyes so that you will not be able to see this world’s gaudy window display. Jesus warns: “Keep your eyes open and guard against every sort of covetousness, because even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” And again: “What benefit will it be to a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul?”—Luke 12:15; Matt. 16:26.
8. (a) What is indicated by the “showy display of one’s means of life”? (b) Name some results from succumbing to this worldly practice.
8 The “showy display of one’s means of life” is calculated to impress others. Youths and adults who fashion their lives according to this world’s standards, who are unduly concerned about what their chums or their neighbors think about them, have really made little advance from the infant stage when they proudly held out some shiny bagatelle and said: “Look what I have!” In order to be popular, to show that one is just as good as anyone else, youth of today will do anything, however ludicrous or senseless it may be. They quickly fall in line with and adopt each new kind of haircut or hairdo. Every fashion fad that comes along is succumbed to, even if it gives them the freakish or the sexy look. They will spend hour after hour on the dance floor going through all sorts of contortions to the beat of the modern tom-toms. Practically everything they do is dictated by majority rule, gang rule. The desire to be well thought of leads youth into degrading and hurtful practices such as smoking, excessive drinking, drug addiction, as well as loose and immoral living. Instead of setting before themselves a good example or a high standard, they are content to settle for the very low average. Parents often hear the expression, “Everyone else is doing it, so why not me?” presented as a strong argument.
9. How does a course of popularity-seeking lead us head on into conflict with Jehovah God?
9 If you will but pause and think about it, this putting the opinion of imperfect fellow creatures ahead of God’s right principles is in fact idolatry. Consider what God’s Word has to say about it: “What is lofty among men is a disgusting thing in God’s sight.” “For not the way man sees is the way God sees, because mere man sees what appears to the eyes; but as for Jehovah, he sees what the heart is.” “Woe, whenever all men speak well of you.” (Luke 16:15; 1 Sam. 16:7; Luke 6:26) When it was already too late King Saul of Israel admitted to this desire for popularity when he said: “I have sinned; for I have overstepped the order of Jehovah and your words, because I feared the people and so obeyed their voice.” (1 Sam. 15:24) Slaves or employees are advised to “be obedient in everything to those who are your masters in a fleshly sense, not with acts of eye-service, as men pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, with fear of Jehovah.” (Col. 3:22) How much more important it should be to you to have God’s favor than all the honor and plaudits of a doomed world!
CLEANSING YOUR PATH
10. (a) What immediate steps should God-fearing youth take? (b) How can success be assured?
10 Even as you realize the crookedness and selfishness and uncleanness of today’s generation of adolescents your one concern should be to separate from it and seek forgiveness from God and a cleansing of your ways after having rubbed shoulders with such unclean companions, perhaps even “running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery.” (1 Pet. 4:4) The appropriate question was raised and answered for you in God’s own Word: “How will a young man cleanse his path? By keeping on guard according to your word.” (Ps. 119:9) So God’s Word must become the guardian of your thinking ability and your discernment. To it you must go to study the right principles for living. In harmony with God’s will you must fashion your life, and not according to this old system of things. So doing, you can be sure of success.—Josh. 1:8.
11. How is orderly family life highlighted in the Scriptures? With what benefits?
11 Divine wisdom points to the well-ordered family as the proper training ground for youth. Remember Noah’s solid little family group. Note, too, that Moses, as God’s representative, organized the Israelites on the basis of family units. On that first fateful Passover night each family had to assemble safely within the home in order to have Jehovah’s protection and ultimate deliverance. God’s loving concern in this matter may be seen in his provision of so much wise counsel on proper conduct of affairs in the household. The position of minor family members is clear: “A wise son is the one that makes a father rejoice, and a stupid son is the grief of his mother.” “You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.” “Children, be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord, for this is righteous: ‘Honor your father and your mother’ which is the first command with a promise: ‘That it may go well with you and you may endure a long time on the earth.’” (Prov. 10:1; Col. 3:20; Eph. 6:1-3) Shem, Ham and Japheth certainly remained much longer on the earth than their pre-Flood contemporaries.
12. (a) Does youth of today honor father and mother? (b) What result may be expected from the general attitude in this respect?
12 Youth today will disclaim any intention of dishonoring parents. Nevertheless, they treat lightly, ignore and disobey them. They prefer the companionship of anyone else. In the home they take much and give little. Ordinary gratitude and respect are often lacking. They adopt the attitude that a little modern school-learning has put them far ahead of their parents in thinking ability and discernment. In fact, Dad and Mum are just plain old-fashioned. Where, then, is the honor due parents? The general failure on this score gives strong reason for the belief that multitudes of young people will perish in God’s execution of judgment against a wicked world. Even if youth views this attitude toward parents lightly, the great Creator does not, for he declares: “The eye that holds a father in derision and that despises obedience to a mother—the ravens of the torrent valley will pick it out and the sons of the eagle will eat it up.” (Prov. 30:17) No decent burial, no memorial tomb, but just like garbage that is greedily devoured by scavenger birds.
13. How important is the home to a young person who genuinely seeks to cleanse his way?
13 So, young people, let your change of way begin right at home. Take a fresh, new look at your parents and all they have done for you. You may have considered home to be dull and lifeless. What did you ever do to make it anything else? Probably just left it. Why not now make something of your home; not just a place to keep your clothes, not merely a place to find three meals a day and a bed at night. The home is where understanding of other people and their rights begins. If you fail at home, the likelihood of success elsewhere is very small. So work hard to make a success of family life. This is where you are being trained and prepared for a future day when you may require to preside well over a family.
14. (a) Why is rebellion against parental authority unjustified? (b) Even where parents happen to be in error, what course is fitting for children who want to retain God’s favor?
14 It is true that some parents do not accept God’s Word as the guide for their administration of the household, and other parents make mistakes and do not always live up to the requirements of their position. But is this valid reason for rebellion against them? You may reason that since they have been wrong in some matter you are no longer going to be subject to them. But will two wrongs make a right? Note how God’s Word counsels wives to influence for good their erring husbands: “In like manner, you wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, in order that, if any are not obedient to the word, they may be won without a word through the conduct of their wives, because of having been eyewitnesses of your chaste conduct together with deep respect.” (1 Pet. 3:1, 2) Surely this principle would work also as between child and parent. Some unbelieving and unreasonable parents have become favorably impressed when witnessing the wonderful effect of God’s Word on the life of their children.
15. In establishing a true and worthy goal for the family, what should be the first concern?
15 For success your family must somehow rise above the petty, selfish goals that worldly families have set for themselves. You must have a goal that conforms to God’s purpose relating to mankind and this earth. If with a great deal of ingenuity and skilled workmanship you had produced a beautiful ornamental vessel and later found it being used as a garbage receptacle, how would you view such an abuse? You would probably be indignant. Consider, then, God’s position. He made us for his own purpose, to serve his will and not our own. His will is that in all our thoughts and speech and ways we should be for his glory; that we should be living, intelligent evidences of his matchless creatorship. (Isa. 42:5-8) How nauseating to observe how the majority of humans are ignoring and denying the existence of their own Creator, while many are even dragging his Name in the mud by their depraved teachings and beastly practices! No wonder a second global calamity impends.
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