Religion of Monday, 10 June 2013

Source: GNA

Witnesses urged to safeguard their minds

Jehovah’s Witnesses attending a two-day Circuit Assembly organized in Accra were at the weekend urged to use a spiritual anti-virus to safeguard their mind from being corrupted.

Mr James Opoku-Acheampong, the District Overseer of the Witnesses who gave the advice, likened the mind to a computer that needed an anti-virus to protect the files from being corrupted.

Speaking to the 1,162 delegates, he explained that unwholesome entertainment that centred on violence, demonism, sexual immorality as well as bad association could serve as a “spiritual virus” to the mind of a Christian.

Mr Opoku-Acheampong advised the Witnesses to develop a strong culture of living in harmony with God’s word as a means to safeguard their mind.

“We need to shun other forms of culture that disrespects God. Living by Jehovah’s Word and standards should be our number one culture,” he stressed.

Drawing lessons from Ezekiel 18:25 about the Israelites who erroneously judged God by their own imperfect standards, he urged the Witnesses to respect and uphold God’s lofty standards and to live by them.

Mr Stephen McIntyre, Circuit 53A Overseer, reminded the delegates to safeguard their mind through deep concentrated thinking about important things.

He said such meditation involved reflecting on the wisdom of God’s creation which engenders trust and confidence in the one meditating.

Mr McIntyre stressed that meditation leads true Christians to spiritual advancement as well as making them take wise decisions.

Eight persons symbolized their dedication to God through water baptism.

The ongoing two-day assembly programme is with the theme: “Safeguard Your Mind” and is based on Matthew 22:37.

The programme is expected to help the delegates to allow God to mould their thinking and to have Jesus Christ’s mental attitude of humbly obeying his father.

It is also to liberate the Witnesses from “spiritual blindness” and to help husbands, wives, parents and children to contribute towards family happiness.