*** w03 2/15 pp. 26-27 Do Not Leave Your Child’s Heart to Chance! ***
Even From Within the CongregationAn earthenware vessel may look finished, but unless it has been fired in the kiln, it may be vulnerable to the very liquids it is designed to hold. The Bible compares trials and difficulties to such a firing process, since they demonstrate what sort of people we really are. Of course, the Bible is speaking particularly of trials of our faith, but in a general way, the point is also valid as to other trials. (James 1:2-4) Surprisingly, some difficult trials young ones face may come from within the congregation.
Although your teenage child appears to be in good spiritual health, inside he may be struggling with a divided heart. (1 Kings 18:21) For instance, Megan faced worldly ideas stemming from other youths who came to the Kingdom Hall:
"I came under the influence of a group of young ones who saw Christianity as boring and as an obstacle to having fun. They said things like: ‘The minute I am 18, I will leave the truth,’ or ‘I can’t wait to get out.’ They shunned young ones who said anything to the contrary, calling them holy ones."
It takes only one or two with a bad attitude to egg on the rest. Individuals in a group usually do what the majority does. Foolishness and bravado may trample on wisdom and decency. In many countries, there have been sad cases of Christian youths getting into trouble because they followed the crowd.
Of course, teenagers need a certain amount of enjoyable association. How can you as a parent provide it? Give serious thought to their entertainment, and plan absorbing activities with the family or with a mixture of youths and adults. Get to know your child’s friends. Invite them for a meal, or spend an evening with them. (Romans 12:13) Encourage your child to pursue a wholesome activity, such as learning to play a musical instrument or mastering another language or a craft. To a large extent, he may be able to do this within the safe environment of the home.
*** w00 5/1 p. 11 par. 13 Firmly Uphold Godly Teaching ***They avoided "bad associations" even within the Christian congregation in order to safeguard their spirituality.—1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Timothy 2:20, 21.
*** w97 7/15 p. 18 par. 16 Are You Pursuing Virtue? ***Naturally, we do not want to shun our spiritual brothers and sisters because they do not happen to agree with some purely personal view that we hold. (Matthew 7:4, 5; Romans 14:1-12) Nevertheless, caution is needed if some in the congregation engage in questionable conduct or display a bitter or complaining spirit. (2 Timothy 2:20-22) It is wise to stay close to those with whom we can enjoy "an interchange of encouragement." (Romans 1:11, 12) This will help us to pursue a virtuous course and remain on "the path of life."—Psalm 16:11.
*** g93 12/22 pp. 26-27 Live a Double Life—Why Not? ***
"Bad Associations"—Where?Such experiences highlight the truthfulness of the Christian apostle Paul’s words: "Bad associations spoil useful habits." (1 Corinthians 15:33) So if you associate with youths who do not respect your Bible-based values and morals, you can easily be drawn into their life-style. Interestingly, though, the apostle was not talking specifically about associating with unbelievers when he issued that warning. He was warning against associating with those within the Christian congregation who fail to uphold Christian teaching. (1 Corinthians 15:12) Similarly today, there may be youths associated with the congregation who do not adhere to or recommend proper Christian living. They can place subtle pressure upon you to lead a double life.
Consider, again, Tammy, who admits that her parents are "very loving." She describes her father as "almost bubbling over with zeal, always talking about how Jehovah cares for us." He even serves in the congregation as an elder. How, then, was she misled? "Bad association within the congregation," she says. "Others would tell me about the fun they would have at different parties and about the drinking they were doing. Or they would talk about their boyfriends and how they would go out dancing after congregation meetings."
*** w80 6/15 pp. 19-20 Harvesting Fruit Suitable for God’s Kingdom ***
THE ELEMENT IN WHICH WE CULTIVATE TRAITS
13
Even in the Christian congregation there may be an environment or association that is spiritually not most helpful. Some who recently came out of the world and symbolized their dedication to God by water baptism may tend to bring into the congregation something that still clings to them—a measure of worldliness. Let us remember that it was to a Christian congregation that the apostle Paul wrote: "In my [previous] letter I wrote you to quit mixing in company with fornicators, . . . But now I am writing you to quit mixing in company with anyone called a brother that is a fornicator or a greedy person or an idolater or a reviler or a drunkard or an extortioner, not even eating with such a man."—1 Cor. 5:9-11.
14
Also, to the congregations in the Roman province of Galatia in Asia Minor, the same apostle wrote: "Do not be misled: God is not one to be mocked. For whatever a man is sowing, this he will also reap; because he who is sowing with a view to his flesh will reap corruption from his flesh, but he who is sowing with a view to the spirit will reap everlasting life from the spirit." (Gal. 6:7, 8) A professed Christian can be sowing to his fallen flesh by seeking to develop his personality qualities in a worldly environment that caters to his fallen flesh.
15
Today, in the congregation, do we gravitate toward members who still smack of worldliness? They regularly indulge in it and want to have the company of other members so as to feel a measure of justification for their frequent indulgence. Do we let our social environment or association inside the congregation hinder us in running well in the race for everlasting life? Do we allow congregation members who still incline to worldliness to persuade us into taking the same direction that they are taking, because it is so pleasing to our fallen flesh?
16
At first the effects of our indulgent course may not be distinguishable as to what kind of professed Christians we shall eventually turn out to be. This is so because the "ground" or environment in which we choose to circulate will bear fruit
gradually. The "grass-blade" looks innocent to beholders, not dangerously hurtful. We sleep at night and rise up by day, and the growth of our personal traits moves forward relentlessly, just how we do not know. Our persistence in this free-and-easy, liberal course will lead to an inescapable result, namely, the fully matured growth of personal traits due to the environment that is like ground, in which we have allowed ourselves to be nurtured. Will what we harvest by thrusting in the sickle qualify us to meet the tests of the day of reckoning successfully?
*** w80 6/15 p. 21 par. 22 Harvesting Fruit Suitable for God’s Kingdom ***Even inside the Christian congregation we can seek out social companionship with baptized persons who still cling to worldly things, but who feel no qualms of conscience about sneaking these into the congregation. Our Christian personality and conduct are sure to be affected by such infectious things.
