1, 2. What has been noted about Jehovah’s Witnesses?

OBSERVERS have commented on the outstanding qualities seen among Jehovah’s people. For example, regarding our brothers and sisters in Nazi Germany, author Anton Gill wrote: “Jehovah’s Witnesses attracted the especial enmity of the Nazis. . . . By 1939 there were 6,000 of them in the [concentration camps].” Even so, despite the bitter persecution they endured, adds the author, the Witnesses showed “dependability and equanimity [calmness under stress]” as well as “integrity and solidarity.”

² More recently, observers in South Africa noticed similar attractive qualities among God’s people. At one time, Witnesses of different skin color in that country could not freely associate with one another. However, on Sunday, December 18, 2011, it was a wonderful sight to see over 78,000 of our brothers of different races from South Africa and neighboring countries packed into the largest stadium in the city of Johannesburg to enjoy a spiritual program. In commenting on those gathered, one of the managers of the stadium said: “This is the best-behaved crowd I have ever seen in this  stadium. All are neatly dressed. And you people have cleaned the stadium so nicely. But most of all, you are truly multiracial.”

3. What makes our brotherhood unique?

³ Such comments by non-Witnesses show that our international brotherhood is truly unique. (1 Pet. 5:9, ftn.) What, though, makes us so different from any other organization? With the help of God’s Word and his holy spirit, we work hard to “strip off the old personality.” In its place, we “clothe [ourselves] with the new personality.”​—Col. 3:9, 10.

4. What will be considered in this article, and why?

⁴ It is one thing to strip off the old personality, yet quite another to keep it off. In this article, we will consider how we can strip off the old personality, why doing so is urgent, and why change is possible no matter how deeply involved one may be in wrong practices. We will also examine what those who have been in the truth for many years can do to keep off the old personality. Why are such reminders needed? Sadly, some who once served Jehovah have lowered their guard and have slipped back into their old ways. Thus, we all need to take to heart the warning: “Let the one who thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.”​—1 Cor. 10:12.

5. (a) Illustrate why it is urgent to strip off the old personality. (See opening picture.) (b) According to Colossians 3:5-9, what practices belong to the old personality?

⁵ What would you do if your clothing became dirty, perhaps even having a foul odor? You would strip off the soiled garment as soon as possible. Similarly, we need to act with urgency in obeying the command to strip off habits that are contrary to God’s personality. We want to heed Paul’s clear instruction to Christians in his day: “You must put them all away from you.” Let us consider two of the sinful practices listed by Paul​—sexual immorality and uncleanness.​—Read Colossians 3:5-9.

6, 7. (a) How do Paul’s words show that strong measures are needed to strip off the old personality? (b) What kind of life did Sakura live, and what gave her the strength to leave it behind?

⁶ Sexual immorality. The meaning of the original Bible word translated “sexual immorality” includes sexual relations between individuals who are not legally married to each other and homosexuality. Paul told fellow Christians to “deaden” their “body members”​—that is, to eliminate any desires—​“as respects sexual immorality.” Paul’s descriptive language clearly shows that strong measures are needed to wipe out such wrong desires. Yet, the fight against sinful desires can be won.

⁷ Consider what happened to Sakura * from Japan. Growing up, she struggled with loneliness and a feeling of emptiness. From the age of 15, she began to have sexual relations with different partners in order to relieve her loneliness. “As a result,” she confesses with shame, “I had three abortions.” She explains: “At first, I got a sense of security when having immoral relations, thinking that I was needed and loved. But the more I had sexual relations, the more insecure I felt.” This way of life continued until Sakura was 23 years old. Then she began to study the Bible with the Witnesses.  Sakura loved what she learned, and with Jehovah’s help she was able to overcome deep feelings of guilt and shame and to put away sexual immorality. Sakura now serves as a regular pioneer and no longer feels lonely. Instead, as she puts it, “I am really happy to be basking in Jehovah’s love day in and day out.”

8. What are some things that can make us unclean in God’s eyes?

⁸ Uncleanness. The original Bible word translated “uncleanness” is a broad term that includes much more than sexual sins. It can refer to the harmful practice of smoking or the telling of obscene jokes. (2 Cor. 7:1; Eph. 5:3, 4) It also applies to unclean activities practiced by an individual in private, such as reading sexually stimulating books or viewing pornography, which may lead to the unclean habit of masturbation.​—Col. 3:5. *

9. Nurturing “uncontrolled sexual passion” can have what consequences?

⁹ Those who habitually view pornography nurture “uncontrolled sexual passion,” which may result in their becoming addicted to sex. Research indicates that individuals who admitted to having an irresistible urge to watch pornography show the same signs of addiction as do alcoholics and drug addicts. No wonder the practice of viewing pornography has harmful results​—such as deep feelings of shame, low productivity in the workplace, unhappy family life, divorce, and suicide. On celebrating a year of being free of his addiction to pornography, one man wrote: “I have restored a sense of personal integrity that was missing.”

10. How did Ribeiro overcome his addiction to pornography?

¹⁰ For many, staying free from pornography is an ongoing battle. Yet, as shown by what happened to Ribeiro from Brazil, this battle can be won. Ribeiro left home when he was in his teens and in time began working in a paper-recycling plant, where he was exposed to pornographic materials. He relates: “Slowly, I became addicted. It got so bad that I could not wait for the woman I was living with to leave the house so that I could watch pornographic videos.” Then, one day at work, Ribeiro looked at a pile of books that were to be recycled, and he noticed a book with the title The Secret of Family Happiness. He picked it up from the pile and read it. What he learned moved him to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses, but it took him a long time to break his bad habit. What helped him eventually? He explains: “Through prayer, Bible study, and meditation on what I learned, my appreciation of God’s qualities increased until my love for Jehovah became stronger than my desire for pornography.” Helped by the power of God’s Word and his holy spirit, Ribeiro stripped off his old personality, got baptized, and now serves as a congregation elder.

11. What is needed for a person to stay free from pornography?

¹¹ Notice that Ribeiro had to do more than simply study the Bible to succeed in his struggle. He had to take time to allow the Bible’s message to touch his heart. By prayer and meditation, his love for God overpowered the craving for pornography. Developing a strong love for Jehovah and a hatred for what is bad is the best way to stay free from pornography.​—Read Psalm 97:10.

12. What helped Stephen to put away anger and abusive speech?

¹² People who are quick-tempered often express their anger with abusive speech. Obviously, such conduct cannot contribute to a happy family life. Relates Stephen, a father from Australia: “I used to swear a lot and would regularly fly into a rage over trivial things. My wife and I were separated three times and were in the process of getting divorced.” Then, the Witnesses began to study the Bible with the couple. What was the outcome when Stephen began to follow the Bible’s advice? He says: “Our family life improved dramatically. With Jehovah’s help, I now have an overriding sense of peace and calm, whereas before I was a time bomb of bitterness and rage, ready to explode at the slightest annoyance.” Today, Stephen serves as a ministerial servant, and his wife has been a regular pioneer for several years. The elders of the congregation that Stephen attends note: “Stephen is a quiet, hardworking brother, and he has a humble attitude.” They cannot recall ever seeing him angry. Does Stephen accept the credit for this? He states: “None of these beautiful blessings would be part of my life if I hadn’t accepted Jehovah’s help to give my personality a complete makeover.”

13. What makes anger so dangerous, and what warning does the Bible give?

¹³ For good reason, the Bible warns against anger, abusive speech, and screaming. (Eph. 4:31) Sadly, such conduct often escalates into violence. The world may view angry behavior as normal, but it dishonors our Creator. Many had to strip off these harmful ways before being able to clothe themselves with the new personality.​—Read Psalm 37:8-11.

14. Is it possible for an aggressive person to become meek?

¹⁴ Consider the example of Hans, who serves as an elder in a congregation in Austria. “He is one of the meekest brothers you could ever wish to meet,” says the coordinator of the body of elders in the congregation to which Hans belongs. But Hans was not always meek. While in his teens, he began to abuse alcohol and, as a result, turned aggressive. In an alcohol-induced rage, he killed his girlfriend, for which he received a 20-year prison sentence. At first, life in prison did not change Hans’ aggressive personality. In time, his mother arranged for an elder to contact her son in prison, and Hans began to study the Bible. He explains: “It was a struggle for me to strip off my old personality. Bible texts that encouraged me were Isaiah 55:7, which says: ‘Let the wicked man leave his way,’ and 1 Corinthians 6:11, which says about those who had abandoned sinful ways: ‘And yet that is what some of you were.’ For many years, Jehovah patiently helped me by means of his holy spirit to put on the new personality.” After having served 17-and-a-half years of his sentence, Hans was released from prison as a baptized Christian. He states: “I am grateful for Jehovah’s overwhelming mercy and forgiveness.”

15. What practice is common, but what does the Bible say about it?

¹⁵ Besides abusive speech, the practice of lying is also a trait of the old personality. For example, it is common for people to lie on tax returns or to lie to avoid taking responsibility for their sins. By  contrast, Jehovah is “the God of truth.” (Ps. 31:5) Therefore, he requires that “each one” of his worshippers “speak truth with his neighbor” and “not lie.” (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9) Thus, we must tell the truth even if it may be embarrassing or inconvenient.​—Prov. 6:16-19.

16. How can one succeed in stripping off the old personality?

¹⁶ Stripping off old personality traits cannot be done in one’s own strength. The individuals mentioned in this article​—Sakura, Ribeiro, Stephen, and Hans—​had to fight hard to put away their bad practices. They gained the victory by opening their mind and heart to the power of God’s Word and his holy spirit. (Luke 11:13; Heb. 4:12) To benefit from that power, we must read the Bible daily, meditate on it, and pray constantly for the wisdom and strength to apply Bible counsel. (Josh. 1:8; Ps. 119:97; 1 Thess. 5:17) We also benefit from God’s Word and his holy spirit when we prepare for and attend congregation meetings. (Heb. 10:24, 25) In addition, we want to make good use of the various means by which spiritual food is now made available to God’s people worldwide.​—Luke 12:42.

17. What will be discussed in the next article?

¹⁷ We have considered a number of bad practices that Christians must strip off and keep off. But is that all that is required to gain God’s approval? No. We must also clothe ourselves with the new personality. In the following article, we will consider several aspects of the new personality that we need to make a permanent part of our figurative clothing.

1, 2. De emwi ne emwa eso tae vbekpae Avbe Osẹe Jehova?

EMWA nibun wa rẹn wẹẹ te Avbe Osẹe Jehova wa lughaẹn ne emwa ọvbehe. Vbe igiemwi, ọgbenbe ọkpa na tie ẹre Anton Gill keghi gbẹn vbekpae Avbe Osẹe Jehova ni ghaa rre ototọ arriọba e Nazi Germany. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Te arriọba e Nazi vbe Germany wa kakabọ gha khọ ẹko Avbe Osẹe Jehova. . . . Vbe ukpo 1939, Avbe Osẹe Jehova ni re 6,000 ẹre ọ ghaa rre agọ irrioya. Agharhemiẹn wẹẹ iran rri oya ne udẹn rri oya ne ẹvbi, iran na gbe ibiẹ rrie, iran na ye gha mwẹ ẹkoata dae Osanobua vbuwe akugbe.”

² Vbe ọ ma he kpẹ gbe na, aro emwa eso vbe South Africa vbe dae wẹẹ Avbe Osẹe Jehova gele lughaẹn. Ẹghẹ eso nọ gberra, Avbe Osẹe Jehova ni re emwa nekhui kevbe nọfua ma sẹtin gha ru emwi kugbe rhunmwuda uhi ne arriọba mu gbọ vbe ẹvbo nii. Sokpan vbe December 18, 2011, emwi ọyunnuan na sunu vbe South Africa. Avbe Osẹe Jehova ni re emwa nekhui kevbe nọfua kẹ kevbe emwa ni ke otọ ẹvbo ọvbehe rre vbe Africa ni gberra 78,000, keghi si egbe koko vbe ọgbẹlẹzẹ nọ ghi kpọlọ sẹ vbe Johannesburg rhunmwuda ugamwẹ ọghe Osanobua. Ọkpa vbe usun emwa ni gbaroghe ọgbẹlẹzẹ nii keghi kha wẹẹ: “I ma he miẹn emwa ni mwẹ uyinmwẹ esi vbenian ẹdẹ. Te iran hia wa  muegbe ẹsẹ. Iran wa vbe kpe ọgbẹlẹzẹ na huan. Nọ ghi kpa mwẹ odin sẹ, ọre ne emwa nekhui kevbe nọfua na gha ru emwi kugbe.”

3. Vbọ ya ima lughaẹn ne emwa ọvbehe?

³ Ẹmwẹ vbenian ne emwa ọvbehe taa vbekpae Avbe Osẹe Jehova rhiema wẹẹ ima gele lughaẹn. (1 Pit. 5:⁠9) Vbọ mobọ ya ima lughaẹn ne emwa ọvbehe? Ẹmwẹ Osanobua kevbe orhiọn nọhuanrẹn ẹre ọ zẹe ighẹ ma sẹtin ‘ban akpa nẹdẹ mu fua’ ma na mu ọghe ọgbọn yọ.​—⁠Kọl. 3:​9, 10.

4. Vbe ima khian ziro yan vbe ako iruẹmwi na? Vbọzẹe?

⁴ Ma gha ban akpa nẹdẹ mu fua nẹ, te ọ vbe khẹke ne ima fiyekegbẹe. Vbe ako iruẹmwi na, ma gha ziro yan vbene ima khian ya sẹtin ban akpa nẹdẹ mu fua hẹ, evbọzẹe ne ọ na de ọghe ẹgiẹgiẹ kevbe emwi nọ si ẹre ne ima gha na sẹtin fiwerriẹ agharhemiẹn wẹẹ emwi dan wa gu ima obọ ro. Ma gha vbe guan kaẹn emwi ne emwa ni kpẹ nẹ vbe otu e Jehova gha ru ne iran sẹtin fiyekegbe akpa nẹdẹ. Vbọzẹe ne ọ na khẹke ne ima ziro yan ẹmwẹ na? Rhunmwuda emwa eso ni ka gha ga e Jehova vbuwe amuẹtinyan na fiegbua, ọna ẹre ọ ghi ya iran defua vbe otu. Nọnaghiyerriọ, te ọ khẹke ne ima gha ye ibude na rre: “Ọmwa ne ọ roro ighẹ rẹn mudia nẹ, ọ mwẹ ẹwaẹn, ne ọ ghẹ ya de.”​—⁠1 Kọr. 10:⁠12.

5. (a) Ru igiemwi ọghe evbọzẹe ne ọ na khẹke na giẹgiẹ ban akpa nẹdẹ fua. (Ghee efoto nọ rre omuhẹn.) (b) De uyinmwẹ eso ne ebe Kọlosse 3:​5-9 tie ẹre akpa nẹdẹ?

⁵ Vbọ khẹke ne u ru deghẹ u na rẹn wẹẹ ukpọn ne u yọ gbiruẹn sẹrriọ wẹẹ te ọ ghi wia? U ghi giẹgiẹ ya kie ẹre mu fua. Erriọ vbe khẹke ne ima giẹgiẹ ban akpa nẹdẹ mu fua ne ima mieke na gha mwẹ akpa nọ khẹke Ivbiotu Kristi. Te ọ khẹke ne ima gha lele adia ne Pọl rhie ne Ivbiotu e Kristi ni rre Kọlose. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Te uwa gha sẹ avbe emwi na hia rae.” Nia, gima ziro yan uyinmwẹ eva ne Pọl wẹẹ ne ima biegbe na​—⁠oghẹ kevbe ohọhọ.​—⁠Tie kọlose 3:​5-9.

6, 7. (a) De vbene ẹmwẹ ne Pọl loo ro, ya rhiẹre ma hẹ wẹẹ, te ima khian situa ne ima mieke na sẹtin wabọrerua ighẹ iziro rhọkpa nọ dekaan oghẹ? (b) De uyinmwẹ nọ ka gu e Sakura obọ ro? Vbọ ghi ya sẹtin fiwerriẹ hẹ?

⁶ Oghẹ. Emwi na ya “oghẹ” kha vbe urhuẹvbo na ya gbẹn e Baibol keghi dekaan uyinmwẹ ọghe emwa ni ma he ru orọnmwẹ ni ru emwi ọdọ vbe amwẹ kevbe ikpia vbe ikpia kevbe ikhuo vbe ikhuo ni mu egbe. E Pọl keghi tama Ivbiotu e Kristi ne iran “gbẹe rua ighẹ orriarria emwi agbọn na” nọ dekaan “oghẹ.” Ẹmwẹ ne Pọl loo ro mwa rhiẹre ma wẹẹ, te ima khian situa ne ima mieke na sẹtin wabọrerua ighẹ iziro rhọkpa nọ dekaan oghẹ.

⁷ Gima guan kaẹn emwi nọ sunu daa ọtẹn nokhuo ọkpa vbe Japan na tie ẹre Sakura. * Vbe ọ wan dee, ọ kegha re ọmwa nẹi mwẹ oghọghọ rhunmwuda ọ ghaa roro ẹre wẹẹ irẹn i mwẹ ne irẹn gu agbọn ye ra irẹn i mwẹ esa ne irẹn ye. Rhunmwuda ọ hoo ne irẹn gha mwẹ esa nọ ye, vbe ọ rre ukpo 15, ọ na suẹn gha ghẹẹ. Vbe ọ ghi lae miẹn? Igbaha ẹre ọ mu ẹko fua. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Vbe I ghi suẹn gha ghẹẹ, ọ na yevbe I mwẹ ne I gu agbọn ye nẹ, sokpan vbene ẹghẹ ya khian, osi na gha si mwẹ rhunmwuda I ma miẹn ere vbọ.” Erriọ wa gha do ẹki dan na, ọ ke ya sẹ ukpo 23. Ọ na ghi suẹn gha gu Avbe Osẹe Jehova ruẹ e Baibol. Emwi nọ ruẹ re keghi sẹ ọre ekhọe. Ọ na mu uyinmwẹ alama oghẹ fua, ekhọe ọre ma ghi gha bu abe gbẹe. Arọndẹ ọghe  ẹghẹ hia ẹre Sakura ghi khin nia, te ọ ghi mwẹ esa nọ ye. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Te I ghi sọyẹnmwẹ vbe ẹghẹ hia rhunmwuda I rẹnrẹn wẹẹ e Jehova hoẹmwẹ mwẹ.”

8. De uyinmwẹ eso nọ gha ya ima khian emwa ne ima huan vbe aro e Jehova?

⁸ Ohọhọ. Evba ye “ohọhọ” kha vbe urhuẹvbọ na ya gbẹn e Baibol keghi gberra uyinmwẹ alama oghẹ. Ọ dekaan uyinmwẹ nọ gu ọmwa obọ ro nọ rhie ikuanegbe ne ọmwa vbe na ghee esiga na si kevbe ọdẹn ọghe usakanmwẹ ne a gbe. (2 Kọr. 7:1; Ẹfis. 5:​3, 4) Ọ vbe dekaan emwi nẹi maan ne a ru vbe ẹkhokho vbe na ghee ughe ne ikpia vbe ikhuo na ru emwi ọdọ vbe amwẹ. Egbe ughe vberriọ sẹtin si ọmwa fi uyinmwẹ ne ọ ma khẹke ọghe ne a na tobọ mwa gua ẹgẹn ọmwa kpa.​—⁠Kọl. 3:⁠5. *

9. Vbọ kẹrikian vbe ọmwa gha fifi gbe ye ẹmwẹ oghẹ?

⁹ Emwa ni ghee ughe ne ikpia vbe ikhuo na bannuan vbe ẹghẹ hia keghi ‘fifi’ sẹrriọ wẹẹ, ọ yevbe iran i ghi sẹtin ru emwi agbọn deghẹ iran ma ghẹẹ. Emwa ni gualọ otọ emwi dinmwi khare wẹẹ, te emwa ni ghee ughe ne ikpia vbe ikhuo na bannuan vbe yevbe emwa ni ma sẹtin ban ayọn ne a da kevbe ikpe ukhunmwu ni wegbe na loo. Ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ne ughe vberriọ na si ọlọghọmwa ye uwu ẹgbẹe, ekhue, nai na ghi sẹtin winna ẹse vbe isiwinna, ebe orọnmwẹ na sọ kevbe ne a na gbe egbe ọmwa rua. Okpia ọkpa nọ sẹtin ban ughe ne ikpia vbe ikhuo na bannuan keghi kha vbe iyeke ukpo ọkpa wẹẹ: “Eban ẹre I ghi mwẹ ekpẹn ne egbe mwẹ ni te mu fua.”

10. De vbene Ribeiro ya sẹtin ban ughe ne ikpia vbe ikhuo na bannuan?

¹⁰ Ọ keghi re emwi nọ wa lọghọ ne emwa nibun sẹtin do ban ughe dan ne a ghee. Okha ọghe Ribeiro nọ ke Brazil rre, rhiẹre ma wẹẹ uyinmwẹ na sẹtin ban ẹre nọ. Ehọnrre ẹre Ribeiro ye khin vbe ọ kpa hin owa rre. Ọ ghi sẹ ẹghẹ, ọ na suẹn gha winna vbe isiwinna ne a na fi ebe werriẹ ya ru emwi ọvbehe. Ebe nibun nọ ghaa miẹn vba keghi re ni guan kaẹn ra ni mwẹ efoto ne ikpia vbe ikhuo na ru emwi odọ vbe amwẹ. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Kherhe kherhe, ọ na do khian emwi nọ gua mwẹ obọ ro sẹrriọ wẹẹ, Ii ghi sẹtin zinegbe ne okhuo ni gu dia kpa hin owa rre nẹ, I ke suẹn gha ghee ughe dan.” Ọ ghi sẹ ẹdẹ ọkpa vbe isiwinna, Ribeiro keghi miẹn ebe na tie ẹre The Secret of Family Happiness vbuwe ititi ebe na khian winna yan. Ọ na suẹn gha tie ne ebe. Emwi nọ miẹn tie vbe ebe nii ẹre ọ yae suẹn gha gu Avbe Osẹe Jehova ruẹ e Baibol. Sokpan ọ rhie ẹghẹ ọ ke sẹtin mu uyinmwẹ dan nii fua. Vbọ ru iyobọ nẹẹn? Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Erhunmwu, e Baibol na tie kevbe na ru erria yan ẹre ọ ya ahoẹmwọmwa ni mwẹ ne Jehova dinmwi sẹrriọ wẹẹ I na ghi sẹtin ban ughe dan na ghee.” Ẹmwẹ Osanobua kevbe orhiọn nọhuanrẹn ẹre ọ ru iyobọ ne Ribeiro ya ban akpa nẹdẹ mu fua, ọ na dinmwiamẹ, nia ọkpa vbe usun ediọn vbe iko ghi nọ.

11. De emwi ne ima gha ru ne ima mieke na sẹtin fiyekegbe ughe ne ikpia vbe ikhuo na ru emwi ọdọ vbe amwẹ?

¹¹ Yẹrẹro wẹẹ ẹi re Baibol na tie ọkpa ẹre ọ ru iyobọ ne Ribeiro. Ọ keghi gi emwi nọ ruẹ re vbe Baibol sẹ ọre ekhọe. Erhunmwu kevbe erria nọ ghaa ru yan emwi nọ tiere, ẹre ọ ye ahoẹmwọmwa nọ mwẹ ne Jehova do wegbe sẹ ahoo na ya ghee ughe dan. Odẹ nọ ghi maan sẹ na ya fan egbe ọmwa fua vbe imu ọghe ughe ne  ikpia vbe ikhuo na bannuan ọre wẹẹ, ma gha mwẹ ahoẹmwọmwa nọ wegbe dae Jehova, ma vbe gha khuiwu emwi ne irẹn khuiwu ẹre.​—⁠Tie Psalm 97:⁠10.

12. Vbọ ye Stephen mu ohu kevbe ẹbọ na tie fua?

¹² Emwa ne ohu rherhe mu keghi taa ẹmwẹ ekpọ. Uyinmwẹ vbenian wa si ọlọghọmwa ye ẹgbẹe. E Stephen ne okpia nọ mwẹ ọmọ mwẹ amwẹ nọ ke Australia rre khare wẹẹ: “Ẹbọ ẹbọ ẹre I te tie, emwi kherhe gha wa sunu, ohu rre nẹ. Igbaha ẹre imẹ vbe ọvbokhan mwẹ wannọ egbe, te ima khian ghi te sọ ebe orọnmwẹ.” E Stephen vbe ọvbokhan rẹn na ghi suẹn gha gu Avbe Osẹe Jehova ruẹ e Baibol. Vbọ ghi sunu? Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ma na do gha mwẹ adogbannọ vbuwe ẹgbẹe. Te imẹ te yevbe na ghee ugbe nọ wẹwẹ nọ mu sa vbe emwi kherhe gha wa sunu. Lekpae iyobọ e Jehova, te imẹ ghi sẹtin gbe ibiẹ rrie, ọmwa nọ fu ẹre I ghi khin.” Nia, ọguọmwadia iwinna ẹre Stephen ghi khin vbene ọvbokhan rẹn na re arọndẹ ọghe ẹghẹ hia vbe ukpo eso nia. Ediọn ni rre iko e Stephen keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ọmwa nọ fu, nẹi ye iwinna ku kevbe nọ mu egbe rriotọ ẹre Stephen khin.” Iran ma he miẹn ọnrẹn vbe ọ mu ohu ẹdẹ. E Stephen rẹnrẹn wẹẹ, ẹi re ẹtin obọ re ẹre ọ ya fiwerriẹ. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “I ghẹ miẹn afiangbe vbenian akpawẹ I ma lele adia ọghe Jehova. Ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ighẹ I sẹtin fiwerriẹ.”

13. De ẹbe ne ohu si? De vbene Baibol ya ye obọ sekhae ne ima hẹ?

¹³ E Baibol wẹẹ ne ima mu ohu, ẹbọ na tie kevbe ọkan na vannọ fua. (Ẹfis. 4:31) Uyinmwẹ vbenian sẹtin si igbinnoguo ra ikuanegbe. Ẹi sọnnọ emwa vbuwe agbọn sokpan ẹi rhie uyi ne Osanobua. Ọna ẹre ọ zẹe ne ọ na khẹke ne ima ban akpa nẹdẹ mu fua ne ima mieke na sẹtin mu ọghe ọgbọn yọ.​—⁠Tie Psalm 37:​8-11.

14. Ọmwa ne ohu dan mu gha sẹtin khian ọmwa nọ fu ra?

¹⁴ Ọtẹn nokpia ọkpa na tie ẹre Hans keghi re ọkpa vbe ediọn vbe iko ọkpa vbe Austria. Ọsiemwiẹnro ọghe ẹbu ediọn vbe iko nii keghi kha wẹẹ: “I ma he miẹn ọtẹn nọ fu sẹrriọ ẹdẹ. Ọmwa na hoo na sikẹ nọ.” Sokpan ọtẹn na i re ọmwa nọ ka fu. Ẹghẹ ne ọ na gha re ehọnrre, te ọ ghaa da ayọn gbe egbe, nọ ghi yae do khian ọmwa ne aro ẹre kpannọ ugiọnmwẹ erhẹn. Ohu nọ muẹn vbe ọ da ayọn nẹ vbe ẹdẹ ọkpa, ẹre ọ ya gbe egbakhian rẹn rua. Ukpọ ugie ẹre arriọba wẹẹ nọ ya gbe vbe eghan rhunmwuda ozere nọ do. Ọrheyerriọ, uyinmwẹ ọnrẹn ma fiwerriẹ vbe eghan. Iyẹe na do ru emwamwa ne ọkpa vbe ediọn gha gu ẹre ruẹ e Baibol. E Hans keghi kha wẹẹ: “Ọ wa lọghọ mwẹ I ke sẹtin ban akpa nẹdẹ mu fua. Ako eso vbe Baibol nọ ru iyobọ mẹ keghi re Aizaia 55:7 nọ khare wẹẹ: “Gi emwa dan fi uyinmwẹ iran werriẹ” kevbe 1 Kọrinti 6:11 nọ khare wẹẹ: “Erriọ eso vbe uwu uwa te ye.” Emwa ni fi uyinmwẹ iran werriẹ nẹ ẹre ako na guan kaẹn. Ukpo nibun ẹre Jehova ya ye izinegbe ru iyobọ mẹ. Orhiọn nọhuanrẹn ọghẹe ẹre ọ zẹe ighẹ I sẹtin mu akpa ọghe ọgbọn yọ.” Ukpo 17 ẹre ọ ghi gbe vbe eghan iran ke faẹn fua. Eghan ẹre ọ na dinmwiamẹ zẹvbe Osẹe Jehova. Ọ keghi kha wẹẹ: “I kpọnmwẹ e Jehova ye itohan ọghẹe nẹi gia gie kevbe ne ọ na yabọ mwẹ.”

15. De uyinmwẹ nọ gu emwa obọ ro, sokpan de emwi ne Baibol khare vbekpa re?

¹⁵ Ohoghe ne a taa keghi re ọkpa vbe usun akpa nẹdẹ. Emwa nibun keghi taa ohoghe ne iran ghẹ mieke na hae igho uhunmwu ra na ghẹ rri iran oya ye emwi dan ne iran ru. Sokpan, e Jehova  ọre “Osanobua ne ọ gia mu ẹtin yan.” (Psm. 31:⁠5) Nọnaghiyerriọ, irẹn hoo ne “dọmwadọghẹ gha taa ẹmwata ma ọtiọnrẹn” ẹi re “ohoghe.” (Ẹfis. 4:25; Kọl. 3:⁠9) Vbọrhirhighayehẹ, te ima gha taa ẹmwata ọ gha khọn rẹn deghẹ ọ ya ekhue mu ima.​—⁠Itan 6:​16-19.

16. Vbe ima khian ya sẹtin ban akpa nẹdẹ mu fua hẹ?

¹⁶ Ma i sẹtin ya ẹtin obọ ima ban akpa nẹdẹ mu fua. Etẹn na guan kaẹn vbe ako iruẹmwi na​—⁠Sakura, Ribeiro, Stephen kevbe Hans keghi loo ẹrhiọn ne iran mieke na sẹtin fi uyinmwẹ iran werriẹ. Emwi nọ ghi ya iran khọnmiotọ ọre ne iran na kue ne ẹtin ọghe Ẹmwẹ Osanobua kevbe orhiọn nọhuanrẹn ọghẹe fi iran ekhọe werriẹ. (Luk 11:13; Hib. 4:12) Ne ẹtin na mieke na vbe gha loo ima, te ọ khẹke ne ima gha tie Baibol ẹdẹgbegbe, ma gha ru erria yan emwi ne ima tie, ma vbe gha na erhunmwu ne Osanobua rhie ẹwaẹn ne ima, ne ima sẹtin rhie emwi ne ima ruẹ ye uyinmwẹ. (Jọs. 1:8; Psm. 119:97; 1 Tẹs. 5:17) Ma gha vbe miẹn afiangbe vbe Ẹmwẹ Osanobua kevbe Orhiọn nọhuanrẹn ọghẹe deghẹ ima mu egbe iko yotọ kevbe deghẹ ima yo iko vbe ẹghẹ hia. (Hib. 10:​24, 25) Yevbesọni, te ima gha loo ẹre ẹse ighẹ obẹlẹ ughughan ne evbare orhiọn ke sẹ ima obọ vbe uhunmwu otagbọn hia.​—⁠Luk 12:⁠42.

17. Vbe ima khian ruẹ vbe ako iruẹmwi nọ ghi sọregbe?

¹⁷ Ma guan kaẹn akpa eso nẹ, nọ khẹke ne Ivbiotu e Kristi ban mu fua, iran vbe fiyekegbẹe. Sokpan, ọna ọkpa gha ya ima miẹn ilekhue ọghe Osanobua ra? Ẹo. Te ọ vbe khẹke ne ima mu akpa ọghe ọgbọn yọ. Vbe ako iruẹmwi nọ ghi sọregbe, ma gha guan kaẹn akpa ọghe ọgbọn eso nọ khẹke ne ima gha mu yọ vbe ẹghẹ hia.