Would You Have Listened to Paul?
Another who offered fine counsel during the first century was the apostle Paul. At one time Paul too had a closed mind. He confessed: "Formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man. Nevertheless, I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith." (1 Timothy 1:13) However, he accepted the truth about Jesus Christ and cast off his prejudices. His example shows that Bible truth can help 'overturn strongly entrenched things' in the heart if such things are detrimental to our well-being.-2 Corinthians 10:4.
Once he had become a Christian, Paul went forth boldly to spread the good news that he had learned. And as would be expected, he met up with the same kind of closed-mindedness that he himself had once had-but not in every case. In Beroea, in northern Greece, he found some meekhearted ones who were a fine example of how to listen to counsel. These ones recognized the ring of truth in Paul's words. Hence, "they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind." But they were open-minded, not gullible. They 'carefully examined the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so.' (Acts 17:11) They liked what they heard, although they checked its authenticity with the Bible before completely accepting it.
"Make Sure of All Things"
In our day, Jehovah's Witnesses spend much time endeavoring to share the good news of the Kingdom with their neighbors belonging to other religions. What response do the Witnesses get? Many friendly persons are happy to receive them. But a number refuse, and some even get angry because the Witnesses call.
This is sad, for what Jehovah's Witnesses want to talk about is called "good news" in the Bible. (Matthew 24:14) Moreover, they encourage the attitude of the apostle Paul, who said: "Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine." (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Even if someone has strong opinions, surely, like the Beroeans and the Samaritan woman, that one should be open-minded enough to talk about God with others.
Why Be Open-Minded?
Happily, hundreds of thousands of people each year are doing just that. Many learn to recognize the wisdom that the Bible contains, and the result is real, lasting changes in their lives. Some were previously like Janet, a young woman with a long history of drug and alcohol abuse who was finally driven to try suicide. Today, Janet is a happy Christian person. Her study of the Bible helped her to gain the strength to follow Paul's counsel: "Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit."-2 Corinthians 7:1.
Vernon was an alcoholic, and his marriage was in danger of breaking up. But following the Bible's counsel enabled him to overcome this vice and become reconciled with his wife. (1 Corinthians 6:11) Debra had strong racial prejudices. But a Bible study and association with Christian people helped her to adjust her thinking. (Acts 10:34, 35) And who would have believed the changes that would occur in the life of a young prostitute in the Netherlands when, one day, she agreed to study the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses? Soon, she was a baptized Christian living a clean life and responsibly looking after her children.
Such experiences are repeated many times over as people listen to what the Bible says. Their lives are improved in ways that many of them never thought possible. More important, they gain a relationship with God, so that they can pray to him earnestly as "Our Father in the heavens." (Matthew 6:9) And they gain a sure, unbreakable hope for the future as they experience the truth of Jesus' words: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ."-John 17:3.
This is the kind of information that Jehovah's Witnesses want to discuss when they pursue their ministry and visit their neighbors. Likely, they will be visiting you again soon. Will you be open-minded enough to listen to them?
