Maintaining Right Conduct Among the Nations

“Maintain your conduct right among the nations, that . . . they may as a result of your right works . . . glorify God.”—1 Pet. 2:12.

1. In what respects are Jehovah’s witnesses different from other peoples of the world?

THE whole world quickly and easily recognizes that Jehovah’s witnesses are different from all other peoples. This fact certainly poses some very interesting questions. How is such an unusual and remarkable thing as this made possible? What is it that physically distinguishes these devoted ministers of Jehovah from all others? Is it their physical beauty or good looks? Is it because they are outstanding social, political or theatrical figures in the community? Is it because they wear some peculiar garb, dress or costume? Do they physically separate themselves from other people and shut themselves up in isolated retreats? No, these are not the things that make the witnesses of Jehovah unusually different, for in all these respects they are only ordinary people, coming as they do from a cross section of the undistinguished masses of human society. It is true the Witnesses hold to doctrines, beliefs and teachings that are very much different from those professed by Christendom, but what quickly and openly distinguishes Jehovah’s witnesses from other people in a physical and tangible way is their genuine Christian conduct and their constancy and consistency over the years in maintaining this righteous conduct among all the nations of the earth, regardless of local language, customs or political differences existing in the various countries.

2. How did the Founder of Christianity prove he was no part of this world?

² Now this recognizable difference in the conduct of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses is not something modern and peculiar to this twentieth century. More than nineteen hundred years ago the Founder of Christianity, Jesus the Christ, showed in all his conduct that he was no part of this Devil-controlled system of things. When proffered the rulership of the world together with all the gilded honor and glory that went with it, he did something different from what most men would do under similar circumstances. He flatly turned the offer down. “My kingdom is no part of this world . . . my kingdom is not from this source,” he said. Jesus therefore remained free of all political and military affairs, made no alliance with the established orthodox religions and took no part in the social reforms of his day. Moreover, Jesus distinguished himself from other men by the righteous life he lived and by what he preached to others. In all his conduct he was truly “one of loving-kindness, guileless, undefiled, separated from the sinners.”—Matt. 4:8-10; John 18:36; Heb. 7:26.

3, 4. What did Jesus mean when he said his followers were “no part of the world”?

³ To those who became his disciples Jesus said: “You are no part of the world.” Concerning these he prayed to his Father: “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. They are no part of the world just as I am no part of the world.” Since Satan the Devil is still “the god of this system of things,” Jehovah’s witnesses, if they are to be true disciples of Jesus, must likewise conduct themselves accordingly. They must maintain strict neutrality toward all political, military and social affairs of this evil world, and they must have absolutely no part in its religious interfaith activities.—John 15:19; 17:15, 16.

⁴ When Jesus said that his followers would be no part of this world he certainly did not mean that they were to become recluses and shut themselves up in monasteries and nunneries in isolation. Jesus never did that in imitation of the Buddhist priests and monks of his times. As Jehovah’s ambassador sent to “bear witness to the truth,” he had to live and move among the people of the world. So also, as “ambassadors substituting for Christ,” his true disciples today must do the same thing; otherwise how will people of the nations see their right works and glorify Jehovah? This, too, was the point Jesus had in mind when he said: “Let your light shine before mankind, that they may see your right works and give glory to your Father who is in the heavens.”—John 18:37; 2 Cor. 5:20; 1 Pet. 2:12; Matt. 5:16.

5. As commanded by Jesus at Matthew 5:16, how have Jehovah’s witnesses been letting their light shine?

⁵ Everyone observes Jehovah’s witnesses carrying out this Scriptural command. Openly, from house to house and city to city, in populated and isolated places, they keep going year after year during all kinds of weather and at great personal expense in time and money, just to let the glorious light concerning God’s King and kingdom shine upon the hearts and minds of men of good will so that they in turn may glorify Jehovah. Why, just think of it, in only one year’s time, the 1959 service year, they spent a total of 126,317,124 hours in doing such right works among people speaking 125 languages and who are living in 175 different countries and territories of the earth. To equal this great amount of time a sole individual working forty hours a week and taking a yearly two-week vacation would have to labor and toil over 63,000 years!

UNAVOIDABLE ASSOCIATION WITH UNGODLY

6. What kind of people are contacted by God’s ambassadors, and with what results?

⁶ In performing this good work Jehovah’s faithful witnesses of necessity come in contact with all kinds of people, some being fornicators, some drunkards, others extortioners and idolaters. But here, too, by their right conduct in the presence of such persons they prove themselves to be true Christians. Just because the Witnesses speak the good news of repentance to such unfortunate people does not mean that they must copy or imitate their immoral standards of living. So it is that after spending some time trying to help these sick people to change their evil course of conduct, and after no progress is made, Jehovah’s upright witnesses discontinue calling on them. That such physical contact with unclean persons would be necessary was recognized by the apostle Paul. “I wrote you to quit mixing in company with fornicators, not meaning entirely with the fornicators of this world or the greedy persons and extortioners or idolaters. Otherwise, you would actually have to get out of the world.”—1 Cor. 5:9, 10.

7. What other circumstances often force the dedicated ministers of God to associate with unclean persons?

⁷ Unavoidable contact with those who are unclean in their habits and unrighteous in their conduct often occurs when Jehovah’s witnesses seek employment for the support of themselves and their dependents. This too is a necessity forced upon them by circumstances, for it is written: “Certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” (1 Tim. 5:8) To serve Jehovah one must have food, and it takes money to buy food. One cannot steal either food or money; so it is necessary to work. Working, therefore, in the world is to enable the dedicated servant of Jehovah to keep alive in order that he can praise, worship and serve his Creator and Life-giver. “The dead themselves do not praise Jah, nor do any going down into silence.”—Ps. 115:17.

8. (a) What form of economic slavery exists today? (b) In this regard what Scriptural commands governing conduct must God’s witnesses obey?

⁸ If during secular employment the Christian falls into the unpleasant circumstances of being closely associated with ungodly and immoral persons, this is no cause for undue alarm. Rather, it is an opportunity to distinguish oneself by upright and godly conduct toward both employer and fellow employees. When working for an unbeliever the Christian cannot take the attitude, ‘Oh, well, he and his business are going down at Armageddon, so what’s the difference?’ The Scriptural injunction reads: “Let slaves be in subjection to their owners in all things, and please them well, not talking back, not committing theft, but exhibiting good fidelity to the full.” Why so? In order that the employee “may adorn the teaching of our Savior, God, in all things.” We may not have the same form of slavery now as when Paul wrote these instructions to Titus but the principles still apply, for actually persons engaged in worldly employment are in economic slavery to this system of things. “You slaves, be obedient in everything to those who are your masters in a fleshly sense, not with acts of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, with fear of Jehovah. Whatever you are doing, work at it whole-souled as to Jehovah, and not to men, for you know that it is from Jehovah you will receive the due reward of the inheritance.” Yes, not in the weekly pay envelope handed out by the secular employer, but from the ever-loving hand of Jehovah his witnesses receive an inheritance in His kingdom for their righteous conduct among peoples of the nations. Let all of God’s witnesses therefore be found honest, trustworthy, dependable, loyal and respectful toward their employers, managers and job foremen, including those “difficult to please.”—Titus 2:9, 10; Col. 3:22-24; 1 Pet. 2:18.

9. How should we treat our neighbors, according to the Scriptures?

⁹ What should the conduct of Christians be toward neighbors and strangers in the community? Jesus laid down good rules governing this matter when he said: “All things, therefore, that you want men to do to you, you also must likewise do to them.” “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matt. 7:12; Mark 12:31) The apostle Paul wrote, at Romans 12:17-21; 13:8, 9: “Return evil for evil to no one. . . . If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath. . . . If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap fiery coals upon his head. Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good. Do not be owing anybody a single thing, except to love one another. . . . You must love your neighbor as yourself.”

10. How do Jehovah’s witnesses show love in a very practical and genuine way toward total strangers?

¹⁰ When riding on buses to and from work or when traveling to and from assemblies, Jehovah’s witnesses show love to strangers, as opportunities afford, by talking about the greatest personality in the universe, Jehovah, and about the most interesting and thrilling topic of the day, the kingdom of the heavens. It is showing neighbor love when these witnesses go from house to house comforting bereaved widows and orphans by telling them about God’s purposes, and then making return visits and aiding these despondent people in private home Bible studies. This is not meddling in other people’s affairs. Rather, it is because the Witnesses are minding their own business, for their business is Christ the King’s business.—1 Thess. 4:11.

11. In keeping with what the Bible writer James says, how must we conduct ourselves in the community as a whole?

¹¹ On a larger scale, in the community as a whole, Jehovah’s witnesses are recognized as a socially distinct and different group. Not only do they refrain from neighborhood gossip, spite fights and racial feuds; their godly neutrality also prohibits their participation in political revolutions, military exploits and so-called “brotherhood” or interfaith movements. They keep free from all party issues and social reforms. They take no part in charity drives, bazaars or community fund-raising campaigns. They do not support popular lotteries or gambling syndicates, even if such are “legalized” or operated by the State. Thus they keep themselves unspotted from the affairs of this sordid old world in order to worship God as clean and faithful Christians. “The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.”—Jas. 1:27.

PAY BACK TO GOD AND TO “CAESAR”

12. When must Jehovah’s faithful witnesses be particularly careful to maintain right conduct, and why?

¹² This seems strange to some: that even though Jehovah’s witnesses pursue a quiet and peaceful life in the community it often occurs that they are the object of much controversy, public criticism and ridicule. Such difficulties, however, are not due to wrong conduct on the part of the Witnesses. Rather, it is because of their godly stand on such burning issues as the sanctity of blood, pagan rites and customs, or regimented service to the totalitarian state or compulsory worship of its images. Particularly under such trying circumstances it is absolutely necessary for true Christians to be uncompromising in maintaining the right conduct as set forth in the holy Scriptures, for only in this way can they share in the vindicating of Jehovah’s precious Word and name.

13. What are the things belonging to “Caesar,” and how do Christians pay for them?

¹³ Before political and government authorities, before judges of the courts, before military men of power and before police officers of the land God’s people must maintain proper Christian behavior. Paul admonished that suitable respect be given public officials of all kinds when he said: “Render to all their dues. . . . to him who calls for fear, such fear; to him who calls for honor, such honor.” And Jesus it was who said: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” The questions, however, arise: ‘What are “Caesar’s” and what are God’s things? Where does one draw the line between the two?’ For a person who is wholly dedicated to God these are not hard questions to answer. “Caesar” gives city water and sewage systems. He gives roads and highways to travel upon. He gives a certain degree of police protection. He gives weather forecasts and storm warnings. He gives limited educational facilities for children. All of these things and many others belong to “Caesar,” for he provides them. Jehovah’s witnesses therefore pay him for these things, not only in the form of very handsome taxes, but also in giving conformity to and abiding by the regulations he lays down governing the use of such facilities; and rightly so, for Jehovah commands that such payments be made.—Rom. 13:7; Mark 12:17.

14. (a) How can we pay to God what belongs to Him? (b) What similar stand did first-century Christians take, and with what results?

¹⁴ On the other hand, God gives life and all the necessary means for sustaining that life, such as food, water, air, and so forth. So sound-minded creatures pay back to their Creator what is His by dedicating the life He gives them to His service and by using the means of life He gives them to the praise and honor of the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. And here is where Jehovah’s witnesses often get into trouble; for not only do ruthless and greedy rulers demand what is theirs, but they also covet the creature’s devotion, worship and service, which rightfully belong to the Creator. On this issue Jehovah’s witnesses adamantly maintain the same Christian stand that Peter and the early Christians took when they told the swinelike rulers of their day: “Whether it is righteous in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, make your decision.” “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.” Who knows, by maintaining this correct Scriptural course many reasonable-minded rulers, judges, lawyers and police officers may yet admit, as King Agrippa did: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.”—Acts 4:19; 5:29; 26:28.

RIGHT CONDUCT BEHIND PRISON WALLS

15. Have the many thousands of Jehovah’s witnesses been thrown into prison because they are political agitators?

¹⁵ In many parts of the earth Jehovah’s witnesses languish in prisons and concentration camps. Under such trying circumstances how should they conduct themselves toward the prison officials and keepers? Should they plot secret escape or open rebellion? Absolutely not! In the first place these witnesses of Jehovah have done no wrong deserving of the treatment they receive. They are not political agitators or revolutionists. Testifying to the truthfulness of this is the historical record of tens of thousands of Witnesses who were thrown into Hitler’s foul concentration camps and into the jails of such Catholic lands as Quebec Province, Canada, the Dominican Republic and Franco’s Spain, as well as the living testimony of many, many thousands of Witnesses who are at this very moment being tormented in the penal camps of Communist-dominated countries. Not a single instance is there where any of these faithful witnesses of Jehovah ever attempted to overthrow the rulers or their political governments. Each one of these imprisoned Witnesses says, as did the prisoner Paul: “I have done no wrong . . . as you also are finding out quite well. If, on the one hand, I am really a wrongdoer and have committed anything deserving of death, I do not beg off from dying.”—Acts 25:10, 11.

16. (a) So why have so many of the Witnesses suffered imprisonment? (b) According to the Bible, how should one conduct himself when wrongfully persecuted?

¹⁶ Actually these witnesses of Jehovah have been thrown into prison because they were following a good conscience toward God. This is another reason why they are willing to endure unjustified imprisonment if it be Jehovah’s will. “If someone because of conscience toward God bears up under afflictions and suffers unjustly, this is an agreeable thing. For what merit is there in it if, when you are sinning and being struck blows, you endure it? But if, when you are doing good and you suffer, you endure it, this is a thing agreeable with God.” “For it is better to suffer because you are doing good, if the will of God wishes it, than because you are doing evil.” (1 Pet. 2:19, 20; 3:17) The Founder of Christianity himself set the correct pattern in this regard, leaving the perfect model to be copied, for “when he was being reviled, he did not go to reviling in return.” Jesus also gave definite instructions to those who would have the distinguished honor and privilege of being fellow witnesses for Jehovah, saying: “Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those persecuting you; that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens.” One of these disciples of Jesus, the apostle Paul, the one who wrote, “Become imitators of me, even as I am of Christ,” echoed these instructions of the Master when he wrote: “Keep on blessing those who persecute; be blessing and do not be cursing.” “Return evil for evil to no one.”—1 Pet. 2:19-23; Matt. 5:43-48; 1 Cor. 11:1; Rom. 12:14, 17.

17. This righteous conduct on the part of imprisoned Witnesses has resulted in what?

¹⁷ In the light of all the above scriptures it is understandable why the witnesses of Jehovah when imprisoned ‘because they are doing good’ never mutiny, never go on sit-down or hunger strikes, never become part of organized prison mobs and never join in any jail-breaks. Seeing their “conscience toward God,” prison officials are very much aware of these facts, and often their remarks are to this effect: ‘We are sorry to see Jehovah’s witnesses leave our institutions, for they can always be trusted with responsibility.’ Thus it is because of their righteous conduct, whether inside or outside prison walls, that a great amount of testimony is heaped up as evidence that Jehovah’s faithful people belong to an entirely new and better world society.

18. To live under the rule of this righteous new world, what must one do now?

¹⁸ If anyone hopes to live under the rule of such a righteous new world, that theocratic heavenly kingdom that Jesus said to pray for, he must first overcome and conquer this old satanic world and all its evil behavior and practices, come though terrible persecution does upon the conquerors. There is no question about this trouble coming, for the anointed King of this new world declared: “In the [old] world you will have tribulation, but cheer up! I have conquered the world.” It is therefore inescapable; Jehovah’s genuine Christian witnesses must continue following this same course. They must continue walking in their faith and integrity and must continue backing up their faith with works of righteousness. “Everything that has been born from God conquers the world. And this is the conquest that has conquered the world, our faith.”—John 16:33; 1 John 5:4.

19. What must the persons who are wise and understanding now do?

¹⁹ Laughed at and ridiculed as it is by the old world, really this is the only worthwhile way of life. It is the only intellectual and reasonable course to follow. It is one of practical wisdom. The inspired Bible writer James asks: “Who is wise and understanding among you?” To those qualified to answer in the affirmative he gives this counsel: “Let him show out of his right conduct his works with a meekness that belongs to wisdom.” (Jas. 3:13) So it is not in a boastful way, not with pride and arrogance, but it is with sincere humility and Christlike meekness that the Witnesses distinguish themselves by their godly conduct.

20. Why is this no time to give up in doing what is right among the nations?

²⁰ The climax of all the ages is here! Time is running out. Certainly this is not a time to compromise or think of giving up in doing what God says is right. In fact, never has there been a more favorable opportunity than in this day of Jehovah’s vindication to prove under test one’s right works toward both God and man. “So let us not give up in doing what is right, for in due season we shall reap by not giving out. Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all.” (Gal. 6:9, 10) And by doing this Jehovah’s witnesses will save from destruction at Armageddon, not only themselves, but many others too who observe their right conduct; for these also will join in glorifying and praising the great Jehovah!—1 Tim. 4:16; 1 Pet. 2:12.

Watch Yourself, for You Are Being Watched!

“Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are.”—2 Cor. 13:5.

1. How important is your personal conduct within the family circle?

IMPORTANT as it is to “maintain your conduct right among the nations,” that important it is for you to see that your conduct is right within the privacy of your own home. For the one who does not practice what is right at home will not conduct himself properly abroad. It is no secret, either, the way members of a family treat one another, for personal conduct has a way of radiating far beyond the walls of the dwelling. Depending on their conduct within the family circle, outsiders either bless or reproach the family and their relatives, associates and friends, as well as the organizations to which the family belong.

2, 3. What advice and counsel does the Bible give individual members of the family?

² God’s Word the Bible, the complete library of divinely inspired Scriptures, gives some very good counsel to all the members of the family concerning proper conduct. Over and over again husbands, wives, parents and children are explicitly told how they are to act toward one another. For example, the apostle Paul writes: “You wives, be in subjection to your husbands. . . . You husbands, keep on loving your wives and do not be bitterly angry with them. You children, be obedient to your parents in everything, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. You fathers, do not be exasperating your children, so that they do not become downhearted.”—Col. 3:18-21.

³ Furthermore, it is written: “You husbands, continue dwelling in like manner with [your wives] according to knowledge, assigning them honor as to a weaker vessel, the feminine one.” (1 Pet. 3:7) “Husbands ought to be loving their wives as their own bodies.” “Let each one of you [husbands] individually so love his wife as he does himself.” (Eph. 5:28, 33) Wives, on the other hand, are commanded to have “deep respect” for and to be ‘in subjection to their husbands in everything.’ (Eph. 5:24, 33) Parents are also told how to conduct themselves toward their children. “You, fathers, do not be irritating your children, but go on bringing them up in the discipline and authoritative advice of Jehovah.” (Eph. 6:4) And children too have a heavy responsibility, for it is commanded: “Children, be obedient to your parents in union with the Lord, for this is righteous: ‘Honor your father and mother’; which is the first command with a promise.”—Eph. 6:1-3.

4. What responsibilities does a dedicated husband have toward a nondedicated wife?

⁴ Where the whole family are dedicated witnesses of Jehovah, it is not too difficult for them to dwell together in peace and unity according to the above Scriptural advice. But in a household where some are not in the truth, still this does not excuse or release the dedicated members of the family from carrying out the righteous commands of Jehovah. Dedicated husbands must lovingly provide for their households even if some are not believers, for “certainly if anyone does not provide for those who are his own, and especially for those who are members of his household, he has disowned the faith and is worse than a person without faith.” The dedicated husband must give a reasonable amount of time and attention to his wife’s needs, whether she is a dedicated Christian or not. He must use the spirit of a sound mind, balancing his time and energy between his employment, his home and the worship and service of his God Jehovah.—1 Tim. 5:8.

5. How may a dedicated wife win a nondedicated husband to the truth?

⁵ In a similar way dedicated wives must be respectful of their husbands, even if such are unbelievers. “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.” Such a wife must balance her time and activity between her home work, the needs of her husband and family, and her service to Jehovah. Her husband may want her to accompany him on business trips or on social calls, and she may do so as long as she does not imperil her covenant obligations to Jehovah. Why so? In order that the husband may be won without a word through the conduct of the wife. Certainly a wife’s behavior and activity are more convincing than her oratory!—1 Pet. 3:1-4.

6. If an unbeliever is not won to the truth, is this grounds for separation or divorce? Explain.

⁶ Many times, however, the unbelieving marriage mate is not won by the good conduct of the dedicated one. Under such circumstances what should the Christian husband or wife do? If the unbelieving one is opposed to the religious beliefs of the mate, yet tolerates living together, let the matter rest as it is. But if the unbeliever is so violent in opposition that he or she seeks to break up the home through separation or divorce, then, as the apostle says, let the unbeliever depart, but never should the dedicated servant of Jehovah take the initiative in this respect. “For, wife, how do you know but that you will save your husband? Or, husband, how do you know but that you will save your wife?”—1 Cor. 7:12-16, 24, 27.

7. In contrast with members of Christendom, how do Jehovah’s witnesses prove they are true disciples of Christ?

⁷ Godly conduct practiced within the home must be carried outside and far beyond. Dedicated Christians must watch how they behave themselves toward their spiritual brothers and sisters in the congregation of God, for this also is something that outsiders are watching very closely. For instance, all the world knows that during World Wars I and II Catholics killed Catholics and Protestants killed Protestants by the hundreds of thousands. But no one ever heard of Jehovah’s Christian witnesses killing their brothers on the open battlefield. For that matter, bereaved widows who lost husbands and sons, or saddened orphans who lost fathers and brothers during those terrible wars can take comfort in the knowledge that none of their loved ones were killed by Jehovah’s faithful witnesses. These true Christians would rather lose their own lives than break the divine command, “You must not murder.” (Ex. 20:13) Jesus’ command to Jehovah’s witnesses is: “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”—John 13:34, 35; Matt. 22:39.

8. What accounts for the fact that the Witnesses enjoy great peace and unity?

⁸ Instead of fighting and warring among themselves or with others, the Witnesses are told to “seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Pet. 3:11) Abundant peace belongs to those loving Jehovah’s law, says the psalmist. “Moreover, the fruit of righteousness has its seed sown under peaceful conditions for those who are making peace.” (Ps. 119:165; Jas. 3:18) As Jesus said: “Keep peace between one another,” for, “happy are the peaceable, since they will be called ‘sons of God.’” (Mark 9:50; Matt. 5:9) One therefore finds no rebellion or disputes, but only peace and unity among the Lord’s people.—Phil. 2:14; 1 Pet. 3:9.

TRUE CHRISTIAN CONDUCT WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION

9, 10. How does the Bible say true Christians should conduct themselves toward one another within the congregation?

⁹ This Christlike love that all the world sees demonstrated only by and among the witnesses of Jehovah is not a mere expression of the lips. It is displayed in their active conduct toward others. Mature Witnesses are long-suffering and obliging. Boasting and bragging and selfish pride are not found among them. Instead of looking for their personal advantage, they do what is in the best interests of others. (1 Cor. 13:4, 5; 10:24) They cover over and clothe the imperfections of the fallen flesh with the beautiful garments of “tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering.” They “continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely.” Their intense love for one another is certainly a strong and perfect cement or bond that holds the whole organization together.—Col. 3:12-14; 1 Pet. 4:8; Prov. 10:12.

¹⁰ True, as the apostle said, so it is that one finds among the Witnesses today that “all malicious bitterness and anger and wrath and screaming and abusive speech” have been removed, and they are “kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another.” (Eph. 4:31, 32) They practice genuine hospitality. There is a bearing or carrying of one another’s burdens or “troublesome things.” (1 Pet. 3:9; Gal. 6:2, footnote) Here one finds a condition where the healthy and strong ones help the sickly and weaker ones, where the young show consideration for the elderly, and the older ones are tolerant of the youngsters, where each one attempts to please his brothers and sisters rather than himself. “We exhort you, brothers,” adds the apostle, “speak comfortingly to the depressed souls, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all. See that no one renders injury for injury to anyone else, but always pursue what is good toward one another and to all others.”—Rom. 15:1, 2; 1 Thess. 5:14, 15.

11. In what other ways must Christians guard against injuring their brothers and sisters?

¹¹ Even in points of conduct like eating and drinking, this unselfish group of Christians must ever be on the watch to refrain from those things that might stumble their brothers. “Whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. Keep from becoming causes for stumbling . . . to the congregation of God, even as I am pleasing all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage but that of the many, in order that they might get saved.”—Rom. 14:21; 1 Cor. 8:13; 10:31-33.

12. Instead of producing the “works of the flesh,” what kind of fruitage do witnesses of Jehovah bear?

¹² So it is, by observing the conduct of Jehovah’s witnesses, people see that here is a good, upright and godly organization. They also see that here is a clean and virtuous organization whose members have “put off the works belonging to darkness,” who are not walking “in revelries and drunken bouts, not in illicit intercourse and loose conduct, not in strife and jealousy,” and who are not “planning ahead for the desires of the flesh.” The Witnesses are recognized as “those who belong to Christ Jesus,” because they “impale the flesh together with its passions and desires.” They must and do keep themselves from every form of wickedness. (Rom. 13:12-14; Gal. 5:24; 1 Thess. 5:22) They loathe “the works of the flesh,” which are “fornication, uncleanness, loose conduct, idolatry, practice of spiritism, hatreds, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, contentions, divisions, sects, envies, drunken bouts, revelries, and things like these,” for, indeed, “those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom.” In contrast, Jehovah’s witnesses openly display to the view of all people the glorious fruitage of God’s spirit, namely, “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control.”—Gal. 5:19-23.

13. Why must Christians watch their personal appearance and hygiene?

¹³ God’s people must not only be morally, spiritually and mentally clean, they must carefully see to it that they are physically clean. Jehovah’s law was that those serving Him at his tent of worship were to be clean in body. (Ex. 29:4; 30:17-20; Lev. 5:2, 3; Num. 19:11-14; Isa. 52:11; Ezek. 44:23) Therefore, if you are a dedicated servant of Jehovah, it is important for you to see that you are washed and bathed, that you are neatly dressed in clean clothing, that you look respectable and presentable before you engage in the witness work or before you go to the Kingdom Hall. Thus onlookers who are watching will recognize even by your personal appearance that this is God’s clean organization.—2 Cor. 7:1.

14. (a) How is God’s organization kept clean of all moral badness? (b) Do the Scriptures warrant such drastic action?

¹⁴ Jehovah’s people must also be watchful and alert to see that their congregations remain organically clean from all those who are morally bad. “Let fornication and uncleanness of every kind or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as it befits holy people, neither shameful conduct nor foolish talking nor obscene jesting, things which are not becoming. . . . For you know this, recognizing it for yourselves, that no fornicator or unclean person or greedy person—which means being an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and of God.” (Eph. 5:3-5) So if anyone in the organization after being washed clean would, as the proverbial dog, return to his own vomit, or, as a bathed sow, again roll in the mire, then it is necessary for the organization to disfellowship and cut off from its midst such a filthy person. (1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Pet. 2:22) “Quit mixing in company” with this kind, “not even eating with such a man,” but, rather, “remove the wicked man from among yourselves.” (1 Cor. 5:9-13) “Now we are giving you orders, brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to withdraw from every brother walking disorderly.” “For we hear certain ones are walking disorderly among you.” “If anyone is not obedient to our word through this letter, keep this one marked, stop associating with him, that he may become ashamed.” (2 Thess. 3:6, 11, 14) Furthermore, “if anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into your homes or say farewell [a greeting] to him. For he that says farewell to him is a sharer in his wicked works.” Thus by following this clear Scriptural procedure as regards unclean and rebellious ones, Jehovah’s witnesses certainly distinguish themselves from all the religious sects of Christendom. People of good will also see this tremendous difference and they are attracted to this clean organization, recognizing that here Jehovah’s spirit is dwelling.—2 John 10, 11.

DISTINGUISHED BY YOUR CHANGE IN CONDUCT

15, 16. (a) Why must ministers of God watch their conduct when engaged in secular employment? (b) If one is called upon to defend one’s change in living habits, how should this be done?

¹⁵ Jehovah’s ordained ministers, after devoting much of their time associating with their own families and with their brothers and sisters in the congregation, additionally spend a good deal of their lives engaged in secular employment and in the very company of men and women of the old world. Here, then, they must especially watch their conduct. At one time these same Witnesses were a part of the old world, living and acting as the rest. “Among them we all at one time conducted ourselves in harmony with the desires of our flesh . . . even as the rest,” confesses Paul the apostle. Peter too speaks of this transformation that takes place in the lives of those who come out of this present sordid system when he writes: “As obedient children, quit being fashioned according to the desires you formerly had in your ignorance, but, in accordance 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.’”—Eph. 2:3; 1 Pet. 1:14-16.

¹⁶ So because of your change in conduct fellow employees and associates must be able to recognize that you are now a true minister of Jehovah. At times you may be called upon to explain this change in your living habits, or to defend your new-found faith and the Bible upon which it is based. Be ever ready and willing to do so, speaking the truth, when the time is appropriate, with boldness and fearlessness, yet with mildness and tactfulness belonging to Christ, never in a cocky manner or in an overbearing or sarcastic way. “Always [be] ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.”—1 Pet. 3:15.

17. How else do people distinguish themselves as belonging to the New World society?

¹⁷ In your secular employment, as far as possible avoid all compromising situations, such as Christmas parties, business conventions and union outings, which are so notorious for their moral laxity. Have no part in the gambling and drinking matches of employees or business associates. You must be clean from immorality and loose conduct. You must be clean from drunkenness and excesses. You must be clean in speech and mouth, free from vulgar oaths and obscene profanity. “Let a rotten saying not proceed out of your mouth.” (Eph. 4:29) You must be clean from the stain and stench of the tobacco weed. You must be free from slavery to narcotics and addicting dopes. If you are of the New World society you most certainly must distinguish yourself by your clean living in every respect.

18. If ridiculed and persecuted because of upright conduct, how can one have and hold a good conscience before God?

¹⁸ Secular associates may ridicule and abuse you for maintaining such an upright and godly course of conduct, but do not the Scriptures say they would do this very thing? It is therefore no strange thing if they do. “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 idolatries that are without legal restraint. Because you do not continue running with them in this course to the same low sink of debauchery, they are puzzled and go on speaking abusively of you. But these people will render an account to the one ready to judge those living and those dead.” (1 Pet. 4:3-5) So follow the good counsel of Paul: “When being reviled, we bless; when being persecuted, we bear up; when being defamed, we entreat.” (1 Cor. 4:12, 13) Never give way to wrath; never become embroiled in a brawl. “Return evil for evil to no one. . . . If possible, as far as it depends upon you, be peaceable with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but yield place to the wrath; for it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says Jehovah.’” (Rom. 12:17-19) In this way you will have a good conscience before God as one of his integrity-keeping witnesses. “Hold a good conscience, so that in the particular in which you are spoken against they may get ashamed who are speaking slightingly of your good conduct in connection with Christ. For it is better to suffer because you are doing good, if the will of God wishes it, than because you are doing evil.”—1 Pet. 3:16, 17.

19. (a) Must only the adults among Jehovah’s witnesses watch their conduct, and why? (b) How are the school systems used by Satan to pervert the minds of youth?

¹⁹ Now, you young children and you teen-agers, if your parents are Jehovah’s witnesses, then you too must watch your conduct, for you also are being watched! You are being watched by others not only while you are around your home and at the Kingdom Hall but especially when you attend school. Depending on your behavior, teachers and others will either bless or curse your God Jehovah. You must therefore be respectful, honest and diligent in your studies. You must be clean and neat in your dress and habits. Never forget it, the public schools are part of this present evil world, and the god of this wicked world Satan the Devil is using very subtle schemes to mold the minds of youth to his perverted way of thinking. He uses image worship, hero worship, competition and bad associations to accomplish his wicked intent. You must therefore be as faithful to Jehovah as were the three Hebrews who were thrown into a fiery furnace for not saluting and worshiping an image of the state.—Dan. 3:8-30; 1 John 5:21.

20. In what ways can those attending school avoid bad association?

²⁰ Another thing you young witnesses of Jehovah must be on guard against is delinquency; otherwise you will never live through Armageddon, for in the paradise earth there will be no juvenile delinquents. For your protection, then, avoid getting entangled in the school gangs, in the social affairs, the after-school athletics, cultural endeavors, or the various activities sponsored by the fraternities and sororities. Such bad associations are bound to spoil useful habits. (1 Cor. 15:33) There is one sure way of preventing yourself from being lost in the darkness that engrosses the school systems, and that is by letting “your light shine.” Talk the truth to your teachers and schoolmates and you will have many good companions with whom to associate.—Matt. 5:16.

21. Why is it so important at the present time for every one of Jehovah’s witnesses and their companions to watch his conduct closely?

²¹ Never was there a time when it was more important than now for Jehovah’s people everywhere to watch their personal conduct. In the home, in the congregation, in the community, before ruled and rulers, inside and outside prison bars and iron curtains the Witnesses must put up a hard fight for the faith and conduct themselves according to Jehovah’s righteous principles of truth and justice. We are at the very threshold of Armageddon when Jehovah is about to destroy this satanic old world and everyone conducting himself according to its wicked standards. Warns the apostle Peter: “Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of persons ought you to be in holy acts of conduct and deeds of godly devotion, awaiting and keeping close in mind the presence of the day of Jehovah, through which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved and the elements being intensely hot will melt! But there are new heavens and a new earth that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell.” (2 Pet. 3:11-13) Ah yes! A new world of righteousness is at the very portals! A world wherein only those right and righteous in their conduct will live. For “outside are the dogs and those who practice spiritism and the fornicators and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone liking and carrying on a lie.” (Rev. 22:15) Make sure, then, that you walk worthily of living in Jehovah’s new world. “Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are.” Keep watching yourself, “for Jehovah’s eyes are upon the righteous.”—2 Cor. 13:5; 1 Pet. 3:12.