feelings of resentment that hinder your profiting from good advice? What causes these?

It is a tendency of human nature that comes up for discussion at Romans 12:3: “I tell everyone there among you not to think more of himself than it is necessary to think.” The culprit is pride, which is an inordinate self-esteem or an unreasonable feeling of superiority over others. How can you cope with the barrier of pride?

Basic is acceptance of the truth set forth at Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Do you believe that? You may quickly answer Yes, but does your life course show that you really mean it? Not if you give the impression that you are “always right” by spurning good counsel.

And think of the tragic consequences of proud rejection of corrective advice! For one thing, there is loneliness, for who desires the association of a person who cannot admit his mistakes? Worse than that, the Creator declares: “Self-exaltation and pride . . . I have hated.” (Prov. 8:13) A haughty spirit injures one’s relationship with Jehovah. It can, therefore, result in nothing good. “Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.”​—Prov. 16:18.

On the other hand, “the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.” (Prov. 6:23) An individual who responds to counsel retains pleasant relationships with others, most importantly with the Creator. Such a person is not hemmed in by shortsightedness. He not only gains personal advantages from the thoughts of others, but, in turn, radiates to his fellowman benefits of an expanded viewpoint. Counsel indeed is profitable. The question is: Will you profit from it?

Questions From Readers

● First Corinthians 7:14 states that children of a believing parent “are holy.” Is baptism involved in such a child’s ‘holiness’ in God’s sight? What if the child is retarded?

The apostle Paul is here discussing problems in a divided family. He encouraged the believing mate not to leave the unbeliever and, as a strong reason for keeping the marriage intact, said this: “For the unbelieving husband is sanctified in relation to his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified in relation to the brother; otherwise, your children would really be unclean, but now they are holy.” (1 Cor. 7:14) This shows that God views such children according to the principle of family merit. By family merit is meant the holiness that God credits, or imputes, to minor children who are obedient, to the extent that the child is unaccountable. This comes about due to the valuable record of holiness and good deeds that “parents in union with the Lord” have in God’s sight. (Eph. 6:1) This family merit applies even when only one of the parents is a believer, as Paul’s above-quoted words indicate.

What, then, of baptism? A young child who is faithfully taught God’s Word will no doubt progress in knowledge and understanding, and in time reach the point where God’s spirit motivates him to make his own dedication to Jehovah and to request baptism. (1 Pet. 3:21) To be prepared for baptism, he must appreciate his need to repent, be converted and come into a proper relationship with God. (Acts 3:19; 8:34-36) After baptism, he would no longer be under family merit, but would be viewed as “holy” on his own account, being responsible before God to pursue a life of dedication.​—1 Pet. 1:14-16; Col. 1:21-23.