Daily Text and Meditation
Thursday, December 19
Stop being molded by this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over.—Rom. 12:2.
Do you love righteousness? No doubt you do. But we all are imperfect, and if we are not careful, the world’s view of righteousness can easily affect us. (Isa. 5:20) When people think of a righteous person, many may think of someone who is smug, judgmental, or self-righteous. But God does not like those qualities at all. When Jesus was on earth, he strongly criticized the religious leaders of his day for setting up their own standards of righteousness. (Eccl. 7:16; Luke 16:15) Genuine righteousness is not in any way like self-righteousness. Righteousness is a beautiful quality. Simply put, it means doing what is right in the eyes of Jehovah God. In the Bible, the words for “righteousness” convey the idea of living by the highest of standards—Jehovah’s standards. w22.08 27 ¶3-5
Meditation
Lesson:
Embrace Genuine Righteousness, Not Self-Righteousness
What is the main point?
The main point of the text and its commentary is to encourage individuals to avoid being influenced by worldly standards of righteousness and instead strive to align their thoughts and actions with Jehovah's standards of righteousness, reflecting genuine humility and moral integrity.
What is another example from the Bible that has to do with the text?
An example from the Bible that relates to the text and its commentary is the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector found in Luke 18:9-14. In this parable, the Pharisee represents self-righteousness, while the tax collector exemplifies humility and genuine repentance before Jehovah.
What does this teach us about Jehovah?
This teaches us that Jehovah values genuine humility and righteousness over self-righteousness and hypocrisy. He looks for true adherence to His standards rather than human-made interpretations of righteousness.
What are the practical applications in the life of a Christian?
For Jehovah's Witnesses, practical applications include regularly examining their own motivations and actions to ensure they align with Jehovah's standards rather than societal norms. Everyday examples may include avoiding gossip, demonstrating love and kindness to neighbors, and being honest in business dealings, even when it might be easier to follow the crowd.
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