her welfare and would have taken a course of conduct consistent with his realization that Jehovah cannot and will not bless wrong deeds. Violation of a principle is wrong no matter who is guilty. If we would develop true discernment we must learn to evaluate a matter by and in the light of God’s Word, not by the individuals that are involved.—Prov. 3:5, 6; 10:23.

GETTING THE SENSE OF COUNSEL

14. What is another factor in learning by observation, and what is involved in getting the most from it?

¹⁴ Another factor in helpful observation is getting the sense of counsel when it is given. Discipline, properly applied, will train, whether it is administered individually or collectively. “He that is reproving a man will afterward find more favor than he will that is flattering with his tongue.” (Prov. 28:23) Knowing that counsel is for our good, we cherish it as we do our heavenly Father for administering it lovingly for our salvation. But getting the sense of counsel requires prayerful consideration. Just as we cannot expect to take in knowledge and retain it without fully digesting it, neither can we grasp the full significance of discipline and training, applying it wisely, without honestly meditating upon it, considering the facts in the light of the scriptures presented, just as the skilled hunter keeps adding up evidences of game to lead in an unerring trail.

15, 16. What should our attitude toward counsel always be, whether it applies to us directly or not?

¹⁵ Regardless of the counsel given or of to whom it is directed, we can almost certainly find some way in which it can apply to ourselves if we are alert. “Reprove before all onlookers persons who practice sin, that the rest also may have fear,” said Paul. (1 Tim. 5:20) Jesus gave those listening to his sermon on the mount no justification for self-righteousness when he cautioned them: “You heard that it was said to those of ancient times, ‘You must not murder; but whoever commits a murder will be accountable to the court of justice.’ However, I say to you that everyone who continues angry with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice.” Could any of his audience say they had never held any bitterness whatsoever toward any of their brothers? Jesus further warned his hearers: “You heard that it was said, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matt. 5:21, 22, 27, 28) Who within the sound of Jesus’ voice could clear his conscience without a twinge of guilt? In these days of advanced wickedness, we too must be alert to discern the sense of all words of counsel we receive from God’s Word through his organization.

¹⁶ When a letter is read to the congregation disfellowshiping someone for wrongdoing, what do you feel? Sorrow that a brother or sister has lacked or refused to exercise sufficient discernment to imitate the faith of God’s “faithful and discreet slave”? It should grieve us. But do you also feel the need to strengthen your own position within the protection of God’s provision for right doing? Do you seriously consider those acts of conduct that have contributed, step by step, to the consequences your brother’s course has resulted in? Do you honestly look at your own course of conduct to eliminate any possibility of duplicating his error, or do you gloss over minor violations as being inconsequential, not of sufficient magnitude for any concern? The mature Christian knows he can never take anything for granted, no matter how farfetched the final results of any shortcoming may seem.—1 Cor. 10:12.

17. (a) What can be the result for not applying to ourselves the counsel and training received through God’s organization? (b) What must we do as individuals to advance to maturity?

¹⁷ If we do not apply to ourselves the counsel and training regularly received through God’s organization, then we become like the hunter who sees signs of game but who ignores them and goes off in another direction. This course is to fail in taking the first step in making wise decisions, this rendering us completely unqualified to fulfill the main purpose of our receiving knowledge and instruction, that is, to become “doers of the word,” using it in preaching and teaching “this good news of the kingdom.” Jehovah’s witnesses have an organization of truth. It has been acquired by faithfully following Jehovah’s direction each step of the way, refusing to be sidetracked by false tracks that have crossed and crisscrossed that way. If we as individuals are to advance to maturity we must uphold the truth of that organization. We must obtain accurate knowledge by using our perceptive powers, getting the sense of it and adhering to it strictly, not being turned aside into following false trails. (1 Tim. 1:3, 4) Our protection is to be found in a careful and continual study of God’s Word, in accepting reproof and seeking counsel constantly from and through God’s organization.

18, 19. What benefits are to be had in increasing our thinking ability and in training our perceptive powers?

¹⁸ This is no time to stand still. In separating ourselves from this present system of things by changing over our thinking and by associating ourselves with God’s arrangement, we have taken a forward step. If we do not increase our thinking ability we will lose our place in the New World society. Listen to Jehovah’s Word: “When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge itself becomes pleasant to your very soul, thinking ability itself will keep guard over you, discernment itself will safeguard you.” “The peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. . . . The things which you learned as well as accepted and heard and saw in connection with me, practice these; and the God of peace will be with you.”—Prov. 2:10, 11; Phil. 4:7-9.

¹⁹ Train your perceptive powers. By so doing you will not only qualify for the solid spiritual food that Jehovah is supplying his mature organization but, through your right decisions under every trying circumstance, you will be able to stand with confidence in the ranks of those who are skilled hunters and fishers of men, teachers of the Word in Jehovah’s New World society.

Paralyzed Peacemaker

“The United Nations as a peacemaker was paralyzed from the very beginning by the conflict between the western world under the leadership of the United States and the Soviet bloc.

“The attempts to secure peace by an international government of sovereign nations have all been the victims of a contradiction inherent in these very attempts. The establishment of effective government of sovereign nations seems to be a contradiction in terms which can be eliminated only by a direct attack upon national sovereignty itself.”—The Encyclopædia Britannica, Volume 17, page 414 (1959).