July

Impilo inzima kulezinsuku futhi kasithandabuzi ukuthi izaqhubeka isiba nzima kuze kufike uMbuso kaNkulunkulu uzolungisa izinto emhlabeni. (2 Tim. 3:1) Yikho kuqakathekile ukuzibuza ukuthi, ‘Ngubani engikhangelele ukuthi angisize njalo angiqondise?’ Eminyakeni eminengi eyadlulayo umhubi wabhala ngokuqakatheka kokuqhubeka sikhangelise amehlo kuJehova nxa siphakathi kobunzima. (Hubo. 123:1-4) Wafanisa indlela esingakhangela ngayo kuJehova lendlela isisebenzi esikhangela ngayo kumqhatshi waso. Wayesitshoni umhubi ngamazwi la? Isisebenzi sikhangela kumqhatshi waso ukuthi asiphe ukudla njalo asivikele. Okunye okumele sikwenze nsuku zonke yikukhangela ukuthi umqhatshi waso ufunani, besesikwenza. Ngendlela efanayo lathi kumele sikhangele kuJehova ngokubala iLizwi lakhe nsuku zonke ukuze sibone lokho akulindele kithi futhi sikwenze. Nxa singakwenza lokhu, singaqiniseka ukuthi uJehova uzasinceda nxa siphakathi kobunzima. w18.07 12 ¶1-2

Yiphi inkululeko uJesu ayekhuluma ngayo? Wayesitsho ukukhululwa ebugqilini besono esilokhu sihlukuluza abantu kuze kube lamuhla. (Joh. 8:34) Kubuhlungu kakhulu ukuba lesono, kwenza sikhangwe yizinto ezimbi, siwele ebubini njalo sehluleke ukwenza okulungileyo. Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi abantu bayizigqili zesono. Kanti njalo isono lesi yiso esibangela ukukhathazeka, ubuhlungu, ukuhlupheka kanye lokufa. (Rom. 6:23) Ukukhitshwa kwesono ebantwini yikho kuphela okungabenza bathole inkululeko yeqiniso eyalahlwa ngu-Adamu lo-Eva. Amazwi kaJesu athi “uma libambelela emfundisweni yami” atshengisa ukuthi kulezinto akhangelele ukuthi sizenze ukuze asikhulule ebugqilini besono. (Joh. 8:31) Ngesikhathi sizinikela satshengisa ukuthi sesizidelile futhi sesizimisele ukulandela izimfundiso zikaKhristu. (Mat. 16:24, NW) Ngesikhathi esizayo sizathola inkululeko yeqiniso ngoba inhlawulo iyabe isisebenza ngokugcweleyo kithi. w18.04 7 ¶14-16

UJehova ulendaba lendlela abantu bakhe abazizwa ngayo lanxa kwesinye isikhathi becabanga okungaqondanga. Khumbula lokho okwenzakala kuJona. UNkulunkulu wathuma umphrofethi lo ukuthi ayetshela abantu baseNineve ukuthi babezabhujiswa. Abantu laba baphenduka ezonweni zabo futhi uNkulunkulu kasababhubhisanga. Kodwa lokho akuzange kumthokozise uJona. “Wazonda” ngenxa yokuthi ayekukhulumile mayelana lokubhujiswa kweNineve akuzange kwenzakale. UJehova wambekezelela njalo wamsiza ukuthi antshintshe indlela ayecabanga ngayo. (Jona. 3:10–4:11) Ngokuhamba kwesikhathi uJona wazwisisa lokho uJehova ayemfundisa khona futhi nguye owasetshenziswa nguJehova ukuthi abhale indaba le ukuze isisize. (Rom. 15:4) Indlela uJehova ayephatha ngayo abantu bakhe isenza siqiniseke ukuthi uyazizwela usizi izinceku zakhe nxa zithwele nzima. Uyabazi ubuhlungu esibuzwayo njalo uyakubona ukuhlupheka ngamunye wethu aphakathi kwakho. Uyayizwisisa imicabango yethu kanye lendlela esizizwa ngayo njalo uyazwisisa ukuthi kukhona esingenelisi ukukwenza. Kanti njalo ‘kasoze avume ukuthi silingwe ngalokho esingeke senelise ukukubekezelela.’ (1 Khor. 10:13) Amazwi la ayasiduduza sibili! w19.03 16 ¶6-7

EMthethweni kaMosi amadoda amadala ayesahlulela izindaba ezimayelana lokukhonza uJehova lezingxabano futhi ethetha amacala. Ngokwesibonelo, um-Israyeli obulele umuntu kwakungamelanga ahle abulawe. Abakhokheli bedolobho lakhe kwakumele bahluze indaba ukuze babone langabe umuntu lo kwakumele abulawe. (Dute. 19:2-7, 11-13) Babesahlulela izindaba ezijayelekileyo ezigoqela izingxabano eziphathelane lempahla kanye lemitshado. (Eks. 21:35; Dute. 22:13-19) Nxa izindaba lezi zazisahlulelwa kuhle njalo ama-Israyeli elandela uMthetho, izinto zaziwahambela kuhle futhi loJehova wayedunyiswa. (Levi. 20:7, 8; Isaya. 48:17, 18) Lokhu kusitshengisa ukuthi uJehova ukukhangele konke esikwenzayo. Ufuna sithande abanye futhi sibaphathe kuhle. Kanti njalo uyakuzwa esikutshoyo abone lesikwenzayo, lanxa sisodwa ngekhaya. w19.02 23 ¶16-18

Kunzima ukuba mnene nxa sikhathazekile. Singakhuluma amazwi ahlabayo njalo sibe lolaka. Isibonelo sikaJesu singasinceda nxa sikhathazekile. UJesu wayekhathazeke kakhulu esezakufa ngoba wayekwazi ukuthi wayezahlukuluzwa futhi abulawe kabuhlungu. (Joh. 3:14, 15; Gal. 3:13) Sekusele izinyanga ezilutshwana ukuthi abulawe wathi wayekhathazeke kakhulu. (Luk. 12:50) Ngezinsuku esezakufa wathi: “Ngikhathazekile.” Umthandazo lo uveza ukuthi wayethobekile futhi ezimisele ukulalela uNkulunkulu. (Joh. 12:27, 28) Isikhathi sokuthi abulawe sathi sesifikile, uJesu watshengisa ukuthi ulesibindi ngokuzinikela ezandleni zezitha zikaNkulunkulu ezambulala ngendlela ebuhlungu kakhulu leyangisayo. Lanxa wakhathazeka futhi wahlupheka, uJesu waba mnene wenza intando kaNkulunkulu. Kuyazikhanyela ukuthi uyisibonelo esihle kulazo zonke somuntu owaba mnene ngesikhathi ekhathazekile.​—Isaya. 53:10. w19.02 11 ¶14-15

Kwezinye izikhathi kungaba nzima ukungena imihlangano yebandla. Kodwa kumele sitshengise ukuthi silesibindi ngokwenza konke okusemandleni ethu ukuthi sibe khona kuyo yonke. Abanye abafowethu labodadewethu bayayingena imihlangano lanxa bedanile, begula kumbe befelwe. Abanye batshengise ukuthi balesibindi ngokungena imihlangano lanxa bephikiswa ngabangakibo loba yiziphathamandla zikahulumende. Nxa siqhubeka singena imihlangano siyabe sikhuthaza labafowethu abasemajele. (Heb. 13:3) Ukholo lwabo luyaqina, babe lesibindi njalo bahlale bethembekile kuJehova nxa besizwa ukuthi silokhu simkhonza kungelani lobunzima esiphakathi kwabo. Ngesikhathi umphostoli uPhawuli esejele eRoma wayethokoza kakhulu nxa esizwa ukuthi abazalwane baqhubeka bekhonza uNkulunkulu bethembekile. (Flp. 1:3-5, 12-14) Wathi esezaphuma ejele kumbe esanda nje kuphuma, wabhalela amaHebheru incwadi ewakhuthaza ukuthi angayekeli ukuhlangana ndawonye.​—Heb. 10:25. w19.01 28 ¶9

USathane ungumhlamuki futhi kalandaba labanye abantu. Ufuna lathi sihlamukele uJehova njalo sizenzele esikufunayo. Uzama ukusiyenga esebenzisa abantu esiphila labo ngoba abanengi babo balandela lokho akufunayo njalo ulethemba lokuthi ‘bangona’ indlela esicabanga ngayo lesenza ngayo. (1 Khor. 15:33) USathane uphinda azame ukungcolisa izinhliziyo zethu ngokusenza sithembe inhlakanipho yabantu kulokuthemba uJehova. (Kol. 2:8) Ngokwesibonelo, ukhuthaza abantu ukuthi baphilele ukugijimisa imali. Abantu abenza njalo bangayithola inotho kumbe bangayitholi. Kodwa lokhu abakwenzayo kuyingozi ngoba ukugijimisa inotho kubangela ukuthi bacine sebegula njalo sebechithekelwe yimizi loba bengasamkhonzi uNkulunkulu. (1 Tim. 6:10) Thina siyambonga uBaba wethu osezulwini ngoba uyasifundisa ukuthi singagijimisi imali lenotho kodwa sisuthiseke ngalokho esilakho.​—UmTshu. 7:12; Luk. 12:15. w19.01 15 ¶6; 17 ¶9

Ngesikhathi uJesu engakabuyi emhlabeni izinceku zikaJehova ezithembekileyo zazikunanzelela ukuthi ukukhuthaza abanye kuqakathekile. Omunye owakwenzayo lokho nguHezekhiya. Ngesikhathi ama-Asiriya esefuna ukuhlasela iJerusalema, uHezekhiya wabuthanisa izikhulu zebutho kanye labantu bakoJuda wabakhuthaza. IBhayibhili lithi: ‘Abantu baba lesibindi ngenxa yalokho okwatshiwo yinkosi uHezekhiya.’ (2 ImiLan. 32:6-8) UJobe laye wasitshiyela isibonelo esihle endabeni yokukhuthaza abanye. Lanxa wayephakathi kobuhlungu, watshela u-Elifazi loBhilidadi loZofa amazwi ayezabasiza babone ukuthi ukukhuthaza abanye kuqakathekile. Wabatshela wathi, ‘aluba yini elisesikhundleni sami; umlomo wami ngabe uyaliqinisa; induduzo yezindebe zami ipholise ubuhlungu elibuzwayo.’ (Jobe. 16:1-5) Ekucineni u-Elihu loJehova bamduduza uJobe futhi lokhu kwamkhuthaza.​—Jobe. 33:24, 25; 36:1, 11; 42:7, 10. w18.04 16 ¶6; 17 ¶8-9

U-Isaya wayesevele echasisile ukuthi uJehova uzabaqinisa njani abantu bakhe, wathi: “UJehova uNkulunkulu uza elamandla, isandla sakhe sizabusa.” (Isaya. 40:10) EBhayibhilini ibala elithi “isandla” lingatsho amandla. Ngakho amazwi athi “isandla sakhe sizabusa” asikhumbuza ukuthi uJehova uyiNkosi elamandla. Wawasebenzisa amandla akhe amakhulu ukuthi asekele futhi avikele izinceku zakhe zasendulo njalo uyaqhubeka ewasebenzisa ukuthi aqinise abantu bakhe lamuhla. (Dute. 1:30, 31; Isaya. 43:10) UJehova ‘uyasiqinisa’ ikakhulu nxa sihlukuluzwa. Kwamanye amazwe izitha zethu zizama ngamandla wonke ukuvimbela umsebenzi wokutshumayela loba ukuvala inhlanganiso yethu. Lanxa kunjalo, kasikhathazeki kakhulu ngoba uJehova uyasiqinisekisa ukuthi sizanqoba. Uthi: “Akulasikhali esikhandelwe wena esizaphumelela.”​—Isaya. 54:17. w19.01 5-6 ¶12-13

Abantu abafanani lezinyamazana ngoba bona balesifiso sokumazi uMdali wabo lesokumkhonza. UNkulunkulu nguye kuphela ongenelisa ukusigcwalisa isifiso leso. (Mat. 4:4) Ngakho nxa lingamlalela lizathokoza, lihlakaniphe njalo libe lokuqedisisa. UNkulunkulu ulinike iLizwi lakhe kanye lemfundo eqinisa ukholo eliyiphakulelwa ‘yinceku ethembekileyo lehlakaniphileyo.’ (Mat. 24:45) Imfundo le injengokudla okulomsoco futhi iyithaphutshiye! (Isaya. 65:13, 14) Imfundo le eliyiphiwa nguNkulunkulu iyalivikela ngoba ilenza lihlakaniphe futhi lenelise ukwehlukanisa okuhle lokubi. (Zaga. 2:10-14) Ngokwesibonelo, iyalisiza ukuthi lingathatheki ngamanga akhulunywa ngabantu abathi akulaNkulunkulu lalabo abathi ukuba lemali yikho okungenza umuntu athokoze. Iyalinceda lokuthi libalekele izifiso ezimbi lemikhuba engalilimaza. Ngakho yenza konke okusemandleni akho ukuze uthole ukuhlakanipha njalo wenelise ukwehlukanisa okuhle lokubi. w18.12 20 ¶6-7

Kuzakwenzakala yini ukuthi izinsuku zethu zibe “njengezinsuku zesihlahla”? Phela ezinye izihlahla ziphila izinkulungwane zeminyaka. Ngakho abantu kumele babe lempilakahle ukuze benelise ukuphila isikhathi eside kangako. Impilo enjalo singayithola kuphela nxa sesisePharadayisi ngoba ngalesosikhathi kuyabe sekugcwalisekile lokho okwatshiwo ngumphrofethi u-Isaya. Lokhu kutshengisa ukuthi iPharadayisi lizakuba khona. UNkulunkulu uzabusisa zonke izizwe zomhlaba. Abantu ngeke bahlutshwa zinyamazana loba yizigebenga. Kuzasiliswa iziphofu, izacuthe kanye labagogekileyo. Abantu bazakwakha izindlu bahlale kuzo futhi balime bavune ukudla okunengi. Kanti njalo bazaphila iminyaka eminengi ukwedlula izihlahla. IBhayibhili litshengisa ukuthi konke lokhu kuzakwenzakala. Kodwa abanye bangathi iziphrofetho lezi kazitsho ukuthi iPharadayisi lizakuba semhlabeni. Yiziphi izizatho ezenza ukholwe ukuthi iPharadayisi lizakuba khonapha emhlabeni? UJesu uyasinika isizatho esilamandla.​—Luk. 23:43. w18.12 5 ¶13-15

Ingqondo iyenelisa ukuntshintsha yamukele izinto ezintsha. Phela okwenza ingqondo intshintshe kakhulu yilokho esihlala sikucabanga. Ngakho nxa singahlala sinakana ngemicabango kaJehova, sizabona ukuthi iqondile ngaso sonke isikhathi. Lokhu kuzasisiza sibe lemicabango ehambelana leyakhe. Kodwa ukuze sicabange njengoJehova kumele singavumi ukubunjwa ngumhlaba lo. Kuqakatheke kakhulu ukuxwaya imicabango kumbe imibono ephikisana lekaNkulunkulu. Ngokwesibonelo, umuntu angakhetha ukuthuthukisa impilakahle yakhe ngokudla ukudla okwakha umzimba. Kodwa lokho kungamnceda yini nxa kuyikuthi uhlala esidla lokudla okubolileyo? Ngeke kumncede ngalutho. Lokufunda ngemicabango kaJehova ngeke kusisize kangako nxa sihlala singcolisa izingqondo zethu ngemicabango yomhlaba lo. w18.11 21 ¶14-15

Zimisele ukulisebenzisa nsuku zonke iqiniso olifundayo. Qhubeka ubophele ibhanti leqiniso ekhalweni lwakho. Ngezikhathi zeBhayibhili amasotsha ayebophela ibhanti ekhalweni. Ibhanti lelo lalisenza isotsha lenelise ukulwa kuhle kodwa kwakumele libotshwe liqine ukuze lenze umsebenzi walo. Iqiniso eliseBhayibhilini lalo lifanana lebhanti leli. Nxa singaligcina lisezinhliziyweni lasezingqondweni zethu, lizasinceda ukuthi senze izinqumo ezinhle njalo sibalekele imicabango engalunganga. Nxa siphakathi kohlupho olunzima kumbe sihugwa yimicabango engasiwisela esonweni, iqiniso eliseBhayibhilini lizasinceda ukuthi sizimisele ukwenza okuhle. Amasotsha asendulo ayekwazi ukuthi ukuhamba empini ungelalo ibhanti kwakuyikudlala ngomlilo. Yikho lathi kasihlaleni siligqokile ibhanti leqiniso, singaliyekeli lixega kumbe silikhuphe. Kasitshengiseni ukuthi silibophe laqina ngokwenza lokho iqiniso elikutshoyo. w18.11 12 ¶15

Iqiniso eliseLizwini likaNkulunkulu ngeke siphongulithola sigoqe izandla. Kumele sivume ukulahlekelwa yizinto esizithandayo ukuze silithole. Umlobi weZaga wathi nxa ‘singathenga iqiniso’ kumele ‘singalithengisi.’ Ayekutsho yikuthi nxa singalithola kumele siligagadlele ukuze lingasiphunyuki. Lanxa into ingeyamahala akutsho ukuthi ungaphonguyithola ungenzanga lutho. Ibala lesiHebheru elihunyutshwe ngokuthi “thenga” elikuZaga 23:23 lingatsho lokuthi “thola.” Wonke amabala la atshengisa ukuthi umuntu kumele enze okuthile kumbe adele izinto alazo ukuze azuze into eqakathekileyo. Nanku umzekeliso ongasinceda ukuthi sikuzwisise ukuthi kutshoni ukuthenga iqiniso: Ake sithi uzwe ukuthi abantu banikwa amabhanana emakethe. Kungenzakala isimanga yini ubone amabhanana la esesendlini yakho ungazange uyewathatha? Hatshi, kumele uhambe emakethe uyewathatha. Lanxa amabhanana la engawamahala, kukhona okuyabe kumele ukwenze ukuze uwathole. Lokuthenga iqiniso kunjalo. Siyakwazi ukuthi iqiniso ngelamahala kodwa kumele senze okuthile ukuze silithole. w18.11 4 ¶4-5

UJesu wathatha uPhetro loJakhobe loJohane wakhwela labo entabeni ende. Sebekhonale abaphostoli babona umbono omangalisayo. Ubuso bukaJesu bakhazimula lezembatho zakhe zacazimula. Khonokho nje babona uMosi lo-Elija bexoxa loJesu ngokufa lokuvuswa kwakhe okwasekusondele. (Luk. 9:29-32) Kusenjalo iyezi elikhazimulayo labagubuzela futhi kwezwakala ilizwi likaNkulunkulu livela kuleloyezi. Umbono lo wawutshengisa inkazimulo lamandla uJesu ayezakuba lawo ngesikhathi eseyiNkosi yoMbuso kaNkulunkulu. Akuthandabuzwa ukuthi wamkhuthaza njalo wamqinisa njengoba wayezahlupheka futhi abulawe kabuhlungu. Umbono lo waphinda waqinisa ukholo lwabafundi njalo wawuzabanceda ukuthi babe lesibindi sokumela ubunzima lokwenza umsebenzi omkhulu owawuphambi kwabo. Umphostoli uPhetro kazange awukhohlwe umbono lo yikho wakhuluma ngawo sekudlule iminyaka engaba ngu-30.​—2 Phet. 1:16-18. w19.03 10 ¶7-8

Yiphi enye indlela amaKhristu eqiniso angatshengisa ngayo ukuthi atshiyene labantu abasezinkolweni zamanga? ‘Ngokukhuluma iqiniso.’ (Zek. 8:16, 17) Sizakhuluma iqiniso zikhathi zonke kungelani lokuthi sixoxa ngezinto eziqakathekileyo loba ezingakhanya zingatsho lutho. Lokhu sizakwenza nxa sikhuluma labantu esingabaziyo, esisebenza labo, abangane bethu kanye lezihlobo zethu. Abasakhulayo abanengi abafuni ukuba yindlubu ewele ephokweni nxa belabosowabo. Nxa lawe unjalo, nanzelela ungacini uvala abantu amehlo, uzitshaya olungileyo nxa ulabazali bakho loba nxa usebandleni. Kodwa nxa usebenzisa ezempucuko loba ulabanye abasakhulayo abangakhonziyo kungatshengisi ukuthi uyinceku kaJehova. Nxa ukwenza lokhu ungumkhohlisi ngoba uqamba amanga kubazali bakho lakubazalwane kanye lakuNkulunkulu. (Hubo. 26:4, 5) UJehova uyabona nxa ‘simdumisa ngezindebe kodwa izinhliziyo zethu zikhatshana laye.’ (Mak. 7:6) Ngakho kasizimiseleni ukulalela amazwi la athi: “Inhliziyo yakho mayingahawukeli izoni, kodwa hlala utshisekela ukwesaba uJehova.”​—Zaga. 23:17. w18.10 9 ¶14-15

Abantu bakaNkulunkulu batholakala emhlabeni wonke futhi bayimuli elothando. Yikho esikhonza labo bengabafowethu labodadewethu. (1 Joh. 4:21) Kwezinye izikhathi siyazidela kakhulu ngenxa yabazalwane bethu kodwa izikhathi ezinengi sitshengisa ukuthi siyabathanda ngokubenzela izinto ezincane ezitshiyeneyo. Ngokwesibonelo, sikhuluma labo ngendlela ekhuthazayo futhi sibaphatha ngomusa. Nxa siphatha abanye ngomusa njalo sibazwisisa siyabe ‘silingisela uNkulunkulu njengabantwana abathandwa kakhulu.’ (Efe. 5:1) UJesu wayelingisela uYise kukho konke. Wathi: “Wozani kimi lina lonke elikhatheleyo lelisindwayo, ngizaliphumuza . . . , ngokuba ngimnene ngithobekile enhliziyweni.” (Mat. 11:28, 29) Nxa singalingisela uKhristu ‘ngokunanza abahluphekayo,’ sizathokozisa uBaba wethu osezulwini njalo lathi sizajabula kakhulu. (Hubo. 41:1) Ngakho kasibeni lothando ngokuqhubeka sitshengisa ukuthi siyabazwisisa abanye emulini, ebandleni lasekutshumayeleni. w18.09 28 ¶1-2

Nxa kungaba lomonakalo abantu bakaNkulunkulu baba lethuba lokusebenza laye ukuze baphathise abafowabo. Ngokwesibonelo, bayanikela ngemali ukuze kusizwe abehlelwe luhlupho. (Joh. 13:34, 35; ImiSeb. 11:27-30) Kanti njalo bayancedisa ngokuklina langokwakha kutsha izakhiwo eziyabe zidilikile. Omunye udadewethu odabuka ePoland okuthiwa nguGabriela wadilikelwa ngumuzi wakhe ngenxa yesiphepho esahlasela indawo ayehlala kuyo. Kodwa wajabula kakhulu lapho abazalwane ababevela emabandleni aseduze befika bezomsiza. UGabriela uthi: “Angisoze ngitshone ngilandisa ngempahla eyangilahlekelayo ngoba lezo yizinto zomhlaba nje. Kodwa engifuna ukulitshela khona yikuthi ngatholani. Indlela abafowethu labodadewethu abangiphatha ngayo yenza ngabona ukuthi ukuba sebandleni kuyisibusiso esikhulu njalo kuyathokozisa.” Abanengi abake bathola uncedo ngemva kokwehlelwa ngumonakalo bathi labo bayajabula. Lalabo abasebenza loJehova ukuze basize abantu bakhe basala besuthisekile.​—ImiSeb. 20:35; 2 Khor. 9:6, 7. w18.08 26 ¶12

Nxa sifuna ukuphumelela ukugcina izinhliziyo zethu kumele sinanzelele izinto ezingasingcolisa besesizibalekela masinyane. Ibala elihunyutshwe ngokuthi “gcina” lisikhumbuza umsebenzi owawusenziwa ngumuntu owayelinda. Endulo abalindi babesima phezu komduli wedolobho ukuze baxwayise abantu nxa bengabona ingozi isiza. Lathi kumele senze njengabalindi nxa sifuna ukuvikela izinhliziyo zethu ukuthi zingangcoliswa nguSathane. Abalindi babencedisana lamadoda ayelinda esangweni ledolobho. (2 Sam. 18:24-26) Babesithi bangabona isitha sisiza bamemeze amadoda la ukuze avale amasango. Lokhu kwakusenza ukuthi idolobho livikeleke. (Neh. 7:1-3) Umzwangedwa oqeqetshwe ngeBhayibhili lawo usebenza njengomlindi. Uyasixwayisa nxa uSathane esehlasela izinhliziyo zethu ezama ukungcolisa imicabango, imizwa, inhloso kanye lezifiso zethu. Yikho nxa umzwangedwa wethu ungasixwayisa kumele siwulalele sihle sivale zonke intuba uSathane angangena ngazo. w19.01 17 ¶10-11

Nxa kukhangelwa ukuthi umfowethu osakhulayo angaba yinceku ekhonzayo kumbe ngumdala, kufanele kusetshenziswe iLizwi likaNkulunkulu hatshi imibono yabantu loba amasiko. (2 Tim. 3:16, 17) Ukulandela amasiko kungenza abafowethu bangabekwa ukuba ngabadala lezinceku ezikhonzayo lanxa bekhonza kuhle. Kwelinye ilizwe, kwakulenceku ekhonzayo etshisekayo eyayiphiwe imisebenzi emikhulu ebandleni. Abadala bamhlola umzalwane lo osakhulayo besebenzisa iMibhalo futhi bavumelana ukuthi uyafanela ukuba ngumdala ebandleni. Kodwa kabazange bambeke ukuba ngumdala ngoba abanye abadala asebekhulile babesithi ukhangeleka emncane kakhulu. Kuyadanisa ukuthi umfowethu lo kazange abekwe ukuba ngumdala ngenxa nje yokuthi wayekhanya emncane. Imibiko itshengisa ukuthi uhlupho lolu lugcwele emabandleni amanengi emhlabeni wonke. Yikho kuqakathekile ukuthi sisebenzise iMibhalo hatshi lokho esikucabangayo. Singenza njalo, sizabe sitshengisa ukuthi siyawulalela umlayo kaJesu wokuthi singahluleli ngalokho esikubona ngamehlo.​—Joh. 7:24. w18.08 12 ¶16-17

Yiphi ingozi engaba khona nxa singaphonguthumela abanye amameseji singazange siwahluze? Kwamanye amazwe oFakazi bakaJehova kabenelisi ukukhonza bekhululekile ngenxa yemithetho efakwa yiziphathamandla njalo kwezinye indawo kabafunakali. Endaweni lezo abasiphikisayo bajayele ukuthumela imibiko engamanga ukuze basethusele loba benze ukuthi singathembani. Lokhu kwake kwenzakala kudala eSoviet Union. Uhlangothi lwamapholisa olwalubizwa ngokuthi yi-KGB lwasakaza imibiko engamanga lusithi abanye abazalwane abakhokhelayo sebethengise abantu bakaJehova. Okudanisayo yikuthi abazalwane abanengi bakukholwa lokhu bacina betshiya inhlanganiso kaJehova. Lanxa abanengi baphenduka ngemva kwesikhathi, abanye kabazange baphenduke ngoba ukholo lwabo lwaselubhidlikile. (1 Tim. 1:19) Thina singakubalekela njani lokhu? Kasingaqali ukusakaza imibiko engaqondanga njalo akumelanga siphongukholwa konke esikuzwayo kodwa kumele sihluze loba yini esiyizwayo. w18.08 4 ¶8

Emibhalweni yesiGrikhi yasendulo izimpawu zenkulumo zazingasetshenziswa kangako. Pho uJesu wathini? Wathi: “Ngiyakutshela, lamuhla uzakuba lami ePharadayisi,” kumbe wathi, “Ngiyakutshela lamuhla, uzakuba lami ePharadayisi”? Khumbula ukuthi uJesu engakabotshwa watshela abalandeli bakhe wathi: “INdodana yoMuntu izahlala izinsuku ezintathu lobusuku obuthathu emathunjini omhlabathi.” (Mat. 12:40; 16:21; 17:22, 23; Mak. 10:34; ImiSeb. 10:39, 40) Ngakho uJesu lesigebenga esasiseceleni kwakhe abazange baye ePharadayisi ngelanga abafa ngalo. IBhayibhili lithi uJesu ‘wayesengcwabeni’ okwamalanga athile, uNkulunkulu waze wamvusa. (ImiSeb. 2:31, 32) Isigebenga leso sasingakwazi ukuthi uJesu wenze isivumelwano labaphostoli bakhe abathembekileyo esokuthi babezabusa laye eMbusweni wasezulwini. (Luk. 22:29) Kanti njalo sasingabhabhathizwanga futhi sasingagcotshwanga ngomoya ongcwele. (Joh. 3:3-6, 12) Ngakho isithembiso sikaJesu sasiphathelane lePharadayisi elizakuba khonapha emhlabeni ngesikhathi esizayo. w18.12 6 ¶17-18, 20-21

Kungakayingaphi ama-Israyeli aphambuka aqala ukukhonza ithole legolide. U-Aroni wabiza lowombuthano wokukhonza ithole ngokuthi ‘ngumkhosi kaJehova.’ Lokhu kuyamangalisa sibili ngoba langemva kokona okungaka ama-Israyeli ayelokhu ezikhohlisa ecabanga ukuthi asohlangothini lukaJehova. UJehova wezwa njani ngalokhu? Wezwa ubuhlungu kakhulu njalo watshela uMosi wathi: ‘Abantu owabakhupha eGibhithe sebonakele njalo baphangisile badela konke engabalaya khona.’ Ulaka lukaJehova lwavutha kakhulu futhi wayesefuna ukusitshabalalisa sonke isizwe sako-Israyeli. (Eks. 32:5-10) Kodwa uJehova kazange avumele ulaka lwakhe lumenze atshabalalise isizwe lesi. (Eks. 32:14) U-Aroni waphenduka waya ohlangothini lukaJehova lanxa ekuqaliseni wayevume ukuyengwa ngabantu wabumba ithole legolide. Bonke abantu ababekhonza isithombe babhujiswa. Kodwa labo ababesohlangothini lukaJehova basinda njalo bathenjiswa izibusiso.​—Eks. 32:26-29. w18.07 20 ¶13-16

Ukwaziwa nguJehova lokuthola udumo oluvela kuye kuqakatheke ukwedlula loba yini esingayithola emhlabeni lo. Abantu abanengi bakufuna ngabomvu ukuthola udumo lokwaziwa yikho bexotshana lemfundo ephezulu, amabhizimusi kanye lokuba zintshantshu kwezemidlalo loba kwezokuzilibazisa. Kodwa uPhawuli wabhala ngalokho okufanele sikuqakathekise, wathi: “Khathesi uNkulunkulu selimazi, loba ngithi uNkulunkulu uselazi—pho kwenzakala njani ukuthi liyabuyela emuva kuleyana imikhuba ebuthakathaka leyize na? Liyafuna yini ukuba ligqilazwe yiyo njalo na?” (Gal. 4:9) ‘Ukwaziwa nguNkulunkulu’ umbusi wendawo yonke yisibusiso esikhulu kakhulu. UJehova uyasazi sonke, uyasithanda kakhulu futhi ufuna sibe ngabangane bakhe. Wasidala ngoba wayehlose ukuthi sihlale silobuhlobo obuhle laye.​—UmTshu. 12:13, 14. w18.07 8 ¶3-4

Ukuze imithetho kaNkulunkulu isincede, kufanele siyithande ngenhliziyo yonke njalo siyihloniphe. (Amos. 5:15) Singakwenza njani lokhu? Okuqakatheke kakhulu yikuthi sizame ukulingisela uJehova kukho konke esikwenzayo. Ake sithi uhambe kudokotela wakho usiyadinga usizo ngohlupho olalo lokuswela ubuthongo. Ngemva kwalokho wasekutshela ukuthi udle ukudla okwakha umzimba, uqeqetshe umzimba njalo untshintshe indlela obusenza ngayo ezinye izinto. Kawungeke umbonge yini nxa usubona ukuthi akutshele khona kuyasebenza? Ngendlela efananayo uMdali wethu usinike imithetho engasisiza ukuthi sithuthukise impilo zethu futhi sibalekele izenzo ezingabangela ukuthi sehlelwe yimpumela ebuhlungu. Ngokwesibonelo, cabanga ngokuthi kusinceda njani ukulalela imithetho eseBhayibhilini ephathelane lokubalekela ukuqamba amanga, ubuqili, ukuntshontsha, ukuziphatha kubi kwezemacansini, udlakela kanye lesidimoni. (Zaga. 6:16-19; Isam. 21:8) Ukubona impumela emihle ebakhona nxa silalela uJehova kwenza simthande kakhulu njalo singayithontisi imithetho yakhe. w18.06 17 ¶5-6

Kukhanya uPhilathu wayesesaba ukuthi uJesu uzakwenza abantu bavukele umbuso wamaRoma. Kodwa uJesu wamphendula wathi: “Umbuso wami kayisiwo walo umhlaba.” (Joh. 18:36) Ngakho kwahle kwamcacela uPhilathu ukuthi uJesu kazingeni ezombusazwe zalumhlaba ngoba uMbuso wakhe ngowasezulwini. Kanti njalo uJesu wamtshela ukuthi ayekulande emhlabeni ‘yikuzafakaza iqiniso.’ (Joh. 18:37) UJesu wayekwazi ukuthi kumele atshumayele izindaba ezinhle. Yikho ukulingisela isibonelo sakhe kuzasisiza ukuthi singabi leqembu lezombusazwe esilisekelayo ngitsho lasezinhliziyweni zethu. Kodwa lokhu akulula. Omunye umbonisi wesiqinti uthi: “Abantu emphakathini wethu sebedlulise amalawulo. Babandlulula abantu abavela kwezinye izindawo njalo bacabanga ukuthi izinto zingabahambela kuhle nxa bangavunyelwa ukuthi bazibuse. Kodwa okujabulisayo yikuthi abafowethu labodadewethu bakhuthele emsebenzini wokutshumayela ngoMbuso njalo lokhu kwenza bahlale bemanyene. Bakhangelele ukuthi uJehova aqede zonke izinhlupho ezikhona.” w18.06 4-5 ¶6-7

U-1 ImiLando, uJobe kanye loZekhariya yiwo wodwa amabhuku aseMibhalweni YesiHebheru aqamba ibizo elithi Sathane elitsho “uMphikisi.” Kungani uNkulunkulu engasitshelanga okunengi ngesitha lesi ngaphambi kokufika kukaMesiya? UJehova kazange atshone elandisa okunengi ngoSathane lemisebenzi yakhe eMibhalweni YesiHebheru. Lokhu kungenxa yokuthi injongo yeMibhalo le yayingeyokusiza abantu ukuthi benelise ukubona uMesiya njalo bamlandele. (Luk. 24:44; Gal. 3:24) Ngesikhathi uMesiya esefikile emhlabeni, uJehova wamsebenzisa kanye labafundi bakhe ukuthi basivezele okunengi ngoSathane lezingilosi ezahlamuka laye. Lokhu kwakuqondile sibili ngoba uJesu labalandeli bakhe abagcotshiweyo yibo abazasetshenziswa ukuthi babhubhise uSathane labalandeli bakhe. (Rom. 16:20; Isam. 17:14; 20:10) Khumbula ukuthi amandla kaSathane alalapho aphelela khona. Kanti njalo uJehova loJesu kanye lezingilosi ezithembekileyo bayasisiza ukuthi silwisane loSathane. w18.05 22-23 ¶2-4

UJehova uthi siyizinceku zakhe kuphela uma sithela izithelo. (Mat. 13:23; 21:43) Emzekelisweni otholakala kuJohane 15:1-5, ukuthela izithelo akutsho ukwenza abafundi abatsha. (Mat. 28:19) Phela nxa kungaba njalo abafowethu labodadewethu abangenelisiyo ukwenza abafundi ngenxa yokuthi batshumayela ezindaweni ezilabantu abangalaleliyo bangacina bengani bazingatsha ezingatheliyo. Iqiniso yikuthi ngeke sibambe abantu ngamandla ukuthi babe ngabafundi. Khumbula ukuthi uJehova ulothando njalo ngeke athi senze into akwaziyo ukuthi asenelisi ukuyenza. Usicela izinto akwaziyo ukuthi sizazenza. (Dute. 30:11-14) Pho ziyini izithelo okumele sizithele? Kucacile ukuthi izithelo zimela umsebenzi ngamunye wethu enelisa ukuwenza. Yiwuphi umsebenzi lo? Ngumsebenzi wokutshumayela izindaba ezinhle zoMbuso kaNkulunkulu.​—Mat. 24:14. w18.05 14 ¶8-9

Lamuhla abakhokheli bezinkolo bagcwele umhlaba wonke futhi babizwa ngamabizo atshiyeneyo. Abanye babo babizwa ngokuthi ngabafundisi langokuthi ngabaphristi. Benza khona kanye okwakusenziwa ngabakhokheli bezinkolo basendulo ngoba ‘bacindezela iqiniso’ eliseLizwini likaNkulunkulu futhi “benana iqiniso likaNkulunkulu ngamanga.” (Rom. 1:18, 25) Bafafaza amanga besithi umphefumulo kawufi njalo bathi nxa umuntu engafa uyazalwa esengomunye umuntu loba esengenye into. Kanti njalo bafundisa abantu ukuthi nxa umuntu angabhabhathizwa usesindisiwe lokuthi uNkulunkulu uyabamukela ubutabane kanye lokutshadiswa kwezitabane. Abezombusazwe basebenzisa amanga ukuze baqile abantu. Sekuseduze ukuthi batshele abantu ukuthi sebephumelele ukuletha “ukuthula lokuvikeleka” emhlabeni. Kodwa la kuyabe kungamanga aluhlaza tshoko ngoba ngalesosikhathi “incithakalo izakwehlela phezu kwabo ngokujuma.” Ngakho thina akumelanga sithatheke ngoba siyakwazi ukuthi umhlaba lo usulengele egodini. ‘Sikwazi kuhle ukuthi usuku lweNkosi luzafika njengesela ebusuku.’​—1 Thes. 5:1-4. w18.10 7-8 ¶6-8

UJesu Khristu ukhuthaza abakhathazekileyo labadanileyo esebenzisa abafowabo abagcotshiweyo kanye “lababusi” abakhethwe kwezinye izimvu. Ukukhuthazwa ngamadoda la alokholo kuyasiqinisa njengoba siphila esikhathini esinzima kangaka. Lanxa abadala bephathiswe umsebenzi lo akumelanga baziphakamise ngoba labo bayizisebenzi kanye labanye abazalwane. (Isaya. 32:1, 2; 2 Khor. 1:24) Abadala kumele balingisele isibonelo somphostoli uPhawuli owayezama ukuhlala ekhuthaza abazalwane. Wabhalela amaKhristu ayehlukuluzwa eThesalonika wathi: “Salithanda kakhulu sathokoza ukuhlanganyela lani kungayisikho evangelini likaNkulunkulu kuphela kodwa lasekuphileni kwethu, ngoba lina laselithandeka kakhulu kithi. (1 Thes. 2:8) UPhawuli wayekwazi ukuthi ukukhuthaza abanye ngamazwi nje, kwakungeke kubasize kangako, yikho watshela abadala base-Efesu amazwi asembhalweni walamuhla. w18.04 21-22 ¶6-8

Nxa sifuna ukuthola inkululeko yeqiniso kumele ‘siphendukele’ kuJehova okutsho ukuthi sibe lobuhlobo obuhle laye. (2 Khor. 3:16) Ngesikhathi ama-Israyeli esenkangala kawazange akubone ukuqakatheka kokuthi abe lobuhlobo obuhle loJehova. Kwakungani izinhliziyo lezingqondo zawo zivalwe ngesembeso njalo ayisebenzisa kubi inkululeko ayithola ngesikhathi ephuma eGibhithe. (Heb. 3:8-10) Umoya kaJehova uyasisiza sibe lenkululeko engcono kakhulu esingeke siyiqathanise laleyo ekhalelwa ngabantu lamuhla. Umoya ongcwele uyasikhulula esonweni lasekufeni kanye lasemikhutsheni yezinkolo zamanga kodwa akulamuntu ongenelisa ukusikhulula ezintweni lezi. (Rom. 6:23; 8:2) Le yinkululeko uqobo njalo ingenza umuntu athokoze lanxa evalelwe ejele loba ehlukuluzwa.​—Gen. 39:20-23. w18.04 9 ¶3-5