AVOID THE WORLD’S SPIRIT

4. What is “the spirit of the world”?

⁴ The Scriptures tell us: “We received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God.” (1 Cor. 2:12) What is “the spirit of the world”? It is the same spirit as that mentioned at Ephesians 2:2, which says: “You at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.” This “air” is the world’s spirit, or mental attitude, and it surrounds us like literal air. It is everywhere. It is often manifested in the no-one-is-going-to-tell-me-what-to-do or the fight-for-your-rights attitude of so many people today. They constitute “the sons of disobedience” of Satan’s world.

5. What bad spirit did some in Israel show?

⁵ Such attitudes are not new. In Moses’ time, Korah rose up against those in authority in the congregation of Israel. He particularly targeted Aaron and his sons, who had the privilege of serving as priests. Perhaps he saw their imperfections. Or he may have argued that Moses practiced nepotism​—giving privileges to his relatives. Whatever the case, it is obvious that Korah began to look at things from a human viewpoint and spoke out against those appointed by Jehovah, disrespectfully telling them: “That is enough of you . . . Why, then, should you lift yourselves up above the congregation?” (Num. 16:3) Similarly, Dathan and Abiram had complaints against Moses, telling him that he was ‘trying to play the prince over them to the limit.’ When called to appear before Moses, they responded arrogantly: “We are not going to come up!” (Num. 16:12-14) Jehovah was clearly not pleased with their spirit. He executed all the rebels.​—Num. 16:28-35.

6. How did some in the first century reveal that they had a bad attitude, and what might have been the reason for it?

⁶ Some in the first century also became critical of those entrusted with authority in the congregation, “disregarding lordship.” (Jude 8) These men likely were dissatisfied with their privileges and tried to influence others against appointed men who were conscientiously carrying out God-given duties.​—Read 3 John 9, 10.

7. In what way might there be a need for caution in the congregation today?

⁷ Obviously, such a spirit has no place in the Christian congregation. That is why there is a need for caution in this regard. Older men in the congregation are not perfect, just as they were not perfect in Moses’ day and in the apostle John’s time. Elders may make mistakes that affect us personally. If that happens, how inappropriate it would be for any member of the congregation to react according to the world’s spirit, vehemently demanding “justice” or that “something be done about this brother”! Jehovah may choose to overlook certain minor failings. Can we not do the same? Because of what they perceive as defects in the elders, some individuals who engage in serious wrongdoing in the congregation have refused to appear before a committee of elders assigned to help them. This could be likened to a patient who loses out on the benefits of a treatment because he does not like something about the doctor.

8. What scriptures can help us to maintain a proper view of those taking the lead in the congregation?

⁸ To avoid that kind of spirit, we can remember that Jesus is pictured in the Bible as having “in his right hand seven stars.” The “stars” represent the anointed overseers and, by extension, all the overseers in the congregations. Jesus can direct the “stars” in his hand in any way he feels appropriate. (Rev. 1:16, 20) Thus, as Head of the Christian congregation, Jesus has full control of the bodies of elders. If someone on a body truly needs correction, the One who has “eyes as a fiery flame” will see to it that this is done in His own time and way. (Rev. 1:14) In the meantime, we maintain proper respect for those appointed by holy spirit, for Paul wrote: “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive, for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.”​—Heb. 13:17.

MANIFEST A RESPECTFUL SPIRIT IN THE CONGREGATION

11. (a) What will maintaining a proper spirit help us to avoid? (b) What do we learn from David’s example?

¹¹ We should keep in mind that Jehovah has assigned the elders “to shepherd the congregation of God.” (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2) Thus, we realize that the wise course is to respect God’s arrangement, whether we have the privilege of serving as elders or not. Maintaining a proper spirit can help us to avoid being oversensitive about position. When King Saul of Israel felt that David had become a threat to his kingship, Saul “was continually looking suspiciously at David.” (1 Sam. 18:9) The king developed a bad spirit and even wanted to kill David. Rather than being overly concerned with position as Saul was, how much better to be like David. In spite of all the injustice heaped upon him, the young man maintained respect for God-appointed authority.​—Read 1 Samuel 26:23.