17. (a) What can be the result for not applying to ourselves the counsel and training received through God’s organization? (b) What must we do as individuals to advance to maturity?

¹⁷ If we do not apply to ourselves the counsel and training regularly received through God’s organization, then we become like the hunter who sees signs of game but who ignores them and goes off in another direction. This course is to fail in taking the first step in making wise decisions, this rendering us completely unqualified to fulfill the main purpose of our receiving knowledge and instruction, that is, to become “doers of the word,” using it in preaching and teaching “this good news of the kingdom.” Jehovah’s witnesses have an organization of truth. It has been acquired by faithfully following Jehovah’s direction each step of the way, refusing to be sidetracked by false tracks that have crossed and crisscrossed that way. If we as individuals are to advance to maturity we must uphold the truth of that organization. We must obtain accurate knowledge by using our perceptive powers, getting the sense of it and adhering to it strictly, not being turned aside into following false trails. (1 Tim. 1:3, 4) Our protection is to be found in a careful and continual study of God’s Word, in accepting reproof and seeking counsel constantly from and through God’s organization.

18, 19. What benefits are to be had in increasing our thinking ability and in training our perceptive powers?

¹⁸ This is no time to stand still. In separating ourselves from this present system of things by changing over our thinking and by associating ourselves with God’s arrangement, we have taken a forward step. If we do not increase our thinking ability we will lose our place in the New World society. Listen to Jehovah’s Word: “When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul, thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you.” “The peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. . . . The things which you learned as well as accepted and heard and saw in connection with me, practice these; and the God of peace will be with you.”—Prov. 2:10, 11; Phil. 4:7-9.

¹⁹ Train your perceptive powers. By so doing you will not only qualify for the solid spiritual food that Jehovah is supplying his mature organization but, through your right decisions under every trying circumstance, you will be able to stand with confidence in the ranks of those who are skilled hunters and fishers of men, teachers of the Word in Jehovah’s New World society.

Paralyzed Peacemaker

“The United Nations as a peacemaker was paralyzed from the very beginning by the conflict between the western world under the leadership of the United States and the Soviet bloc.

“The attempts to secure peace by an international government of sovereign nations have all been the victims of a contradiction inherent in these very attempts. The establishment of effective government of sovereign nations seems to be a contradiction in terms which can be eliminated only by a direct attack upon national sovereignty itself.”—The Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 17, page 414 (1959).