a contentious man [or woman] for causing a quarrel to glow.” We do not want to be like that, so we will be careful not to provoke others to lose their mildness on occasions.

23. How will acknowledging variety help our mildness?

²³ Another thing that will help us in cultivating mildness is to recognize that Jehovah permits, within proper limits, a great variety in personalities, in tastes, in likes and dislikes. God has given man the marvelous gift of free moral agency. While this does not allow for complete freedom, for that would mean independence from God and his laws, it does allow relative freedom in many areas of human behavior. So do not insist on your own way or on your own taste in everything where Jehovah permits variety. Do not feel that everyone else has to fit into a mold you think best. Appreciate that all are different and do not try to make your own rules that would destroy the colorful differences that are part of God’s creation. Where strictness or conformity is required, where it comes to worship, to right doctrine and right conduct, then God’s Word, his holy spirit and his visible organization will keep us informed as to what we should do. But where matters are left largely to personal choice, such as in regard to what we should eat, what we should wear, what we choose to do for recreation and other such things, then keep in mind that, what God permits, we must also. This will help us not to be easily upset just because others have tastes that may differ from ours.

24, 25. Will cultivating mildness be easy?

²⁴ Will cultivating mildness be an easy process? It may be easier for some than others, depending upon one’s background, early training, experiences in life and maturity in Christianity. However, if you are one who has difficulty cultivating it, then you may suffer more setbacks than others as you endeavor to do so. But do not be discouraged and quit trying. Note what Paul said at Romans 7:21-23: “I find, then, this law in my case: that when I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me. I really delight in the law of God according to the man I am within, but I behold in my members another law warring against the law of my mind.”

²⁵ Yes, your fallen flesh, as well as outside influences, can give you much difficulty as you work to cultivate mildness, but you must not give up trying just because you lapse back into harsh ways at times. Think of the infant that is learning how to walk. He falls over and over again, but he gets up and keeps on trying until he finally succeeds and walks with confidence. So, too, as you work hard progressively to cultivate mildness, you may fail at times. But learn from the experience and reaffirm your determination to continue making progress. Recognize that growing to maturity in this matter of mildness takes time. Be satisfied with gradual improvement and do not stop trying just because the process may take longer than you had anticipated.

26. How will Jehovah help us in this matter?

²⁶ Remember, too, that Jehovah is merciful. Where we fall short we can go to him in prayer and ask for forgiveness. We also want to pray constantly for assistance, because mildness is a product of Jehovah’s spirit. If we pray for God’s spirit, the spirit that produces mildness, then we are bound to make progress. In time, with this powerful help, the one lacking mildness will acquire it until it becomes a part of his personality, almost habitual, just as walking becomes almost habitual to the physically mature.

27. What rich rewards does mildness bring?

²⁷ There is no doubt about it, cultivating mildness brings rich rewards. It results in a much happier life for you even though surrounded by distressing conditions, because you maintain your balance and are not distressed and hardened by them. Another reward mildness brings is that it makes you more receptive to the truth. As Jehovah continues progressively to reveal his will to you, you will be much more inclined to accept such new truths and pattern your life around them. What will this do for you? James 1:21 answers: “Accept with mildness the implanting of the word which is able to save your soul.” Yes, your salvation is involved! So be mild-tempered and thus put yourself in line for the fulfillment of God’s promise recorded at Psalm 37:11: “The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace.”

Instructing with Mildness

1, 2. Why do Christians need mildness in our time?

THERE is another reason why the Christian needs to cultivate mildness. True, it makes him happier, he is easier to get along with, it enables him to be more receptive to God’s truths and thus puts him on the way to everlasting life; but there is something else. Mildness is also necessary when performing the great preaching work that Christians are commissioned to do in these critical last days.

² God’s truths must be dispensed to humankind. A witness must be given throughout the earth before the end of this present wicked system of things. Additionally, those already dedicated to God must be fed continually with truths from God’s Word. All of this requires much instructing, and mildness plays an important part in carrying it out. There may be various ways of teaching employed in this world, but where God’s Word is concerned, the knowledge contained in it is to be imparted to others in mildness.

3-5. (a) How do we know that instructing with mildness is the right way? (b) Why would sheeplike persons be attracted to Jesus?

³ Instructing with mildness is the right way, the Scriptural way, the way that brings the greatest response from truth seekers. We know this is true because the greatest instructor that ever lived, Jesus Christ, used mildness when teaching the truth to others. This outstanding quality, mildness, was a part of his personality, and he used it with telling effect when instructing those hungering and thirsting for righteousness.

⁴ That Jesus had a mild disposition, he himself makes clear: “Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and become my disciples, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28, 29) How effective Jesus’ teaching would be because of his mild-tempered ways! Eagerly sheeplike persons would search him out to listen to him expound God’s truths. They would not be afraid of him as they were of their harsh, oppressive