How to Keep Separate From the World

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How to Keep Separate From the World
“You are no part of the world.”—JOHN 15:19.

DURING his final night on earth as a human, Jesus expressed deep concern for the future welfare of his followers. He even prayed about the matter, saying to his Father: “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.” (John 17:15, 16) In this heartfelt request, Jesus showed both his deep love for his followers and the importance of his words stated earlier that night to some of them: “You are no part of the world.” (John 15:19) Clearly, it was of great importance to Jesus that his followers keep separate from the world!

2 “The world” Jesus mentioned refers to all of mankind who are alienated from God, ruled by Satan, and enslaved to the selfish, prideful spirit that emanates from him. (John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2; 1 John 5:19) Indeed, “friendship with [that] world is enmity with God.” (James 4:4) How, though, can all who want to remain in God’s love be in the world yet be separate from it? We will consider five ways: by remaining loyal to God’s Kingdom under Christ and neutral in worldly politics, by resisting the spirit of the world, by being modest in our dress and grooming, by keeping our eye simple, and by putting on our spiritual suit of armor.

REMAINING LOYAL AND NEUTRAL

3 Instead of participating in the politics of his day, Jesus focused on preaching about God’s Kingdom, the future heavenly government of which he was the prospective King. (Daniel 7:13, 14; Luke 4:43; 17:20, 21) Thus, when before Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, Jesus could say: “My kingdom is no part of this world.” (John 18:36) His faithful followers imitate his example by giving their loyalty to Christ and his Kingdom and by announcing that Kingdom to the world. (Matthew 24:14) “We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ,” wrote the apostle Paul. “As substitutes for Christ we beg: ‘Become reconciled to God.’”—2 Corinthians 5:20.



4 Because ambassadors represent a foreign sovereign or state, they do not interfere in the internal affairs of the countries where they serve; they remain neutral. Ambassadors do, however, advocate the government of the country they represent. The same is true of Christ’s anointed followers, whose “citizenship exists in the heavens.” (Philippians 3:20) In fact, thanks to their zealous Kingdom preaching, they have helped millions of Christ’s “other sheep” to “become reconciled to God.” (John 10:16; Matthew 25:31-40) These latter ones serve as Christ’s envoys, as it were, in support of Jesus’ anointed brothers. As one united flock advocating the Messianic Kingdom, both groups maintain strict neutrality toward the world’s political affairs.—Isaiah 2:2-4.






5 Loyalty to Christ is not the only reason that true Christians are neutral. Unlike ancient Israel, which had a God-given land allocation, we are part of an international brotherhood. (Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 2:9) Thus, if we were to rally to the side of local political parties, both our freeness of speech in regard to the Kingdom message and our Christian unity would be severely compromised. (1 Corinthians 1:10) Furthermore, during war time, we would be fighting against fellow believers, whom we are commanded to love. (John 13:34, 35; 1 John 3:10-12) With good reason, then, Jesus told his disciples to lay down the sword. And he even told them to love their enemies.—Matthew 5:44; 26:52; “Am I Remaining Neutral?”


Many of Jehovah's Worshipers were sent to concentration camps because they Stood up To their Faith on the Neutrality Issue to Not Partake in killing their Brothers And Neighbors During The Nazi Regime

6 As true Christians, we have dedicated our life to God, not to any human, human institution, or nation. Says 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20: “You do not belong to yourselves, for you were bought with a price.” Thus, while rendering “Caesar” his due in the form of honor, taxes, and relative subjection, Jesus’ followers give “God’s things to God.” (Mark 12:17; Romans 13:1-7) This includes their worship, their whole-souled love, and their loyal obedience. If necessary, they are ready to give up their life for God.—Luke 4:8; 10:27; Acts 5:29; Romans 14:8.


RESISTING “THE SPIRIT OF THE WORLD”
7 Another way that Christians keep separate from the world is by resisting its evil spirit. “We received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God,” wrote Paul. (1 Corinthians 2:12) To the Ephesians, he said: “You at one time walked according to . . . this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.”—Ephesians 2:2, 3.



Jesus Rejected The Offer he was Handed By Satan
All the Kingdoms of this world pleasures Riches Fame Prestige
Matthew 4:8 Again the Devil took him along to an unusually high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory, 9 and he said to him: “All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.” 10 Then Jesus said to him: “Go away, Satan! For it is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’”

8 The world’s “air,” or spirit, is an invisible, impelling force that incites disobedience to God and fosters “the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes.” (1 John 2:16; 1 Timothy 6:9, 10) The “authority” of this spirit lies in its appeal to the sinful flesh, its subtlety, its relentlessness and, like air, its pervasiveness. Moreover, it “operates” in a person by gradually nurturing in him ungodly traits, such as selfishness, haughtiness, greedy ambition, and the spirit of moral independence and rebellion. Simply put, the spirit of the world progressively causes the traits of the Devil to grow in the heart of a man.—John 8:44; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:8, 10.


9 Can the spirit of the world take root in your mind and heart? Yes, but only if you let it do so by lowering your guard. (Proverbs 4:23) Its influence often begins subtly, perhaps by way of associates who may appear to be good people but, in fact, have no love for Jehovah. (Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33) You can also absorb that evil spirit through objectionable literature, pornographic or apostate Internet sites, unwholesome entertainment, and highly competitive sports—really, through anyone or anything that conveys the thinking of Satan or his system.
10 How can we resist the insidious spirit of the world and keep ourselves in God’s love? Only by taking full advantage of Jehovah’s spiritual provisions and by praying constantly for holy spirit. Jehovah is far greater than the Devil or the wicked world under satanic control. (1 John 4:4) How important, then, that we stay close to Jehovah in prayer!




BEING MODEST IN OUR DRESS AND GROOMING
11 An outward indication of the spirit that impels a person is his dress, grooming, and hygiene. In many lands, standards of dress have fallen so low that one television commentator suggested that soon there will be nothing left for prostitutes to wear. Even girls not yet in their teens have been caught up in this trend—“long on skin, short on modesty,” said one newspaper report. Another trend is to dress in a slovenly manner that reflects a spirit of rebellion as well as a lack of dignity and self-respect.



Real beauty comes from within,not from what you wear


12 As servants of Jehovah, we rightly want to look our best, which means dressing in a way that is neat, clean, in good taste, and appropriate for the occasion. At all times, our appearance ought to reflect “modesty and soundness of mind,” which along with “good works” is fitting for anyone—male or female—“professing to reverence God.” Of course, our main concern is, not to draw attention to ourselves, but to “keep [ourselves] in God’s love.” (1 Timothy 2:9, 10; Jude 21) Yes, we want our most beautiful adornment to be “the secret person of the heart . . . , which is of great value in the eyes of God.”—1 Peter 3:3, 4.

13 Keep in mind, too, that our clothing styles and grooming can influence how others view true worship. The Greek word rendered “modesty,” when used in a moral sense, expresses the thought of reverence, awe, and respect for the feelings or opinion of others. Our goal, therefore, should be to subordinate our presumed rights to the consciences of others. Above all, we want to bring honor to Jehovah and his people and to recommend ourselves as God’s ministers, doing “all things for God’s glory.”—1 Corinthians 4:9; 10:31; 2 Corinthians 6:3, 4; 7:1.

14 Our dress, grooming, and cleanliness are even more important when we are engaging in the field ministry or attending a Christian meeting. Ask yourself: ‘Do my appearance and personal hygiene draw undue attention to me? Do they embarrass others? Do I consider my rights in these areas to be more important than qualifying for service privileges in the congregation?’—Psalm 68:6; Philippians 4:5; 1 Peter 5:6.

15 The Bible does not set out for Christians a list of rules on dress, grooming, and hygiene. Jehovah has no desire to deny us our freedom of choice or the use of our thinking faculties. Rather, he wants us to become mature people who reason on Bible principles and who “through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.” (Hebrews 5:14) Above all, he wants us to be governed by love—love for God and neighbor. (Mark 12:30, 31) Within those boundaries, there is the potential for great variety in dress and grooming. Evidence of this can be seen in the colorfully dressed, joyful throngs of Jehovah’s people no matter where on earth they are gathered.

KEEPING OUR EYE “SIMPLE”

16 The spirit of the world is deceptive and impels millions to look to money and material things for happiness. However, Jesus said: “Even when a person has an abundance his life does not result from the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15) While not endorsing asceticism, or extreme self-denial, Jesus taught that life and genuine happiness come to those who are “conscious of their spiritual need” and those who maintain a “simple” eye, one that is sincere and in sharp focus spiritually. (Matthew 5:3; 6:22, 23) Ask yourself: ‘Do I truly believe what Jesus taught, or am I being influenced by “the father of the lie”? (John 8:44) What do my words, my goals, my priorities, and my way of life reveal?’—Luke 6:45; 21:34-36; 2 John 6.

Revelation 3:14-22




17 “Wisdom is proved righteous by its works,” said Jesus. (Matthew 11:19) Consider just some of the benefits enjoyed by those who maintain a simple eye. They find true refreshment in Kingdom service. (Matthew 11:29, 30) They avoid undue anxieties and thus spare themselves much mental and emotional pain. (1 Timothy 6:9, 10) Content with having life’s necessities, they have more time for their family and Christian companions. They may sleep better as a result. (Ecclesiastes 5:12) They experience the greater joy of giving, doing so in whatever way they can. (Acts 20:35) And they “abound in hope” and have inner peace and contentment. (Romans 15:13; Matthew 6:31, 32) These blessings are truly priceless!


TAKING UP “THE COMPLETE SUIT OF ARMOR”
18 Those who keep themselves in God’s love also enjoy spiritual protection from Satan, who wants to deprive Christians, not just of happiness, but of everlasting life. (1 Peter 5:8) “We have a wrestling,” said Paul, “not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) The word “wrestling” suggests that our fight is not long-distance—from the safety of a hidden bunker, so to speak—but hand-to-hand. Furthermore, the terms “governments,” “authorities,” and “world rulers” indicate that attacks from the spirit realm are highly organized and deliberate.


19 Despite human frailties and limitations, however, we can gain the victory. How? By taking up “the complete suit of armor from God.” (Ephesians 6:13) Describing that armor, Ephesians 6:14-18 reads: “Stand firm, therefore, with your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and with your feet shod with the equipment of the good news of peace. Above all things, take up the large shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the wicked one’s burning missiles. Also, accept the helmet [or, hope] of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word, while with every form of prayer and supplication you carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit.”

As a helmet protects the head, so hope protects the mind

20 Since it is a provision of God, that spiritual suit of armor will not fail us, provided that we wear it at all times. Unlike literal soldiers, who may have long breaks from fighting, Christians are in a relentless life-and-death struggle that will not stop until God has destroyed Satan’s world and abyssed all wicked spirits. (Revelation 12:17; 20:1-3) So do not give up if you are struggling with weaknesses or wrong desires, for we all have to “pummel” ourselves in order to stay faithful to Jehovah. (1 Corinthians 9:27) Indeed, it is when we are not wrestling that we should be concerned!


Your prayer can be heard on any occasion
21 Moreover, we cannot win this fight in our own strength. Hence, Paul reminds us of the need to pray to Jehovah “on every occasion in spirit.” At the same time, we should listen to Jehovah by studying his Word and associating with fellow “soldiers” at every opportunity, for we are not in this fight alone! (Philemon 2; Hebrews 10:24, 25) Those who are faithful in all these areas will not only come off victorious but will also be able to make a strong defense for their faith when it is challenged.


WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES

* Regularly praying to Jehovah helps us to draw closer to him.—James 4:8.
* For our prayers to be heard by God, we must pray in faith and with humility and sincerity.—Mark 11:24.
* We must pray only to Jehovah through his Son.—Matthew 6:9; John 14:6.
* Jehovah, the “Hearer of prayer,” uses his angels, his earthly servants, his holy spirit, and his Word to answer prayers.—Psalm 65:2.



BE READY TO DEFEND YOUR FAITH
22 “Because you are no part of the world,” said Jesus, “the world hates you.” (John 15:19) Christians, therefore, must always be ready to defend their faith and to do so in a respectful, mild manner. (1 Peter 3:15) Ask yourself: ‘Do I understand why Jehovah’s Witnesses sometimes take a stand that is contrary to popular opinion? When facing the challenge of taking such a stand, am I thoroughly convinced that what the Bible and the faithful slave class say is right? (Matthew 24:45; John 17:17) And when it comes to doing what is right in Jehovah’s eyes, am I not only prepared to be different but also proud to be different?’—Psalm 34:2; Matthew 10:32, 33.

23 Often, though, our desire to keep separate from the world is put to the test in more subtle ways. For example, as mentioned earlier, the Devil tries to lure Jehovah’s servants into the world by means of worldly entertainment. How can we choose wholesome entertainment that will leave us refreshed and with a clean conscience? That subject will be considered in the next chapter.

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[Footnotes]
Since Pentecost 33 C.E., Christ has served as King over his congregation of anointed followers on earth. (Colossians 1:13) In 1914, Christ received royal authority over “the kingdom of the world.” Hence, anointed Christians now also serve as ambassadors of the Messianic Kingdom.—Revelation 11:15.


[Study Questions]
1. What did Jesus emphasize during his final night on earth as a human?
2. What is “the world” to which Jesus referred?
3. (a) How did Jesus view the politics of his day? (b) Why can it be said that Jesus’ anointed followers serve as ambassadors?
4. How have all true Christians demonstrated loyalty to God’s Kingdom? (See the box on page 52.)
5. How is the Christian congregation different from ancient Israel, and how does this difference manifest itself?
6. How does your dedication to God affect your relationship with Caesar?
7, 8. What is “the spirit of the world,” and how does that spirit “operate” in a person?
9. In what ways can the world’s spirit enter our mind and heart?
10. How can we resist the spirit of the world?
11. How has the world’s spirit influenced standards of dress?
12, 13. What principles should govern our dress and grooming?
14. In regard to our appearance and hygiene, what questions should we ask ourselves?
15. Why does God’s Word not set out a list of rules on dress, grooming, and hygiene?
16. How does the spirit of the world run contrary to Jesus’ teaching, and what questions should we ask ourselves?
17. Name some benefits enjoyed by those who maintain a simple eye.
18. How does the Bible describe our enemy, his methods, and the nature of our struggle?
19. Describe the Christian’s spiritual suit of armor.
20. How does our situation differ from that of a literal soldier?
21. How only can we come off victorious in our spiritual warfare?
22, 23. (a) Why must we be ready at all times to defend our faith, and what questions should we ask ourselves? (b) What subject will be considered in the next chapter?


EARLY CHRISTIAN NEUTRALS
Secular history provides ample evidence that the early Christians remained politically neutral and refrained from warfare. Says the book The Beginnings of Christianity: “The founders of Christianity guarded with sedulous care against the development of anything like a disposition to interfere directly with the established political order.” Similarly, the book On the Road to Civilization notes: “Early Christianity was little understood and was regarded with little favor by those who ruled the pagan world. . . . Christians refused to share certain duties of Roman citizens. . . . They would not hold political office.”
Regarding the early Christians and military service, German theologian Peter Meinhold said: “Being a Christian and a soldier was considered irreconcilable.” In his essay “An Inquiry Into the Accordancy of War With the Principles of Christianity,” religion writer Jonathan Dymond wrote that for some time after the death of Jesus, His followers “refused to engage in [war]; whatever were the consequences, whether reproach, or imprisonment, or death.” Dymond added: “These facts are indisputable.” Only when “Christianity became corrupted,” said another writer, did Christians become soldiers.

AM I REMAINING NEUTRAL?
Principle: “My kingdom is no part of this world.”—John 18:36.
Some questions to ask yourself
▪ How would I explain why saluting the flag is a form of idol worship?—Exodus 20:4, 5; 1 John 5:21.
▪ When explaining my nonparticipation in certain national ceremonies, how would I show my deep respect for those who do not share my beliefs?—1 Peter 3:15.
▪ What are my reasons for not supporting any political parties or performing any type of military service?—John 13:34; 1 John 3:10-12.

Flag Salute, Voting, and Civilian Service
Flag salute. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that bowing down to a flag or saluting it, often in conjunction with an anthem, is a religious act that ascribes salvation, not to God, but to the State or to its leaders. (Isaiah 43:11; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21) One such leader was King Nebuchadnezzar of ancient Babylon. To impress the people with his majesty and religious ardor, this powerful monarch erected a great image and compelled his subjects to bow down to it while music, like an anthem, was being played. However, three Hebrews—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—refused to bow to the image, even on pain of death.—Daniel, chapter 3.
In our age, “nationalism’s chief symbol of faith and central object of worship is the flag,” wrote historian Carlton Hayes. “Men bare their heads when the flag passes by; and in praise of the flag poets write odes and children sing hymns.” Nationalism, he added, also has its “holy days,” such as the Fourth of July in the United States, as well as its “saints and heroes” and its “temples,” or shrines. In a public ceremony in Brazil, the minister general of the army acknowledged: “The flag is venerated and worshiped . . . just as the Fatherland is worshiped.” Yes, “the flag, like the cross, is sacred,” The Encyclopedia Americana once observed.
The aforementioned encyclopedia more recently noted that national anthems “are expressions of patriotic feeling and often include an invocation for divine guidance and protection of the people or their rulers.” Jehovah’s servants are not being unreasonable, therefore, when they view patriotic ceremonies involving the flag salute and national anthems as religious. In fact, when commenting on the refusal of children of Jehovah’s Witnesses to give homage to the flag or to swear the oath of allegiance in U.S. schools, the book The American Character stated: “That these daily rituals are religious has been at last affirmed by the Supreme Court in a series of cases.”
While not joining in ceremonies that they view as unscriptural, Jehovah’s people certainly respect the right of others to do so. They also respect national flags as emblems and recognize duly constituted governments as “superior authorities” serving as “God’s minister.” (Romans 13:1-4) Hence, Jehovah’s Witnesses heed the exhortation to pray “concerning kings and all those who are in high station.” Our motive, though, is “in order that we may go on leading a calm and quiet life with full godly devotion and seriousness.”—1 Timothy 2:2.
Voting in political elections. True Christians respect the right of others to vote. They do not campaign against elections, and they cooperate with elected authorities. However, they remain resolutely neutral with regard to the political affairs of the nations. (Matthew 22:21; 1 Peter 3:16) What should a Christian do in lands where voting is compulsory or in a situation where feelings run high against those who do not go to the voting booth? Remembering that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego went as far as the plain of Dura, a Christian, under similar circumstances, may decide to go to the booth if his conscience permits. However, he will take care not to violate his neutrality. He should take into account the following six principles:
1. Jesus’ followers are “no part of the world.”—John 15:19.
2. Christians represent Christ and his Kingdom.—John 18:36; 2 Corinthians 5:20.
3. The Christian congregation is united in belief, and its members are bound together by Christlike love.—1 Corinthians 1:10; Colossians 3:14.
4. Those who elect a certain official share responsibility for what he does.—Note the principles behind the words recorded at 1 Samuel 8:5, 10-18 and 1 Timothy 5:22.
5. Jehovah viewed Israel’s desire for a visible ruler as a sign that they had rejected Him.—1 Samuel 8:7.
6. Christians must have freeness of speech when speaking to people of all political persuasions about God’s Kingdom government.—Matthew 24:14; 28:19, 20; Hebrews 10:35.
Civilian service. In some lands, the State requires that those who reject military service engage in some form of civilian service for a period of time. When faced with a decision on this matter, we should pray about it, perhaps discuss it with a mature fellow Christian, and then make our decision on the basis of an informed conscience.—Proverbs 2:1-5; Philippians 4:5.

God’s Word tells us to “be obedient to governments and authorities as rulers, to be ready for every good work, . . . to be reasonable.” (Titus 3:1, 2) With that in mind, we might ask ourselves the following questions: ‘Will accepting the proposed civilian work compromise my Christian neutrality or cause me to be involved with false religion?’ (Micah 4:3, 5; 2 Corinthians 6:16, 17) ‘Would doing this work make it difficult for me to fulfill my Christian responsibilities or even prevent me from fulfilling them?’ (Matthew 28:19, 20; Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 10:24, 25) ‘On the other hand, would engaging in such service involve a schedule that would allow me to expand my spiritual activities, perhaps sharing in the full-time ministry?’—Hebrews 6:11, 12.
If a Christian conscientiously concludes that he could perform civilian service rather than go to prison, fellow Christians should respect his decision. (Romans 14:10) If, though, he feels that he cannot perform such service, others should respect that position as well.—1 Corinthians 10:29; 2 Corinthians 1:24.





Does my appearance bring honor to Jehovah?





Ageless Beauty

Self-confidence and satisfaction in life depend on much more than looking good. "True happiness comes from within," writes Judy Sargent, a former anorexia sufferer. "It cannot be gleaned from reading the numbers off of a bathroom scale." The Bible takes the matter a step further. "Your beauty," wrote the apostle Peter, "should consist of your true inner self, the ageless beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of the greatest value in God's sight."—1 Peter 3:4, Today's English Version.

The ageless beauty to which Peter refers surpasses physical charm because of its permanence and its value in the eyes of God. Many centuries ago a wise king observed: "Charm may be false, and prettiness may be vain; but the woman that fears Jehovah is the one that procures praise for herself."—Proverbs 31:30.

Although physical beauty may attract more attention today, many people still respect the person who displays Christian qualities. The apostle Paul exhorted Christians: "Clothe yourselves with the new personality, . . . with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering."—Colossians 3:10, 12.



Fashion by its very nature is transient. At best, the latest style can only adorn us for a while. But any good impression we make will quickly be compromised if our personality does not complement our appearance. Remember, "the fruitage of the spirit"—including the qualities of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, and self-control—never goes out of fashion.—Galatians 5:22, 23; 1 Timothy 2:9, 10.

Four Aspects of Cleanness

The Bible identifies four aspects of cleanness that worshipers of God should strive for. Let us consider each of these.

Spiritual. This could be considered the most important cleanness of all because it has to do with a person's prospects for everlasting life. However, this is often the most neglected aspect of cleanness. Simply put, to be spiritually clean means never to cross the line that God has drawn between true worship and false, for God views any type of false worship as unclean. The apostle Paul wrote: "'Get out from among them, and separate yourselves,' says Jehovah, 'and quit touching the unclean thing'; 'and I will take you in.'" (2 Corinthians 6:17) The disciple James is also very specific in this respect: "The form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: . . . to keep oneself without spot from the world."—James 1:27.

God clearly demonstrated his disapproval of mixing false worship with his true worship. False worship often includes unclean practices and detestable idols and gods. (Jeremiah 32:35) Thus, true Christians are urged to shun any involvement with unclean worship.—1 Corinthians 10:20, 21; Revelation 18:4.


Moral. Here, too, God draws a clear line between what is clean and what is unclean. As a whole, the world has come to be as described at Ephesians 4:17-19: "They are 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." Such immoral thinking expresses itself in many ways, overt and subtle, hence Christians need to be on guard.

Lovers of God know that prostitution, homosexuality, premarital sex, and pornography are violations of Jehovah's standard of moral cleanness. However, expressions of these practices are commonplace in the entertainment and fashion world. Christians must therefore be on guard against such trends. Wearing skimpy, revealing clothes to Christian meetings or social gatherings draws unnecessary attention to the human body and shows a lapse of chasteness. Besides bringing unclean worldly thinking into the Christian association, dressing that way has the potential to create unclean thoughts in others. This is an area where Christians need to work hard at displaying "wisdom from above."—James 3:17.



God's servants must be clean in all respects
Mental. The secret recesses of one's mind should not be a repository of unclean thoughts. Jesus warned against unclean thinking when he said: "Everyone that keeps on looking at a woman so as to have a passion for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28; Mark 7:20-23) These words apply equally to viewing pornographic pictures and films, reading accounts of lewd sexual activities, and listening to suggestive lyrics of songs. Thus, Christians must avoid defiling themselves by entertaining unclean thoughts that could give rise to unclean, unholy speech and actions.—Matthew 12:34; 15:18.

Physical. Holiness and physical cleanliness are closely linked in the Bible. For example, Paul wrote: "Beloved ones, let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in God's fear." (2 Corinthians 7:1) True Christians, therefore, should strive to keep their body, home, and surroundings clean and tidy, as much as circumstances permit. Even where water for washing or bathing is in short supply, Christians should try to do the best they can to keep clean and presentable.

Physical cleanliness would also preclude the use of tobacco in any form, overindulgence in drinking alcohol, and any form of drug abuse, which befoul and damage the body. The shepherd described in The Song of Solomon appreciated the sweet fragrance of the Shulammite girl's clothing. (Song of Solomon 4:11) Caring for our personal hygiene is a loving thing to do, as we want to avoid inflicting unpleasant odors on those around us. Perfumes and colognes may be pleasant, but they are no substitute for regular bathing and clean clothes.