4. (a) Why did both Saul and Uzziah find it hard to accept counsel? (b) Why is that also a serious problem today?

⁴ In each of these cases, why did the individual find it so difficult to face up to his need for counsel? The basic problem was pride, thinking too highly of self. Many persons today bring much grief on themselves because of this trait. Having attained to what they consider to be some status, whether because of age or position, they are not receptive to personal counsel. They seem to feel that it implies some deficiency in them or mars their reputation. But what really indicates weakness is pride. This is not something to excuse in oneself simply because the fault is common. It is a snare that Satan uses to becloud a person’s thinking so that he resists the loving help provided by Jehovah through his Word and his visible organization. Jehovah warns: “Pride is before a crash, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.”​—Prov. 16:18; see also Romans 12:3; Proverbs 16:5.

Priceless Qualities to Cultivate

7. What quality did Jesus show that persons must have in order to get into the Kingdom?

⁷ To have a good relationship with Jehovah and with our Christian brothers, we need to develop certain personal qualities. Jesus highlighted one of these when he set a young child in the midst of his disciples and said: “Unless you turn around and become as young children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens. Therefore, whoever will humble himself like this young child is the one that is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens.” (Matt. 18:3, 4) Those disciples needed to make changes. They had to get rid of their pride and to cultivate humility.

8. (a) Before whom do we need to be humble, and why? (b) If we are, how will we respond to counsel?

⁸ The apostle Peter later wrote to fellow Christians: “All of you gird yourselves with lowliness of mind toward one another, because God opposes the haughty ones, but he gives undeserved kindness to the humble ones.” (1 Pet. 5:5) We know that we need to be humble before God, but this scripture is saying that we need to be humble, or lowly in mind, also in our relations with fellow believers. If we are, we will not foolishly resent suggestions they may offer us. We will be willing to learn from one another. (Prov. 12:15) And if our brothers find it necessary to give us corrective counsel, then, recognizing that Jehovah lovingly uses this means to mold us, we will not refuse it.​—Ps. 141:5.