“My spirit shall not act toward man indefinitely in that he is also flesh. Accordingly his days shall amount to a hundred and twenty years.” (Gen. 6:3) Later, regarding Israel’s misuse of Jehovah’s long-suffering, Isaiah said: “But they themselves rebelled and made his holy spirit feel hurt. He now was changed into an enemy of theirs; he himself warred against them.”—Isa. 63:10; compare Acts 7:51.

For these reasons Christians are entreated not to “accept the undeserved kindness of God and miss its purpose.” (2 Cor. 6:1) They are counseled: “Do not be grieving [saddening] God’s holy spirit.” (Eph. 4:30, Kingdom Interlinear Translation) Also, “Do not put out the fire of the spirit.” (1 Thess. 5:19) Otherwise they may continue to the point of sin and blasphemy against God’s spirit, in effect outraging it, in which case there is no repentance or forgiveness, only destruction awaiting such ones.—Matt. 12:31, 32; Heb. 6:4-6; 10:26-31.

JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ exemplified long-suffering among humans. Of him, the prophet Isaiah wrote: “He was hard pressed, and he was letting himself be afflicted; yet he would not open his mouth. He was being brought just like a sheep to the slaughtering; and like a ewe that before her shearers has become mute, he also would not open his mouth.” (Isa. 53:7) He put up with the weaknesses of his apostles and the insults and discourtesies heaped upon him by bitter, vicious enemies. Yet he did not retaliate in kind, by word or action. (Rom. 15:3) When the apostle Peter acted injudiciously in cutting off the ear of Malchus, Jesus reproved him with the words: “Return your sword to its place, . . . do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father to supply me at this moment more than twelve legions of angels? In that case, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must take place this way?”—Matt. 26:51-54; John 18:10, 11.

CHRISTIANS

From the foregoing it is evident that long-suffering originates with Jehovah God. It is a fruit of his spirit. (Gal. 5:22) Man, made in the image and likeness of God, has a measure of this quality and can develop it by following God’s Word and the direction of his holy spirit. (Gen. 1:26, 27) Christians are therefore commanded to cultivate and display this quality. (Col. 3:12) It is an identifying mark of a minister of God. (2 Cor. 6:4-6) The apostle Paul says: “Be long-suffering toward all.” (1 Thess. 5:14) He indicates that it is essential to exercise this quality in order to be pleasing to God. But one’s long-suffering is not genuine if it is accompanied with grumbling and complaining. Paul shows that the commendable thing is to “be long-suffering with joy.”—Col. 1:9-12,

REWARDS

Aside from the joy that one gets through the practice of long-suffering, the rewards are great. Jehovah is rewarded by having his name glorified. The challenge against the righteousness and rightfulness of his sovereignty is proved wrong and he is vindicated. (Gen. 3:1-5; Job 1:7-11; 2:3-5) What if he had put Adam, Eve and Satan to death at the time of the rebellion? Some might have concluded that Satan had a point in his challenge. But by long-suffering Jehovah gave opportunity to men to prove under test that they prefer his sovereignty over them, that they want to serve him because of his fine qualities; yes, to demonstrate that they prefer Jehovah’s sovereignty to complete independence, knowing that it is far better.—Ps. 84:10.

Jesus Christ, because of long-suffering in obedience to God, received a most marvelous reward, being exalted to the superior position of kingship and given “the name that is above every other name,” by his Father. (Phil. 2:5-11) Besides this, he receives a “bride” made up of his spiritual brothers, the New Jerusalem, which is represented as a city the foundation stones of which have on them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.—2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 21:2, 9, 10, 14; 1 Pet. 2:4, 5.

Likewise, the reward is rich for all persons cultivating long-suffering and maintaining it in harmony with God’s purpose. (Heb. 6:11-15) They have the satisfaction of copying God’s quality, of doing God’s will, and of having God’s approval. Additionally, their long-suffering will bring accomplishment in helping others to know God and to gain everlasting life.—1 Tim. 4:16.

LOOSE CONDUCT

The Hebrew word for this expression is used particularly with regard to sexual affairs. The Greek word has the sense of wantonness, shocking public decency; shameless conduct, especially with regard to sex.

The Bible applies the expression “loose conduct” to fornication, adultery and sodomy and other forms of physical immorality. It is also used in a symbolic way to describe spiritual unfaithfulness.

“OUT OF THE HEART”

Jesus points out that loose conduct is more than merely a physical or mental property. He says: “From inside, out of the heart of men, injurious reasonings issue forth: fornications, . . . adulteries, . . . loose conduct, . . . All these wicked things issue forth from within and defile a man.” (Mark 7:20-23) Corrupting the heart, out of which are “the sources of life” (Prov. 4:23), loose conduct will keep its practicer from gaining everlasting life. It is one of the “works of the flesh,” one of the fleshly desires that “carry on a conflict against the soul.” “Those who practice such things will not inherit God’s kingdom,” says God’s Word.—Gal. 5:19, 21; 1 Pet. 2:11.

CHRISTIANS FORSAKE FORMER COURSE

Most acts of loose conduct are carried on in the night by lovers of darkness, and Christians loving the light of truth are told: “As in the daytime let us walk decently, not in revelries and drunken bouts, not in illicit intercourse and loose conduct.” (Rom. 13:13; John 3:19-21) The apostle Peter argues: “For the time that has passed by [before becoming servants of God] is sufficient for you to have worked out the will of the nations when you proceeded in deeds of loose conduct.” (1 Pet. 4:3) The apostle Paul likewise admonishes Christians, describing the course of worldly nations with whom they formerly associated as “in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God, . . . Having come to be past all moral sense, they gave themselves over to loose conduct to work uncleanness of every sort with greediness.”—Eph. 4:17-19.

SOME TURN TO BAD COURSE

Nevertheless, some claiming to be servants of God and Christ turn from the way of light. Paul was grieved by those in the Corinthian congregation who had not repented of the “uncleanness and fornication and loose conduct that they have practiced,” in spite of admonition to the contrary. (2 Cor. 12:21) Peter warned the early Christians that false teachers would come from among their own ranks, and that many would follow their acts of loose conduct, bringing reproach upon the way of truth. (2 Pet. 2:1, 2) Jesus’ words to the congregations in Pergamum and Thyatira, written down by the apostle John about 96 C.E., indicate that Peter’s prophecy was to some extent having fulfillment at that time. (Rev. 2:12, 14, 18, 20) Both Peter and Jude express the judgment coming on practicers of loose conduct.—2 Pet. 2:17-22; Jude 7.

Their argument as an excuse

The argument of some practicers of loose conduct in their attempt to entice and deceive others in the Christian congregation is that God’s undeserved kindness