The apostle Paul was alert to the danger that satanic propaganda posed, but not all his fellow Christians were. Some in Corinth, for example, had apparently become overconfident​—thinking that they were so strong in the truth that they could never fall. (1 Cor. 10:12) That is why Paul gave this warning: “I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent seduced Eve by its cunning, your minds might be corrupted away from the sincerity and the chastity that are due the Christ.”​—2 Cor. 11:3.

Paul’s deep concern shows that there is no room for complacency. If you are going to win the battle for your mind, you must recognize the danger that propaganda poses and protect yourself from it.

What is propaganda? In this context, it is the use of biased or misleading information to manipulate the way people think and act. Some equate propaganda with “lies, distortion, deceit, manipulation, mind control, [and] psychological warfare” and associate it with “unethical, harmful, and unfair tactics.”​—Propaganda and Persuasion.

How dangerous is propaganda? It is insidious​—like an invisible, odorless, poisonous gas—​and it seeps into our consciousness. Because we may not see propaganda for what it is, behavior specialist Vance Packard observed: “Many of us are being influenced and manipulated​—far more than we realize.” Under its influence, says one  scholar, men and women have been “quite easily led into the most preposterously dangerous behaviour”​—such as ‘genocide, war, racist hysteria, religious intolerance and many other forms of irrational behaviour.’​—Easily Led—​A History of Propaganda.

Now if mere men can fool us with their propaganda, what might Satan be able to do? He has studied human behavior since man was created. “The whole world” now lies in his power. He can use any part of it to disseminate his lies. (1 John 5:19; John 8:44) So effective has Satan been in ‘blinding people’s minds’ that he now ‘misleads the entire inhabited earth.’ (2 Cor. 4:4; Rev. 12:9) How can you resist his propaganda?

Jesus gave this simple rule for combating propaganda: “Know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32) But since truth is often the first casualty of war, you​—like any other soldier in the heat of battle—​need a source of trustworthy, reliable information to prevent the enemy from playing tricks with your mind. Jehovah has provided this. In the pages of the Bible, you can find all you need to combat Satan’s propaganda.​—2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

Of course, the great propagandist, Satan, knows this. So he uses his system of things to discourage Bible reading and study. Do not fall for his devious schemes! (Eph. 6:11, ftn.) Become “thoroughly able to comprehend” the full scope of the truth. (Eph. 3:18) That will take real effort on your part. But remember this basic fact expressed by author Noam Chomsky: “Nobody is going to pour truth into your brain. It’s something you have to find out for yourself.” So “find out for yourself” by being diligent in “carefully examining the Scriptures daily.”​—Acts 17:11.

Keep in mind that Satan does not want you to think clearly or reason things out well. Why? Because propaganda “is likely to be most effective,” says one source, “if people . . . are discouraged from thinking critically.” (Media and Society in the Twentieth Century) So never be content passively or blindly to accept what you hear. (Prov. 14: 15) Use your God-given thinking abilities and power of reason to make the truth your own.​—Prov. 2:10-15; Rom. 12:1, 2.

Military strategists may use propaganda to undermine morale and weaken the fighting spirit. They may induce enemy soldiers to fight among themselves or fool them into isolating themselves from the main fighting force. A German general, it has been said, admitted that one reason for defeat in World War I was that the people “were hypnotized by the enemy propaganda as a rabbit is by a snake.” Satan uses similar tricks in his attempts to divide and conquer, trying, for example, to stir up contentions among Christian brothers and sisters or to induce them to isolate themselves from Jehovah’s organization because of some perceived injustice or grievance.

Do not be deceived! Let God’s Word guide you. For example, in the matter of maintaining unity with your brothers and sisters, the Bible encourages you to continue “forgiving one another freely” and to be quick to resolve matters of dispute. (Col. 3:13, 14; Matt. 5:23, 24) It strongly warns us against isolating ourselves from the congregation. (Prov. 18:1) Test your defenses against satanic propaganda. Ask yourself: ‘What governed my thinking the last time I faced such a situation? Was it the world’s spirit or God’s spirit?’​—Gal. 5:16-26; Eph. 2:2, 3.

A soldier whose loyalty to his leader is weakened will not fight well. So propagandists attempt to break bonds of confidence and trust between a soldier and his commander. They may use such propaganda as: “You cannot trust your leaders!” and “Do not let them lead you into disaster!” To add weight to these attacks, they may cleverly exploit any mistakes those leaders might make. Satan does this. He never gives up trying to undermine your confidence in the leadership that Jehovah has provided.

 Your defense? Be determined to stick to Jehovah’s organization and loyally support the leadership he provides​—no matter what imperfections may surface. (1 Thess. 5:12, 13) Do not be “quickly shaken from your reason” when faced with what appear to be damaging attacks by apostates or other such deceivers of the mind​—however plausible their charges may seem. (2 Thess. 2:2; Titus 1:10) Follow the advice given to the young man Timothy. Stick to the truth you learned, and remember where you learned it. (2 Tim. 3:14, 15) Surely there is ample evidence to show that you can trust the channel that Jehovah has used for nearly a hundred years now to lead us in the way of the truth.​—Matt. 24:45-47; Heb. 13:7, 17.

Keep in mind, though, that Satan’s propaganda is not always subtle. At times, he uses terror tactics​—“one of the oldest of all forms of propaganda.” (Easily Led​—A History of Propaganda) The Assyrians, for example, dominated their enemies with “a policy of terror coupled with one of propaganda,” wrote British Professor Philip M. Taylor. Satan will use fear of man, fear of persecution, fear of death, and any other kind of negative fear to try to dominate you and make you shrink back from serving Jehovah.​—Isa. 8:12; Jer. 42:11; Heb. 2:15.

Do not let Satan use fear itself to weaken your morale or break your integrity. Jesus said: “Do not fear those who kill the body and after this are not able to do anything more.” (Luke 12:4) Have complete confidence in Jehovah’s promise to watch over you, to give you “the power beyond what is normal,” and to help you withstand any attempts to frighten you into submission.​—2 Cor. 4:7-9; 1 Pet. 3:14.

You may, of course, encounter frightening, morale-weakening events. But keep in mind Jehovah’s words of encouragement to Joshua: “Be courageous and strong. Do not be struck with terror or fear, for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.” (Josh. 1:9) If anxiety strikes, go immediately to Jehovah in prayer with all your concerns. You can be sure that “the peace of God . . . will guard your hearts and your mental powers” so that you will have the strength to resist all of Satan’s propaganda.​—Phil. 4:6, 7, 13.

Do you remember the propaganda used by the Assyrian envoy, the Rabshakeh, against God’s people? He said, in effect, ‘Nothing can protect you from Assyria. Even your God, Jehovah, can do nothing for you.’ He boldly added: ‘Jehovah himself told us to destroy this land.’ What did Jehovah say in return? “Do not be afraid because of the words that you heard, . . . with which the attendants of the king of Assyria blasphemed me.” (2 Ki. 18:22-25; 19:6) He then sent an angel who destroyed 185,000 Assyrians in one night!​—2 Ki. 19:35.

Have you ever watched a film in which, from your vantage point in the audience, you can clearly see that someone is being deceived and manipulated? Did you find yourself thinking: ‘Do not believe it! They are lying to you!’ Imagine, then, the angels shouting the same message to you: “Do not be fooled by Satan’s lies!”

Shut your ears, then, to Satan’s propaganda. (Prov. 26:24, 25) Listen to Jehovah and trust in him in all that you do. (Prov. 3:5-7) Respond to his loving appeal: “Be wise, my son, and make my heart rejoice.” (Prov. 27:11) Then, you will win the battle for your mind!

Ukọ e Pọl wa rẹn wẹẹ, erẹrẹ ọghe Esu keghi re nọ zẹ ẹbe sokpan Ivbiotu e Kristi eso vbe ẹghẹ nii ma rẹn vberriọ. Vbe igiemwi, etẹn eso vbe Kọrinti kegha mwẹ ekhọe ọghe vbọghiyekede. Iran na gha roro ẹre wẹẹ iran deziẹn nẹ vbe otu, nọnaghiyerriọ, iran i ghi sẹtin defua. (1 Kọr. 10:12) Ọni ẹre ọ si ẹre ne Pọl na ya obọ sekhae ne iran wẹẹ: ‘Afianma fian mwẹ ne iran ghẹ ya rọn ẹmwẹ ye uwa ekhọe muẹn rhia, zẹ vbene ẹyẹn ye ẹkẹ vbe ero rẹrẹ Ivi, na ghẹ do miẹn wẹẹ, uwa do muẹn fua ighẹ ẹkoata kevbe ekhọe nọ hianrẹn ne uwa ya lele Kristi khian.’—2 Kọr. 11:3.

Ẹmwẹ ne Pọl tae rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, ọ ma khẹke ne a gha ya obọ sudu wẹẹ emwi rhọkpa i sẹtin sunu daa ima. Ne u mieke na sẹtin gbogba gae ekhọe ruẹ ne Esu ghẹ ya ẹkẹ vbe ero muẹn rhia, te ọ khẹke ne u yẹrẹro ẹbe nọ gha sẹtin si.

Vbe a ya erẹrẹ kha? Ọ keghi re odẹ ọghe ero ne a ya ye ẹmwẹ ohoghe mu emwa rẹrẹ, nọ ghi fi iziro kevbe uyinmwẹ iran werriẹ. Emwa eso khare wẹẹ erẹrẹ ma lughaẹn ne ohoghe, ibeleku, ne a na niania emwi gberra egbe, ne a na gbe orhiọn ye ọmwa iwu kevbe ne a na ya emwi nekhui khian nọfua. Ne ebe Propaganda and Persuasion keghi kha wẹẹ: “Erẹrẹ keghi re uyinmwẹ dan, emwi nọ zẹ ẹbe kevbe ibeleku ne a fi.”

Erẹrẹ wa gele zẹ ẹbe. Te ọ yevbe ẹhoho nọ rhie ikuanegbe ne ọmwa sokpan ai bẹghe ẹre, ẹi vbe wia. Vbene a te rẹn, ọ rhie ikuanegbe ne ọmwa nẹ. Erriọ erẹrẹ ye zẹẹ. Ẹi rhie ẹghẹ  ọ ke mu ọmwa ekhọe rhia. Okpia ọkpa na tie ẹre Vance Packard nọ ruẹ ọre dinmwi ighẹ uyinmwẹ ọghe emwa nagbọn keghi kha wẹẹ: “Rhunmwuda erẹrẹ i re emwi ne a zaromiẹn, vbene ima te rẹn ọ fi ima ekhọe werriẹ nẹ.” Okpia ọvbehe nọ rri egie ebe keghi vbe kha wẹẹ: ‘Emwa na gele mu rẹrẹ keghi yin uyinmwẹ ọhanabe vbene iran i na ghee iyeke, vbene a ghee okuo na khọn, uniẹn na wabọrerua, ne a na kpokpo emwa ni ke ẹvbo ọvbehe rre kevbe emwa ni rre ugamwẹ ọvbehe.’—Easily Led—A History of Propaganda.

Deghẹ emwa nagbọn kẹkan sẹtin mu ima rẹrẹ, inu ghi nọ ne Esu? Ke obọ ne a ya yi emwa nagbọn gha dee ẹre Esu ke suẹn gha gbaro kotọ nọ mieke na rẹn vbene iran ru emwi hẹ. Ugbẹnvbe a miẹn wẹẹ Esu ẹre ọ kha yan “agbọn na hia,” ọ keghi loo ẹre vbe odẹ ke odẹ ya mu emwa rẹrẹ. (1 Jọn 5:19; Jọn 8:44) Esu ‘bibi emwa odẹ’ sẹrriọ wẹẹ, te ọ ghi “mu otọ agbọn hia rẹrẹ.” (2 Kọr. 4:4; Arhie. 12:9) Vbua khian ya sẹtin gbogba gae egbuẹ ne Esu ghẹ mu ruẹ rẹrẹ?

E Jesu gima rẹn wẹẹ ma gha sẹtin khẹ ye egbe deghẹ ima “Rẹn ẹmwata ne ọ rrọọ, ẹmwata ni gha ya ima khian enọ yan egbe ẹre.” (Jọn 8:31, 32) Vbe ẹghẹ okuo, te ọ khẹke ne ivbiyokuo rẹn alughaẹn nọ rre ayahọmwaehọ ọghe ẹmwata kevbe ọghe ohoghe ne eghian ne iran gu khọn ghẹ sẹtin mu iran rẹrẹ. Jehova ma gima de ogboi rua. Emwi igbinna ne ima gha ya sẹtin khọnmiotọ yan erẹrẹ ọghe Esu rre uwu e Baibol. —2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

Esu nọ wa re ogiete ọghe ero na ru, wa rẹn ọna. Ẹre ọ si ẹre ne ọ na ye oyọnyọn ọghe agbọn ya rhie ima ekhọe hin e Baibol na tie rre. Gha begbe ne u ghẹ de ye ifi ọghẹe! (Ẹfis. 6:11) Hia ne u “rẹn” ọnrẹn dinmwi ẹmwata nọ rre Ebe Nọhuanrẹn. (Ẹfis. 3:18) Okpia ọkpa nọ rri egie ebe na tie ẹre Noam Chomsky keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ọmwa rhọkpa i khian do hihiẹ ẹmwata yọ ruẹ ẹrherhe. Emwi ne u gha tobọ ruẹ gualọ otọ re nọ.” Nọnaghiyerriọ, te u gha ‘gualọ otọ re lekpae ne u gha gbaro kotọ tie Ebe Nọhuanrẹn vbe ẹdẹgbegbe.’—Iwinna 17:11.

Ghẹ mianmian wẹẹ te Esu hoo nọ de ima ọzuọ, ọ ma hoo ne ima gha mwẹ iziro nọ gbae hiehie. Ne ebe Media and Society in the Twentieth Century keghi kha wẹẹ: “U gha sẹtin gbe  orhiọn ye ọmwa iwu nẹ, te u ghi sẹtin muẹn rẹrẹ.” Nọnaghiyerriọ, ẹre emwi hia ne u họn ẹre u khian gha yayi. (Itan 14:15) Gi ẹwaẹn ne a ya ziro, ne Osanobua ya we ruẹ, ya ruẹ deziẹn vbe odẹ ọghe ẹmwata.—Itan 2:10-15; Rom. 12:1, 2.

Obẹlẹ ughughan ẹre ivbiyokuo loo ya khọnmiotọ vbe odaro okuo. Iran sẹtin loo iyẹn ohoghe ya gbe orhiọn ye iwu ọghe eghian ne iran gu khọn. Iran sẹtin vbe si olighi ye uwu ẹbu eghian iran, ne iran suẹn gha gu egbe iran khọn, iran sẹtin wa vbe rẹrẹ eso lahin usun rre. Ọkaokuo ọkpa vbe Germany khare wẹẹ: “Evbọzẹe ne agbẹnvbo ni khọnmiotọ vbe okuo ọgbagbọn nokaro na sẹtin khọnmiotọ, ọre ne iran na ye iyẹn ohoghe gbe orhirhi ku eghian ne iran ghaa gu khọn, zẹ vbene orhirhi ya ye ọfiontọ zeze ye imudia vbe ọ gha dekun ẹyẹn.” Erriọ Esu wa ruẹ zẹẹ. Ọ sẹtin si ẹzọ ye uwu ẹbu etẹn vbe iko. Ọna sẹtin gha re rhunmwuda emwi eso ne iran roro wẹẹ ẹi khian ẹse vbe iko. Emwi vbenia ẹre ọ ye etẹn eso kpa hin otu e Jehova rre.

Ghẹ gi Esu mu ruẹ rẹrẹ. Gi Ẹmwẹ Ọghe Osanobua gha dia ruẹ. Vbe igiemwi, e Baibol wẹẹ ne ima gha “ya bọ egbe” kevbe ne ima gha rherhe ru adọlọ ne ima mieke na gha mwẹ akugbe. (Kọl. 3:13, 14; Mat. 5:23, 24) E Baibol vbe ye obọ sekhae wẹẹ ne ima ghẹ khian rre ne etẹn vbuwe iko. (Itan 18:1) Khẹ ye egbe ne Esu ghẹ mieke na mu ruẹ rẹrẹ. Nọ egbuẹ: ‘Vbe ọtẹn ru emwi nọ sọnnọ mwẹ, vbia ya yin hẹ? Emwi ne I ru ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn e Jehova ra Esu ẹre ọ ya ẹko rhiẹnrhiẹn?’—Gal. 5:16-26; Ẹfis. 2:2, 3.

Ivbiyokuo i ye ekhọe hia gbinna deghẹ iran ma gba ẹko ọkaokuo nọ su iran. Eghian sẹtin ye ẹmwẹ vbenia si ighaegbe ye uwu ẹkpo ọkaokuo kevbe ivbiyokuo: “Ọkaokuo ọghe uwa i re ọmwa na sẹtin mu ẹtin yan. Ọ ma khọ wẹẹ u wa gha miuhunmwu vbe okuo na!” Eghian na sẹtin vbe yunu kaan abakuru ne ọkaokuo nii he ka ru. Erriọ e Satan wa ruẹ zẹẹ. Ọ keghi hia vbe odẹ ke odẹ nọ gbe orhiọn ya ima iwu, ne ima ghẹ mieke na mu ẹtin yan emwa ne Jehova loo ya su ima.

 Vbua khian ya sẹtin khẹ ye egbe hẹ? Ta mu olọ yan rẹn wẹẹ emwi rhọkpa i khian ya ruẹ kpa hin otu e Jehova rre, u vbe gha ya ekhọe hia họn ẹmwẹ ne emwa ne Jehova loo ya su ima, agharhemiẹn wẹẹ emwa ni ma gba ẹre iran khin. (1 Tẹs. 5:12, 13) Emwa iyayi okeke sẹtin gha mu iyẹn ohoghe khian vbekpae otu e Jehova. Ẹmwẹ ohoghe ne iran taa khian, sẹtin khọ ẹmwata. Emwi vbenia gha sunu, te ọ khẹke ne ima yerre, ibude nọ rre Baibol nọ khare wẹẹ ne ima ghẹ gi emwi ne ima họn “rherhe lighi ye ima aro.” (2 Tẹs. 2:2; Taitọs 1:10) Gima gha lele adia ne Pọl rhie ne Timoti. Ọ keghi tama e Timoti nọ gha lele avbe ẹmwata na maa re kevbe nọ gha yerre emwa ni maa re. (2 Tim. 3:14, 15) Osẹ nibun wa rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, ima gha sẹtin mu ẹtin yan ọviẹn nọ gia mu ẹtin yan kevbe nọ fuẹro ne Jehova loo ya maa ima odẹ ọghe ẹmwata. Te ọ ghi rrie odẹ ukpo iyisẹn ne Jehova ke loo obẹlẹ na.—Mat. 24:45-47; Hib. 13:7, 17.

Ghẹ mianmian wẹẹ Esu vbe gbe orhirhi kuọ emwa ne iran mieke na ru emwi nọ ma khẹke. Ne ebe Easily Led—A History of Propaganda khare wẹẹ: Obẹlẹ ne ivbiyokuo wa loo ke otọ gha dee ya mu eghian ne iran gu khọn rẹrẹ keghi re ne a gbe orhirhi kuọ iran. Okpia ọkpa nọ rri egie ebe na tie ẹre Professor Philip M. Taylor keghi kha wẹẹ: “Evbọzẹe ne Ivbi Asiria na sẹtin gha khọnmiotọ yan eghian iran ọre ne iran na gha ye iyẹn ohoghe gbe orhirhi kuọ iran.” Erriọ Esu vbe ru ẹre. Ọ loo imuohan ọghe emwa nagbọn, ọghe ukpokpo kevbe ohan ọghe uwu ra emwi ke emwi nọ gha si ima ghe iyeke vbe ugamwẹ ọghe Jehova.—Aiz. 8:12; Jer. 42:11; Hib. 2:15.

Ghẹ gi Esu ye ohan gbe orhiọn yọ ruẹ iwu ra nọ ya ruẹ fiyekegbe Jehova. Jesu keghi kha wẹẹ: “Wa ghẹ mu ohan ọmwa ne ọ gha gbe ikinnegbe nẹ, ẹi ghi miẹn emwi ọvbehe ru gberra ọnii.” (Luk 12:4) Gha mwẹ ilẹkẹtin wẹẹ e Jehova gha gbaroghe ruẹ, ọ gha rhie “ẹtin ne ọ sẹ ehia” nuẹn, ne u mieke na sẹtin khẹ ye egbe vbe Esu ghaa hoo ne ọ ya ohan muẹn.—2 Kọr. 4:7-9; 1 Pita 3:14.

Emwi eso gha sunu ugbẹnso nọ gha ye ohan gha mu ruẹ, hia ne u ye ẹmwẹ igiọdu ne Jehova tama Jọsua rre vbe ọ khare wẹẹ: “Wegbe ne u vbe din. Ghẹ gie ohan muẹn, ghẹ gie ẹtin foẹ, rhunmwuda mẹ ne Nọyaẹnmwa Osanobua ruẹ rrọọ yaba ruẹ vbe ehe ke ehe ne u rhirhi yo.” (Jọs. 1:9) Osi ghaa si ruẹ, ne erhunmwu gie Jehova vbobọvbobọ nii. U gha ru vberriọ, “ọfunmwegbe Osanobua, ne ọ gberra ne ọmwa nagbọn gha sẹtin rẹn otọ ẹre, gha rhie ekhọe kevbe orhiọn ruẹ mwẹ” ne u mieke na sẹtin mudia gbain vbe odaro emadogua erẹrẹ ne Setan loo.—Fil. 4:6, 7, 13.

U ye yerre ohoghe ne ukọ ọghe Asiria ighẹ Rabshakeh tae nọ ya gbe orhirhi kuọ Ivbi Izrẹl ra? Ọ wẹẹ, ‘Ọmwa rhọkpa i sẹtin miẹn uwa fan vbe obọ Asiria uhiẹn ya sẹ ẹgbe Jehova ne uwa ga.’ Ọ na vbe rhie tẹ wẹẹ: ‘E Nọyaẹnmwa tobọre ẹre ọ tama ima ne ima dekun uwa kevbe ne ima guọghọ uwa.’ Sokpan e Jehova keghi kha wẹẹ: ‘Ghẹ gie Ivbi Asiria ya ohan muẹn ne iran na gha kha wẹẹ i ra sẹtin miẹn uwa fan.’ (2 Ọba 18:22-25; 19:6) Vbe Jehova ghi ru? Ọ keghi ya odibo ọkpa kẹkan guọghọ ivbiyokuo 185,000 vbe asọn ọkpa!—2 Ọba 19:35.

U he ghee ikueta ne a na gha mu ọmwa rẹrẹ ẹdẹ ra? U i rẹn ẹghẹ ne u ya ke itota tama rẹn wẹẹ, te a mu ruẹ rẹrẹ. Ghẹ yayi! Ohoghe nọ! Erriọ avbe odibosa vbe ya tama ima wẹẹ: “Wa ghẹ gi Esu mu uwa rẹrẹ, ohoghe ẹre ọ taa!”

Nọnaghiyerriọ, wa ghẹ rhie ehọ ne Esu taa yi. (Itan 26:24, 25) Gha lele adia ọghe Jehova ne u vbe gha mu ẹtin yan rẹn vbe emwi hia ne u ru. (Itan 3:5-7) E Jehova hoẹmwẹ ruẹ, ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ne ọ na kha wẹẹ: “Gha waan ovbi mwẹ, ne u gie ẹko gha rhiẹnrhiẹn mwẹ.” (Itan 27:11) U gha lele adia na, u gha sẹtin gbogba gae ekhọe ruẹ!