The Watchtower, September 1, 1952
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"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12
The WATCHTOWER
Announcing
JEHOVAH'S
KINGDOM
SEPTEMBER 1, 1952
Semimonthly
WHY MATURITY OF
DISCERNMENT VITAL
MATURITY ESSENTIAL TO INCREASE
CHRISTIANS—FIRST OF ALL
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
PAUL, APOSTLE TO THE NATIONS
CLERGY PHILOSOPHERS VOID THE BIBLE
©WTB&TS
"YOU ARE MY WITNESSES," SAYS JEHOVAH.—Isa. 43:12 THE PURPOSE OF "THE WATCHTOWER"
Literal towers in Bible times were elevated vantage points from which watchmen could observe happenings, warn of danger, or announce good news. Our magazine figuratively occupies such a vantage point, for it is founded on the very pinnacle of wisdom, God's Word. That elevates it above racial, national and political propagandas and prejudices, frees it from selfish bias. It is not bound by any traditional creed, but its message advances as the light on God's purposes and works increases.—Habakkuk 2:1-3.
It sees things Scripturally. When it observes this generation afflicted with greed, delinquency, hypocrisy, atheism, war, famine, pestilence, perplexity and fear, and persecution of unpopular minorities, it does not parrot the old fable about history repeating itself. Informed by Bible prophecy, it sees in these things the sign of the world's time of the end. But with bright hope it also sees opening up for us just beyond these woes the portals of a new world.
Thus viewed, "The Watchtower" stands as a watchman atop a tower, alert to what is going on, awake to note signs of danger, faithful to point out the way of escape. It announces Jehovah's kingdom established by Christ's enthronement in heaven, feeds his kingdom joint-heirs with spiritual food, cheers men of good will with glorious prospects of eternal life in a paradise earth, comforts us with the resurrection promise for the dead.
It is not dogmatic, but has a confident ring in its voice, because it is based on God's Word. It does not privately interpret prophecy, but calls attention to physical facts, sets them alongside prophecy, and you see for yourself how well the two match, how accurately Jehovah interprets his own prophecy. In the interests of our salvation, it keeps sharp and faithful focus on Bible truth, and views religious news generally.
'Be watchful in these perilous times,' God admonishes. So keep on the watch by regularly reading "The Watchtower".
PUBLISHED BY THE WATCH TOWER BIBLE & TRACT SOCIETY
117 Adams Street
Brooklyn 1, N. Y., U. S. A.
N. H. KNORR, President
GRANT SUITER, Secretary
"They will all be taught by Jehovah."—John 6:45, NW; Isaiah 54:13
CONTENTS
Clergy Philosophers Void the Bible 515
Christians—First of All
Jehovah's Witnesses 517
Paul, Apostle to the Nations 520
Jehovah's Witnesses Stand Firm in Albania 525
"Be Transformed by Making
Your Mind Over" 527
Why Maturity of Discernment Vital 528
Maturity Essential to Increase 533
A Witness Replies to a Clergyman 541
Questions from Readers 542
Announcements 544
Abbreviations used in "The Watchtower" for the following Bible versions
AS - American Standard Version LXX- The Septuagint Version
AT - An American Translation Mo - James Moffatt's version
Da - J. N. Darby's version NW - New World Trans. (2nd Ed.)
Dy - Catholic Douay version Ro - J. B. Rotherham's version
ED - The Emphatic Diaglott RS - Revised Standard Version
Le - Isaac Leeser's version Yg - Robert Young's version
Unless otherwise indicated, the Bible used is the King James Version
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CLERGY PHILOSOPHERS VOID THE BIBLE
AWAY from the churches have parishioners streamed in droves. Despite swollen sectarian membership rolls, attendance has steadily fallen off and popular support of clergy functions has waned. Religion in Christendom seems on the decline. Why? One obvious reason appears in the idle philosophy the clergy have patterned in exchange for their pay. Consider, for instance, the following from the Portland, Oregon, Oregonian of March 25,1952. Discussing a conference of clergymen in the city, the paper alluded to the position taken by Dr. Richard Steiner of the First Unitarian Church, who acknowledged that religion often leads to emotional instability, but did not condemn this. Rather he said:
"Most cultural progress has been made by people who could be classed as neurotics. This business of striving for emotional stability can be dangerous. The absolutely stable person is like a rock on the beach he can't be moved and he doesn't want to move.I have no use for maturity.Anyone who is mature is ready to die."
As usual, there is no explanation, no proof, no logic, no evidence of "cultural progress" his neurotics have brought forth, no sign of danger lurking behind the desire to be stable. No wonder, for such empty reasoning collides head-on with the Bible, source of divine wisdom and knowledge. What is so wrong with a rock on a beach, firm so that the slightest turbulence does not wash it away? Is this trait not good
in a man? Jesus thought it good, saying: "Everyone that hears these sayings of mine and does them will be likened to a discreet man, who built his house upon the rock-mass. And the rain poured down and the floods came and the winds blew and lashed against that house, but it did not cave in, for it had been founded upon the rock-mass." But those who ignored his sayings he likened to a man building his house on sand, a house that washed away with the first storm. (Matt. 7:24-27, NW) The unstable and unsteady ones may be Steiner's ideals, but they are not God's, whose Word says: "He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah; he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways."—Jas. 1:6-8, NW.
"I have no use for maturity," announced Dr. Steiner. "Anyone who is mature is ready to die," he droned. Would he dare apply his principle to Christian faith? Would he be willing to match logic with the apostle Paul, whose forceful letter to the Hebrews concludes its fifth chapter by likening spiritually immature Christians to physical babes yet feeding on milk? This is not a desirable condition in which to remain, for he adds: "But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong. For this reason, now that we have left the elementary doctrine about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying a foundation again."—Heb. 5:11-14; 6:1, NW.
Far from death, the apostle refers to mature persons as those productive of fruitful good things for which the knowledge they were given was intended. "The ground that drinks in the rain which often comes upon it and that then brings forth vegetation suitable to those for whom it is also cultivated, receives in return a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is rejected and is near to being cursed, and it ends up with being burned." Heb. 6:7,8,NW.
With this as a base Paul argued fervently to guard against being swept away by 'various strange teachings' and to make the heart firm instead through God's expressed undeserved kindness. (Heb. 13:9, NW) And as for Dr. Steiner's neurotic world-beaters, James has this ego-lowering advice: "Come, now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will travel to this city and will spend a year there, and we will engage in business and make profits,' whereas you do not know what your life will be tomorrow. For you are a mist appearing for a little while and then disappearing. . . . now you take pride in your self-assuming brags. All such taking of pride is wicked."—Jas. 4:13-16, NW.
The poverty of true wisdom now gripping the world Paul foretold: "There will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, whereas they will be turned aside to false stories." So what should a Christian do? Shun stability as dangerous and deadly, develop a neurosis and contribute to the "progress" of this ear-tickling vanity? Not according to Paul: "You, though, keep your balance in all
things, suffer evil, do missionary work thoroughly accomplish your ministry." 2 Tim. 4:3-5,NW.
Can any deny that Satan the Devil, the fallen covering cherub who deserted his high and trusted office as earth's overseer in Eden, introduced immaturity and instability to the universe? (Ezek. 28:13-16) Will the false religious philosophers pretend that God backs him up in this? Will they likewise say divine favor rested on the conceit of murderer Cain, the rebellion of Korah, Balaam's lust for hire that led him to set a price on his blessings and curses, vain Absalom's vicious treason or Judas' betrayal of Jesus? No, they will not follow their sophistry this far, not if they have read the least bit of God's Word, not if they have seen Jude's warning: "These are the rocks hidden below water in your love feasts while they feast with you, shepherds that feed themselves without concern for others; waterless clouds carried this way and that by winds; trees in autumn time, but fruitless, having died twice, having been uprooted; wild waves of the sea that foam up their own disgraces; stars with no set course, for which the blackness of darkness stands reserved forever."—Jude 11-13, NW.
Another clergyman present at the conference previously mentioned suggested getting a foothold "through psychiatry, or in some other manner". It is his privilege to turn to psychiatry just as it is ours to turn to Jehovah, "the fountain of life," and His Word. (Ps. 36:9) More and more persons of good will are doing just that, leaving the clergy philosophers alone with their psychiatry, their neuroses, their uncertainty and instability which they profess to love. Better to leave while the way is open, for "blind guides is what they are. If, then, a blind man guides a blind man, both will fall into a pit".—Matt.15:14,NW.
NOT at any time since creation has Jehovah God left himself without witnesses. The very existence of the universe, immense, symmetrical, beautiful and manifesting limitless power, together with the sunshine, rain and fruitful seasons, all bear eloquent though mute witness to the existence of the Supreme Being, Jehovah God, and help us to appreciate, at least to an extent, something of his marvelous attributes or qualities. "For his invisible qualities are clearly seen from the world's creation onward, because they are understood by the things made, even his eternal power and Godship."—Rom. 1:20, NW.
In addition to such witnesses to his supremacy, Jehovah has ever had human creatures on earth who, by their course of action and by speech, gave witness to him as the Great Sovereign. "Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled: who among them can declare this, and show us former things? let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified; or let them hear, and say, It is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and my servant whom I have chosen; that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am Jehovah; and besides me
there is no saviour. I have declared, and I have saved, and I have showed; and there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith Jehovah, and I am God. . . my people, my chosen, the people which I formed for myself, that they might set forth my praise." "Thus saith Jehovah, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Jehovah of hosts: I am the first, and I am the last; and besides me there is no God. Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have I not declared unto thee of old, and showed it?
and ye are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? yea, there is no Rock; I know not any."—Isa. 43:9-12, 20, 21; 44:6, 8, AS.
The apostle Paul, at Hebrews 11, enumerates many of these witnesses: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and many others. Then, continuing at Hebrews 12:1, he speaks of them as "so great a cloud of witnesses" which surrounds the Christians. Some would interpret Paul's words to mean that those faithful men are witnessing what Christians are doing, that they are spectators. However, this could not be, for two reasons. First, those men are still in their graves and therefore could not be watching Christians. (Dan. 12:13; John 3:13) And, secondly, had Paul meant that they were merely spectators of the Christians he would have used either the Greek word autóptes, meaning "eyewitnesses", as at Luke 1:2; or he would have used the word epóptes, as at 2 Peter 1:16, NW, also rendered "eyewitnesses". Instead, he used the word mártyres, which means "one who bears witness", as he did at 1 Corinthians 15:15, where he speaks of those who bore witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. See also 1 Timothy 5:19; 6:12; Revelation 11:3.
Nor will it do to say that the references to Jehovah's witnesses in Isaiah apply only to those pre-Christian servants of God.
The apostle Peter quotes Isaiah 43:20, 21 and applies it to Christians, at 1 Peter 2:9 (NW): "You are 'a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies' of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." Furthermore, both the apostles Paul and John quote from Isaiah 44, thus showing that it has an antitypical meaning. Compare Revelation 12:12 and 18:20 with Isaiah 44:23 as to redeeming Israel from Babylon; and 1 Corinthians 1:20 with Isaiah 44:25. Clearly, "all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction," and "for a warning to us upon whom the accomplished ends of the systems of things have arrived". —Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:11, NW.
CHRIST JESUS SET THE PATTERN
Those who object to the name "Jehovah's witnesses" as applied to Christians and who argue that thereby Christ is belittled and Christianity is being 'de-Christed' overlook the fact that Jesus himself was a witness of Jehovah. He speaks of himself as "the Faithful Witness" and as "the Amen . . . the faithful and true witness". And to Pilate he said: "For this purpose I have been born and for this purpose I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth." (Rev. 1:5; 3:14; John 18:37, NW) The apostle Paul gives similar testimony: "Christ Jesus, who as a witness made the right public declaration in the audience of Pontius Pilate." And the prophet Isaiah long ago foretold that God would give Jesus "for a witness to the peoples".—1 Tim. 6:13, NW; Isa. 55:4, AS.
As a faithful witness of Jehovah Jesus put to the fore the name of Jehovah throughout his ministry. In the prayer he
taught his followers the first petition concerns his Father's name: "Our Father in the heavens, let your name be sanctified." To the unbelieving Jews he said: "I have come in the name of my Father, but you do not receive me; if someone else arrived in his own name, you would receive that one." And at the end of his ministry he prayed to his Father: "I have glorified you on the earth, having finished the work you have given me to do. I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world."—Matt. 6:9; John 5:43; 17:4, 6, NW.
Throughout his earthly ministry Jesus exalted his Father's name and primarily bore witness to it. He emphasized that God Jehovah alone was to be worshiped; that his Father alone was good; that he himself did nothing of his own initiative; that his Father was greater than he. And time and again he called attention to his Father's attributes.—Matt. 4:10; 5:45; Luke 18:19; John 4:24; 5:19; 14:28.
Nor can it be argued that the name Jehovah does not appear in the Septuagint version of the Hebrew Scriptures, the one doubtless used by Jesus and his disciples, and that therefore they were not familiar with it or did not make use of it. That can be said only of the later copies of the Septuagint. One of the oldest fragments of the Septuagint extant today is Inventory 266, in which the tetragrammaton (the four Hebrew letters JHVH standing for the name Jehovah) appears repeatedly. And according to Jerome, who translated the Latin Vulgate, copies of the Septuagint available in his day contained the divine name in the form of the tetragrammaton, which was transliterated instead of being translated as was the rest of the Hebrew text.
But even if it did not appear in the "New Testament" that would be no argument against using it, since the Bible is one book consisting of the Hebrew Scriptures, wherein the name Jehovah is found 6,823 times, and the Greek Scriptures.
Further, whenever Hebrew scriptures containing the name Jehovah are quoted in the Christian Greek Scriptures, the name Jehovah should have been carried over, as was done by the New World Bible Translation Committee, and not changed as practically all other translators have done.
However, the name Jehovah does appear in all versions of the "New Testament" in that Jesus' own name means "Jehovah is salvation" or "Jehovah the Savior"; so every time the name Jesus appears we have a reminder of the name Jehovah. Besides, in Revelation 19:1-7 (AS) the expression "Hallelujah" occurs four times, which literally means "Praise ye Jehovah" and is so rendered 23 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, such as at Psalm 104:35; 105:45; 106:1, 48, AS.
JEHOVAH COMES FIRST
In bearing witness to Jehovah Christ Jesus set the example which his apostles and disciples followed. (1 Cor. 11:1; 1 Pet. 2:21, NW) Note how Paul and Barnabas witnessed to Jehovah God when some of the pagans began to worship them: "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are human creatures having the same infirmities as you do, and are declaring the good news to you, for you to turn from these vain things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them." Paul gave a like witness to the true God to the Athenians on Mars Hill. In fact, the very purpose of God's having the good news preached to the nations was "to take out of them a people for his name".—Acts 14:15-17; 15:14; 17:23-31, NW.
Even though the Christian Greek Scriptures deal largely with the life of Christ Jesus, they nevertheless give God's name first place. Thus we find 1,757 references to the Son of God, in twelve different styles, such as Jesus, Christ, Lord, Son of man, Son of God, etc.; but we find 1,854 references to his Father, Jehovah God, in the three styles, God, Lord and Father.
And though the gospel or good news is termed the good news of Christ Jesus, that does not mean that it is not also the good news of Jehovah God. It is the gospel of Christ because it is the good news about him. But it also is the good news of God because had not God sent his Son into the world in the first place, and then raised him from the dead, there would not have been any good news to preach. (John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:15-19) So we find that the "New Testament" refers to the good news as being God's 14 times and as being Christ's 13 times. It is even as with the Revelation, concerning which we read: "The revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him."—Rev. 1:1, NW.
The Source of all our blessings is greater than the Channel through which they come. Paul identifies both for us: "There is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him, and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him." And that is why we are told that while "in the name of Jesus every knee should bend of those in heaven and those on earth and those under the ground, and every tongue should openly confess that Jesus Christ is Lord", yet all such is not to have Jesus take the place of God, but "to the glory of God the Father". (1 Cor. 8:6; Phil. 2:10, 11, NW) Yes, the Christian's first obligation is to bear witness to Jehovah God.
Apostle to the Nations
CHRIST Jesus on one occasion stated that he "was not sent forth to any but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel". However, he did not thus limit his apostles, for after his resurrection he told them that they were to be his witnesses not only "in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria" but also "to the most distant part of the earth". (Matt. 15:24; Acts 1:8, NW) The one who pioneered this expansion of true worship was Paul, the apostle to the nations, first known as Saul of Tarsus.
Saul was a Hebrew, an Israelite, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Pharisee, the son of Pharisees, and born a Roman citizen. (Acts 22:28; 23:6; Phil. 3:5, NW) Though born in Tarsus, he received his religious training in Jerusalem at the feet of the noted scholar Gamaliel. Saul, however, did not partake of the spirit of tolerance that characterized his able instructor; which spirit enabled Gamaliel, while teaching the traditions of Judaism as well as the law of Moses, to counsel the Sanhedrin, the supreme court of his day, to be broad-minded in their treatment of the followers of Christ: "Let them alone; (because, if this scheme and this work is from men, it will be overthrown; but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them;) otherwise, you may perhaps be found fighters actually against God."—Acts 5:38, 39; 22:3; Gal. 1:14, NW.
On the contrary, religious zeal made Saul entirely oblivious to the danger of his fighting against God, even hardening him as regards the sufferings of others. Thus as a young man he could witness with approval
the murder of the first Christian martyr, Stephen, by a mob.—Acts 7:58-60; 8:1.
In fact, Saul was such a religious zealot that before long he was taking the lead in the persecution of Christians. As he himself later told it: "Many of the holy ones I shut up in prisons, as I had received authority from the chief priests; and when they were to be executed, I cast my vote against them. And by punishing them many times in all the synagogues I tried to force them to make a recantation; and since I was extremely mad against them, I went so far as to persecuting them even in outside cities."—Acts 8:3; 9:1, 2; 26:10, 11, NW.
SAUL BECOMES A CHRISTIAN
What caused such a bitter persecutor of Christians to do an about-face and become a Christian himself? A miracle, which, while at first blinding him physically, caused him to see spiritually. This miracle took place as Saul was on his way to Damascus in a campaign against the Christians. "Suddenly a light from heaven ["beyond the brilliance of the sun"] flashed around him, and he fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him: 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' He said: 'Who are you, Sir?' He said: 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Nevertheless, rise and enter into the city, and what you must do will be told you.'" Saul rose, but had to be led into the city, for he was stone blind.
Acts 9:3-8;26:13,NW.
For three days Saul neither ate nor drank. Then the Lord sent one of the disciples, Ananias by name, to Saul; upon whose visit Saul recovered his sight, was baptized, received the holy spirit, took nourishment and gained strength.—Acts 9:9-19, NW.
Had Peter been recognized as the vicar of Christ certainly Saul would immediately have visited him at Jerusalem; but no, he went to Arabia, doubtless to thoroughly acquaint himself with God's purposes and his will for him. Returning to Damascus he so confounded the Jews by 'logically proving that Jesus was the Christ' that finally the Jews took counsel to do away with him. Hearing of this, Saul escaped from the city at night by means of a basket lowered from a hole in the wall, thus eluding his enemies who were watching for him at the city's gates, day and night. So soon had Saul the persecutor become Saul the persecuted!—Acts 9:20-25; Gal. 1:16, 17, NW.
Arriving at Jerusalem Saul found the Christians there suspicious until Barnabas reassured them. In Jerusalem Saul preached with like telling effect, and so it was not long before his Jewish opposers in that city were also plotting against him. Escaping their clutches Saul went to Caesarea and then to his native city of Tarsus, where he preached until Barnabas looked him up to help out in Antioch. After about a year in Antioch Saul accompanied Barnabas to Jerusalem with a relief offering for the brothers there, they being in need because of a famine. (A.D. 44) Upon their return to Antioch the holy spirit indicated that Barnabas and Saul were to be set apart for special missionary activity. Acts 9:26-30; 11:19-26; 12:25; 13:1-3, NW.
PAUL'S MISSIONARY TOURS
Among the high lights of Paul's first missionary tour were the following: At Paphos, on the island of Cyprus, a sorcerer, Elymas, opposed the witness being given to the proconsul Sergius Paulus. To demonstrate the superiority of the true God whom Paul and Barnabas were serving over the demons, the sorcerer, their instrument, was stricken with blindness. Astounded by this display of divine power the proconsul became a believer.—Acts 13:4-12, NW.
Traveling by sea and land Paul and Barnabas arrived at Antioch of Pisidia (the record at Acts 13:43 changing from "Barnabas and Saul" to "Paul and Barnabas") where they gave such an effective witness to the Jews in the synagogue one sabbath that on the following sabbath nearly all of the city gathered to hear the word of Jehovah. Seeing the people of the nations manifest such interest filled the Jews with envy, who then persecuted Paul and Barnabas, making it necessary for them to leave. At their next stop, Iconium, they had the same experience, and so they came to Lystra. Acts 13:13 to 14:7.
At Lystra, because of a miracle that Paul had performed, the people were ready to worship Paul and Barnabas. But it was not long before the fickle populace, influenced by Jews from Antioch and Iconium, stoned Paul, dragged him outside the city and left him for dead. But Jehovah had more work for his apostle to the nations, and so we read that "when the disciples surrounded him, he rose up and entered into the city". Before long Paul and Barnabas were retracing their steps and, arriving back at Antioch, gave a good report to the congregation there.—Acts 14:8-28, NW.
Between his first and second missionary tours Paul together with some other brothers from Antioch went to Jerusalem to a meeting of the Christian governing body, there to ascertain if parts of the law of Moses still applied to Christians.
Among the things that that body ruled against were fornication and the eating of blood. Acts 15:1-35.
"Now after some days Paul said to Barnabas: 'Above all things, let us return and visit the brothers in every one of the cities in which we published the word of Jehovah to see how they are.' " The question of whether or not to take along John Mark, who had departed from them at Pamphylia on their first tour, split the missionary group, Paul then taking Silas while Barnabas took John Mark.—Acts 15:36-41.
It was on this second tour, after having gone over the territory previously covered in the first tour, that Paul had a vision by night of a Macedonian beseeching him, "Step over into Macedonia and help us." Thus the message spread from Asia Minor to Europe. At Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia, Paul and Silas were cast into prison because of having freed a slave girl from demon control, her owners being incensed at their loss of gain because the girl was no longer able to practice the art of prediction. At midnight the Lord released them by means of an earthquake, resulting in the jailer and all his household's becoming Christians. They were able to establish a congregation in Philippi as also in Thessalonica, their next stop, where their stay was again cut short because of violent persecution.—Acts 16:1 to 17:9, NW.
At Beroea, their next stop, Paul and Silas found many noble-minded Jews with hearing ears. Learning of this, their enemies came from Thessalonica and aroused opposition, making it necessary for Paul to leave, who then set sail for Athens. At Athens Paul made use of every opportunity to preach, reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and others that worshiped God and also with whomever he met in the market places. Certain of the Grecian philosophers, becoming curious, led Paul
to the Areopagus, or Mars Hill, where he had the opportunity to give a public discourse, telling them of the "Unknown God" whom they were worshiping and of the resurrection. Upon hearing of a resurrection some began to mock; others, however, became believers.—Acts 17:10-34, NW.
From Athens Paul traveled to Corinth, where Silas and Timothy joined him. There he remained for a year and a half and found much interest even as God assured him in a vision that no harm would befall him and that he had "many people in this city". While there Paul wrote his two letters to the Thessalonians, his first canonical ones. Returning to Antioch Paul concluded his second missionary tour, from A.D. 49 to 51, on which he traveled from 2,500 to 3,000 miles.—Acts 18:1-22.
After spending some time in Antioch Paul started out on his third missionary tour, this time alone, although en route he was joined by Luke and others. On this tour he largely retraced the route taken on his second tour, additionally giving a good witness in the province of Asia. In the course of his travels he came to Ephesus, where he remained three years. There possibly "Paul's general practice was to work at his trade from sunrise to 11 a.m., at which hour Tyrannus had finished his teaching; then from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to preach in the hall, . . . and then lastly to make a house to house evangelistic canvass that lasted from 4 p.m. to far in the night. One wonders when he found time to eat and sleep." (Daily Life in Bible Times, A. E. Bailey) How like full-time pioneer ministers today who do part-time secular work to support themselves!
Fearing the effect of Paul's preaching on their craft of making silver shrines of Artemis (Diana), the silversmiths of Ephesus gathered a mob and created an uproar by shouting, "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" Tactful handling of the situation by the city recorder quieted the uproar and prevented harm from coming to Paul and his companions.
After this Paul preached in Macedonia and Greece, gave valuable instructions at Miletus to the older men of Ephesus who came there for that purpose, and then he hurried on to Jerusalem, the tour lasting from A.D. 52 to 56. During it he wrote his letters to the Romans and to the Corinthians.
PAUL'S PRISON EXPERIENCES
Paul was determined to go to Jerusalem even though Christian prophets all along the way foretold that he would suffer bonds and tribulations there; which prophecies came true, his enemies involving him in a riot which resulted in his imprisonment. But though men could bind Paul they could not bind the truth, for he continued to give testimony to it. He gave more than one effective witness to Governor Felix, who, according to Josephus, was one of the most corrupt and oppressive rulers ever sent to Judea from Rome. Felix hinted a bribe would be welcome, but Paul refused to buy his way out. Felix therefore let him remain in prison at Caesarea, thereby also currying the favor of the Jews. At the end of two years Felix was replaced by Festus and the Jews renewed their charges against Paul. Having designs to make away with Paul, they pressed Festus to have Paul transferred to Jerusalem for trial. Paul, however, stood his ground; he was before Caesar's judgment seat where he, as a Roman, should be judged, and so he appealed to Caesar. After a hearing before Festus and King Agrippa, arrangements were made to send Paul, together with some other prisoners, to Rome.—Acts 21:11 to 26:32, NW.
En route Paul and those with him suffered shipwreck and were stranded on the isle of Malta. After wintering there several months they finally got to Rome. There
Paul was able to hire his own house, although he was continually in chains. He continued to preach, to both Jew and Gentile, for two years, A.D. 59 to 61; during which time he wrote his canonical letters to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, to Philemon and to the Hebrews.—Acts chapters 27 and 28.
It is generally believed that after those two years Paul was released for a time, visited Crete with Titus, also possibly Spain, and made another missionary tour through Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece. During this time he wrote his first letter to Timothy and his letter to Titus. Imprisoned again about A.D. 65, he wrote his final letter, the second to Timothy, and suffered martyrdom at the hands of Nero A.D. 66.
PAUL'S CHARACTERISTICS
Paul, above all else, had a keen appreciation of the honor bestowed upon him to be the apostle to the nations: "I am grateful to Christ Jesus our Lord, who delegated power to me, because he considered me trustworthy by assigning me to a ministry, although formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor." And far from being proud because of his office, he humbly asked his brothers to pray for him that he might have the needed freeness of speech so as to give a good witness.—Eph. 3:8; 6:18, 19; 1 Tim. 1:12, 13, NW.
Paul was shown such mercy because his heart was right. "I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith." (Acts 26:9,10;1 Tim. 1:13,NW) And having been favored with the Christian ministry Paul rendered sacred service with a clean conscience, unselfishly; he was no peddler of God's Word. In striking contrast with those who claim to be his successors, he did not try to please men, but only God and Christ.—2 Cor. 2:17; Gal. 1:10; 2 Tim. 1:3; 3:10,11, NW. Though once a ruthless persecutor of Christians, now he was as gentle with those whom he taught as a nursing mother with her own children, exhorting and consoling them as a father does his children.
(1 Thess. 2:7,8,11,NW) Nevertheless he could also express righteous indignation, as when he rebuked Peter for his vacillation and those of his countrymen who opposed the truth.
derness, in dangers at sea, in dangers among false brothers, in labor and toil, in sleepless nights often, in hunger and thirst, in abstinence from food many times, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things of an external kind, there is what rushes in on me from day to day, the anxiety for all the congregations." (2 Cor. 11:24-28, NW See also 1 Corinthians 4:8-13; 2 Corinthians
—Acts 28:25-28; Gal. 2:11-14. NW.
Though well educated, Paul did not call attention to himself: "My speech and what I preached were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of spirit and power, that your faith might be, not in men's wisdom, but in God's power." (1 Cor. 2:1-5; 2 Cor. 1:12; 1 Thess. 2:3-6, NW) Nor did he need to resort to written letters of recommendations. Those to whom he brought the truth were living letters that could be read by all men. 2 Cor. 3:1-3, NW.
Although Paul was politically and religrumbling and complaining, stated: "I have learned, in whatever circumstances I am, to be self-sufficient. . For all things I have the strength by virtue of him who imparts power to me." (Phil. 4:11-13, NW) He rejoiced that his hardships resulted in spreading the truth.—Phil. 1:12-14.
Paul was greatly rewarded for his faithfulness. He was given supernatural visions and heard words that it was not lawful for man to speak. (2 Cor. 12:1-5) He had the privilege of writing fourteen of the twenty-seven books of the Christian Greek Scrip-
giously free, he made himself a slave to all that he might gain the most persons to Christ. He became all things to people of all kinds so that he might by all means save some. (1 Cor. 9:19-23, NW) When he addressed the Jews he used one kind of approach. (Acts 13:16-41) When addressing superstitious pagans he used another. (Acts 14:14-17) And when addressing worldly-wise Athenians he used still a different kind of approach.-Acts 17:22-31.
And what a record of endurance he left behind! To unreasonable persons who provoked him to boast he said, among other
tures. His writings are masterpieces of calm reasoning, clear logic. How ably he presents the case for justification by faith in his letter to the Romans! How fully he proves the teaching of the resurrection, and in his first letter to the Corinthians how well he shows how love works! How strikingly he makes clear to the Galatians the folly of wanting to return to Moses' law! How convincingly he presents the proofs to the Hebrews that Jesus was indeed the Son of God and the Messiah! Truly, though his bodily presence may have been weak, his letters were most powerful.
things: "By Jews I five times received forty strokes less one, three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I experienced shipwreck, a night and a day I have spent in the deep; in travels often, in dangers from rivers, in dangers from highwaymen, in dangers from my own race, in dangers from the nations, in dangers in the city, in dangers in the wil-
-2 Cor. 10:10.
As Paul faced certain death at the hands of Nero he could look back with confidence that he had fought the right kind of fight, and that the heavenly reward assuredly awaited him. (2 Tim. 4:6-8) What an example Paul left for us! How much greater would be the witness given if more shared his appreciation of the Christian ministry!
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES STAND FIRM IN ALBANIA
ATHAND is a letter written by a brother who escaped from Albania about two years ago, telling of the situation there
during the ten years prior to his escape. It follows.
"In 1939 the Fascists took over and local laws banned the work of Jehovah's witnesses. However, the work continued with but few obstacles until June 1940, when a ministerial decree banned Jehovah's witnesses and confiscated their literature. Fifteen thousand books, booklets and other material were confiscated. Nine were arrested and given sentences of from one to three years. By 1944 six others had been arrested and two were interned in Germany, where one died. (From 1946 to 1949, twenty more were arrested, some of whom were given five-year sentences.) During this time work was carried on underground by means of typewritten sheets and the few booklets they had been able to hide from the government. These were loaned to interested ones with the understanding that they were to be returned.
upon us to inform the Albanian people concerning the divine purpose which the people must hear in this day. But you are prohibiting us from doing this work by refusing us paper and not allowing us to witness to the truth the way Jehovah's witnesses are doing all over the world. Now the responsibility rests upon you!
"In 1945 efforts were made to revive the work but not much could be done, because of lack of printing material. That year the Communists were too busy to bother with Jehovah's witnesses. But in 1946 all the literature that had been hidden from the Fascists and the Nazis was seized by the Communists, who also took all our equipment, stating that 'the material you have belongs to us'. Repeatedly the brothers went to the government to get paper to print the message of the Kingdom. At last they were forcibly evicted with a threat of violence if they came again with their petition. The brother answered them: 'Jehovah, our God, laid the responsibility
"They answered: 'Here in Albania, we are the lords of the land; we will not permit you to work for your Theocracy as your companions are doing in other lands. If you want to be free for this work go, if you can, to those lands where you can be free to work together with your companions. As for us, we are giving you neither permit nor paper for your printing; we do not want to bother our heads with you and Jehovah your God, whom we do not know!"
"In 1946 a law was passed that all literature that does not have the spirit of Communism must be turned over to the government, and this included the Bible as well as all Watch Tower publications. The same year a parliamentary decree forbade all meetings of Jehovah's witnesses, their meeting together in numbers of more than two or three, and their preaching to the people.
"In 1947 the brothers in the capital engaged in a campaign with just their Bibles. They were immediately arrested, their Bibles torn, subjected to much torture and finally released but denied the right to travel far from their homes without police permits. This restriction was soon applied to all Jehovah's witnesses.
"In 1949 the police broke up a meeting of Jehovah's witnesses, held for the purpose of celebrating the Lord's evening meal, and ill-treated the brothers. A few weeks later they arrested the one who had conducted the meeting, and after torturing him for many hours the police chief asked him: 'Why did you break the law of the state by gathering together?'
The brother answered: 'We are Christians . . . Christ commanded that we memorialize his death. We cannot put the law of the state above the law of God.' At that the officer slapped the brother on the cheek, and was preparing to give the brother a beating, when he noticed that the brother had turned the other cheek. So he asked, 'Why have you turned the other cheek?' The brother replied: 'I told you we are Christians, and Christ Jesus commanded us thus.' At this the chief replied: 'Because your Lord thus commands, I will not obey him by striking you any more. Get out! I do not want to see your face here again!'
"In 1948 a soldier in Tirana came to the knowledge of the truth, and took off his weapons. When asked by an officer as to why he did this, he replied: 'Until today I was free to carry those, but from now on I am on the side of Jehovah God, who forbids me to carry and worship such emblems. . . .' After much torturing they sentenced him to five years. Through it all the brother stood firm.
"In 1940 there were 50 of Jehovah's witnesses in Albania; in 1949,71. Four of these were Mohammedans, two Roman Catholics, and the rest Greek Catholics. In comparison with the population of this country this is very small, and also very small compared with the number of people of good will. Three kinds of religion predominate: Mohammedan, 700,000; Greek Orthodox, 300,000; Roman Catholic, 200,000. Some 20,000 speak the Greek language. The most bitter of the religious enemies are the Roman Catholic clergy, then the Greek Orthodox clergy. Mohammedans are more friendly than the others.
When Jehovah's witnesses speak to them they receive them with a smile. Some say: 'We Albanians are one race, and we all have one language. Why should religion divide us, causing enmity among ourselves? Surely God has not commanded so many kinds of religion. There should be only one way of truth.'
"Voting is compulsory, and because the brothers have refused to vote they have been frequently beaten and imprisoned. The economic situation is very bad, people are unable to travel even when necessary for them to do so. The police force is very big and strong, it controls the words and movements of every person. It is said that those in prison and concentration camps number 50,000, and the treatment they receive is at times even worse than that administered by the Nazi Gestapo. More than 90 per cent do not sympathize with the Communists.
"The Communists frequently gather the people of a locality together where an orator addresses them regarding the Red victories. The people must then shout 'Long live . . .!' Many times Jehovah's witnesses are forcibly brought to these meetings. While the crowd shouts and applauds these stand erect and say nothing, causing the crowd to wonder what kind of people these are and how they dare to take such a stand. Then the orator or one of his companions will answer: 'Let them alone, because they are those from Jehovah; men in whose minds has been deeply rooted the old culture of the Bible!"
"The censorship is very strict within the country. The brothers have sent reports in detail to the Society's headquarters in Brooklyn; surely they must have been held up by the censor. They are very zealous and witness as opportunity affords, while awaiting the time when Jehovah will once again open the way for them to bring the message to the people before Armageddon."
"Be Transformed by Making Your Mind Over"
GOD, in creating man, endowed him with the faculty of consciousness known as "mind".* It is where thought originates and with it we gather information, reason things out and reach certain conclusions. It operates according to a certain law or rule of action. It follows, therefore, that if the mind is turned toward evil, it will move ever farther in that direction.
Today the continued bent of men's minds is toward evil, a continual bent of thinking contrary to the will of the Creator. (Isa. 55:8-11, AS) It is even as it was before the flood of Noah's day when Jehovah "saw that the wickedness of man on the earth was great, and that the whole bent of his thinking was never anything but evil". Gen. 6:5, AT.
How did man's mind get this bent? One thing we may be sure of, Adam did not have such a bent of mind when he was created, for all God's work is perfect. (Deut. 32:4) But after he willfully and selfishly bent his mind away from God and toward evil he stamped the same inclination upon his offspring. And the one instrumental in man's inclining his mind in the wrong direction in the first place, Satan the Devil, has bent down ever harder on men to make them lean ever farther away from God.
The present system of things is based on such wrong thinking and therefore is doomed. If we do not want to be destroyed with it we must change our bent of mind. We may not flatter ourselves with the thought that we can change this world. It is under the full control of Satan the Devil and to change it we would therefore have to change him. Can we do that? Of course not!
How can we change our bent of mind?
Not by means of psychology, for it also is bent according to this world. We must go to God's Word, the Bible. As the apostle Paul instructs us: "Quit being fashioned after this system of things, but be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and complete will of God." (Rom. 12:2, NW) And we must approach that Word with unprejudiced and honest hearts, earnestly and prayerfully studying it to learn its enlightening truth.
Nor may we leave out the power of God's spirit in this matter of transforming our minds. Only by means of it does the information in God's Word really become understandable to us. (1 Cor. 2:10, 12) Additionally, we need the help of God's visible organization even as the Israelites needed the temple arrangement with its priesthood and even as the early Christian congregation looked to the governing body at Jerusalem for help.-Mal. 2:7; Acts 15:1-31.
With God's Word in our minds and hearts we really have a new powerful force working within us helping us to correct our thinking and to change our lives; thus putting away the old personality and putting on the new personality which is renewed through accurate knowledge. (Eph. 4:22-24; Col. 3:9-11, NW) The Bible reveals God to us and shows us how he acts, what he thinks and what his principles or rules of conduct are. By looking at him through our accurate knowledge of his Word we can be transformed and can become an image of him by reflecting what he is, imitating him in conduct and thought, by expressing ourselves like him and by meeting his requirements of us. Then, regardless of external differences of language or race we will be Christians united in love for the carrying out of God's will.
For a further consideration of this subject see The Watchtower, October 15, 1951.
Maturity of Discernment Vital
"Mature people . . . have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong. . . let us press on to maturity." "He . . . will increase the products of your righteousness." Heb. 5:14-6:1;2 Cor. 9:10, NW.
HAS it ever struck you how much of the recorded words and writings of Jesus and his apostles is in the nature of warning? It would not be a great exaggeration to say there is a warning on every page. The warnings are strong and to the point; nothing mild about them. Apart from the many addressed to Christendom and the rest of the world, the warnings concerning God's true people come under various headings. Time and again they are based on the Hebrew Scriptures, as when Paul wrote of the recorded misdoings of Israel: "They were written for a warning to us upon whom the accomplished ends of the systems of things have arrived." (1 Cor. 10:11, NW) These many warnings logically imply the need for mature discernment, and we purpose to take up a discussion of some of them.
2 Do we hear someone say: I fear this study will be rather heavy going, but I suppose it must be viewed as an unfortunate necessity? As already pointed out, a considerable portion of Scripture is comprised of warnings, and it would certainly be wrong and displeasing in God's sight to label any part of his Word, or the study of it, as "unfortunate". In fact, one of the chief questions of enjoyable and stimulating interest and profit is, What does the Bible reveal as to Jehovah's powers of perception and his attitude regarding evil and evildoers? Also, what can be said of Christ in this connection, and what of ourselves? Having in mind that maturity of discernment is particularly necessary and urgent in this late day, we should be keenly alert to these God-given warnings, also to our need for God's spirit to attain the necessary maturity.—Rev. 12:17, NW.
Taking up the first question, we ask: What are Jehovah's powers of perception and his attitude regarding evil and evildoers? Taking a comprehensive view, we are amazed and awe-struck at the penetrating discernment possessed and exercised by the Most High. The following are but two examples: "Jehovah searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts." "There is not a creation that is not manifest to his sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of him with whom we have an accounting." (1 Chron. 28:9, AS; Heb. 4:13, NW) No getting away from it, is there? Especially when we remember that "God, who endowed man with mind, knows how the mind operates . . . [He] instantly detects the bent of man's mind and knows what it will lead to. That is
Do warnings occupy a prominent part in Scripture? and what is thereby implied?
How is such a study to be viewed, leading to what main questions and with what purpose in mind?
(a) Do the Scriptures disclose Jehovah's powers of perception? (b) On what basis can such powers be seen to be reasonable?
why he gives warning to us against the consequences that are sure to follow." (October 15, 1951, Watchtower, p. 619, II 11) The same applies to the spirit creation, including the cherub who was later known as Satan the Devil. (John 1:3; Col. 1:16, NW) Jehovah knows exactly how evil operates from its earliest inception. Nothing too subtle, nothing too crooked in mind or heart, but that he can read it like an open book. But, before probing farther into this particular aspect, let us take up the next question we promised to consider.
4 What of Christ's perception and attitude as to evil and evildoers? Not only at the first advent did he manifest keen discernment of both friend and foe, but much greater powers are exercised by him at the second advent. Not merely generally, but of individuals, as shown by his following words: "All the congregations will know that I am he who searches the inmost thoughts and hearts, and I will give to you individually according to your deeds." And surely the living Word, Christ Jesus, would not reasonably have lesser powers of perception than those credited to the written Word!—John 1:14; Rev. 2:23; Heb. 4:12; Luke 9:47; 20:23, NW.
Do we not already begin to have a keener appreciation as to why maturity of discernment is so vital? Let us take timely warning, realizing we are now in the day of judgment. (Mal. 3:1-3, AS) Let us not be so foolish as to think for a moment we can deceive, or hide anything in our private lives or inmost hearts from the One to whom the Father has committed all judgment. Let us honestly and humbly search our own hearts, for "if we would discern what we ourselves are, we would not be judged. However, when we are judged, we are disciplined by Jehovah, that we may
not become condemned with the world". 1 Cor. 11:31, 32, NW.
We have not yet said anything on the question of the attitude toward evil and evildoers on the part of Jehovah and his beloved Son. The scripture we wish to refer to particularly is addressed to the Son, but it also reveals the heavenly Father's attitude on the same question. We quote from Hebrews 1:9 (NW), which, in turn, is a quotation from Psalm 45:7: "You loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. That is why God, your God, anointed you with the oil of great joy more so than your partners." This expression 'you hated lawlessness' gives, not only a straight answer to our question, but a mature one. It presents both sides of the matter, hence a completely balanced conception, true and strong, of Christ's own mature attitude of mind and heart toward both righteousness and lawlessness, and which gained for him unqualified approval and a reward above all others.
See how this becomes an invaluable guide individually. It is of little use, your saying and claiming to have a hatred of all lawlessness, unless at the same time you give practical evidence of an equally intense love for righteousness, God's righteous cause and sacred service. Do you? On the other hand, it is of little use, your saying and claiming to have a love for righteousness, if at the same time you condone or indulge in something contrary to God's law according to the high standard given by Jesus at Matthew 5:21-28 (NW). We are encouraged to press on toward this same maturity in our attitude by considering closely and looking intently at the Leader and Perfecter of our faith, who, for the great joy set before him, endured so much
Is the Bible explicit concerning Christ's powers of perception?
Does Scripture clearly reveal the attitude of the higher powers toward evil, and how can the answer be said to be a mature one?
What warning and course of action are indicated, realizing we are in the day of judgment?
(a) Appreciation of such mature answer gives what practical guidance? (b) How are we encouraged to strive for such maturity, and to what end?
in manifesting his burning love for righteousness and intense hatred of lawlessness. And with what benefit to ourselves? "That you may not get tired and give out in your souls." That is one of the most valued blessings maturity brings, namely, steadfastness and dependability.-Heb. 12:1-3, NW.
It seems appropriate right here to summarize the points covered, showing what maturity consists of and why it is so desirable and how it is gained. This would appear to run as follows: In view of the great emphasis laid on both loving righteousness and hating lawlessness, it therefore becomes essential to have an accurate understanding and heart appreciation of what comprises these two great opposites. In Scriptural language, it is vitally important to have "the spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the accurate knowledge of him, the eyes of your heart having been enlightened". And we must have "perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right [righteousness] and wrong [lawlessness]". (Eph. 1:17, 18; Heb. 5:14, NW) In other words, maturity means having a true and strong balance of understanding and appreciation. To illustrate (similar to Hebrews 5:11-14), take the case of a young child in contrast with a full-grown, mature man. The child, though young, can show true balance by standing perfectly upright, but he does not possess a strong balance, does he? Why, even a sudden gust of wind is enough to make him wabble. (Eph. 4:14) But look at that man who has weathered many a storm, how he stands like a rock with his feet planted firmly apart, maintaining a true and strong balance, and able, furthermore, to keep perfect balance walking steadily along a straight line. Is that now how we should "behave in a manner worthy of the good news . . . standing firm in one
spirit, . . . and in no respect being frightened by your opponents"?—Phil. 1:27, 28, NW.
Yes, you say, that sounds fine, but I could never hope to attain to any such standard of maturity as just described. My circumstances are so against me: so little time for study and so backward through not having bothered much about my education when a child (or having had none at all). Even reading is burdensome to me. We reply: Never mind, though you feel you are away behind all the others. Actually, there are many in the same boat. Indeed, we are all in the same boat, with always much to learn and further progress possible. Little good is accomplished by moaning over the past. It tends to foster a negative outlook and to cause one to make excuses for oneself. Why not adopt the more healthy attitude, as before expressed: "Forgetting the things behind and stretching forward to the things ahead, . . . to what extent we have [already] made progress, let us go on walking orderly in this same routine"? (Phil. 3:13-16, NW) Yes, keep making progress in the truth in the way you have already been taught and helped by the Lord's organization and its servants, even though but a step at a time. Sticking to "this same routine" does not mean getting "in a rut" of despair, but it means "walking orderly" by constantly training our powers of perception through reading and study, both privately and with others, by 'pondering over these things and being absorbed in them and staying by them', asking continually for Jehovah's help and spirit, and by one other means yet to be mentioned.—1 Tim. 4:15, 16, NW.
THE MARKINGS OF EVIL
10 As a further aid in gaining maturity
Of what does maturity consist, and how can this be illustrated?
What is the Scriptural answer to objections raised to making progress?
(a) Is information given as to exactly how evil began to operate? (b) How were heart and mind affected?
of discernment let us consider what the Scriptures teach as to how evil operates, even from its earliest inception. This will help us to be on watch and resist such beginnings in ourselves, besides learning how to recognize its markings wherever found. Jehovah has kindly revealed in his Word precisely how unrighteousness began and was first found in that first rebel and father of lies, Satan the Devil. (John 8:44; 1 John 3:8, NW) Notice the plain language addressed to him as the "covering cherub": "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till unrighteousness was found in thee. . . . Thy heart was lifted up because of thy beauty; thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness [splendor, AT; Ro]." (Ezek. 28:15, 17, AS) Note that both heart and mind were involved. The heart is the seat of the affections and of devotion, the motivating power. For a creature to maintain perfection means loving and unselfish devotion to Jehovah, such as was exemplified by Jesus. But the "covering cherub" deliberately turned his devotion inward to himself and his heart became "puffed up with pride" (AT). The mind is the seat of wisdom, the reasoning powers. Most interesting is it to note that his wisdom became corrupted ("ruined," AT). In other words, he could no longer reason straight and reach true and accurate conclusions. He himself, though, could not appreciate that. One of the most important things to realize is this, that sin is so deceptive in its influence. It blinds and darkens the mind. The natural outworking of its operation is to cause wicked men to "advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled".—2 Tim. 3:13, NW.
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