for battle, a knowledge of the foe, strength and courage to press on, all these are wisely provided by Jehovah. We must do our part, however. Just as drill and training precede any human battle, so with the spiritual warfare. Jehovah knows what we need and is aware of our requirements, but we must use his provisions. What are they? Study, association and service. Each plays an essential part in equipping and preparing us. Study includes both intense and constant personal study and also sharing actively in congregational studies, all a part of the training program to prepare us for the fray. From association we draw encouragement and confidence and are assured of the wholehearted support of our brothers. None has a chance in a fight if he stands alone; so association is vital. Then in the service we have the opportunity to test our equipment, strengthen our knowledge and get accustomed to using the sword of the spirit. Use these provisions of Jehovah to the full and, after you have done everything within your power, God will supply what is needed for victory. For “we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the power beyond what is normal may be God’s and not that out of ourselves.”—2 Cor. 4:7-11, NW.

Fighters for Truth

“Go on waging the right warfare, holding faith and a good conscience, which some have thrust aside and have experienced shipwreck concerning their faith.”—1 Tim. 1:18, 19, NW.

1. Who qualifies for the ministry?

Do you qualify to share in the ranks of Jehovah’s fighters for truth? Anyone who dedicates himself to Jehovah’s service will qualify, whether man or woman, young or old, if he observes the requirements. Paul spoke of being the “right kind of soldier of Christ Jesus”; for just as we must wage the right warfare, so we must be the right kind of soldier to have God’s approval. We must be devoted to the ministry and willing to share the hardships and persecutions that attend it along with many joys and blessings. “As a right kind of soldier of Christ Jesus take your part in suffering evil.” (2 Tim. 2:3, NW) The kind of soldier a person really is shows up in the fight. Can he be depended on for any assignment or is he absent from meetings and irregular in service? Is he dependable and steady, or more like a drifting mercenary who is looking first to his own interests? It is not men we are serving, but God. We are not called before a human tribunal if we neglect our duties; it is Jehovah who examines us.—1 Cor. 4:1-4.

2. How do we manifest a spirit of love toward our brothers?

² Many times we must not only carry our own load of service, but also lend a helping hand to others who need help. It is well known that the highest battle casualties occur when soldiers fight their first battles and before they become skilled in fighting. Just as a father looks after his children carefully, so the seasoned veterans of spiritual warfare must help the new ones through their first skirmishes to continue on walking worthily of God. (1 Thess. 2:11, 12) Furthermore, a well-trained regiment of soldiers has a pride in its achievements; and while a Christian will not get swelled up with personal pride, he should have a good spirit and delight in working with his brothers. “For God gave us not a spirit of cowardice, but that of power and of love and of soundness of mind. Therefore do not become ashamed of the witness about our Lord.”—2 Tim. 1:7, 8, NW.

3, 4. What are some of the requirements of the ministry?

³ Besides advising us to prove ourselves worthy to be in the ranks of Christian fighters through such qualifications, Paul stresses another requirement: Live according to our faith. He wrote to Timothy (1 Tim. 1:18-20, NW): “This mandate I commit to you, . . . that by these you may go on waging the right warfare, holding faith and a good conscience, which some have thrust aside and have experienced shipwreck concerning their faith.” Paul had good reason for mentioning this, because some in his time had tried to subvert the faith, resisting the truth to an excessive degree; and he warned that such ideas would be as deadly as gangrene if permitted to take hold. Just as a soldier who is hesitant or indecisive might well pay with his life, so may we if we do not hold firmly to our faith. We must let God prove to be true by faith and confidence in his Word. Hang on to it as to life itself. Those who try to destroy the faith of others will be disciplined by Jehovah’s organization and removed from the ranks. Paul told the Corinthians: “We are holding ourselves in readiness to inflict punishment for every disobedience.” In the early days of the Christian organization such disciplinary action was necessary, just as it is on occasions today. An early case is mentioned: “Hymenaeus and Alexander belong to these, and I have handed them over to Satan that they may be taught by discipline not to blaspheme.”—2 Cor. 10:6; 1 Tim. 1:20, NW.

⁴ As the soldiers in Israel had to keep clean by sanctification for their warfare under God’s leadership, today we must keep “a good conscience” by living according to his requirements. “Behave in a manner worthy of the good news about the Christ, in order that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear . . . that you are standing firm in one spirit.” (Phil. 1:27, NW) Some of the ways to walk worthily are described as being “with complete lowliness of mind and mildness, with long-suffering, putting up with one another in love, earnestly endeavoring to observe the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace.”—Eph. 4:1-3, NW.

5, 6. How may some be disqualified from the ranks of Jehovah’s fighters?

⁵ Even more pointedly, Galatians 5:19-21 describes the works of the flesh, including such things as fornication, idolatry, spiritism, jealousy, anger and drunkenness, and states that those who practice such things will never inherit God’s kingdom. Thus in order to qualify in God’s sight to share in the spiritual warfare under the leadership of Christ, the Christian must shun such things and must demonstrate instead the fruitage of God’s spirit. He cannot be a witness in name only, but must hold to faith and a good conscience, which means a conscience trained in keeping with God’s Word. While our conduct may appear proper in the sight of our friends, we must remember that God discerns the secret intents of the heart. At the time of our dedication to Jehovah we not only vow to put away the filth of the flesh but also