Monday, June 7

The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.

—1 Cor. 3:19.

We can face any challenge—all because Jehovah is our Grand Instructor. (Isa. 30:20, 21) His Word gives us everything we need to be “fully competent” and “completely equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:17)

When we live by Bible teachings, we become wiser than those who promote “the wisdom of this world.” (Ps. 119:97-100) Regrettably, the wisdom of the world often appeals to our fleshly desires. So we might find it difficult to resist thinking and acting like those who are part of the world. For good reason, the Bible says: “Look out that no one takes you captive by means of the philosophy and empty deception according to human tradition.” (Col. 2:8)

As the Bible foretold about the last days, people would to a remarkable degree become “lovers of pleasures.” (2 Tim. 3:4) The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDS, is just one indication that the wisdom of the world is foolishness.—2 Pet. 2:19.

w19.0521 ¶1-2;22 ¶4-5​

 

Good morning, everyone, and Happy Monday!

One point that jumped out for me personally was "Regrettably, the wisdom of the world often appeals to our fleshly desires. So we might find it difficult to resist thinking and acting like those who are part of the world."

For me, personally, this is exemplified in the cry going forth to get the COVID vaccine unless we have some sort of deathwish. The vaccine is being upheld as a means to life by the (world) and, in general, everyone is jumping on the bandwagon right in harmony and tune with Satan's accusation of Job:

Satan replied, "A person will give up everything in order to stay alive." —Job 2:4 Good News Translation

Or, as the Brenton Septuagint Version reads:

And the devil answered and said to the Lord, Skin for skin, all that a man has will he give as a ransom for his life." —Job 2:4 Brenton Septuagint Version

This tendency of self-interest and self-preservation, of course, runs counter to the counsel of our Exemplar, Jesus, when he plainly points out:

"If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." —Matthew 16:25 New Living Translation

That's not to suggest that believers want to die— we are quite well-acquainted with the pain of sorrow and mourning and loss in the face of separation from our loved ones.

We, as believers, simply recognize that our life is neither conditional nor contingent upon accepting a vaccine that is, at best, still experimental and its manufacturers exempted from any legal recourse to harm from their vaccines which may yet be realized/discovered— but rather, that our salvation rests with our God and Father in the Heavens, and we are unwilling to throw that precious provision aside for the promise of worldly governments to continue living by turning to them for protection and salvation. At the same time, we exercise due diligence as far as it is possible for us, to care for our health out of our Christlike love for our fellow man through the practice of clean living and proper hygiene.

As always, submitted for perusal and consideration,
—Timothy

 

Amen.

Sometimes things that shouldn't need saying, Shouldn't go without being said.

Some things I shouldn't be surprised at, alot of Jehovah's Witnesess, are getting shots in my small back water.