The Christian Warrior

THE wars of the faithful witnesses of pre-Christian days were holy, because they were theocratic and were fought in the name of Jehovah of hosts and at his direction and command. The warfare of the true Christians today, who are likewise witnesses of Jehovah, is no less holy, sacred, for it too is theocratic. In many cases the valiant witnesses of Jehovah in those ancient days fought with material weapons inflicting bodily death. May the Christian witnesses of today likewise fight with such material, death-dealing weapons? It is for Jehovah to answer and instruct our consciences.

2 In ancient times the faithful witnesses of Jehovah often fought against heavy concentrations of the enemy, but now the Christian witnesses of Jehovah have the greatest fight of history on their hands. The ancient witnesses battling for Jehovah faced human foes and armed themselves with man-made weapons. The present-day Christian witnesses of Jehovah face and grapple with a superhuman foe. It is an unseen foe, but, just the same, the warfare with him is very real. It is therefore a conflict requiring constant vigilance and steady alertness, a perpetual warfare, a lifelong conflict, from which there is no furlough granted us, in which there is no truce, no armistice. In it there is continual need of divine exhortation to keep one in fighting trim, ever courageous. The conflict reaches its intensity in what is called “the wicked day.” There is no more any question about it: that “wicked day” is here, for Satan the Devil and his invisible demons have been cast out of heaven down to the earth and the “ruler of the demons” has great anger because he knows he has but a short period of time until the greatest war of all time, the universal war of Armageddon.—Rev. 12:7-13, 17; 16:14-16; Matt. 12:24, NW.

3 That is why this warfare is different from that of worldly armies. It is with a different foe. Worldly armies fight for the god of this system of things of which they are a part; the Christian witnesses of Jehovah fight against the “god of this system of things.” (2 Cor. 4:4, NW) That is why they need different weapons, a fighting equipment that none of the armament makers of this system of things can turn out. They know their enemy, and they know the only fighting equipment with which they can fight him and win. It is a fighting equipment from the greatest Fighter of them all, Jehovah God. In words pointing out this needed equipment and exposing the enemy, Jehovah’s Word says: “Finally, go on acquiring power in the Lord and in the mightiness of his strength. Put on the complete suit of armor from God that you may be able to stand firm against the machinations of the Devil; because we have a fight, not against blood and flesh, but against the [non-blood-and-flesh] governments, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. On this account take up the complete suit of armor from God, that you may be able to resist in the wicked day and, after you have done all things thoroughly, to stand firm.”—Eph. 6:10-13, NW.

4 The fact that our enemy is spiritual, superhuman, alters altogether the nature of our warfare and the nature of our weapons of war. True, the witnesses of ancient times did in many cases fight with the various weapons of ancient warfare, and those witnesses furnished a prophetic picture or type of the Christian witnesses of Jehovah today, in their theocratic warfare against Satan the Devil and his superhuman hosts, the demons that are higher and more powerful than blood and flesh.

5 Another thing: The priests of the family of Aaron and also all the rest of the men of the tribe of Levi were exempted from the secular duties of other Israelite men. The great Theocrat’s command to Moses on this was clear-cut: “Only the tribe of Levi you must not register and the sum of them you must not take in among the sons of Israel. And you yourself appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of the Testimony and over all its utensils and over everything that belongs to it. They themselves will carry the tabernacle and all its utensils and they themselves will minister at it, and around the tabernacle they are to camp.” The record of the registration of the other Israelites for theocratic activities against the enemies of Israel says: “These were the registered ones of the sons of Israel according to the house of their fathers; all the registered ones of the camps in their armies were six hundred and three thousand five hundred and fifty. But the Levites did not get registered in among the sons of Israel, just as Jehovah had commanded Moses.” (Num. 1:1-50; 2:32, 33, NW) Thus those doing sacred service at the tabernacle or temple, namely, the men of the tribe of Levi, including the priests, were exempted from this general registration and its obligations. All those natural Israelites, the registered men and the Levites and all the rest of the tribes of the nation, pictured spiritual Israel, the one, true Christian congregation of which Jesus Christ is the Head. But in this picture there is the following difference today:

6 In spiritual Israel there is no such division of members into secular registrants, priests and Levites and other nonregistered ones. Spiritual Israel, the one true church built upon Jesus Christ the Rock, are all of them priests, all consecrated by God and to his sacred service. (Matt. 16:18) The apostle Peter himself put this fact beyond dispute, when he addressed himself to the Christians sanctified by God’s spirit and said: “Coming to him as to a living stone, rejected, it is true, by men, but chosen, precious, with God, you yourselves also as living stones are being built up a spiritual house for the purpose of a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. . . . you are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for special possession, that you should declare abroad the excellencies’ of the one that called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. For you were once not a people, but are now God’s people; you were those who had not been shown mercy, but are now those who have been shown mercy.”—1 Pet. 1:1, 2; 2:4-10, NW.

7 The 144,000 members of the true church or Christian congregation are a priesthood, every one a spiritual priest, and Jesus Christ is their High Priest. In their holy service to God and in their attitudes toward this world these Christian underpriests imitate him. (Heb. 3:1; 1 Cor. 11:1) They form a spiritual house for the indwelling of God by his spirit, and Jesus is the chief cornerstone of this spiritual temple, and they may not be profaned and desecrated by wrong use by this world. (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Cor. 3:16, 17; Matt. 26:51-56) It is for this powerful reason that Jehovah God has exempted ALL of them, the entire church or congregation, from taking part with carnal weapons in the oncoming battle of Armageddon. Hence, being no part of this world which will be destroyed at Armageddon, these underpriests of Jesus Christ must keep a strict neutrality toward the present-day conflicts of the nations and must apply themselves to their priestly duties toward the people of all nations alike, without partiality or discrimination.

8 The Christian congregation under their High Priest Jesus being all a “holy nation,” “a royal priesthood,” it is Jehovah God himself who objects to their adulterously meddling and taking an active part in the affairs of this world. He commands them: “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; cleanse yourselves, ye that bear the vessels of Jehovah.” (Isa. 52:11, AS) Thus Jehovah states his objection for the guidance of the Christian conscience, and His objection is determinative.

9 The Christian witnesses of Jehovah do not go around in the religious toggery of Christendom’s clergy, but dress simply in ordinary clothes of the everyday man or woman. We even work part-time at secular occupation, and we were doing this before ever the “worker priests” of France were authorized to do some honest work in the shops to try to stop the advance of communism. Most of the Christian witnesses of Jehovah work at honest occupations part-time as the apostle Paul did, in order to be apostolic and provide for our natural needs decently and honorably and not financially burden the congregations with which we are associated. Because we do not differentiate ourselves from the rest of the people by wearing high-sounding titles or unusual religious garments or living a life of ease as a clergyman, the authorities of this world may not look on us as consecrated priests of God, but look on us according to what we appear to be in the flesh. Because they do not have the Bible viewpoint they may do as the apostle Paul said, “appraise us as if we walked according to what we are in the flesh.” But for a warning against such a wrong appraisal of us the inspired apostle adds: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not wage warfare according to what we are in the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things. For we are overturning reasonings and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are bringing every thought into captivity to make it obedient to the Christ, and we are holding ourselves in readiness to inflict punishment for every disobedience [but not with death-inflicting carnal weapons], as soon as your own obedience has been fully carried out. You look at things according to their face value.” (2 Cor. 10:2-7, NW) So we must disabuse the minds of those who take us at face value and so do not appraise us as ministers of Jehovah God, consecrated priests of the Most High God, members of a “holy nation,” not of this world.

10 Under inspiration the apostle tells us as Christ’s followers that we do not fight against flesh and blood and that our weapons are not carnal. We are consecrated priests not subject to militarization to take a violent part in the battle of Armageddon. But carrying on our priestly duties even into the midst of that “war of the great day of God the Almighty,” we shall be harmless bystanders, joyful spectators of how Jehovah God and his angelic hosts under Jesus Christ will fight the victorious battle against the Devil’s organization, visible and invisible. The sum of that argument means that we are engaged in a spiritual fight. It is a spiritual warfare to which we are sanctified. We are enlisted in a spiritual army in a theocratic war, and our Commander is the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and he is the one we have to please by obedience and imitation. The same apostle Paul, writing the young man Timothy, made that point clear by telling him: “As a right kind of soldier of Christ Jesus take your part in suffering evil. No man serving as a soldier involves himself in the commercial businesses of life, in order that he may meet the approval of the one who enrolled him as a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:3, 4, NW) It is the approval of Christ Jesus that we are obliged to meet, for he has enrolled us in the theocratic army and we are ‘soldiers of Christ Jesus’ and we must show ourselves the right kind by suffering evil for his sake.

11 Jesus Christ our Commander said: “No one can be a slave to two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other.” (Matt. 6:24, NW) As soldiers of Jesus Christ we are engaged in a sacred warfare “against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places” and we must continue to preach the good news of God’s kingdom that the light of the good news may put to rout the forces of darkness. The efforts of Christendom’s rulers to religionize their wars, calling them “crusades” and other such catchy names, does not alter the case for Jehovah’s priesthood. By thus trying to religionize their combats the rulers are setting up an establishment of religion. They are dictating religiously to those who should have the freedom of conscience to choose their own religion or the freedom to choose to follow Jehovah’s Word and guide their conscience by his Word. Respecting an establishing of one religion and prohibiting the practice of another the apostle Peter and his fellow apostles said to the Jewish High Court: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”—Acts 5:29, NW.

MEN OF GOOD WILL IN THE WARFARE

12 Engaged in the wars of ancient Israel there were not only the natural Israelites of the theocratic nation but also valiant foreigners of good will. Enlisted in the armies of King David there were such foreigners as Uriah the Hittite who refused to sleep at home when God’s ark and his theocratic army were tenting in the field, because he wanted to remain sanctified constantly for the fight and be ready for duty at a moment’s notice, undisqualified. Then, too, there was Zelek the Ammonite; Ithmah the Moabite; also Ittai the Gittite, a Philistine of Gath, together with six hundred other Gittites; and also King David’s special bodyguard known as the Cherethites and the Pelethites, who are understood to have been foreigners.—2 Sam. 11:6-17; 23:37-39; 1 Chron. 11:26, 46; 2 Sam. 15:18, 19; 8:18; 20:7, 23; 1 Ki. 1:38, 44; 1 Chron. 18:17.

13 Whom do these foreign fellow warriors of David in his battles for Jehovah picture? They picture the men of good will of all nations today, the loyal companions of the remnant of the “royal priesthood” under Christ Jesus the High Priest. But though not spiritual priests they are not authorized by Jehovah God to take part in the unclean affairs of this world any more than the remnant of spiritual Israel are. They have come under the same Commander as the remnant of spiritual priests; the warfare that they wage can be only the spiritual warfare, theocratic warfare, so they cannot and will not wield any carnal weapon at the battle of Armageddon or turn any hand toward violence in that war. “Other sheep” of the Right Shepherd of God these may be, but they have been gathered to the Shepherd’s one fold in company with the spiritual sheep of the “little flock” and they must follow the one Shepherd together with these. (John 10:14-16; Luke 12:32) The warfare of both groups in the one fold is the one warfare, the spiritual, the theocratic, the holy warfare. For this warfare both have been sanctified, for both have listened to the voice of the Right Shepherd, Christ Jesus, who is the Greater David, and then both have dedicated themselves to Jehovah God to follow faithfully in the Shepherd’s footsteps. They may not follow any other commander, paying attention to other voices that may call.

14 These “other sheep” from all nations already form a “great crowd” in company with the spiritual remnant, but they keep on coming into the fold and will continue to do so until the outbreak of the universal conflict at Armageddon. The prophecy foretelling their coming describes them as standing before God’s throne and rendering him sacred service day and night in his temple. (Rev. 7:9-15, NW) How could these “other sheep” of good will be doing this and at the same time become embroiled in all the “works of the flesh” of unsanctified men? They could not do so and at the same time inherit earthly blessings under God’s kingdom in the new world. The prophecies of Isaiah and of Micah describe them as coming up to the house of Jehovah and tell us what he teaches them and what he requires of them in these last days of this old world. We read: “And it shall come to pass in the latter days, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem. And he will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isa. 2:2-4, AS) Micah’s prophecy (4:1-3) gives a double emphasis to that prophecy of Isaiah.

15 As both prophecies apply right now at the coming of “other sheep,” men of good will of all nations, to Jehovah’s temple, it is now that the worldly nations marvel because they do not see these “sheep” at God’s temple taking up the weapons that Isaiah and Micah mention or learning any longer the arts of modern untheocratic warfare. They act like inoffensive “sheep” of the heavenly Shepherd. (John 10:16; Rev. 7:15-17) These have learned of Jehovah’s judgment and decision and have come to know that his law and word from the heavenly Zion forbid them to carry on the “works of the flesh” as before, but now they must turn to the arts of peace which they will practice in the new world just ahead. These “other sheep” are the desired things, the things precious to God out of all nations, and they have come to his house or temple, filling it with glory. There they must recognize and obey the will of God which the prophecy of Haggai 2:9 tells us is: “And in this place will I give peace, saith Jehovah of hosts.” So they must keep the peace and not be disturbing elements among the spiritual priesthood, the spiritual temple class. This spiritual priesthood may not sanction their engaging in violent combats among themselves at the temple of Jehovah God or engaging in violent combat with outsiders at the battle of Armageddon.—Hag. 2:7-9, AS; Jas. 4:1-4.

16 Our joint warfare must accordingly be a spiritual warfare. And for this both flocks of us must take up the same God-given suit of armor in obedience to the command: “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 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. And to that end keep awake with all constancy and with supplication in behalf of all the holy ones, also for me, that ability to speak may be given me with the opening of my mouth, with all freeness of speech to make known the sacred secret of the good news, for which I am acting as an ambassador in chains, that I may speak in connection with it with boldness as I ought to speak.”—Eph. 6:14-20, NW.

17 With this suit of armor you can now be a peaceful resident of earth, harming no blood and flesh, and at the same time carry on a theocratic spiritual fight against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places that use their earthly human dupes to try to stop freeness of speech in preaching the good news with boldness. The “sword of the spirit,” or spiritual sword, is God’s Word. With it you can do no bodily violence to anyone, but, instead, immense spiritual good. A Korean War general recently said, “The pen is mightier than the sword,” meaning the literal sword. In turn the Word of God is mightier than the pen of worldly men, and hence is mightier than the literal sword. The apostle Paul also said that the alive Word of God “exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword.” (Heb. 4:12, NW) Why, then, should we who are sanctified to the sacred, theocratic warfare lift up a less mighty, an inferior weapon against one another any more? Why should we not use the mightier sword, the superior weapon, the spiritual sword, the Word of God, against our common enemy, the “wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places”? Our mightiness in war lies in weapons from God, and these only we may use.

18 Let us not overlook, either, that prayer is an essential part of our warfare, a necessary addition to our defensive armor. Prayer in the thick of theocratic battle is very vital. Long ago it brought victory to King Asa of Judah. Realizing that his army of five hundred and eighty thousand sanctified warriors was no physical match for the army of a million Ethiopians with three hundred chariots under Zerah the Ethiopian, Asa prayed fervently: “Jehovah, there is none besides thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength: help us, O Jehovah our God; for we rely on thee, and in thy name are we come against this multitude. O Jehovah, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee.” In answer to that supplication man did not prevail, not even a million men. As it is written: “So Jehovah smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. And . . . there fell of the Ethiopians so many that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before Jehovah, and before his host.” (2 Chron. 14:9-14, AS) This record was written aforetime for our learning; and what a grand illustration it is of how prayer aids to victory! Let us offer it now, always.

19 Here, then, we stand in the wicked day, clad in theocratic armor, sanctified for the sacred warfare in Jehovah’s cause. We are facing the universal war of Armageddon. That will be the most violent and disastrous fight of all human experience. But we shall not need to take part in the violence of that time. From the ancient prophetic pictures of Armageddon come the words of Jehovah to us: “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” “Stand firm and see the salvation of Jehovah, which he will perform for you today. . . . Jehovah will himself fight for you.” (2 Chron. 20:15; Ex. 14:13, 14, NW) Those words are a prohibition against our then dropping our spiritual armor and taking up carnal weapons and relying upon their use for or against anyone on earth at the battle of Armageddon. We must keep our sanctification for our sacred warfare down to the all-out attack upon our New World society by Gog the sovereign prince of Magog and the outbreak of Armageddon by Jehovah’s countermove against him in our defense. (Ezek. 38:1 to 39:22, AS, margin) Our High Priest Christ Jesus has offered his human sacrifice for us by which we gain a sanctified condition before God for our spiritual conflict. We have consulted the will of God by means of him and have learned that we must “contend for victory in the right contest of the faith.” (1 Tim. 6:12, NW) We know we must each prove to be a “right kind of soldier of Christ Jesus.” He as our High Priest is with us in the camp to counsel us and to encourage us not to fear the enemy but to move forward doing God’s will as theocratic soldiers. Our warfare for Jehovah’s glory and vindication is a holy warfare, a sacred obligation, a sanctified duty, and our Christian conscience finds no objection to engaging in this theocratic warfare in holy armor, but we eagerly enlist in this service as loyal volunteers.—Ps. 110:3, AT.

20 Our camp we must keep clean by living holily, committing no fornication with this enemy world, that Jehovah may see nothing indecent among us and turn away from accompanying us. Clad in the spiritual armor of God, we must continually fight now against the “wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places,” valiantly wielding the “sword of the spirit, that is, God’s word,” by preaching in all the inhabited earth the good news of God’s established kingdom. Then as the decisive battle nears, yes, even as we enter the “war of the great day of God the Almighty,” we as a “holy nation” and “royal priesthood,” together with all our companion warriors of good will from all nations, will be worthy to sing Jehovah’s praises and to blow the trumpets for a courageous advance against the foe with full confidence that Jehovah will give us the victory. And as we fight on in support of the preaching of the good news we will pray fervently in faith for one another and for the success of the divine cause. Then our theocratic warfare will not be in vain. No, but it will be garlanded with God’s own victory by Christ Jesus and with eternal life in the righteous new world for us as sharers in His victory! (1 Cor. 15:57, 58, NW) “The battle is not yours, but God’s.”—2 Chron. 20:15, AS.

“Love Never Fails”

“Love never fails.”—1 Cor. 13:8.

LOVE is like a priceless gem, a diamond with many facets. It is beautiful any way you look at it. In fact, it has been said in verse: “Youth’s for an hour, Beauty’s a flower, But love is the jewel that wins the world.” Like a diamond with numerous reflecting surfaces, love has ever so many aspects, all good, all desirable, all touching and heartwarming. But, at first, love may be compared to an unpolished though precious stone. The latent ability to draw others, to bless them, to warm them, is there, in an unpolished state. How may we polish it to increase its luster? As Christians, how may we take this diamond in the rough, as it were, and make it glisten with resplendent beauty? Well, first we must shine the light of God’s Word upon the gem of love.

2 Jehovah excels in showing love. For thousands of years and despite the waywardness of mankind, faithfully, unfailingly, the Creator has demonstrated this superlative attribute—all this, though it has been undeserved. Jehovah “makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous.” The Most High has been “kind toward the unthankful and wicked.” To all this Jesus Christ could attest in his sermon on the mount. (Matt. 5:45; Luke 6:35) Actually, both Jehovah and Christ have displayed great love in connection with the ransom. “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) And Jesus told his followers: “No one has love greater than this, that someone should surrender his soul in behalf of his friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus Christ did just that for sheeplike ones, in keeping with his own words: “I am the fine shepherd . . . I surrender my soul in behalf of the sheep.” (John 10:11, 15) What marvelous examples of love we have in Jehovah and His Son!

3 To have Jehovah’s favor, we must, like God and His Son, show love. (1 John 3:21-23) True Christians, therefore, abide by the two great commandments enunciated by Christ: “‘You must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matt. 22:37-39) To show such love is possible for Christians, for they have God’s spirit and produce its fruits, one of which is love.—Gal. 5:22.

4 Love is a quality that beggars description. It defies thorough definition. Yet, under inspiration, Paul wrote of it: “Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Cor. 13:4-8) It is easily seen that love could not repel, but must attract. It would naturally attract, drawing persons together. This it has surely done in the New World society of Jehovah’s witnesses, unified as it is worldwide. But let us now carefully examine the various aspects, the several facets, of this gem, love.

“LOVE IS LONG-SUFFERING AND KIND”

5 Paul said, “Love is long-suffering and kind.” To be long-suffering means that we will put up with the weaknesses and imperfections of others. Jehovah has done so, and for many it has meant salvation. (Rom. 2:4; 2 Pet. 3:9, 15) Naturally, he does not endlessly tolerate wrongdoing. Paul told the idolatrous Athenians: “True, God has overlooked the times of such ignorance, yet now he is telling mankind that they should all everywhere repent. Because he has set a day in which he purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed.” (Acts 17:29-31) Following the divine example, we should be patient with others who may be slower physically or mentally, perhaps because of advanced age. Love looks for ways of showing sympathetic consideration. That does not mean that we must continuously put up with wrongdoing or that we ourselves will violate Scriptural principles. However, some things may be done one way or another. No Biblical principle is involved. Why insist that ours is the only way in such cases? That might only lead to unloving acts, disputes and loss of happiness. (1 Cor. 9:22) That we should be patient and forgiving was emphasized by Jesus, who told Peter to forgive “not, Up to seven times, but, Up to seventy-seven times.” (Matt. 18:21, 22) So, we may well ask ourselves: “Do I really exercise patience? Am I sympathetic? Do I put myself in the place of another? Do I forgive?” If you are long-suffering and can answer Yes, this facet of your love must shine brightly!

6 But what of kindness? Love is kind. There are works of human kindness and in times of disaster persons will often respond in humanitarian ways. The inhabitants of Malta showed shipwrecked Paul and others “extraordinary human kindness.” (Acts 28:2) However, they did not do so because Paul was a minister of Jehovah God. They simply showed beneficence, though abundantly so. Today when calamity strikes, many respond with “human kindness.” They help their suffering fellowman. For example, in February, 1953, disaster struck the Netherlands when dikes broke and the land was inundated. One writer said, reviewing this and similar occurrences: “Sometimes it can happen that the public is too generous. Sufficient blankets were donated to the victims of the Netherlands floods to cover the entire Dutch nation for a year.” When hardship besets their spiritual brothers and sisters somewhere in the world, kindness and love move true Christians to action. Material things, clothing and needed items are donated by fellow believers in lands not affected. But Christians make it their life’s work to show kindness, not only in material but especially in spiritual ways. They use their time and resources, they expend their energies, in acts of kindness and love, aiding persons in a spiritual manner through their ministry. So the dedicated Christian does not limit himself to occasional philanthropy or temporary humanitarianism, passing “human kindness.” His is a life of kindness.—1 Tim. 4:16.

7 Now, suppose you are at the congregation meeting place, the Kingdom Hall. As you look about, what do you see? Greeting you are smiling faces. Only occasionally may you detect another slight sentiment. Courageously, your Christian sister who lives in a divided household hides the pain she has experienced. When she returns home unpleasantness may confront her. Perhaps her attendance at this peaceful, spiritually upbuilding meeting has come about at the expense of no little unhappiness. She shed tears before leaving home because of an opposing mate, though you may never know it. What love and concern you would express toward this one of God’s “sheep” if you but knew her circumstances! How your heart would go out to her! Surely you would not ignore her or say some unkind word to her in a rash moment. Oh, this sister may even find it necessary to curtail meeting attendance somewhat because of her husband’s demands, though she does not forsake gathering with fellow Christians altogether. Do we begin to look down upon her? We should not, for, if she is doing her best, Jehovah knows this and is not displeased. Remember, God “sees what the heart is.” (1 Sam. 16:7) It would be unkind indeed to find fault. She needs aid, not discouragement; kindness, not criticism. When we speak encouragingly to her, we warm her heart, we make her truly happy that she is a part of such a wonderful, loving organization. And in showing kindness we are polishing another surface of the gem of love.

8 Kindness is also expressed when we patiently explain truths to persons in our ministry—this, though they may at first have difficulty in comprehending some things or in applying Scriptural principles to their lives and thinking. But, whether at home, in the ministry, or at congregation meetings, expressing kindness is essential. It is an important aspect of our love. So, we are admonished: “But become kind to one another, tenderly compassionate, freely forgiving one another just as God also by Christ freely forgave you.”—Eph. 4:32.

LOVE IS NOT JEALOUS OR BOASTFUL

9 “Love is not jealous.” Hence, envy will not engulf us if we have love. We will not permit our love to be stifled should another be entrusted with a position of responsibility in the Christian congregation. We will not deny him our active support because of jealousy. Instead, we will thank Jehovah that our spiritual brother can use his good qualities and abilities to the advancement of God’s earthly organization. We will rejoice in his success. Envy will be recognized for what it is—a sin. The counsel of Galatians 5:26 will find a place in our hearts: “Let us not become egotistical, stirring up competition with one another, envying one another.”

10 But suppose we are in a position of responsibility. Have we reason to boast in our attainments? Love “does not brag.” We have nothing that we did not receive. (1 Cor. 13:4; 4:7) We may be shepherds, having oversight, but remember, we never lose the position of sheep by reason of such an appointment. As sheep, all should boast, not in self, but in whom? First Corinthians 1:31 answers: “He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah.” How fitting it is for all sheep to boast in the Great Shepherd of all the sheep! And why not boast in Jehovah? We may plant and water, as did Paul and Apollos, “but God kept making it grow; so that neither is he that plants anything nor is he that waters, but God who makes it grow.” (1 Cor. 3:6-9) Then again, what of tomorrow? If we boast today and rely on ourselves alone, this may be fatal. Note the apostle’s warning: “Consequently let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.” (1 Cor. 10:12) Do not forget that, “if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he is deceiving his own mind.” (Gal. 6:3; Rom. 11:18) So then, if we boast in Jehovah, not in ourselves, we will act lovingly, not proudly. We will thus be polishing and brightening still another facet of love. How so?

11 The apostle further pointed out that love “does not get puffed up.” We cannot ignore this, one of the many aspects of love. A person may be ambitious or may take himself too seriously. He may believe that he should set matters straight in the lives of others. Frankly, he may think himself to be superior to his neighbor. But in this would not his love be wanting? Yes, for his is a “fleshly frame of mind.” (Col. 2:18) Of course, this does not mean that an overseer should forego opportunities to aid persons spiritually or that others also should so fail. But some things are personal and should be left that way. (Gal. 6:5) Here the counsel of Colossians 3:12 is very apropos: “Accordingly, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering.” Check your spiritual clothing. Act lovingly, “with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to you.”—Phil. 2:3.

LOVE IS NOT INDECENT OR SELFISH

12 While we are polishing this facet of the gem of love we will do well to remember that love “does not behave indecently.” This means that we will be mannerly in the home, in the congregation and in the ministry. We will not be rude and unchristian. Neither will we act immorally, seeking selfishly to corrupt another. (1 Cor. 10:8; 2 Pet. 2:9, 10) But we must think properly so as to act properly. We must shun obscenity. The Ephesians were told: “Let fornication and uncleanness of every kind or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as it befits holy people; neither shameful conduct nor foolish talking nor obscene jesting, things which are not becoming, but rather the giving of thanks.” (Eph. 5:3, 4; Col. 3:5-8) Christians are on stage. We are a theatrical spectacle before men and angels. (1 Cor. 4:9) What kind of characters will we be in the present drama if we forget to do the loving thing, if in our thoughtlessness we bring reproach upon Jehovah, whom we should love first and foremost? Never may that happen!

13 Love does not selfishly “look for its own interests.” In the case of an overseer, for example, this means expending himself. It requires that he be approachable at all times. Never should he be too busy to aid others. If persons in the congregation have problems they cannot resolve and they are in need of assistance, should they not feel free to seek the aid of the mature overseer? And should he not be loving and considerate? Why, think of Jesus. How busy he was! Yet, persons were able to approach him. He preached to them. He taught them. He cured them. He showed pity for them. He had love for them! He set the perfect example, one that mature and loving overseers will not forget.—Matt. 4:23; Mark 1:21, 22; 2:13; Luke 7:13; John 13:34; 15:9, 12.

14 Love will cause us to sacrifice our own rights at times and to be tolerant toward customs which, in themselves, are not unscriptural. Corinthian Christians wondered whether to eat meat purchased in the meat market but which had come from animals offered to idols. There was no direct objection to partaking of it, as long as one was not eating a sacrificial meal in the worship of demon gods represented by the idols. Yet, if eating such meat would stumble another, Paul advised refraining. He said: “All things are lawful; but not all things are advantageous. . . . Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.” (1 Cor. 10:23-33) Similarly today, the thoughtful Christian will, for example, refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages in a community where doing so is frowned upon. He has a Scriptural right to partake in moderation, but he abstains because he does not want to stumble someone. Be concerned, then, with the welfare and edification of others. Polish this facet of the gem of love. Look not for your own interests selfishly but for the interests and well-being of others. Love will make you do all this because love never fails.—Phil. 2:4.

OTHER FACETS OF LOVE

15 Love “does not become provoked” or “keep account of the injury.” Not only does anger damage relationships, but it is also injurious to health, placing a strain on the heart. Solomon said: “A calm heart is the life of the fleshly organism.” (Prov. 14:30) So heed the counsel: “Let anger alone and leave rage; do not show yourself heated up only to do evil.” (Ps. 37:8) Anger is a work of the fallen flesh. (Gal. 5:19, 20) And keeping a grudge hurts you. It is unchristian. (Matt. 5:22; Lev. 19:17, 18) Once, Paul and Barnabas had a difference. But the breach was healed and they bore no grudges. (Acts 15:36-41) Harbor no animosity, then, nor immaturely look for a way and time to repay some offender. Do not become provoked or keep account of injury. Remember, these facets of the gem of love must be polished, too.—Rom. 12:17.

16 The apostle further said that love “does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.” (1 Cor. 13:6) The Christian finds no pleasure in injustice, even if opposers experience it. (Prov. 29:27) However, those of evil bent, Satan, the demons and wicked men, rejoice over unrighteousness, taking the view that “the end must justify the means.” This was one factor that brought upon earth and its inhabitants the dreadful ravages of world war in this generation. Cities were turned to rubble, homes to dust, a measure of happiness to sorrow and pain—and for millions there came death. These and other causes of suffering have been brought about by those rejoicing over unrighteousness, haters of what is right. Christians, though, rejoice in Jehovah, in the triumph of truth, not in unrighteousness of any kind. Thus, for them the future holds real grandeur. They are sowing love, not hate, and they will continue to reap God’s love in return, with happiness now and in the new order of his promise.—2 Pet. 3:11-13; Gal. 6:7-10.

17 True love “bears all things.” Hence, should difficulties arise, Christians will be forgiving. They keep in mind Christ’s words: “Moreover, if your brother commits a sin, go lay bare his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” (Matt. 18:15-17) This first step in settling differences is an act of love, for gossip does not fill the air, but the offender himself is privately approached. Additional steps may be taken if necessary, but how many problems are quite easily resolved in this way, by love! They are seen for what they are minor personal offenses that can quickly be forgiven and forgotten. True Christians do not let their love fail. They choose “to live peaceably,” to work out their problems amicably.—2 Cor. 13:11.

18 Love will not permit us to reject truth. “Truth is . . . stranger than fiction,” it has been said. Yet, if it is truth, love will accept it. Why? Because love “believes all things.” Still, love is not gullible, or credulous. If something is improper or untrue, love will not permit us to accept it. Love will, however, cause us to receive with appreciation the truths recorded in God’s Word. It will move us to accept spiritual food provided through the “faithful and discreet slave.” (Matt. 24:45-47) We will not be skeptical of it. Why, if we were doubtful in this regard, we would be like the restless, turbulent waves of the sea. Have you observed roaring waves, perhaps driven by changing winds? Their motions are erratic. Well, if we are skeptical, we will be like the waves. Thus, for our benefit James wrote: “So, if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, . . . and it will be given him. But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah.”—Jas. 1:5-8.

19 A Christian must also hope in all things in God’s Word. The Thessalonians were admonished: “But as for us who belong to the day, let us keep our senses and have on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet the hope of salvation.” (1 Thess. 5:8) A soldier who enters battle without proper equipment or protective covering can hardly hope to survive. If our love fails, what kind of spiritual soldiers will we be? We will not have the “breastplate of faith and love” or the vitally necessary helmet, “the hope of salvation.” Fittingly, then, love “hopes all things,” all things in and truly founded upon the Word of God, the Holy Bible.—John 17:17.

20 Another facet of the gem of love is that it “endures all things.” Love for God makes possible the endurance of persecution. Even after the apostles were flogged and dishonored in behalf of Christ’s name, “every day in the temple and from house to house they continued without letup teaching and declaring the good news about the Christ, Jesus.” (Acts 5:40-42) Suffering due to persecution can be endured with the strength God gives. (Phil. 4:13) But what if we receive rebuke from God through his Word or organization? Then remember this wise counsel: “The discipline of Jehovah, O my son, do not reject; and do not abhor his reproof, because the one whom Jehovah loves he reproves, even as a father does a son in whom he finds pleasure.” (Prov. 3:11, 12) Let not your love fail. Accept correction. Never permit it to drive you away from God’s organization, or to kill your love of it or of Jehovah.—Ps. 141:5.

21 Admittedly, it is not always easy to exercise love. Therefore, you must work at it and must depend upon Jehovah’s spirit. If you do, it will be possible for you to show love, for it is a fruit of God’s spirit. (Gal. 5:22, 23) Be determined to display love that attracts. And bear this in mind: “A true companion is loving all the time, and is a brother that is born for when there is distress.” (Prov. 17:17) In summing up his inspired appraisal of love Paul said: “Now, however, there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13) Love is that grand quality that permeates the Christian congregation. Love will survive Armageddon, as will true Christians who demonstrate it. (Rev. 16:14, 16) So keep a tight grip on the gem of love. Do not lose it. Let no one rob you of it. Cherish it! It will ever prove to be a blessing to you, to your Christian brothers and to all with whom you have dealings. Show it now and forever. Remember—”Love never fails”!—1 Cor. 13:8.

Keeping the Tongue Under Control

“Do not you people speak very haughtily so much, let nothing go forth unrestrained from your mouth, for a God of knowledge Jehovah is, and by him deeds are rightly estimated.”—1 Sam. 2:3.

THE tongue is one of the most useful tools man possesses and a truly great gift from Jehovah God. Should not man’s highest expression, then, be in honoring Jehovah and attributing greatness to him? The Bible overflows with instances where faithful servants of God used their tongues in this manner, and such accounts are preserved so that we can read them and then use our tongues to repeat those expressions of thankful recognition of God’s goodness.

2 Has there ever been a more joyful sound than a baby’s first words? And then, as the baby gradually matures, the parents tingle with excitement as words with meaning are spoken. How much more reasonable it is to assume that the heavenly Father is pleased to hear his earthly children express in words their appreciation of the gift of life from him! Prayers uttered to him by his children are music to his ears, because they are the means of communicating to him our hearts’ desires and yearnings. Even our speaking together with others concerning him brings reward: “At that time those in fear of Jehovah spoke with one another, each one with his companion, and Jehovah kept paying attention and listening. And a book of remembrance began to be written up before him for those in fear of Jehovah and for those thinking upon his name.” (Mal. 3:16) Just consider: for those thinking upon his name Jehovah makes an indelible record! But the use of the tongue to magnify that name, especially now when it is widely unknown, is a rare honor. Our exalting that name by declaring it abroad brings protection to us as name bearers. Our failing to do so may be disastrous. “The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into it the righteous runs and is given protection.”—Prov. 18:10.

3 How every living person should want to let his God know how much he appreciates the gift of life, happiness, Jehovah’s love and Jehovah’s treasured counsel contained in the Bible! Eventually all who merit eternal life will give honor to the Supreme One of the universe and to Jesus, his glorious Son. “And every creature that is in heaven and on earth and underneath the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, I heard saying: ‘To the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.’” “All you peoples, clap your hands. Shout in triumph to God with the sound of a joyful cry.”—Rev. 5:13; Ps. 47:1.

4 Man is in a unique position today. The entire Bible, the written Word of God, has been preserved for man’s use and edification. That Word is available to practically every man today in his own language. Paul, the most prolific Bible writer in our Common Era, says why: “For all the things that were written aforetime were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Rom. 15:4) Why of particular value today? The same Bible writer says that they are “for a warning to us upon whom the ends of the systems of things have arrived.” While it is true that Paul wrote to the early congregations at Rome and Corinth, he also wrote for this day, as is indicated by the Bible translator Dr. Richard Weymouth, who records Paul’s words as follows: “It was recorded by way of admonition to us who live in the last days of the world.” Also, The Emphatic Diaglott by Benjamin Wilson, with an interlinear word-for-word English translation, says: “These things occurred to them typically, and were written for our Admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come.”—1 Cor. 10:11.

5 We have now arrived at the time of the world’s history when “the ends of the ages have come.” This is the time that God’s prophets envisioned. (Heb. 11:10; John 8:56; Dan. 12:8, 9) It is the time for which Jesus instructed us to pray. It is the time for the old “systems of things” to vacate and give way to God’s glorious new order of things in store for righteous mankind. It is the time for peoples and nations to acknowledge the Eternal One, who says: “Give in, you people, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations.” (Ps. 46:10; 2:10-12; Luke 11:2) It is time for the stranglehold that Satan, the prince or ruler of the world, has held over mankind to be broken. How can this unholy power be broken? Can man destroy the demonic influence that is so all-prevailing? It is God’s war against his ancient enemy, the Devil. He will completely humiliate the Devil by means of his executive Son-King, Jesus Christ.—John 12:31; 14:30.

6 But man today has the privilege and duty to wage a war against the Devil and his demonic forces. And man can do so successfully by taking advantage of the weapons provided for a spiritual warfare, since “the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but powerful by God for overturning strongly entrenched things.” (2 Cor. 10:4) The man Jesus set us the example. He was able to withstand the Devil by drawing from the written Word of God, saying, “It is written.” (Luke 4:1-13) He used no literal sword, no earthly weapon. He used his tongue, his properly educated, properly controlled tongue, to put the adversary to flight. We must do likewise, relying on the Word of God, “the sword of the spirit,” to make our defense. But there are other weapons or aids to assist us in the fight “with princedoms and powers, with those who have mastery of the world in these dark days, with malign influences in an order higher than ours.” The apostle Paul identifies our equipment as the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the sandals of the good news of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, along with prayer. In our own strength, we are no match for the invisible forces of evil. But with the divinely provided aids we can succeed.—Eph. 6:11-18, Knox.

7 So equipment is available. God’s Word, the Bible, “is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword and pierces even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and their marrow, and is able to discern thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Our using this “sword” consistently in the “fine fight of the faith” will result in our getting “a firm hold on the everlasting life” and in our being safeguarded by Jehovah now. So let us learn how to use this “sword,” so as to be “always ready to make a defense before everyone that demands of you a reason for the hope in you, but doing so together with a mild temper and deep respect.” That means using our tongue, a properly controlled tongue.—Heb. 4:12; 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 Pet. 3:15; Ps. 31:23.

8 What control the shepherd lad David had! He had only five smooth stones and his sling as contrasted with the weighty coat of mail and fifteen-pound spearhead of the nine-foot-tall Goliath. But with unerring skill, with complete control, although running as he threw the stone, he vanquished his foe, by hitting the mark. The smooth stones were undoubtedly beautiful, but in his shepherd’s bag they would be valueless unless he knew how to use them effectively. The Bible would be just as useless to us if we did not learn how to use it. More needs to be done with it than merely having it on our bookshelf to admire as a beautiful book, written in beautiful language and style. The words and righteous principles enunciated therein must be made ours and applied. They must be firmly embedded in our hearts and minds, ready to be spoken by us when the occasion arises.

MAKING USE OF KNOWLEDGE

9 The control of the tongue means more than having knowledge; there must be a proper use of the knowledge, as noted above at 1 Peter 3:15, “doing so together with a mild temper.” The Bible shows that God’s servants have been directed to speak for him, sometimes words of denunciation. There are rare instances in which they lost their temper, and, when they did, they suffered for it. The members of the congregation at Philippi were hard put to it to cope with the conditions prevalent there. Consider the instruction they received about the proper use of their tongues: “Keep doing all things free from murmurings and arguments, that you may come to be blameless and innocent, children of God without a blemish in among a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you are shining as illuminators in the world, keeping a tight grip on the word of life.”—Phil. 2:14-16.

10 Jesus, too, was one who had occasion to use hard words when talking to that “crooked and twisted generation,” to the stiff-necked and rebellious people of his day. Yet of him it was said: “Never has another man spoken like this.” (John 7:46) This statement could not likely apply to one who spoke carelessly, thoughtlessly, purposelessly. It would apply to one who had his tongue under control, one who chose his words, one who had something worth while to say and knew how to say it. Do your words elicit such comments from others? Do you think before you speak? A motto that has decorated many a business executive’s desk reads something like this: ‘Don’t open your mouth before putting your mind in gear.’

11 Who so described Jesus’ words? His flesh-and-blood relatives or neighbors? It was men sent to arrest him. It was officers sent by the Jewish priests who were irked because Jesus ignored their threats and continued boldly to declare his Father’s word. It was when they returned empty-handed and were asked: “Why is it you did not bring him in?” that they replied: “Never has another man spoken like this.” They were so impressed with his manner of teaching, grace or charm having poured through his lips, that they forgot their mission. They were so stricken with the quality of his message, with his complete mastery over his tongue, that their religious employers charged them with having been led astray, and reminded them that “not one of the rulers or of the Pharisees has put faith in him.” (John 7:45-48) Jesus was not an outstanding orator, for he had not been trained in the rabbinical schools. But Matthew reports that, after Jesus had given his sermon on the mount, “the crowds were astounded at his teaching; for he taught them like an authority, not like their own scribes.”—Matt. 7:28, 29, Mo.

12 The Pharisees heard with annoyance when Jesus used his tongue as his Father purposed, but his disciples heard with happy ears and were richly blessed. Jesus never lost control of his tongue. He maintained self-control even when he angrily upbraided the false religious leaders. He was never vulgar, lewd or immodest in his speech. Never did a rotten saying proceed from his mouth.—Matt. 13:15, 16; John 8:43-45, RS; Matthew 23; Eph. 4:26, 29.

13 Jesus did not speak to win popularity with the leaders. He spoke the truth with boldness and thus furnished a proper example for his disciples. He had supreme control of his tongue and a firm conviction that his Father would support him in his proper use of his tongue, as he confessed: “I do nothing of my own initiative; but just as the Father taught me I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me; he did not abandon me to myself, because I always do the things pleasing to him.”—John 8:28, 29; Acts 4:31.

14 What an example for us to follow! We do well to follow his steps closely to ensure Jehovah’s approval. But do you argue that it is asking too much that we should, as did Jesus, a perfect man, have control of our tongues, when the Bible says: “With error I was brought forth with birth pains, and in sin my mother conceived me,” and that God would not expect sinful man to have such perfect control? True, we may not achieve perfect control now, but we should not listen to the subtle suggestion of the Devil that we may as well give up without trying. He knows we are imperfect, and will use every means to cause us to sin with our lips. His knowledge that Jesus was perfect did not deter him from tempting Jesus. Having expressly come down to earth from his heavenly position to settle once and for all time the Devil’s challenge, Jesus may have been inclined to ‘blow his top’ and ‘tell off’ the Devil. Did he? Calmly and dispassionately he used the Bible to answer by saying: “It is written,” and thus he squelched the Devil’s attempt to overcome him.—Ps. 51:5; Luke 4:1-13; Deut. 8:3; 6:13, 16; 1 Pet. 2:21.

15 Or one may think he is too old to change. When one realizes that long-held practices are wrong, it would be foolhardy to dismiss the responsibility that new enlightening information may bring by saying, “I’m too old to change.” One is never too old to change his ways. If he continues to pursue a course in conflict with God’s Word, the Bible, he would be displeasing to God. So when one’s manner of speech is seen to be repugnant to one’s Creator, one must make a decision. Will one face the facts even though it may involve a radical change? It calls for initiative, courage and humility to bring one’s life into harmony with the righteous principles of the Bible, but it is rewarding, as it will cause God to look favorably upon one. And it is vitally important to make such a change if one expects to live in God’s new system of things.

16 Not being perfect is all the more reason why we must diligently apply ourselves to the job of bringing our tongues into subjection so they will not do the bidding of the Devil but will bring honor to God and to ourselves. And we do not have to be ‘skilled in speech’ to provide that bulwark against the Devil’s attack. Paul is an excellent example of one who successfully contended against the tendencies that the ‘fallen flesh’ has to be influenced by the old system of things: “Therefore, the way I am running is not uncertainly; the way I am directing my blows is so as not to be striking the air; but I browbeat my body and lead it as a slave.” And he was not concerned as to what his neighbors thought of his determined upright course of action: “Just as we have been proved by God as fit to be entrusted with the good news, so we speak, as pleasing, not men, but God, who makes proof of our hearts.”—2 Cor. 11:6; 1 Cor. 9:26, 27; 1 Thess. 2:4.

17 It is readily seen that the tongue, in order to be an obedient servant of the trained mind, must be captured and enslaved. The tongue reflects the mind and the heart. Jesus knew this, as he told the Pharisees: “You brood of snakes! how can you, bad as you are, utter anything good? For the mouth says only what the heart is full of. A good man, out of the good he has accumulated, brings out things that are good, and a bad man, out of what he has accumulated that is bad, brings out things that are bad. But I tell you, for every careless word that men utter they will have to answer on the Day of Judgment. For it is by your words that you will be acquitted, or by your words that you will be condemned.”—Matt. 12:34-37, AT.

RESISTANCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES

18 One has only to listen to his fellow worker or fellow shopper or fellow student, or to read the newspapers or magazines, or to listen to the radio, to be bombarded with ‘careless words,’ words of ‘no moment.’ Foul and disgraceful language is spoken everywhere one goes and it fills the pages of popular books. Yes, at this time of the ‘meeting of the ages’ there is a persistent effort to glorify loose speech and a crooked tongue. It is so common that people are inured to it and listen without annoyance. As Solomon pointed out: “The evildoer is paying attention to the lip of hurtfulness. A falsifier is giving ear to the tongue causing adversities.”—Prov. 17:4.

19 But bear in mind that this, too, is something the righteous person must war against. He must refuse to become a party to this filthy campaign. He must keep holding the pattern of healthful words. This is the time the apostle Paul calls “critical times hard to deal with,” when it is so urgent to use our tongues to the praise of God. (2 Tim. 3:1) The home today has become contaminated with disgraceful speech. Father picks it up at work, mother while shopping or at the club, the children at play. Without thinking every member of the family gets into the rut and adopts this manner of conversation. Children are not born with vulgar speech, but without home training they soon adopt ‘gutter slang’ as part of their everyday vocabulary. Parents, for your own sakes, as well as for the sake of your children, determine to divest your minds of things that are not upbuilding and fill your minds with things beneficial and upbuilding. Then the tongues of your children will speak worthwhile thoughts, drawing them from educated minds.

20 There is no better place to go for instruction than the Bible. Consider, for example, this counsel from Philippians 4:8: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of [gracious in the telling, of good repute], whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things.” Based on this and the rule that Jesus set out (that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks), the tongue is brought into line with righteous principles when the mind is properly filled with righteous thoughts. Only by guarding the mind can parents and children be protected from the polluting speech originating in the mind. Clean thoughts produce clean speech; filthy thoughts, filthy speech. For the speech to be clean, the mind must be guarded against all impure intrusions.

21 The Bible contains a storehouse of things true, serious, righteous, chaste, lovable, virtuous and praiseworthy. But these must be sought after. Contrary to what some perhaps well-intentioned persons may say, however, these things may not be located by closing your eyes, then opening the Bible at random and putting your finger on the answer. The holy spirit does not so direct people. Who sits down and waits for his ‘daily bread’ to appear miraculously, or who chooses to be fed intravenously three times daily? Most people say they ‘live to eat.’ So they must work to provide the food and then sit down to the table and eat it. Spiritual food, which Jesus said was more important than “bread alone,” must likewise be diligently sought for, worked for and then chewed and digested. To prove this, consider Solomon’s words at Proverbs 2:1-5: “My son, if you will receive my sayings and treasure up my own commandments with yourself, so as to pay attention to wisdom with your ear, that you may incline your heart to discernment; if, moreover, you call out for understanding itself and you give forth your voice for discernment itself, if you keep seeking for it as for silver, and as for hid treasures you keep searching for it, in that case you will understand the fear of Jehovah, and you will find the very knowledge of God.”

22 Really, a person who never works for his living, but is content to ‘live on the dole,’ does not have a true appreciation for what he receives. Paul reminded the congregation at Thessalonica that he did not look to them for food free, but labored and toiled so “as not to impose an expensive burden upon any one of you. . . . In fact, also, when we were with you, we used to give you this order: ‘If anyone does not want to work, neither let him eat.’” It is a joy, therefore, and no lazy man’s way, for one to do as did the “noble-minded” Beroeans, who carefully examined the Scriptures daily.—2 Thess. 3:8-10: Acts 17:11.

DINAH

DINAH
(Di´nah) [Judged [that is, acquitted; vindicated]].
Daughter of Jacob by Leah. Dinah may have been about six years of age when Jacob returned to Canaan and settled at Succoth, she having been born at Haran when her father was residing there.—Ge 30:21, 22, 25; 31:41.
At the time Jacob and his family were tenting outside the city of Shechem, young Dinah unwisely made it a practice to visit the Canaanite girls there. On one of these visits she was violated by Shechem the son of the Hivite chieftain Hamor. Shechem fell in love with her, and Dinah remained in his home until avenged by her full brothers Simeon and Levi. (Ge 34:1-31) Some contend that Dinah must have been just a child when she was violated. However, it must be borne in mind that before coming to Shechem, Jacob built a house and booths at Succoth, indicating that he resided there for some time. (Ge 33:17) At Shechem he bought a tract of land and apparently became established there for a while. All of this, together with the fact that Shechem fell in love with Dinah, the “young woman,” would argue that Dinah, though still young, was not a mere child at the time of her association with Shechem.—Ge 33:18, 19; 34:12.
Years later, Dinah, with the rest of Jacob’s household, came into Egypt at the invitation of Joseph.—Ge 46:7, 15.

Dinah Gets into Trouble
DO YOU see who Di´nah is going to visit? She is going to see some of the girls who live in the land of Ca´naan. Would her father Jacob be happy about this? To help answer this question, try to remember what Abraham and Isaac thought about the women in Ca´naan.
Did Abraham want his son Isaac to marry a girl from Ca´naan? No, he did not. Did Isaac and Re·bek´ah want their son Jacob to marry a Ca´naan·ite girl? No, they did not. Do you know why?
It was because these people in Ca´naan worshiped false gods. They were not good people to have as husbands and wives, and they weren’t good people to have as close friends. So we can be sure that Jacob would not be pleased that his daughter was making friends with these Ca´naan·ite girls.
Sure enough, Di´nah got into trouble. Can you see that Ca´naan·ite man in the picture who is looking at Di´nah? His name is She´chem. One day when Di´nah came on a visit, She´chem took Di´nah and forced her to lie down with him. This was wrong, because only married men and women are supposed to lie down together. This bad thing that She´chem did to Di´nah led to a lot more trouble.
When Di´nah’s brothers heard about what had happened, they were very angry. Two of them, Sim´e·on and Le´vi, were so angry that they took swords and went into the city and caught the men by surprise. They and their brothers killed She´chem and all the other men. Jacob was angry because his sons did this bad thing.
How did all this trouble get started? It was because Di´nah made friends with people who did not obey God’s laws. We will not want to make such friends, will we?
Genesis 34:1-31.

11 As we study the Bible, we can learn reasons why this is good counsel for evil days. For example, there is the case of Dinah recorded at Genesis chapter 34. Very unwisely this daughter of Jacob set out to have association with those who were not worshipers of Jehovah God or keepers of God’s law. This led to her being sexually assaulted by a young man named Shechem. Thus evil was done to Dinah. Her father Jacob did not show the spirit of retaliation, but his sons became very angry and made a plan to take vengeance on the people of Shechem. Simeon and Levi killed all the men of the city where their sister Dinah had been violated and were joined by their brothers in plundering the city. Simeon and Levi in particular brought bloodguilt upon themselves, which displeased their father. Later, when Jacob was dying and the time came for him to give his sons blessings, Jacob said this about them: “Simeon and Levi are brothers. Instruments of violence are their slaughter weapons. Into their intimate group do not come, O my soul. With their congregation do not become united, O my disposition, because in their anger they killed men, and in their arbitrariness they hamstrung bulls. Cursed be their anger, because it is cruel, and their fury, because it acts harshly. Let me give them a portion in Jacob, but let me scatter them in Israel.” (Gen. 49:5-7) In the case of Simeon and Levi, returning evil for evil was a sin that brought no good.

However, not all the members of Jacob’s family showed zeal for true worship. Dinah, his daughter, sought out companions among the Canaanite girls of Shechem. Dinah, who was then still young, left the safety of her family’s tents and began to visit the nearby city, making friends there.
How would the young men of the city view this young virgin who regularly visited their city—apparently unaccompanied? A chieftain’s son “got to see her and then took her and lay down with her and violated her.” Why did Dinah court danger by associating with the immoral Canaanites? Was it because she felt she needed the company of girls her own age? Was she as headstrong and independent as some of her brothers? Read the Genesis account, and try to comprehend the distress and shame that Jacob and Leah must have felt because of the tragic consequences of their daughter’s visits to Shechem.—Genesis 34:1-31; 49:5-7

Consider the Evidence from the Animal World
THE animal world has to face a problem quite different from that encountered by the plant world. Plants are, for the most part, immobile. Their fixed location makes it essential that they have the adaptability to endure changing and inimical factors in the environment. Then, too, they have to manufacture food from inorganic materials.
Animals usually have great freedom of movement. They cannot make their food, but have to gather it or hunt for it. So they must employ different methods for hunting food and for the propagation and survival of their kind. And these methods vary with species, each being successful.
The bodily structure and the methods used by animals compare well with inventions and devices that man has designed for hunting, protection, and so forth. In fact, man has been able to improve the design of his inventions, such as airplanes, optical equipment, ships and other "advanced" equipment, by studying animal makeup and behavior. Animals are not credited with having the intelligence to devise these things, and certainly they are not able to form or change their own bodies to develop such things. From where, then, did the intelligence come?
Relation of Production of Young to Danger of Extinction
There is evidence that, among oviparous animals, the number of eggs produced by an individual parent depends on the dangers to which the eggs or the newborn offspring are exposed. For example, the common oyster produces about 50 million eggs at one time. To practically all sea animals these eggs are a tasty dish. And they get opportunity to eat millions of them, for the eggs float for several days before attaching permanently to a site, where they develop to maturity. Though millions of eggs are eaten, enough survive so that the oyster population is maintained. Yet the oyster obviously has no ability to know what happens to the eggs. Similarly, though not as prolific as the oyster, many other sea animals that do not have other means of protecting their eggs lay a prodigious number of them.
On the other hand, the golden eagle lays one to four eggs at a time, and the bald eagle one to three eggs. These birds build nests that are very high and difficult of access, and with their flying ability and their strong talons they can protect their nests. Therefore a great number of eggs would be superfluous.
With regard to the overall effect of such varied production on the part of different species of animals, the Encyclopædia Britannica states:
"Most animal populations are not, on the average, either increasing or decreasing markedly, and in such populations . . . the natality or reproductive rate equals the total mortality of eggs, young, and adults."
Some believers in evolution hold that the equality or balance between natality and mortality is an evolutionary mechanism to prevent overpopulation. Others argue from the viewpoint of natural selection. But when a person thinks of all the factors involved—climate, procreation, food supply, and others—can he really believe, on any logical basis, that nonintelligent forces assessed and directed this extremely complex situation with such eminent success?
An example of the intricacy in keeping a balance in the ecology is the turtle, which lays 100 or so eggs a year. The female comes ashore in the dark and digs holes in the sand, where she deposits her eggs and covers them. She then leaves them on their own. When hatching time arrives, the young turtle feels the urge to break out of his shell. For this escape he has a special hard point on his head by which he pierces the shell. Then he digs out of the sand and, without hesitation, flaps hurriedly toward the sea. On the way he is in great danger of being caught by predators, especially birds. Though he does not know this, he, nevertheless, urgently moves over all obstacles, and, if picked up and turned around, immediately turns back to get to the protection of his natural element, the sea. Even there he is in danger, and many baby turtles are eaten by fish. Birds and fish therefore are furnished a share of their food by the turtles, but a sufficient number survive to ensure the continuation of the turtle population.
Could blind chance direct every turtle so unerringly and determinedly toward the sea? How does he know that he must break out of his shell and his sandy incubation place? Did it just happen that he has been provided with special equipment to break his shell? Every one of the devices, from his mother’s coming ashore in the dark and burying the eggs so that they are safe from most predators, until the turtle reaches the sea, is essential. If one link in the chain were to fail, the turtle species would be extinct within a very short time.
Protective Measures
The cacique bird of Central America has a way of protecting its young that even the most intelligent human would find a test of his brain power. Forest cats, giant lizards and raccoonlike animals all could easily raid the caciques’ nests, even those built high in the trees. But these birds foil their enemies by enlisting the help of an ally, without the ally’s invitation. They build a colony of nests, often 50 or more, on a single branch of a large tree. They select a branch that holds a large nest of tropical wasps. The wasps do not seem to be annoyed by the nests, or by the activities of the birds, but woe to the intruder that tries to reach the nests!
The caterpillar of the West African moth has dangerous parasitic enemies. These parasites bore through the side of the caterpillar’s cocoon and lay their eggs in the caterpillar’s body. When the caterpillar is full grown, the parasitic larvae devour it. Then, as the parasitic larvae bore their way out of the cocoon, they spin tiny, frothlike cocoons for themselves. So the caterpillar, when spinning the cocoon initially, produces some frothy bubbles, which are attached to the outside, so that it appears that its home has already been invaded. This is an attempt, which no doubt often succeeds, at discouraging the parasitic enemies. How could chance direct the instincts and give this caterpillar’s body the ability to make such a clever camouflage?
Hunting Equipment
A small Caribbean fish named Anableps dowei likes to feed on tidbits floating on the water’s surface. He must be able to watch both above the surface for food and below the surface for enemies. This would be impossible for eyes with a single focus. But Anableps has "bifocals." By means of two pupils, he can see above water through the short dimension of the lens and under water through the long dimension of the lens. By this means he takes care of the fact that light travels at different speeds through air and water. To keep the upper pupils moist, he ducks his head under water every few minutes.
Another fish that is equipped marvelously for overcoming the light diffraction property of water is the archer fish. Almost everyone has noticed that an object under water appears to be closer to the viewer from above the water, or that a pole stuck into the water at an angle looks bent. If one should aim an arrow or a gun at a small object in the water one would need to make quite a complex calculation to hit the object. The archer fish has this problem in reverse. He sees an insect on a hanging branch. He quickly projects his head, or just his mouth, out of the water and shoots down the insect as by "antiaircraft" with a stream of water. In order to do this, he must take aim as he is coming to the surface of the water, compensating for the water’s diffraction as he does so. Is this ability for instant mathematical computation built into the archer fish by design, or did a complex pattern of many factors just happen to imprint itself in some early archer fish’s bodily mechanism and thereafter stay with all his descendants?
Bird Aerodynamics
Much study has been made of the aerodynamics of bird flight. Each kind of bird is equipped according to the part it plays in the ecological arrangement. Arctic terns fly 10,000 miles (16,000 kilometers) in their migratory flights. Such migratory birds are equipped for high speeds. Some birds’ wings have a propellerlike action for forward flight. Some stay in the air for hours on soaring or glider wings. On the downstroke, the feathers in a wing flatten out or close together, for the maximum "push" on the air. On the upstroke, the feathers twist and open up to allow the wing to be brought up easily. A group of feathers at the leading edge of the wing prevent turbulence that would cause loss of lift. Men have copied this device on airplane wings.
The hummingbird, while its wings have some features similar to those of other birds, hovers in flight by the "helicopter" principle. But instead of rotating as do a helicopter’s blades, its wings scull back and forth, making up to 60 or 70 strokes a second. Each wing turns at the shoulder joint, the leading edge facing forward on the forward stroke, and swiveling almost 180 degrees so that the leading edge faces backward on the backstroke. Actually, the wings describe a horizontal figure-eight pattern. Each stroke gives lift but no propulsion. By this means the bird can hover motionless while sipping nectar from a flower.
A Marvel of Heat Regulation
The Mallee fowl of Australia accomplishes a feat that humans would find practically impossible without the use of modern sophisticated devices—he makes his own incubator.
In the dry semidesert that is his home, where temperatures range from 17 degrees Fahrenheit (−8 degrees Celsius) to 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius), the male Mallee fowl buries leaves during the winter while they are still moist so that they will not dry out but will decay. In May, with the approach of winter, he digs a hole 15 feet (4.6 meters) in diameter and 3 to 4 feet (1 to 1.2 meters) deep, raking in the leaf litter from as far as 40 yards (36.5 meters) around. Then, in the cold of August, he covers the heap with soil up to two feet (.6 meter) thick. The female then lays eggs in a hole in the top of the mound.
A researcher on this matter, H. J. Frith, as reported in Scientific American, August 1959, pp. 54-58, says:
"In the spring [the male Mallee] must reduce the amount of fermentation heat reaching the eggs. He visits the mound before dawn each day and digs rapidly until he nears the egg chamber. After allowing just enough heat to escape he refills the hole with cool sand.
"Later in the summer the sun gets very hot, and much heat moves by conduction from the surface of the mound to the egg chamber. Some heat still moves up also from the organic matter, though fermentation is slowing by this time. The eggs thus tend to overheat, and the bird must do something to reduce the temperature. There is little he can do to slow the fermentation rate, but he does lower the rate of solar conduction. Daily he adds more soil to the mound. As the mound grows higher and higher, the eggs for a while are more thoroughly insulated from the sun. After a time, apparently, the bird can build the mound no higher, and a wave of heat begins to go down toward the eggs again. Now the male bird visits the mound each week or so in the early morning, removes all the soil and scatters it in the cool morning air. When it is cool, he collects it and restores it to the mound. This is strenuous work, but effective in destroying the heat wave in the incubator. The temperature in the egg chamber remains steady at 92 degrees [33 degrees Celsius].
"When autumn comes, the bird is faced with the opposite problem: falling temperature in the mound. The mound no longer generates fermentation heat, and the daily input of solar heat is declining. The bird now changes his activities to meet the challenge. Whereas he had scratched and scattered the sand to cool it in the early morning, often before dawn, he now comes to the mound each day at about 10 a.m., when the sun is shining on it. He digs almost all the soil away and spreads it out so that the mound resembles a large saucer, with the eggs only a few inches below the surface. This thin layer of soil, exposed to the midday sun, absorbs some heat, but not enough to maintain the temperature throughout the night. The saucer must be refilled with heated sand. Throughout the hottest part of the day the bird scratches over the sand he has removed from the mound, exposing all of it to the sun. As each layer gets hot, he returns it to the mound. He times the work so that the incubator is restored with layers of heated sand by 4 p.m., when the sun is getting low."
This researcher experimented by placing a heating element, operated by a 240-volt generator, in the mound, switching the heat on and off. This kept the male bird busy, but he managed to maintain the temperature at nearly 92 degrees.
What power of blind chance would let this bird know that a temperature of 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius) was absolutely essential to the incubation of the eggs, and, for that matter, why would this bird want to bring forth offspring at all? In the Mallee fowl’s case it is more a matter of wonder, for when the young bird hatches and digs out of the mound, the parent birds leave it absolutely on its own. They give it no help at all. Yet the male bird has done some of the heaviest work under a blazing sun in order to incubate the eggs, as though the continuation of the Mallee bird species was important to the ecology, which it no doubt is.
Behavior That Is Evidence of Design
There are thousands of other features of animal behavior that can easily be understood as a result of design by a mastermind, but which require thousands of suppositions to justify the theory of chance or coincidence. For example, how did the beaver come to have a tail so suited to his "plastering" work, teeth that can cut down trees, and the motivation to build, first a dam, and then a safe, comfortable home, stocked with a supply of food? How is it that the dams he builds are an adjunct, yes, a necessity, to other animal life in the vicinity? We can hardly say that the beaver is deliberately working for the benefit of other animals.
How did the three-toed jerboa of Asia come to make his permanent burrow with a main entrance, blocked up with sand in the daytime, and with several emergency exits? How did the New Zealand takahe bird know to build several nests, each with two exits, so that she can move from nest to nest? Even a human trying to escape pursuers might overlook making such a plan in advance. We need to note, also, that the animals do not learn such basic patterns from their parents, though in some cases the parents teach the young a few things, including caution, hunting and defensive behavior. Certainly there is no evidence that animals have built on the knowledge or discoveries of their ancestors so as to make advancement in learning, as humans do. Nevertheless, each animal has the behavior pattern necessary for survival of his species.
Design Evident in Differentiation of Kinds
Though many casual readers may not be aware of the fact, Charles Darwin did not believe in evolution in the absolute sense. In the conclusion of his work Origin of Species, he says: "There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed by the Creator into a few forms or into one."
But there is no proof that the present great variety of widely differing "kinds" of animals on earth sprang from one, or only a few originally created forms, though many varieties have sprung from the "kinds," which cannot crossbreed. On this point, H. W. Chatfield, in his book A Scientist in Search of God, writes:
"A crude uncontrolled mating instinct would spell disaster to animal life, but how is the animal world steered upon its virtuous and responsible path if not by the wise intervention of a guiding force which in some way, not understood by us, has interposed a safety embargo to maintain the orderliness of creation? This force has provided the animal world with two sexes with the essential attraction between them to maintain life, but has wisely circumscribed this attraction to prevent its misdirection.
"It may be argued that the 800,000 or so recognized animal species are the result of earlier cross-breeding, and whether this is valid or not, the fact remains that we are able to characterise these distinct species now. If indiscriminate cross-breeding had occurred for the millions of years with which the zoologists and evolutionists are wont to juggle, we should be very fortunate indeed to recognise any individual species at all. The surprise is that after all this time we are able to separate animal life into sharp cut and readily identifiable species."—Pp. 138, 139.
As to life on earth, the Bible gives the answer that life is a product of a Master Designer, and not a product of chance. We read: "You are worthy, Jehovah, even our God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power, because you created all things, and because of your will they existed and were created."—Rev. 4:11.
And with regard to the reproduction of the different kinds, there is a law governing these, and we know that no law originates by chance or coincidence, but is the product of a lawmaker. This law is that every kind of vegetation and animal must reproduce "according to its kind." Would you say that the facts point to coincidence, or to design, in life on earth?—Gen. 1:11, 12, 21, 24, 25.
[Footnotes]
Producing eggs that are matured or hatched after being expelled from the body.
1976 edition, Macropædia, Volume 14, p. 827.
The female Mallee begins egglaying in mid-September, an egg every four to eight days, stopping in February or early March. The incubation period being seven weeks, newly hatched birds are periodically digging out of the mound—a true "assembly line" production.


Amazing Senses in the Animal World
SCAMPERING about looking for food, the mouse feels safe in the darkness. But it does not anticipate the pit viper’s ability to "see" the heat radiating from the mouse’s warm body—a fatal misjudgment. A flounder lies completely concealed under a layer of sand in a shark pool, where a hungry shark is cruising in its general direction. The shark cannot see the flounder; yet, in the blink of an eye, the shark stops, plunges its nose into the sand, and devours its quarry.
Yes, the pit viper and the shark are examples of animals with specialized senses that humans do not have. On the other hand, many creatures have senses that are like our own but are more acute or able to capture a different range of perception. Eyes are a good example of this.
Eyes That See a Different World
The range of colors our eyes capture is but a minute fraction of the electromagnetic spectrum. For instance, our eyes cannot see infrared radiation, which has a longer wavelength than red light. However, pit vipers have two small organs, or pits, between their eyes and nostrils that detect infrared radiation. Hence, even in the dark they can accurately strike at warm-blooded prey.
Beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum is ultraviolet (UV) light. Although unseen to our eyes, UV light is visible to many creatures, including birds and insects. Bees, for instance, orient themselves in relation to the sun—even on a partly cloudy day when it is hidden—by locating some blue sky and seeing the pattern formed by polarized UV light. Many flowering plants present patterns visible only in the UV range, and some flowers even have a "nectar marker"—a section with a contrasting UV reflectance—to point insects to the nectar. Certain fruits and seeds advertise themselves to birds in a similar way.
Because birds see in the UV range and because this light gives their plumage extra radiance, birds probably look more colorful to one another than to us. They have a visual "depth of richness that we can’t begin to imagine," said one ornithologist. The ability to see UV light may even help certain hawks and kestrels to locate voles, or field mice. How so? Male voles, says the journal BioScience, "produce urine and feces containing chemicals that absorb UV, and mark their trails with urine." Thus, birds can "identify areas of high vole density" and focus their efforts there.
Why Do Birds See So Well?
Bird vision is a marvel. "The chief reason," says the book All the Birds of the Bible, "is that the image-forming tissue lining the eye’s interior is richer in visual cells than the eye of other creatures. The number of visual cells determines the ability of the eye to see small objects at a distance. While the retina of a man’s eye contains some 200,000 visual cells per square millimeter, most birds have three times that number, and hawks, vultures, and eagles have a million or more per square millimeter." Additionally, some birds have the extra asset of two foveae—areas of maximum optical resolution—per eye, giving them a superior perception of distance and speed. Birds that catch flying insects are similarly endowed.
Birds also have an unusually soft lens that enables rapid focus. Imagine how dangerous life on the wing would be—especially in forests and thickets—if everything were a blur. Yes, what wisdom is manifest in the design of the avian eye!
The Electric Sense
The scenario mentioned earlier involving the hidden flounder and the shark actually occurred during a scientific study of sharks. The researchers wanted to know if sharks and rays sensed the minute electric fields that emanate from living fish. To find out, they hid electrodes in the sandy floor of the shark pool and applied the appropriate voltage. The result? As soon as the shark neared the electrodes, it viciously attacked them.
Sharks possess what is called passive electroreception; they sense electric fields just as the ear passively hears sound. But electric fish have active electroreception. Like a bat that emits an acoustic signal and reads the echo, these fish emit electric waves or pulses, depending on the species, and then, with special receptors, detect any disturbances made to these fields. Thus electric fish can identify obstacles, potential prey, or even a mate.
A Built-in Compass
Think what life would be like if your body were equipped with a built-in compass. Getting lost would surely not be a problem! Within the body of a number of creatures, including honeybees and trout, scientists have found microscopic crystals of magnetite, or lodestone, a natural magnetic substance. The cells containing these crystals are connected to the nervous system. Hence, bees and trout have demonstrated the ability to detect magnetic fields. In fact, bees use the earth’s magnetic field for comb building and navigation.
Investigators have also discovered magnetite in a species of bacteria that live in seafloor sediment. When the sediment is stirred up, the earth’s magnetic field acts on the magnetite to align the bacteria in such a way that they propel themselves safely back into their seafloor home. Otherwise, they would die.
Many migratory animals—including birds, turtles, salmon, and whales—may also have a magnetic sense. However, they do not seem to rely on this sense alone but, rather, appear to navigate by a variety of senses. Salmon, for instance, probably use their strong sense of smell to find the stream of their birth. European starlings navigate by the sun; and some other birds, the stars. But as professor of psychology Howard C. Hughes observed in his book Sensory Exotica—A World Beyond Human Experience, "we are obviously a long way from understanding these and other mysteries of nature."
Ears to Envy
Compared with humans, many creatures possess amazing hearing. Whereas we can hear sounds ranging from 20 to 20,000 hertz (cycles per second), dogs can hear in the range of 40 to 46,000 hertz, and horses, between 31 and 40,000 hertz. Elephants and cattle can even hear in the infrasonic range (just below human hearing) to as low as 16 hertz. Because low frequencies travel farther, elephants may be able to communicate over distances of two or more miles [4 km]. In fact, some researchers say that we could employ such animals to give us an early warning of earthquakes and severe weather disturbances—both of which emit infrasonic sound.
Insects also have a wide range of hearing, some in the ultrasonic range over two octaves above the human ear and others in the infrasonic range. A few insects hear by means of thin, flat, eardrumlike membranes, which are found on almost every part of the body except the head. Others hear with the aid of delicate hairs that respond not just to sound but also to the most gentle movements in the air, such as those caused by a human hand. This sensitivity explains why flies are so hard to swat!
Imagine being able to hear an insect’s footsteps! Such amazing hearing belongs to the world’s only flying mammal—the bat. Of course, bats require specialized hearing to navigate in the dark and to catch insects by means of echolocation, or sonar. Says Professor Hughes: "Imagine a sonar system more sophisticated than that found in our most advanced submarines. Now imagine that system is used by a small bat that easily fits in the palm of your hand. All the computations that permit the bat to identify the distance, the speed, and even the particular species of insect target are performed by a brain that is smaller than your thumbnail!"
Because precise echolocation also depends on the quality of the sound signal emitted, bats have the "ability to control the pitch of their voice in ways that would be the envy of any opera singer," says one reference. Apparently by means of the flaps of skin on the noses of some species, bats can also focus sound into a beam. All these assets contribute to a sonar so sophisticated that it can produce an "acoustic image" of objects as fine as a human hair!
Besides bats, at least two kinds of birds—swiftlets of Asia and Australia and oilbirds of tropical America—also employ echolocation. However, it seems that they use this ability simply to navigate in the dark caves where they roost.
Sonar at Sea
Toothed whales also employ sonar, although scientists have yet to discover exactly how this works. Dolphin sonar begins with distinct clicks, which are believed to originate, not in the larynx, but in the nasal system. The melon—the bulb of fatty tissue on a dolphin’s forehead—focuses the sound into a beam that "illuminates" a zone in front of the animal. How do dolphins hear their echoes? Not with their ears, it seems, but with their lower jaw and associated organs, which connect to the middle ear. Significantly, this region contains the same kind of fat as that found in the dolphin’s melon.
Dolphin sonar clicks are strikingly similar to a mathematical waveform called a Gabor function. This function, says Hughes, proves that dolphin clicks "approach a mathematically idealized sonar signal."
Dolphins can adjust the power of their sonar clicks from a mere whisper to a cracking 220 decibels. How powerful is that? Well, loud rock music can produce 120 decibels, and artillery fire 130 decibels. Armed with sonar that is much more powerful, dolphins can detect things as small as a three-inch [8 cm] ball 400 feet [120 m] away and possibly even farther in quiet waters.
When you reflect on the amazing senses manifest in the living world, does it not fill you with awe and wonder? Humble, informed people usually feel that way—which brings us back to the question of how we are made. True, our senses often pale beside those of certain animals and insects. Nevertheless, we alone are moved by what we observe in nature. Why do we have such feelings? And why do we seek not just to understand living things but to comprehend their purpose and to learn our own place among them?
[Footnotes]
There are about 100 species of pit vipers, including copperheads, rattlesnakes, and water moccasins.
Readers interested in the question of evolution versus intelligent design are invited to read the book Life—How Did It Get Here? By Evolution or by Creation?, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
When submerged in water, all living creatures, humans included, project a minute, but detectable, electric field.
The electric fish we are referring to here produce only a minute charge. They are not to be confused with electric fish that produce much higher voltages, such as electric rays and eels, which stun either in defense or in the capture of prey. Electric eels can even kill a horse!
The bat family comprises about 1,000 species. Contrary to the popular view, all have good eyes, but not all use echolocation. Some, like fruit bats, use their excellent night vision to find food.
Bats emit a complex signal with a number of frequency components ranging from 20,000 to 120,000 hertz or higher.
[Box/Pictures on page 9]
Insects Beware!
"Each day, just around dusk, a truly astonishing event takes place under the rolling hills near San Antonio, Texas [U.S.A.]," says the book Sensory Exotica—A World Beyond Human Experience. "At a distance, you might think you saw an enormous black cloud billowing from the depths of the earth. However, it’s not a cloud of smoke that darkens the early evening sky, but the mass exodus of 20 million Mexican free-tailed bats from the depths of Bracken Cave."
A more recent estimate places the number of bats exiting Bracken Cave at 60 million. Climbing up to 10,000 feet [3,000 m] into the night sky, they pursue their favorite meal, insects. Although the night sky must contain an overabundance of ultrasonic bat calls, there is no confusion, for each of these unique mammals is equipped with a highly sophisticated system for detecting its own echoes.


Why They Fly in V-Formation
THE recent conclusion of two aerodynamic specialists at the California Institute of Technology is that large migrating birds fly in V-formation for practical reasons. It appears that by flying in this pattern the birds boost each other and increase their flight range as much as 71 percent. The theory is based almost entirely on laws of aerodynamics, rather than observations of birds in flight. But the V angles and spacings that these specialists arrived at in their calculations are very similar to those seen in flights of migratory birds.
According to their conclusion, each bird in flight leaves a strong updraft or upward movement of air off its wing tips. By taking a position in the formation so as to have full advantage of this lift, the bird following is helped to fly forward more easily. This is very much like the way a hawk or glider pilot takes advantage of updraft to keep aloft. Flying in this way reduces the forward speed of the birds, but it extends their flight range. And when you consider how many hundreds of miles migratory birds travel you can appreciate why this type of flying is far more practical.
It might appear that in V-formation flying the lead bird would have to do the most work. But the specialists’ calculations show that in this flying pattern the updraft from the birds on both sides of the leader extends far enough forward to help it too. However, this depends on the spacing of the birds and the shape of the V. Probably the leader does have to do more work, and, therefore, be the strongest bird, or maybe the best navigator. Also the birds at the outermost ends of the V can lighten their load by dropping back slightly.
Now, what helps the birds to stay in their place as they fly in this way? The analysis is that if a bird gets ahead of its proper position, it immediately feels an increased work load. This will move it to drop back into its proper place. If it falls behind, it does less work but then it is suspected that "social pressure" is applied to force it to keep up. The analysts reason that perhaps the continuous honking of wild Canada geese when on the wing is really a calling to the lazier birds to keep in their place.